Rash winter purchase?

[Lungauer]

As I approach my 50th year and having long planned to do a decent European road trip, my thoughts have been turning to what to do it on. Certainly my KTM950SM, great though it is, would not be ideal.

With that in mind I have been avidly looking at all the new stuff becoming available - the new w/c GS, KTM 1190, Multistrada etc. However I am wondering whether it might make more sense to grab an nearly new 12 plate GS now and save some money (not the Adventure - at 5'9" and 10 stone it's just too big).

Should I wait to see what these new machines are like or get one now and save thousands? What do you think?

PS I had a 1200GS in 2005 which I kept for three years. How different is the 2012 model? And I'm keeping the KTM for fun!

Thanks in advance.

 

[davegs]

Bike choice

No one can tell you what a bike is like as it's a personal thing, just go to the local BMW dealer and have test ride. You will then soon see what is or what is not for you.

 

[RichieS]

New purchase

There are a couple of considerations. The overhead cam model is LOADS different to the 2005, and i speak from experience having had both. The watercooled model will no doubt be a good bike, but history has shown, never to buy a new model from BMW as they appear to test them on the public and no doubt there will be some teething problems, not to mention bloody expensive i should imagine.
Can i ask why you are going for another adventure type bike seeing as you alrwady own one and going to keep it. If you are doing just roads, i would be more tempted to go for a road oriented bike with 17" front wheel and a better choice of rubber. If it was me, i would seriously have a look at the R1200R with the overhead cam engine.
But, if you have your heart set on o GS, get a deal on a late model overhead cam.
Hope this helps

 

[Nutty]

If you can hang fire until February, I'll be selling my 12 plate 1200 TB at a bargain price.

 

[Paul S]

Can i ask why you are going for another adventure type bike seeing as you alrwady own one and going to keep it. If you are doing just roads, i would be more tempted to go for a road oriented bike with 17" front wheel and a better choice of rubber.

Since when was a 950SM an adventure style bike - it also comes with a 17" front wheel

 

[Mr K]

Since when was a 950SM an adventure style bike - it also comes with a 17" front wheel

Every ride an adventure?

 

[Paul S]

Every ride an adventure?

Personally I would avoid the new 1200GS W/C and the new 1190 KTM until they have been out at least a year

Go for a standard nearly new 1200GS and enjoy - the DOHC is the best of the lot and I am certainly in no rush to change mine

 

[Lungauer]

Thanks for the replies. As PaulS pointed out the 950SM is a very different animal altogether and an absolute hoot to ride. There are people who have gone distances on them, but the lack of screen and razor-like seat are tiring in the end.

I hadn't considered the R over the GS and it gets good reviews - I'll take a look. I'm thinking the shaft drive will be easier over long distances (though in truth a chain isn't that much of a faff), but being, sadly, rather non mechanical I wouldn't want to have to change chains, sprockets myself. Over the years the press consistently say that the GS just does it all so well and who am I to disagree.

One I'm looking at has dynamic and premium packages. Are these worth having (didn't have it on my old one)? It also has Akropovic - not sure whether this much helps performance and sound.

 

[Lungauer]

Nutty GSer - it is a TB I am thinking of. May I ask why you are selling so soon? Going for the new model?

Paul S - Just noticed the bikes you currently own. Pretty much the combination I'm hoping to end up with. Is it a good combination?

 

[Paul S]

Paul S - Just noticed the bikes you currently own. Pretty much the combination I'm hoping to end up with. Is it a good combination?

Good combination in that the 2 bikes are completly different but very good at what they do

On my 8th GS and 1200GS TB is the best I have had to date. Get yorself a good test ride and see what you think.

 

[Nutty]

Nutty GSer - it is a TB I am thinking of. May I ask why you are selling so soon? Going for the new model?

I've got a new model on order, but as its not coming until March, I want to keep riding until it arrives (unless I get an offer I can't refuse)

 

[David Nimrod]

As I approach my 50th year and having long planned to do a decent European road trip, my thoughts have been turning to what to do it on.

Who cares, just do the trip...

 

[DavidHale]

Or (and I may be missing the point here completely) how about a sorted 1150 of any type and still have £10k left over. £10k buys a lot of bratwürst....

 

[Paul S]

Or (and I may be missing the point here completely) how about a sorted 1150 of any type and still have £10k left over. £10k buys a lot of bratwürst....

Yep - missed the point completely

 

[birdseye]

FWIW I had a KTM 990 adventure immediately after my previous 1200GS. Didint like it at all - it was a sports bike engine in an adventure frame and with very bad low speed throttle control. Simply never gelled with it. Somehow it was Japanese like with little character. Too "sportsbike" for me.

