After having dropped my 1200GS off for service I set off back home, the long way around, aboard a 3,500 miler WC.
The very first eye opener was dropping it into first for the off. Kerchonk!
Whilst the GS may well have a tradition for an agricultural gearbox it has to be said that my 1200GS certainly doesn't sound/feel like this WC I was about to take home.
The second eye opener was how intrusive the side stand spigot (the little arm that juts out) was. This would need seeing to if this were my bike, as a priority. I found the more I wanted to hussle this bike along or make a quick getaway the more intrusive it became for upshifting, though it wasn't solely intrusive for quick riding, it would also be a pain when riding as you would normally ride any other bike after the initial familiarisation of something new.
The third eye opener was not being able to reach the indicator switch due to the intrusive sat nav dial. To my mind a sat nav is not a priority and so I feel this is a pretty stupid place to put the dial.
I had no preconceptions about the WC before climbing aboard and so was looking forward to compiling an opinion based upon my own findings, and not those that have been formed in the numerous other first time experiences.
There are a number of things I like about the new GS, though these are offset by the things I didn't like.
The body panels all look pretty tidy with no misalignments and has an overall appearance of being nicely designed*, well fitting and well screwed together.
*I still can't get a handle on the aesthetic effect on the eye of the beholder on the drop down radiator side protectors. Obviously protection is needed but it just doesn't work for my eyes, despite the fact that protection has been overcome in an candy store way as opposed to real protection.
To the front end, and similarly, I don't have eyes for 'M' beak tip design. Perhaps it's a BMW slant on 'M Power' without slapping the actual badge on the bike.
Though I doubt it when you consider it runs through a range of current BM's.
Whilst I'm on the aesthetics of the GS WC, I feel the rough finish cast frame around the headlamp looks pretty awful, from both a design point of view and the final finish.
Away from the showroom I feel the bike looks a million dollars. For the most part it all starts to gel and perhaps make sense even, when considering the market this appears to be aimed at. There is no doubt that this machine is going to have some pretty high value notes thrown at it in an 'off', especially if used off road. It doesn't feel to me like BMW really believe it will be going off road that much and so have focussed very much on an off road 'type' of bike that behaves in a manner on road that few riders will find fault with, apart from the odd intrusions that bug some, me included, but not all. By this I mean the way it handles, how it puts the power down, the roll on torque, braking, flickability etc. It feels like it can do it all as a road bike and very well too, whilst it's at it!
The power delivery was brisk, especially when compared to the previous 1200GS, but those that have spent years riding boxers will be only too aware that this bike has lost, rather than losing, its Boxer-ness feel when put under heavy acceleration. Arguably it's lost the Boxer feel right from the off, but that's another argument altogether.
My 1200 is my first Boxer but even I can notice that it stands out like a sore thumb the difference between these two engines. The WC loves to rev and whilst doing this any hint of a lumpy twin, of any configuration is totally absent. It is smooth, almost vibration free, but characterless in my opinion.
I certainly don't subscribe to the notion that the WC goes like a bolt of lightning, or any other description suggesting that if you blink you'll miss it. It is quick, yes, it is far from kicking your butt into the back of the seat!
Of course, power delivery can be misleading to the extent that just because something doesn't feel that quick doesn't mean it isn't making good ground. Watch the speedo needle climb as you run through the gears and you'll realise this thing is no slouch!
On the flipside, of course, you can only achieve 0-60mph in a certain amount of time. Two or three tenths is not something I'm going to get upset about or envious of, but as said, the needle does appear to climb pretty quickly when in comparison to the old new boy on the block!
'Character' can be interpreted however the reader wants to interpret it, whether it's a good thing, bad thing or irrelevant, but for my two bobs worth it is something I like in a bike, something endearing and something that sets a breed apart from others. Some could argue 'why have you got a 1200GS TC then?'
Simples , because I don't have a Guzzi!
The dash display (computer) is very clear, with a neat trick of lighting up when a function is performed on the switchgear. The speedo however, isn't quite so, and seems more of an afterthought.
It's perhaps to some degree forgiveable that BMW have decided to mix a conventional speedo with a computer, but with the computer being the focal point, as this bike is laden with electronic trickery and maybe the full on cross over to digital this, that, and everything else may have been enough to prevent the sales being quite as high as they have been to date. I for one dislike digital speedos but perhaps the GS will get to wear such an item in the future to accompany the digicomp.
