Options questions.

[Peter Reilly]

Have just ordered a new R1200GS with ABS, ASC and tyre pressure control. I commute to work all year round on slippery London roads and would not be without ABS. Plus BMW has now ditched servo brakes, which I find grabby at low speed.
ASC appeals as it reduces the chance of losing the back end when pulling out of a side road.
I don't check the tyre pressure as often as I should so TPC should give extra piece of mind.
BTW, white indicator lenses now include LED indicators.
I am trading in my 2005 GS, main reason for change is better brakes and availability of ASC.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Servos

Am I alone - I really appreciate the servo at any speed. I know that the servo on the 1150 was very 'grabby' but mine on a late 2004 GS has been fine. (Last week I was without it - until I realised the lever was JUST touching the guard - and I really missed it.)

 

[Pukmeister]

No Brian, I also like my servos now that the banjo bolt mod has been done, it seems to give better feel at the lever. The 'residual braking' when reversing the bike down my drive into my garage is also improved, I no longer need to have the servos running when putting her away.

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

Just ordered my R1200GS with heated grips, wire wheels (like the look), computer (like gadgets) and panniers.

Couldn't see the point of the alarm, the bike comes standard with an imobilser and who takes notice of alarms anyway. Save the money and buy a chain and lock or a good aftermarket alarm.

No need for ABS even though the dealers ram it down your throat and try to tell you will have a negative effect on re-sale. Must be good margin for them.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Alarms?

I agree that I can see no point in an alarm UNLESS your insurance company will lower the premium accordingly - which they would/should do IF it makes the bike less liable to theft.
As far as ABS is concerned you only have to use it just ONCE or NOT HAVE IT & NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT ONCE and you will realise what us old idiots were/are going on about!

 

[xylo66]

ABS

I would not be here if it weren't for ABS on my GSA !
Coming round a long bend on the A470 last summer in mid wales to find a broken down caravan and range rover with traffic blasaire overtaking it on a blind bend and 2 GS'/A coming towards them at 90 mph ! Thank goodness it was dry!
Sorry, but nowadays with the way idiots drive its become vital, unfortunately.

 

[JohnC]

Am I alone - I really appreciate the servo at any speed. I know that the servo on the 1150 was very 'grabby' but mine on a late 2004 GS has been fine. (Last week I was without it - until I realised the lever was JUST touching the guard - and I really missed it.)

No problem with servo brakes here, (2006 1200) not grabby at all and I like the instant two finger haul up at any speed. I've had a few close calls while covering the brakes with just two fingers and the servo does what it says on the tin ABS, yes I'd say it's a deff must have safety feature (spesh on under-tyred bikes when we've had them on just about every car for phoomfty years) if you use the bike all year round with the UK's inclement weather (it works very well and can be switched off if required). And no matter what the detracters say I havent triggered the ABS once in 'normal' riding conditions, only twice has it triggered without me 'testing' it, once from a huge emergency (panic?) brake in the wet where without a doubt it saved my ar$e allowing me to brake hard and steer round an upturned van. (the other, dont ask )

 

[FATBOY]

I would not be here if it weren't for ABS on my GSA !
Coming round a long bend on the A470 last summer in mid wales to find a broken down caravan and range rover with traffic blasaire overtaking it on a blind bend and 2 GS'/A coming towards them at 90 mph ! Thank goodness it was dry!
Sorry, but nowadays with the way idiots drive its become vital, unfortunately.

Blind bend? 90 mph? Not anticipating the worse case senario?
I'm not a perpect rider either.
I hope I never regret saying it, but I still think I'll spend the ABS money (damn near a grand I think) on fuel.
Should get about 12 gallons for that.

Interesting points throughout the thread. Still unsure about the OBC. The chrome pipe would be a waste as I have a Remus to go on anyway.
I love the look of the wire wheels.
The point re a GSA 1200 was well made, I just don't want to cart the extra 30Kg about. Fuel range is much a do about nothing for me as I'm a martyr to my ar$e. 150 miles and I need a break/crap/pint/massage/coffee/bed anyway.

Current on my GS are ABS, heated grips, alarm, fancy pipe,crash bars, brighter bulbs, baglux,panniers, tobinators/anti vibe thingies, fastway pegs, bigger brake rear lever. Most of this will transfer.

A hugger would be nice as I get sick of being covered in $hit. Do Bmw read riders comments? It would seem not. The "new" GS is the same.

 

[xylo66]

ABS

No - we were on a long bend sweeping left and then a long straight. The cars on the opposite side coming from the long straight side towards the blind bend FOR THEM, not for us. Besides, this was a road we have ridden on dozens of times and well known , ridden carefully and with foresight . After all, there are some majestic rides along those welsh roads !...with ABS mind

 

[FATBOY]

Only pulling your leg mate.

 

[xylo66]

ABS

I know - GS / A rocks !....just get one and ride , man ! forget the fuss

 

[Deano]

I know - GS / A rocks !....just get one and ride , man ! forget the fuss

AGREED!!!

 

[North]

1. Heated grips - essential

2. Alarm - BWM version is programmable so you don't have to set it automatically if you don't want. It's not just an economic decision vs. insurance savings, how safe is where you will be parking it? I know I feel better having one.

3. Wire wheels - you definitely need these if you are off roading. It's a personal opinion on the looks but I wouldn't buy one without them. They aren't that hard to clean - it depends how anal you are I guess. No problems on cost at service time.

4. Computer thingy - have a look at a dashboard with and without and then decide. For the sake of a ton on a ten grand bike it seems a bit silly to skimp and will make a difference come re-sale time.

5. ABS - people either love it or hate it. I've got the old servo brakes and I love them. The ABS on the new ones is supposed to be superb, I'll never buy another bike without ABS. Maybe you should reconsider why you don't want it?

I have abs, wire wheels, alarm. The heated grips were stock in Canada, but if they were not. I would of got them, they are great.

My bike is an 05, so there was no computer thingly. But if there was, I would of got it too.

The bike had chrome exhaust on it, I had to pay for, but it does look better to me. Some people like the plain look, it's just what you like.

 

[Big Lee]

Re. the ABS, next time you put your bike in for a service ask how long the ABS has been activated on the front & rear brakes I had a brake check last year & thats one of the print outs they gave me. You might be surprised that it has been activated without you realising, then again you might not