Problem selecting first gear

[ChasMill]

I prefer this trait to the inability to select neutral that my last bike (Aprilia RSVR) suffered from. The only way I could get neutral was on the move or with the engine witched off. Complete pain in the backside and probably due to my ineptitude rather than the Italian engineering.

 

[JayGee]

I see my criticism of the BMW engineering got under the skin of a few posters, it's a shame that some are so besotted with BMW that they can't accept the bikes not perfect .
I am well aware of why 1st can be difficult to engage but that doesn't make this fault any more exceptable on such an expensive bike whose makers claim engineering excellence. To claim it is character when it's just bloody irritating is a joke and the joke's on us, they'd never sell a car that didn't engage first easily every time, they just know bikers are less demanding.
So, let's have a bit more New Year spirit a bit less intolerance and be a bit more open minded.
I still think it's a great bike but it does have some irritating faults that really should have been designed out (otherwise known as crap engineering!).

 

[ktmmark]

It's not a fault just different way of doing things

 

[Paul Mac]

I see my criticism of the BMW engineering got under the skin of a few posters, it's a shame that some are so besotted with BMW that they can't accept the bikes not perfect .
I am well aware of why 1st can be difficult to engage but that doesn't make this fault any more exceptable on such an expensive bike whose makers claim engineering excellence. To claim it is character when it's just bloody irritating is a joke and the joke's on us, they'd never sell a car that didn't engage first easily every time, they just know bikers are less demanding.
So, let's have a bit more New Year spirit a bit less intolerance and be a bit more open minded.
I still think it's a great bike but it does have some irritating faults that really should have been designed out (otherwise known as crap engineering!).

Well said - about time for an honest assessment of the 1200GS instead of an immediate attack of vitriol the moment anyone on this site mentions that the bike might be lesss than perfect.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Out of step?

Well, I have had eight BM's now and this is the first one which, right from new, had slipped into first gear without any problem. If that means it lacks character I don't mind.