Indeed, the F800 too has a mixed dash display, though it does at least have a speedo that is easily read!
I remember the days when the Land Rover Td5 Discovery was released and after the initial (and ongoing) electronic issues it was susceptible to, certain LR forum members were placing bets as to who could get the dash to light up like a Christmas tree, due to a warning lamp for this, a lamp for that
It doesn't appeal to me, least not to the extent of the current bike over the previous model.
The clutch is beautifully light but has a very aggressive bite to it if abused, overlooked or unprepared for. At one point whilst at a constant low speed I felt for the point of slippage, deliberately, on the clutch lever and was quite startled at how aggressively the bike tried to snatch the bars from me. It may not be common practise to do such a thing but nevertheless, it can be quite violent!
In fact it had me wondering that if a 'new' rider to this bike were riding off road in the standing position, and covered the clutch lever with a finger or two, as many an ex 2 stroke rider would do, they could in fact have a situation where the lever could be pulled, not much, it doesn't take much to find the slippage point, it could well snap the bike out of their hands. I then had another picture enter my mind that originated about 3 or so months ago....
The WC is so much lighter than the previous model and feels very nimble in the twisties. Point it, open it and watch the needle rise effortlessly.
It tracks around corners with a wonderful and confidence inspiring precision, though I wasn't too impressed with the 3,500 miles travelled 'Next' tyres in wet corners. It felt like the bike would barely drop in by 10* off the vertical on slow 90* bends whereas the Anakee 2's leave me with no such concerns at all.
I didn't do a great deal of playing around with the 'Modes' because I couldn't be bothered to keep stopping in order to select a different mode. Whilst it was possible to switch mode sub categories within a mode, on the fly, to actually change a mode to a new category, before being offered the same sub categories, was not possible without pulling to a halt first, or at least that's how it was on this courtesy bike.
'Enduro Mode' was interesting when combined with 'Hard' suspension but not a mode I'd leave the bike in long term. In actual fact there is no reason, least not that I found, why it couldn't be left in 'Enduro Mode' most of the time, providing the 'correct' suspension setting was being used for the given road conditions and an experienced hand was in control of the throttle.
For anybody who hasn't ridden the WC yet it doesn't suddenly go from Jeckyll to Hyde, or vice versa just because you switch from Rain to Enduro. If you ride with an aggressive right hand then it's down to you to adjust your style to suit, not rely on a computer to tell you how to do it. Mind you I didn't do too much switching on an off of traction control. Perhaps Mr Hyde resides in there somewhere but I certainly wasn't going to go looking for him!
In truth I would think that any of the modes would be easy enough to live with on a day to day basis, but again, provided the suspension was set up for the relevant conditions.
I did like the cruise control and couldn't help but wonder how many LC owners use this device, and then as if to emphasise how clever the LC is they remove their right hand from the grip completely and place their hand upon their thigh whilst overtaking. Look Mum, no hands!
After some 100 miles or so of twisties and general B road use I was starting to get agitated by that stupid bloody protrusion on the side stand which would have me missing the upshift until I made a conscious effort to realign my left boot to get the shift I missed on the previous occasion. This would usually only be the initial shift from 1st to 2nd, after that the foot would need to be held in an inward facing manner to clean the rest of the box up.
On a few occasions the changes in the box would clunk quite prominently, no particular gear, just random changes.
Low speed fuelling would definately need looking at as I felt the motor would hunt on occasions. Certainly not to the point point of being unrideable, but annoying, perhaps.
Putting the bike on the centre stand was carried out with ridiculous ease and very little effort. I have felt since day one that the balance of distribution over the centre stand on the 1200GS TC is pretty damn good, and again very easy to hoist it up onto the main stand, the WC just made it childs play!
The screen for my ride height was very good, very good indeed on the highest setting. I had a twiddle whilst on the bypass and though dropping the screen was very easily carried out, raising it again was almost impossible. I felt I was either going to have to slow down to stupid speed or that the knob would break in my hand as it refused to be raised again. A potential seize point? I don't know. Does it not like to be adjusted over a certain speed? Again, I don't know. What I do know is that it was very very reluctant to shift once dropping it down. I dropped speed a little and finally manage to wind it back up.
When I got the bike back home I had a very good look all around and took some photo's of things that I really don't like on a 10K plus bike, regardless of the manufacturer!
