Ride magazine

[Monty B]

I left biking for over a decade ago, which was made up of Ducati sports bikes and KTM enduro bikes.

When I bought one to get back into it about eight years ago I bought a 650GS, enjoyed it, but thought it wasn't up to a 3,000 mile Euro tour, so went to a 1200, then a GSA, then back to a GS, then a Scrambler (don't ask), back to a GS and most recently a 1250GS.

I sort of agree with the OP in that the 1250GS is a cracking bike, as it does everything a 50 year old biker wants, as a commuter, tourer, weekend blast around the twisties etc and in my experience, does it relatively without issues, unlike my mates with KTM or Ducati.

For those who like to play more off road than on, no, it's not the best bike.

 

[Bob Jeffries]

Boxerlust reminds me of quite a number of "boy racers" who used to frequent a cafe in Llandovery, mid-Wales. They used to ride from the biker cafe in Abergavenny to the West End cafe in Llandovery to sup coffee while telling each other how good they were and how, if they had more power, they could do the ride even quicker.

Then one day an old man on an old ratty looking bike wearing old ratty leathers and a pudding basin helmet joined them. Oh how they laughed.

Over the following few months that old man regularly ran circles around them, at least he did when he could be bothered, they couldn't get their heads around what was happening, but those who were "in the know" let it run, and enjoyed the entertainment.

What they didn't know was that the old man was Malcolm Uphill, the first rider to do a 100mph lap of the TT on a production bike which led to the naming of the TT100 tyre.

Malcolm died of asbestosis in 1999 and in 2011 a pub named The Malcolm Uphill was opened by Wetherspoons in Caerphilly town centre, and in 2013, following local fundraising, a bronze plaque dedicated to Uphill's memory was installed on a wall close to the pub location.

Great riders don't need to tell the world how good they are, nor do they need more HP than is necessary, they just need to be a great rider.

 

[Boxerlust]

Arsey you read way to much into specs...I have not ridden the 890 KTM and on a backroad it will be a fun bike...But on a track it will inhale exhaust fumes compared to a S1000RR.But who compared the 790/890 KTM with a GS in first place?
The comparison would be the 1290KTM where the GS handily wins despite being lower spec...trust me I have ridden both.
Bob I hear what you say and wholeheartedly agree...But trust me I'm not one of these clowns you describe...
I'm almost 55 myself and cut my teeth long time ago when engines where faster than their frames and 105 PS was deemed or was it doomed un-rideable and put the EU weenies on alarm to bring the 100 hp limit for reasons of safety....
When I say the Gs needs more hp it is only because more hp is more fun as it makes things more exiting not to make up time on long straights...I will never forget the moment and it feels like it was yesterday even if it was 10 years ago when I rode the then all new S1000RR on a race track and accelerated full throttle trough gears 2-3-4....That was a life changing experience...so exiting so much fun ! That will never get boring...Can you do it on a street ? Probably not unless you live close to an autobahn and for sure not on a twisty backroad where riding is fun....But that is not the point.The point is more Torque/more hp equals more fun...Some people say it is more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.But you know what is even more fun to ride a fast bike fast...preferably on a track.

 

[bizwebman]

I joined this forum as i owned a GS1200. No longer as kept going wrong. Bought a Crosstourer - 46000 and never let me down

 

[stick]

Talking bollox again .
How can a KTM 890R lack power ?
With it’s 121 PS and 166kgs weight it has a MUCH better power to weight ratio than your lardy GS1250 with 136 PS and a ridiculous 249kgs !!!.

OK,the GS makes more torque, but the 890R will leave it for dead on the road in most situations.

I need to pop to AMS Ktm to get some parts for the Six Days as damaged from some extreme training at the Hall , so i will take one out to see how they go as I was also booking the 1290r for a test as it looks nice now in the new design.
I love the Ktm range even tho I am a BMW faithful and will give it a go to see if the bar has been moved on the handling and the front end.

 

[Mr Bean]

Talking bollox again .
How can a KTM 890R lack power ?
With it’s 121 PS and 166kgs weight it has a MUCH better power to weight ratio than your lardy GS1250 with 136 PS and a ridiculous 249kgs !!!.

OK,the GS makes more torque, but the 890R will leave it for dead on the road in most situations.

Compare the wet weights (the KTM figure is dry) and stick the an average bloke on with gear - say 85 kg and the power to weight argument is less convincing. Factor in the much better torque of the 1250 and I suspect the gap would be much closer than the headline numbers suggest.

That's not to suggest the lighter KTM wouldn't be more fun and composed in the twisties

 

[Spareparts]

Boxerlust reminds me of quite a number of "boy racers" who used to frequent a cafe in Llandovery, mid-Wales. They used to ride from the biker cafe in Abergavenny to the West End cafe in Llandovery to sup coffee while telling each other how good they were and how, if they had more power, they could do the ride even quicker.

Then one day an old man on an old ratty looking bike wearing old ratty leathers and a pudding basin helmet joined them. Oh how they laughed.

Over the following few months that old man regularly ran circles around them, at least he did when he could be bothered, they couldn't get their heads around what was happening, but those who were "in the know" let it run, and enjoyed the entertainment.

