Regular or Adventure GS v Varadero

[GSAde]

Just one comment Richard!

You asked about the 6th (overdrive) gear on the Standard GS. Well that was what stopped me buying an Adventure, loved everything else about it except the "revvy" top gear. Its only about 1mph per 1000 rpm higher than the 5th on the standard GS and if your doing some long touring miles the overdrive is great & makes the ride much more relaxing.

When new you think the gear is too high but once you get >5000 miles on the engine it is loosening up enough to pull it easily. Of course its personal choice & the lower top may be better if you're just blatting round local roads, but you can specify the lower top gear (or sport box as they seem to call it) on the standard GS if you wish - but if you like the low top gear I'd go for an Adventure!

Cheers
Ade

 

[websGSA]

Maybe I'm wrong, but all information I've seen says it's White Power: This was taken from the GS information page:

The difference vs. the R1150GS are:
suspension travel 20mm longer;
adjustable White Power rear shock;
30 liters tank;
1 part seat;
higher (13cm) and wider (12cm) windshield;
hand protections as eom;
alu bashplate;
new crashbar;
aux. fog lights;
protection grid for the front and fog lights;
supplementary 12v socket;
dark blue (black?!?) anodised rims;
knobbies tires (Continental);
rack;
alu bags (39 liters right, 36 left and 30 topcase), top of the side casse at seat level for bigger loading area;
dark blue (black?!?) magnesium cylinder cover;
special engine chip (as accessory) for normal fuel (91 ROZ) use;
gearbox (6th normal, no more overdrive), shorter 1th available as optional;
front brake EVO;
ABS as optional (surely depending on country) with ability to turn it off for off-road usage;
new colors... and the BumbleBee is back!


Now I know some of the bits listed are extras here, but does that include the rear shock?



Simon

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Stock ADV's come with 20mm longer Showas,not WP(you'll have to pay extra for that).

 

[websGSA]

bugger. Oh well ohlins is good anyway. more expenditure then!!


Simon

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

bugger. Oh well ohlins is good anyway. more expenditure then!!


Simon

That's what I've got on my bike. Just about got it how I want it now(after 3 GS's now)
I wouldn't buy an ADV GS - regular GS1150 bike is ok for me.....

 

[websGSA]

Hold on.

Sorry to bang on about this but check out the Cannon Motorcycles of Chelmsford web site. It's a good site amongst BMW dealerships and provides reasonable information on each bike. Anyway they have a press release from BMW UK about the Adventure and I quote from it as follows:

"For the first time in a BMW motorcycle, a strut is used at the rear which has suspension deflection related damping, whereby the greater the spring deflection, the greater the damping effect. The WP strut is characterised by sensitive response and a high degree of knock resistance."

BMW (GB) Limited Media Information

Can anyone confirm that the strut is actually not WP? Check out the website yourself and see.
Simon

 

[MikeO]

Straight from an Adv owner - It's a Showa

MikeO

 

[Deadskin]

Simon this is what you will see when you get your ADV
but don't be to pissed as the showa shocks on the ADV
are better than the 1150 shocks IMHO.

 

[Richard34]

Thanks all for your help - much appreciated.

End Result is as follows - phoned another dealer (Sawbridgeworth) and had a conversation with Brian who seemed genuinely helpful, unfortunately he's just sold his last used standard GS so I can't test ride one there. I've been so impressed with all your help and rave reviews that I've just put down a deposit on a standard GS (black) with a few xtras like hand protectors etc. for delivery - wait for it - 2 weeks!!!! it's got white indicator lenses or something anyone know what that's all about?!!!

I'm going to do a test ride at another dealer but don't tell them that I'm buying elsewhere!!

Roll on February!!

 

[Simon Eassom]

Nice One!

The white indicator lenses are becoming quite common and look very smart on the black and graphitan coloured bikes. Basically, the standard amber lenses for the front and rear indicators and the clear bulbs are replaced with clear/white lenses and orange bulbs.

Sounds like your dealer is sourcing your bike from a European dealer and not direct from BMW. If so, not to worry, it's common practice and you're not getting an "import".

Roll on February.

Simon E.

 

[Richard34]

OK - white indicators sound cool!!

Why do you think it's from a European dealer? I think I just managed to get a deposit down on a bike that they are expecting from BMW that they originally intended to use as their demonstrator. Could be wrong though!!

Has it happened to anyone else in Cyberspace - once you get your mind on something you can get the bloody thing out of your head. I can't think about anything else at the moment!!!!

 

[websGSA]

Thanks for the expert advice.

As someone else said, this forum is so helpful (do any other individual bikes get this much attention) that I know your right. Obviously I don't have the bike yet so I wasn't able to look, I was just going on (mis) information from other sources including some dealers!