The first pic isn't so much a dislike, more a ref to possible concern in the light of a recent thread on here....the weeping hole!
...and here the tracer of green dribble!
This is the corrosion revealed when peeling back the fork tube rubber on a 3,500 mile 1200GS WC.
Unfinished paint inside the frame hole.
Pedantic? Maybe! It's a bike that cost over £10K. Every right to be pedantic.
I am guessing this is the ECU on the WC under the headlamp assembly? Not the best photo but plenty of corrosion on the alloy housing.
Rear disc.
The engine paint looks rushed and nasty in my opinion. It has a 'dipped' runny appearance rather than a controlled spray paint.
As I said at the beginning of this report, I had no idea what to expect from the LC experience, and went in pretty much open minded. I maintain that it looks fabulous in the flesh and away from the showroom...
but looking a million dollars simply doesn't make it appealing enough for me to want to chop my 1200GS in against one, either now or in the future!
The disappointments in my 2 days of use of the LC far outweigh the positives, and the positives were very positive. Whilst I have no doubt whatsoever this is a great bike, it isn't a great bike for me. I don't want to have to start redesigning parts that in my opinion don't sit well from the day it left the factory. Neither do I want to adjust my riding style to the extent that I have to twist my left foot inwards in order to be able to ride the way I have been riding for the last 36 years!
Pros:
It shifts well (not the gearbox, the bike itself), it feels very light for its size, has a wonderfully light clutch, can be put on the main stand with very little effort (very well balanced), actually feels a more sturdy stand than the previous model, brakes well, corners well and is very smooth, almost vibe free, super light throttle and has a certain tech-head wow factor appearance of state of the art moderness (if a Boxer can have such an accolade) about it.
Cons:
Intrusive Sat Nav dial-a destination wheel that prevents a 'natural' usage of the left hand control switchgear.
Intrusive side stand spigot that hinders gear upshifts.
Clunky gearbox.
Poor quality build materials (metallic)/protective treatments.
Unfinished frame paintwork.
Unsightly engine paint finish.
Too many unnecessary toys for my liking.
Aesthetics not all they could be.
None of the above suggests or implies I don't like the WC, just that there are a number of aspects that are important to me that don't meet my requirements or satisfaction. In a nutshell, I didn't like it enough.
I think by the time some riders have sorted which mode they want/need to be in I would have already reached my destination on my 1200GS, rolled a smoke and drank half of my coffee!
I won't hide the fact that I was glad to hand the WC back today and get back on my 1200GS, which feels transformed after the 6K service compared to how it felt prior to the service.
The very first eye opener was dropping it into first for the off. Kerchonk!
Whilst the GS may well have a tradition for an agricultural gearbox it has to be said that my 1200GS certainly doesn't sound/feel like this WC I was about to take home.
The second eye opener was how intrusive the side stand spigot (the little arm that juts out) was. This would need seeing to if this were my bike, as a priority. I found the more I wanted to hussle this bike along or make a quick getaway the more intrusive it became for upshifting, though it wasn't solely intrusive for quick riding, it would also be a pain when riding as you would normally ride any other bike after the initial familiarisation of something new.
The third eye opener was not being able to reach the indicator switch due to the intrusive sat nav dial. To my mind a sat nav is not a priority and so I feel this is a pretty stupid place to put the dial.
I had no preconceptions about the WC before climbing aboard and so was looking forward to compiling an opinion based upon my own findings, and not those that have been formed in the numerous other first time experiences.
There are a number of things I like about the new GS, though these are offset by the things I didn't like.
The body panels all look pretty tidy with no misalignments and has an overall appearance of being nicely designed*, well fitting and well screwed together.
*I still can't get a handle on the aesthetic effect on the eye of the beholder on the drop down radiator side protectors. Obviously protection is needed but it just doesn't work for my eyes, despite the fact that protection has been overcome in an candy store way as opposed to real protection.
To the front end, and similarly, I don't have eyes for 'M' beak tip design. Perhaps it's a BMW slant on 'M Power' without slapping the actual badge on the bike.
Though I doubt it when you consider it runs through a range of current BM's.Whilst I'm on the aesthetics of the GS WC, I feel the rough finish cast frame around the headlamp looks pretty awful, from both a design point of view and the final finish.
