R1200GSA or HP2?

[cookie]

i didn't know it was a comparison. i thought it was a simple which would you buy, if you could drop the dosh question

 

[GSmonkey]

I've got so much money I'd buy both

 

[Aurelius]

Another pointless thread "comparing a pig with a cuckoo" style. They are a way too different bikes to be compared.

Which would handily explain why no one is comparing them. The question was: "You’ve got 12K burning a hole in your pocket and space in the garage for one more bike. What’s it going to be and why?"

Like most people, I chose the 1200ADV because:

1. It has many features the HP2 lacks (heated grips, a comfortable seat, a windshield, telelever suspension, crash bars, ABS, luggage racks, a counterbalanced engine, and pillion accomodations.)

2. Practically all of my riding is done on pavement, something the HP2 is poorly equipped for.

If I wanted an offroad bike, I can easily find one that weighs far less, costs far less, and has no clearance problems in rocky terrain, as the HP2's protruding cylinders do.

 

[allan]

I've got so much money I'd buy both

I would agree if I had any money that is but since I don't I cant have either of them. if I did have any money I would have the GSA because you cant load up an HP2 with luggage and B off for the weekend.

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

So long as I can keep my 1150 - I'll have the HP2 no question! Decided some time ago that I'll never sell my 1150, and that my next 'new' bike probably won't be a BM (unless something terrible happens to my GS and I have to replace it!), but I could definately make a little space for that HP2 - especially in super-moto trim.

 

[Deadskin]

HP2
I' ve done a few green lanes on me 1200 which have been great fun
i can't imagine what a few less kilos and a few more horses would be !

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Which would handily explain why no one is comparing them.

Like most people, I chose the 1200ADV because:

1. It has many features the HP2 lacks (heated grips, a comfortable seat, a windshield, telelever suspension, crash bars, ABS, luggage racks, a counterbalanced engine, and pillion accomodations.)

2. Practically all of my riding is done on pavement, something the HP2 is poorly equipped for.

If I wanted an offroad bike, I can easily find one that weighs far less, costs far less, and has no clearance problems in rocky terrain, as the HP2's protruding cylinders do.

Not comparing eh?

As for ground clearance - a cyl stopping anything offroad is a myth, because uncompetent and no real racing experienced riders think so looking at it and thinking so theoretically. Pracitce says something else. Handebars have more area than the cyl if you look perpendicular width if you want to hit it between the close trees. As for engine side Kirssi rode it between the narrow trees till the steep'n'deep muddy furrows without any complaints. Aurol, Lewis and Deacon rided oilhead boxers into winning stages or overall won of Paris-Dakar rallyes that have extremely variying track conditions from deep sand till rocks that theoretically should be very demanding on all clearances via ordinary people's view. But not even a word from them as well about engine stopping or making unpleasant anything from the professional racer's point of view, rather conclude it saying "bike has more potential than me", like John Deacon started to cry on interview on 2000 Paris-Dakar after he had a crash on R1100GS/RR (aka R900RR) and had to quit due serious injury just one day before the sand dunes leg started next day, and with cry saying "the bike is just soo good and powerful in the sand".

So ask these men (Deacon already RIP (on KTM) though) about boxers clearance in real offroad racing conditions if you have any suspicion about sticly-out cylinders

As for price, you're damn right, but on the other hand, HP2 is much handwork and special - as if you'd want to get hand made single-cyl offroader made for official factory racing teams you have to pay the same level of price or even more. Price really is very very relative if it comes down to hand-made racing-oriented machines, fully depending how much hand-work there is put into. Honda makes this famous V-5 MotoGP bike that is basically FULLY hand made from frame to engine, 250+ horsepower per 1000cc and weight less than 150kg speaks itself about how much handmade work and specially choosed hi-tec materials for racing there is, ... but that machine costs around 100,000-300,000$ indeed for team to produce it! The price for hand-made hi-tec HPN frame and couple of other bits and having the the rest from typical R1200 is quite OK buying the HP2 i think that is (almost) racing-ready.

...if you have cash that is

Sure i wouldn't buy one even if having that loads of money - i'm too tosser for it, sure i'd use maximum circa 25% out of it's real abilities, so it'd be quite pointless buy.

 

[Fanum]

HP2.......without a doubt.

I've already got the ultimate incarnation of the GS FOR ME so as it's a space in the garage rather than a replacement, the only sensible choice is the gnarly one

Damn I'd like to open one of those up going up the chute hill on the Pilgrim's way

 

[Fanum]

Plus if I had the money to get one, I'd also convert it to proper deep water capable......snorkel that emerges above the clocks, seal the electrics and air box and have a high level 'zorst with a non-return flap on it to boot

Fekkin ace!!!!

 

[Aurelius]

Not comparing eh?

Yes that's correct. These bikes cannot be meaningfully compared because they're made for entirely different purposes. Again, I refer you to the original question that started this thread, namely which bike we would prefer and why. I've already answered both questions, but apparenty that doesn't satisfy you. You seem to be on a mission to convince me and anyone who did not pick the HP2 that they made the wrong choice, thereby completely missing the point. Let me put it to you as simply as possible: If I were a professional off road racer, my choice would have been the HP2. Since I'm not a professional off road racer, and since the ADV is vastly better suited to the type of riding I do, I chose that instead. Clear enough?

