GBgolfman
Guest
What are these 1200 bikes realy like for proper off road use? Can they be used for serious green laneing? How badly damaged do they get when they go down.
FB
FB
Joyseeker
Registered user
i binned my 1200 on a beach quite fast..... it hurt but wasn't looking at the speedo at the time 
the top box released without damage (no panniers on at the time). the grip shield pressure release worked so a small free bit sorted it. i passed through the right mirror and wind shield..... broke the glass on the mirror but rest ok and only had to tighten the wind shield again.... maybe another release there. small stracthes to the beak, and grey and silver. no scratches at all to the cylinder head.
only replacement damage..... right indicator light shattered and broke off.
the top box released without damage (no panniers on at the time). the grip shield pressure release worked so a small free bit sorted it. i passed through the right mirror and wind shield..... broke the glass on the mirror but rest ok and only had to tighten the wind shield again.... maybe another release there. small stracthes to the beak, and grey and silver. no scratches at all to the cylinder head.
only replacement damage..... right indicator light shattered and broke off.
GBgolfman
Guest
dillema
OK, this is the dilemma. Got a road bike want to do 90% green laneing and off roading thinking of selling the RT and getting an enduro bike and giving up road biking. Idea, get a 1200gs and do 90% offroad and when I want to can still go for a blast on the road. But, how good will the GS be at off road. Too heavy? To much damage when you drop it?
Help appreciated.
FB
OK, this is the dilemma. Got a road bike want to do 90% green laneing and off roading thinking of selling the RT and getting an enduro bike and giving up road biking. Idea, get a 1200gs and do 90% offroad and when I want to can still go for a blast on the road. But, how good will the GS be at off road. Too heavy? To much damage when you drop it?
Help appreciated.
FB
laughingBob
Guest
Ridden mine on bits of the Ridgeway, across fields and variouse farm tracks (cousin has a farm in Eire) I was very impressed with the bikes off-road abillity especially compaired to my old R100GS or Africa Twin, both of which I took off-road a number of times (Stella Alpine and Touratech Rally's) However, if you intend to to do alot of green laning, in the UK, you'd be better off with a smaller duel purpose machine IMHO.
Kropotkin
Registered user
You can drop the older GSes pretty hard with nearly no consequences (other than bent mirrors, broken indicators and possibly bent bars). Dropping the bike without crash bars on rocks can be unfortunate (think gaping holes in cylinder heads).
But if you are going to do 90% off-road, I'd have to agree with laughing Bob: get something smaller. Either a KTM LC4 or a GS 650, or possibly a KLR 650. That should do you just fine. If you must go for something bigger, then consider a KTM 950 (heresy to say that around here, I know), as it's lighter than either the 1150 or 1200, and more off-road focused.
David
But if you are going to do 90% off-road, I'd have to agree with laughing Bob: get something smaller. Either a KTM LC4 or a GS 650, or possibly a KLR 650. That should do you just fine. If you must go for something bigger, then consider a KTM 950 (heresy to say that around here, I know), as it's lighter than either the 1150 or 1200, and more off-road focused.
David
basil
Registered user
Off roaded my gs12 several times ok, not only gravel tracks but severe muddy green lanes ok .Took it steady for a mile or so, then stuff it, turned up the wick. The bike preformed quite well on road tyres .Then got dragged out by mate on his ktm 200 ,f k it he said .off we went on open moorland aka ilkley/blubbershouses moor. Got admit u have to have lot of balls to do it
Howie
Registered user
Basil
You are crazy enough to off road on a Honda Goldwing with pillion
You are crazy enough to off road on a Honda Goldwing with pillion
basil
Registered user
Howie bring it over ,i.ll set of with u on back. Wot u like at pushing if we get stuck,p/s bring a change of undies just in case .Still waiting for bash plate from spc/wundershite, tkc 80s to fit in next couple of weeks,
Re: dillema
To buy a 1200GS for 90% off-road use is crazy, stupid or both (if you do it, let me know, and I'll take great delight in following you!!).
The 1200GS is far too lardy and is nowhere near robust enough. Today, I saw a KTM cartwheel resulting in just one indicator breaking. A Beemer would have been a write-off!
Why not buy a green laning bike that has some road capability - or, better still, two bikes?
Greg
fatboy said:
To buy a 1200GS for 90% off-road use is crazy, stupid or both (if you do it, let me know, and I'll take great delight in following you!!).
The 1200GS is far too lardy and is nowhere near robust enough. Today, I saw a KTM cartwheel resulting in just one indicator breaking. A Beemer would have been a write-off!
Why not buy a green laning bike that has some road capability - or, better still, two bikes?
Greg
laughingBob
Guest
Greg's right. Two bikes is the way to go. Get a GS for the road secure in the knowledge that should you wish to make the occassional forray off road you can and get a lightweight traily for off-road/trails.
janders
Guest
If I was in your shoes, and could only have one bike, I'd go with either a KTM 640 or a proper Japanese enduro.
I agree
Get yourself an off road bike that you don't mind dropping, throwing and generally getting dirty. Remove indicators and mirrors.
You won't enjoy your green laning as much if you are worried about dropping it.
Get yourself an off road bike that you don't mind dropping, throwing and generally getting dirty. Remove indicators and mirrors.
You won't enjoy your green laning as much if you are worried about dropping it.
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