Well Showa aren't too bad (I mean they do make race winning struts for Honda) but it does remind me that in some markets they must be getting the full works for about the same as we are paying for more basic spec. Makes you glad to live in rip off Britain.

Glad to see that Richard has bought the GS, wise decision indeed and I have to agree about the helpfulness of all the people on this site, makes ownership a little bit more special.


Simon

 

[Spanish Bob]

Thanks for the expert advice.

...and I have to agree about the helpfulness of all the people on this site, makes ownership a little bit more special.


Simon

Oh yes Simon we are very special.....as you´ll see if you stay with this BB. Welcome.

 

[Deadskin]

Well Showa aren't too bad (I mean they do make race winning struts for Honda) but it does remind me that in some markets they must be getting the full works for about the same as we are paying for more basic spec. Makes you glad to live in rip off Britain.

If you mean the American market they get showa shocks too
and they pay more for the bikes

http://www.advrider.com/

 

[websGSA]

I don't mean the American market - they tend to pay the same or more for German products. They don't half go mad about the adventure over there though, with barely a mention of the standard bike.

In Germany the cost is around £7,500 for the same spec as I've ordered including the RID. So that makes it at least £1500 more in England. You would have thought this might be down to the fact that they are made in Germany and have to be shipped but Triumph cost less there too. I'm sure you will tell me I'm wrong but in my experience there is little we pay less for here (apart from holidays) than most of our European cousins.


Simon

P.S. your totally right about the Showa Shocks. Obviously a misunderstood translation between German and English somewhere along the line.

 

[Colt]

Richard, have you tried South London Motorcycles in Caterham for a test ride?speak to Paul he is very heplful.
best wishes for the new GS

 

[R Savage]

I replaced an Africa Twin with a Varadero to get a better top speed, more pillion comfort and longer distances between stops. It was the biggest biking mistake I ever made.

[1] The pogo stick front end coupled with crude linked brakes meant slow speed 'U' turns on anything loose was a nightmare. As was negotiating wet mini-roundabouts in stationary traffic.

[2] 2 up with no luggage it would pick the front wheel up at the slightest opportunity, e.g. when overtaking a caravan going up Sutton Bank - very scary!

[3] It behaved as though it had FI - hesitating and surging very badly - which, coupled with the linked brakes, made commuting into London on damp days quiet a giggle.

[4] It was very thirsty

[5] The dealer (Dobles) wasn't interested in me after they'd sold me the bike until I threatened to sue.

[6] Build quality and finish not up to Mr Honda's normal standards - the AT's was far better.

On the plus side:

[1] Weather protection was good

[2] The headlights, even dip beam, are awesome

[3] It seemed to have as much traffic clearing presence as the Pan European that I replaced it with, i.e. much more than my 1150GS

[4] 'Most comfortable seat yet' quote from skinny, i.e. limited bum padding, pillion.

View after one year and 8000 miles on an 1150GS

[1] You need a sense of humour

[2] Great cameraderie from other owners and people like Bracken and Motorworks - perhaps it's shared suffering?

[3] Lights are c**p

[4] Plenty of scope for fiddling - some of it, like 'Y' pieces, mandatory.

[5] First gear is far, far, too high.

[6] Pegs need lowering and bars raising (which can be done) if you have any height - I'm 6'2".

[7] Seat is not the best for me or the pillion.

[8] It gives me more fun two up than my missed AT two up, but not quite as much on my own as when riding the AT solo (if that makes sense). Apart from scary hill starts in Yorkshire!!


In short;

Two up it's probably the best you'll get. I would seriously consider the Adventure with the low first gear in place of the overdrive.

Riding solo I still miss my Africa Twin and really wish I had it now.



Browsing the thread makes me think that you may already have made your mind up. Good for you and enjoy whatever you get.

Richard

 

[Richard34]

Just returned from Sawbridgeworth BMW. Fantastic dealer compared with all the ones I've dealt with in the past. Test rode a Beemer with a Boxer engine although not the GS cos they just sold their demo!!!
Upshot is - what a difference to the Jap machines, took some getting used to but altogether a pleasant experience!! The BMW appears to be a solid bit of kit which inspired me to give it some welly!!
Anyway from reading the comments in this forum and from the trade reports I've decided to take the chance and am hopefully going to ride away next Saturday on a new black GS with various shiny bits and pieces.
I'm sure you lot will all agree that I've done the right thing!!
I'll be riding up to High Beech next Saturday for a coffee if alll goes well so look forward to any other GS owners being there.
My only question is why I would need a "sense of humor"?
Looking forward to joining the club - and thanks again all for your advice.

 

[MikeO]

My only question is why I would need a "sense of humor"?

Trust me Richard, this will become clear......

welcome aboard

MikeO

 

[Richard34]

I'm getting worried now - please clarify!!!