Pointless electronics

[Flipfly]

Traction control in dynamic mode

Even on a dry sunny day it kicks in at the merest wiff of a wheely So turn it off and all your left with is the snatchy fly by wire throttle

Road mode does seem any different to dynamic imho

Best mode is enduro mode for me, but then it limits power to the same as the old bike


Any chance of a combo of enduro throttle and full power with the traction turned down to 2 please

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Welcome to the new world

The bike decides what you need now, not the rider

Where's the fun in that, might as well be in the car

 

[rodooo]

Agreed

 

[Wrinkly]

Nice day for a bit of Sunday morning fishing.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Nice day for a bit of Sunday morning fishing.

Sun's up

 

[bellyboy]

some people said that about the light switch..

 

[Flipfly]

some people said that about the light switch..

I doubt it

The infamous bmw surge is back with a vengence unless it's in enduro mode. I'm sure it's down to the sensitivity of the fbw throttle and not a fueling issue, but it's annoying. The traction control is over nannying and is either on or off, clutch is grabby, engine won't pull off in second unless you slip the grabby clutch (not a good look when the traction control kicks in also). I ended up looking a total twat at the traffic light when I tried a get away in second. At least I understand why bmw made the gear indicator so big
It handles well enough, but in hard setting the suspension is too firm and I'm a fat fook
The engine is strong, but it's lost alot of character imho. Feckin hard to keep in the speed limits which ain't a good thing either

 

[Rushy]

The GS doesn't need all that power really. Any big adventure bike on stilts just doesn't need it.

Even the journos who still lust after 160bhp+ are starting to say as much of the new ADV bikes. Witness Bike magazine this month where the 'owner' of their long term KTM1190 is already saying me much prefers the way the bike rides and feels in rain mode where the power is limited to only 90bhp.

That new GS really looks great tho , congrats

 

[Wrinkly]

I doubt it

Feckin hard to keep in the speed limits which ain't a good thing either

Don't agree on many of your thoughts on the new bike,but I have to agree on the above.

After my little telling off by the boys in blue last Monday I have been very aware of my speed.
Friday morning a notice of intended prosecution dropped through the door.
I'd been caught on camera in Rotherham on Wednesday whilst taking the bike for it's first service.

Not a pull or anything for 20+ years then two in a week

Off to France for a week later today,lets hope no3 isn't lurking round the corner.
Worst of it is I've no one but myself to blame.

Steve

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The GS doesn't need all that power really. Any big adventure bike on stilts just doesn't need it.

Even the journos who still lust after 160bhp+ are starting to say as much of the new ADV bikes.

Witness Bike magazine this month where the 'owner' of their long term KTM1190 is already saying me much prefers the way the bike rides and feels in rain mode where the power is limited to only 90bhp.

Exactly what I said in my 'review' too

Adv bikes, don't need 'peak power'

The new GS is a pseudo road bike now

 

[batman1]

I doubt it

The infamous bmw surge is back with a vengence unless it's in enduro mode. I'm sure it's down to the sensitivity of the fbw throttle and not a fueling issue, but it's annoying. The traction control is over nannying and is either on or off, clutch is grabby, engine won't pull off in second unless you slip the grabby clutch (not a good look when the traction control kicks in also). I ended up looking a total twat at the traffic light when I tried a get away in second. At least I understand why bmw made the gear indicator so big
It handles well enough, but in hard setting the suspension is too firm and I'm a fat fook
The engine is strong, but it's lost alot of character imho. Feckin hard to keep in the speed limits which ain't a good thing either

What a shame that you didn't take one for few decent test rides before you bought it, I should take it back as... Not fit for purpose!

 

[cookie]

i don't think he bought one

 

[geesexr]

Exactly what I said in my 'review' too

Adv bikes, don't need 'peak power'

The new GS is a pseudo road bike now

The point is that the GS is capable of many things, small minagery roads, fast sweeping bends, long journeys, weekend ride outs. Sometimes the extra power can be very useful then again on the new GS it is very controllable if you want to go slow, you may not realise this if you have only taken it out on a test ride. It does everthing the TC does but better in every way and it make it feel easy. The fly by wire throttle is excellent but if you are used to the lazy feel of the old GS throttle it takes a while to get used to it.
I ride my WC down the same roads as I used to ride my rallye both very capable bikes on all types of roads but I couldn't go back to the rallye and I take my hat off to BMW for making such a fantastic bike.