Gone back to another GS but am still wondering if I should have got a Tiger 800 instead. Roiadtested both. The GS is a more upmarket product in terms of finish but the Trumpet is a very attractive ride and significantly lighter / easier to handle. Have a look at one. I know they are aimed at the small GS but I think they make a sensible less bloated option to the big GS.

And for the saving involved you can add a lot of bits.

 

[Nutty]

FWIW I had a KTM 990 adventure immediately after my previous 1200GS. Didint like it at all - it was a sports bike engine in an adventure frame and with very bad low speed throttle control. Simply never gelled with it. Somehow it was Japanese like with little character. Too "sportsbike" for me.

Gone back to another GS but am still wondering if I should have got a Tiger 800 instead. Roiadtested both. The GS is a more upmarket product in terms of finish but the Trumpet is a very attractive ride and significantly lighter / easier to handle. Have a look at one. I know they are aimed at the small GS but I think they make a sensible less bloated option to the big GS.

And for the saving involved you can add a lot of bits.

My two penneth. I had a Tiger 800XC and my 12GS at the same time last year. Yes, the Tiger was a good bike, but every time I rode it, I wished I was on the GS.

In comparison to the GS, it was nowhere near as planted, underpowered, not enough wind protection on the motorway, and the build quality wasn't as good.

 

[birdseye]

My two penneth. I had a Tiger 800XC and my 12GS at the same time last year. Yes, the Tiger was a good bike, but every time I rode it, I wished I was on the GS.

In comparison to the GS, it was nowhere near as planted, underpowered, not enough wind protection on the motorway, and the build quality wasn't as good.

Comparing my 2008 GS with the current Tiger 800 similar power (100bhp vs 94) and better power to weight ratio ( GS weights 230kg wet, Triumph 205), different handling with more dive for the Triumph. Agree about the wind protection - you definitely need another screen if you buy one but then lots of GS owners fit other screens too. No way are you right on the build quality which is not to say that Triumph are the dogs proverbial but BM quality is nothing to write hoime about these days.

Its really up to the OP to try the bikes and decide for himself but there is a significant cost saving with the Triumph and a more easily handled bike for a smaller person. Problem is - the GS is still the fashion statement and that sways people.

 

[Fluffmeister]

What's wrong with the 950SM?

On the annual "Bladebusters" Jaunt around the continent, 2 of the guys that come each year have a 950SM and a 990SMR. The only issue is the tank range, they have enough space to mount / strap soft luggage to and survive a few weeks.

 

[Nutty]

Comparing my 2008 GS with the current Tiger 800 similar power (100bhp vs 94) and better power to weight ratio ( GS weights 230kg wet, Triumph 205), different handling with more dive for the Triumph. Agree about the wind protection - you definitely need another screen if you buy one but then lots of GS owners fit other screens too. No way are you right on the build quality which is not to say that Triumph are the dogs proverbial but BM quality is nothing to write hoime about these days.

Its really up to the OP to try the bikes and decide for himself but there is a significant cost saving with the Triumph and a more easily handled bike for a smaller person. Problem is - the GS is still the fashion statement and that sways people.

I was comparing my twin cam, which has much more torque, and the bhp is noticeably higher. It was strange riding a bike with normal forks, and the dive was one of the main things that I didn't like. It didn't feel that much lighter than the GS in the real world tbh, I guess it's how the weight is distributed.

Re the build quality, I've had the GS apart, and took bits off the Tiger to fit accessories, and the XC was much more plasticy. Time will tell, as the Tiger hasn't been out that long, but when I had mine, and frequented the forums, there were lots of complaints.

Yes, the Tiger is cheaper, but if the op can afford the GS, then absolutely go for it.

 

[stick]

Comparing my 2008 GS with the current Tiger 800 similar power (100bhp vs 94) and better power to weight ratio ( GS weights 230kg wet, Triumph 205), different handling with more dive for the Triumph. Agree about the wind protection - you definitely need another screen if you buy one but then lots of GS owners fit other screens too. No way are you right on the build quality which is not to say that Triumph are the dogs proverbial but BM quality is nothing to write hoime about these days.

Its really up to the OP to try the bikes and decide for himself but there is a significant cost saving with the Triumph and a more easily handled bike for a smaller person. Problem is - the GS is still the fashion statement and that sways people.

But the triumph has no soul ........... its boring .......30000 + miles on my gs ...........fan fu.in tastic ......had the 1055 or whatever its called as a loan bike when my multistrada was in for a service ......shit it was .. imho