What they didn't know was that the old man was Malcolm Uphill, the first rider to do a 100mph lap of the TT on a production bike which led to the naming of the TT100 tyre.

Malcolm died of asbestosis in 1999 and in 2011 a pub named The Malcolm Uphill was opened by Wetherspoons in Caerphilly town centre, and in 2013, following local fundraising, a bronze plaque dedicated to Uphill's memory was installed on a wall close to the pub location.

Great riders don't need to tell the world how good they are, nor do they need more HP than is necessary, they just need to be a great rider.

A bit like Andretti’s comment, “If you can’t go fast with 100hp, you will never be fast with 1000hp”.

A good workman never blames his tools...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Spot on, Bob.

Who the fuck wants a GS with 170 bhp and 17” wheels apart from a misguided merkin and probably Nutty,cos he’s still in the power is everything faze.

I sold my KTM 1290R as I preferred my ATAS DCT.
The KTM, with 160 ish bhp left me cold whereas the ATAS, with only 100 ish bhp is much more involving and just a much nicer bike to ride.

Those chasing speed,such as Boxerlost will never understand.

Less is often more.

Got it in one - very well said

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

But what you will never grasp is many people don’t want a heavy bike festooned with shite such as an SOS button and radar guided cruise control etc.
That’s why there’s a move in the UK to smaller and more simple bikes like the 790 or Tenere .
People want to enjoy riding a BIKE, not a cock-waving mobile command platform !!!
But it’s different in the states.
Just witness the idiots sticking 20” apes and stupid shark fin exhausts on HDs !!

And if anything , BMW should be building a GS with 21/18 wheels, not 17/17.It’s supposed to be an adventure bike.

Good luck in your pointless quest. It’ll never happen.

Again, agreed

 

[Mr Derek]

For most owners, the GS is more of a lifestyle bike than an adventure bike in the same way that Range Rovers and Discoverys are lifestyle cars. Most rarely venture off road and, judging by the mileages some sell their "trusty steeds" with, rarely venture on road either. This is not a criticism, merely an observation. Yer pays yer money.......

 

[Nutty]

For most owners, the GS is more of a lifestyle bike than an adventure bike in the same way that Range Rovers and Discoverys are lifestyle cars. Most rarely venture off road and, judging by the mileages some sell their "trusty steeds" with, rarely venture on road either. This is not a criticism, merely an observation. Yer pays yer money.......

It's a shame they don't, as the GS is actually rather good off road. I took my 2017 Rallye green laning a few times, and it took everything in its stride. I, on the other hand......

 

[stick]

I bought the GS as its a superb road bike , if I wander off road I use my Six Days EXCF which is the correct tool for the job and rewards much more than the so called GS offroaders that wander up a gravel drive. Where i ride the GS would be useless .
I have done the Spanish Mountains on my last 250 kitted with extra ffuel etc and it was flawless , no need to fit Karroos to a GS as its pointless. Again for the road and a trip abroad the GS is brillant .

 

[Doc]

It's a shame they don't, as the GS is actually rather good off road. I took my 2017 Rallye green laning a few times, and it took everything in its stride. I, on the other hand......

And me plus it cost me £500 quid to repair.

 

[Boxerlust]

Bikes like the Crosstourer or Africa Twin let you down from the moment you hit the starter button for the first time...Because they are brilliant at being boring... My Miele vacuum cleaner has never let me down either before it stopped working after 10 years...
And the KTM 790/890 are light & nimble but nothing more than playtoys...if you are into playtoys get a real one and buy a S1000RR and thake it to the track...WE talk here about real riding on the ROAD and how to improve the GS even more for that ! And yes less weight and more power is always good...

 

[Nutty]

And me plus it cost me £500 quid to repair.

Mine didn't cost anything to repair, as I had the X-Heads on it. They did their job well.

 

[Doc]

Mine didn't cost anything to repair, as I had the X-Heads on it. They did their job well.

Well my engine bars did there job but they were scratched . I don't like scratches

 

[stick]

Well my engine bars did there job but they were scratched . I don't like scratches

Nutty does , he’s has one every 9 months ..........

 

[Nutty]

Nutty does , he’s has one every 9 months .......... ��

Indeed. Just in time for the new V4 Multistrada.

 

[EVskiy]

Good old Ride magazine, they know.

Have they done a write up about the Duc as a comparison? No Ifs No buts, Just a straight up comparison.

I test rode the 1250 exclusive GS. Liked it and might go back to a GS one day, KTM is a great bike and a hoot, but after 20 months of ownership, I am still contemplating whether I should've kept my GSA as wife hates the comfort as a pillion and meaning that we do not enjoy being out and about together as much as I do.
At least GS would get a wash unlike me washing my 1290 and taking it to a dealer for a service, it won't come out looking like a shed grease monkeys handy work or being given a 3 year old 1050 covered in years worth of road shite and a crackled, yellowing windshield.

 

[stick]

Indeed. Just in time for the new V4 Multistrada.

Still smack your ass on the GS xx