 

[Yellow Peril]

The new GS is a pseudo road bike now

Agreed and BMW have agreed as much with the road biased tyres. Maybe the new ADV will be a more traditional GSA

 

[Flipfly]

The point is that the GS is capable of many things, small minagery roads, fast sweeping bends, long journeys, weekend ride outs. Sometimes the extra power can be very useful then again on the new GS it is very controllable if you want to go slow, you may not realise this if you have only taken it out on a test ride. It does everthing the TC does but better in every way and it make it feel easy. The fly by wire throttle is excellent but if you are used to the lazy feel of the old GS throttle it takes a while to get used to it.
I ride my WC down the same roads as I used to ride my rallye both very capable bikes on all types of roads but I couldn't go back to the rallye and I take my hat off to BMW for making such a fantastic bike.

Try as I might, the throttle is just too sensitive. Every bump causes a jerk as it accelerates and decelerates just a tiny amount. The thought process required to get smooth progress takes away from the brain power required to read the road.
Enduro mode is much more controllable and much nicer/easier imho.
It seems to me that you have to adjust to the bike rather than just jumping on and enjoying it which has always been a gs strong point.

 

[alp]

Flip, I know what you mean about the sensitive throttle, fine by me though.
Have you tested the Triumph Explorer? I guess not or this bike's throttle would seem great. You can't blink on the Ex. without the throttle moving.

 

[Flipfly]

Flip, I know what you mean about the sensitive throttle, fine by me though.
Have you tested the Triumph Explorer? I guess not or this bike's throttle would seem great. You can't blink on the Ex. without the throttle moving.

So I should be happy that it's bad, but not as bad as some other bikes

I haven't bought one and nor would I. I think all this electrickery is an inevitable progression in motorcycling. But I'm struggling to see the point of high hp if you have reign it in with traction control.
I managed 43 mpg overall apparently, but managed to drain 15 quids worth of fuel in 60 miles (overall I did just under 100 miles). It was showing just over half, so if ridden fast(ish) i reckon i could empty a tank in around 140-160 miles christ knows what I'd get it down to on full power mode

It's great you all love the bike, but personally I think the hype is exactly that, the actual bike is riddled with issues which need ironing out.

The bike I rode surged badly too when cruising at 85-90.

The screen is very good, probably the best bm have produced (bar the 1200gsa), it does handle sweetly and point to point it's definately quicker than an 1150, but a 10 year old cbr600 would be even quicker and probably more comfortable.

Not enough positives for me to warrant changing. Might consider an older pre traction 1200gsa if I did change, but for now the trusty steed lives on

 

[Giles]

Ummmmmmm

I don't get it! I thought it was a cracking bike. My demo bike had a clutch as light as a feather and the modulation between drive and clutch in / out was silky silky smooth.
I also found the fly by wire throttle fine Yes it's very sensitive in Dynamic mode, and kicks in quickly (which it's supposed to do), but if you're hooning and want that point.. squirt .. off.. turn .. then, well that's want you want isn't it?? It's what I want! And if I'm not in the mood, I'll just stick it in Road mode.

And then there are the variations that you can over-ride - just 'cos you (one - not you Flip ) stick it in Dynamic, it doesn't mean that you can't also, at the flick of a switch, soften the damping a bit - you don't have to ride it in 'hard'.

So I don't agree with the 'the bike decides not you'. I can over rule or at least alter pretty much anything if I chose to

JB complains that the GS is too much of a road bike now.

It's a feckin' brilliant road bike now And it'll still do all the off road stuff you want (look at the thing being thrashed off road in the pro mo vid, look at Pavey in Wales..).

I dunno what yer all complaining about

Biking, how you ride, how you use yer throttle, whether you get caught speeding or not, how smoothly you use yer throttle .... That's in yer head, not the bit between yer legs ...

 

[Georgeeboi]

Giles, I'm not complaining!! I love it but maybe it's because I've come from sports bikes not long ago had a twin cam for a year which I liked but compared to this there is no comparison, I think if I'd had a few different models 1100 1150 etc I might not feel the same way but hey ho I'm enjoying it at the moment!

 

[Giles]

I think if I'd had a few different models 1100 1150 etc I might not feel the same way ....

yes - I completely understand that ...