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Let me put it to you as simply as possible: If I were a professional off road racer, my choice would have been the HP2. Since I'm not a professional off road racer, and since the ADV is vastly better suited to the type of riding I do, I chose that instead. Clear enough?

My point exacly, just with different words. HP2 is aimed for kickass drivers to kick it (or fanatic collectors) anyway in limited amounts, and they don't need heated grips, screen or whatsoever the ordinary driver needs.

ADV does it all for rest of circa 95% of us ordinary tossers. Sorted.

But just that boxer engine seems to get too much unproved critics everywhere in the web if it goes to offroad. I admit i do like these machines on racing scenes as a spectator, hopefully there will be more in the future. Few gossips going around KTM and BMW starting to organize a similar race to Paris-Dakar, but with no performance or speed limits as current PD has, though, choosing tracks more carefully, so the powerful twins can come back to rallye scenes. They already testing the Mega-Moto series similar to Super-Moto, but still i can't wait to see flying boxers compeating in the Sahara desert again. Having chatted with one of the Paris-Dakar team tech support then he sayed the boxer is the ideal engine in the sand due 180 degree explosion and huge torque generated on low rpms giving it the best traction from all engine types (and that is sayed from point of view of KTM PD team technical guy ), but it's prone to melt the tyres indeed under it's huge performance... So these machines really have potential and feeling so sorry BMW is that inactive in rallye-sports.

 

[Pat Creagh]

HP2 or Volvo???

Aureluis,
Are you really thick stupid or do we all have to agree with your point of view all the time? A simple poll question. I think we can all give it an answer without having to refer to you for adjudication.
To everyone else,
Having ridden the HP2, both on and off road, it is a laugh!!!.
Plain and simple.
The 1200 engine with good quality suspension which can easily be used on tracks with confidence and hammered along the road until your neck tells you to back off the gas.
I'd love one and until I ride the 12Adv I can't comment on whether I'd like that, but if the suspension is anything like the 1200GS then I'd probably live without one and stick to a fully sorted 1150.
BTW the Sauce Bottle is very like a KTM with a GS engine, for reference purposes...
Pat.
p.s. Don't reply to me directly with any views as I'm not intrested in your opinion, I have one of my own.
p.p.s.
Dr. Arse, You know where you should have been today...

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

i thought it was a simple which would you buy, if you could drop the dosh question

GSA then,..... Dr.Arse

 

[Gipsy]

Perhaps because I'm a sad old git, but mainly because my Gs1200 is way more capable than I am, and dare I say it a lot of others on this site, I'd go for a different type of bike altogether. I think I'd get a Harley just for those days when I just want to pootle, and people watch. Besides it would also provide another forum to browse.

 

[Tricky]

GSA gets my vote

Don’t you just love hypothetical questions… and the fact that the good Dr is one up on the resident mouth that is the moto

 

[cookie]

oh gawd, i'm in a quandry now. i rode an HP2 this morning & it definitely rocks as a dirt bike, not at all convinced as a road bike however. it would do though.

if you want the ultimate bmw off roader, the HP2 is the puppy IMO. forget all that old airhead nonsensense, the HP2 is the nuts

if i wanted a bmw to go off road i would have ordered one today, no question.

even has decent brakes

 

[donkeyontheedge]

Put my money down on a new GSA yesterday. That said, I'd snap up an HP2 if I had the cash.

I'm disapointed BMW didn't give us more options with the GSA this time round. For starters I hate the way it looks and the colours stink (I can say that because I can't even remember what colour bike I'm buying). I'm currently on a 2003 GSA with georgous black on black engine and wheels and the v. sexy black and yellow tank and seat trim. The bike is straight out of Mad Max, I love it. It's gonna take a little effort to fall in love with the new one.

What I really wanted was my GSA - 20 kilos + 20bhp + a telescopic front with real travel (as GSs get very frightening once you pick things up over bumby stuff) + and ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT handelbar mounts, damn it, how can I not have high enough bars on such a tall machine.

So I get all that ease of adjustment on the HP2, but I need the illusion of 'sensible' to justify hanging on to the bike (re wife, babies etc)


D

 

[judge]

I want to vote for keeping the cash on account the 1200ADV was produced to meet the requirements of the owners of 2 year old 1150ADV's to tie them into the BMW business with another two years of ownership fees, as I don't own one it is not for me. As for the HP2 the utlimate enduro yes but surely we are witnessing here is the McLaren F1 of the mud pluggin world aren't we?

Much as this doesn't sit too well with me those who keep a GS (of any variant) but accept the shortcomings of it (and them) and opt for pogo stick for the dirty stuff have probably got it right.

 

[judge]

if you want the ultimate bmw off roader, the HP2 is the puppy IMO. forget all that old airhead nonsensense, the HP2 is the nuts

I'd imagine owners and riders of sorted airheads (HPN springs to mind) would probably not agree. Maybe the rose tinted spectacles are more blinkered like than I thought

 

[cookie]

I'd imagine owners and riders of sorted airheads (HPN springs to mind) would probably not agree. Maybe the rose tinted spectacles are more blinkered like than I thought

you might be right, i don't know. i've had a little go on the HP2, but never ridden an HPN. not really a basis for a meaningful comparison, even if i had the talent needed.

the HP2 was conceived by bmw as a dirt bike from the start, you can walk into a bmw dealer & get one virtually straight away, it's got a decent gearbox and brakes, + it's still cheaper than an HPN airhead

wait 'til you've seen a HPN'd HP2