Away from the showroom I feel the bike looks a million dollars. For the most part it all starts to gel and perhaps make sense even, when considering the market this appears to be aimed at. There is no doubt that this machine is going to have some pretty high value notes thrown at it in an 'off', especially if used off road. It doesn't feel to me like BMW really believe it will be going off road that much and so have focussed very much on an off road 'type' of bike that behaves in a manner on road that few riders will find fault with, apart from the odd intrusions that bug some, me included, but not all. By this I mean the way it handles, how it puts the power down, the roll on torque, braking, flickability etc. It feels like it can do it all as a road bike and very well too, whilst it's at it!
The power delivery was brisk, especially when compared to the previous 1200GS, but those that have spent years riding boxers will be only too aware that this bike has lost, rather than losing, its Boxer-ness feel when put under heavy acceleration. Arguably it's lost the Boxer feel right from the off, but that's another argument altogether.
My 1200 is my first Boxer but even I can notice that it stands out like a sore thumb the difference between these two engines. The WC loves to rev and whilst doing this any hint of a lumpy twin, of any configuration is totally absent. It is smooth, almost vibration free, but characterless in my opinion.
I certainly don't subscribe to the notion that the WC goes like a bolt of lightning, or any other description suggesting that if you blink you'll miss it. It is quick, yes, it is far from kicking your butt into the back of the seat!
Of course, power delivery can be misleading to the extent that just because something doesn't feel that quick doesn't mean it isn't making good ground. Watch the speedo needle climb as you run through the gears and you'll realise this thing is no slouch!
On the flipside, of course, you can only achieve 0-60mph in a certain amount of time. Two or three tenths is not something I'm going to get upset about or envious of, but as said, the needle does appear to climb pretty quickly when in comparison to the old new boy on the block!
'Character' can be interpreted however the reader wants to interpret it, whether it's a good thing, bad thing or irrelevant, but for my two bobs worth it is something I like in a bike, something endearing and something that sets a breed apart from others. Some could argue 'why have you got a 1200GS TC then?'
Simples , because I don't have a Guzzi!
The dash display (computer) is very clear, with a neat trick of lighting up when a function is performed on the switchgear. The speedo however, isn't quite so, and seems more of an afterthought.
It's perhaps to some degree forgiveable that BMW have decided to mix a conventional speedo with a computer, but with the computer being the focal point, as this bike is laden with electronic trickery and maybe the full on cross over to digital this, that, and everything else may have been enough to prevent the sales being quite as high as they have been to date. I for one dislike digital speedos but perhaps the GS will get to wear such an item in the future to accompany the digicomp.
Indeed, the F800 too has a mixed dash display, though it does at least have a speedo that is easily read!
I remember the days when the Land Rover Td5 Discovery was released and after the initial (and ongoing) electronic issues it was susceptible to, certain LR forum members were placing bets as to who could get the dash to light up like a Christmas tree, due to a warning lamp for this, a lamp for that
It doesn't appeal to me, least not to the extent of the current bike over the previous model.
The clutch is beautifully light but has a very aggressive bite to it if abused, overlooked or unprepared for. At one point whilst at a constant low speed I felt for the point of slippage, deliberately, on the clutch lever and was quite startled at how aggressively the bike tried to snatch the bars from me. It may not be common practise to do such a thing but nevertheless, it can be quite violent!
In fact it had me wondering that if a 'new' rider to this bike were riding off road in the standing position, and covered the clutch lever with a finger or two, as many an ex 2 stroke rider would do, they could in fact have a situation where the lever could be pulled, not much, it doesn't take much to find the slippage point, it could well snap the bike out of their hands. I then had another picture enter my mind that originated about 3 or so months ago....
The WC is so much lighter than the previous model and feels very nimble in the twisties. Point it, open it and watch the needle rise effortlessly.
It tracks around corners with a wonderful and confidence inspiring precision, though I wasn't too impressed with the 3,500 miles travelled 'Next' tyres in wet corners. It felt like the bike would barely drop in by 10* off the vertical on slow 90* bends whereas the Anakee 2's leave me with no such concerns at all.
I didn't do a great deal of playing around with the 'Modes' because I couldn't be bothered to keep stopping in order to select a different mode. Whilst it was possible to switch mode sub categories within a mode, on the fly, to actually change a mode to a new category, before being offered the same sub categories, was not possible without pulling to a halt first, or at least that's how it was on this courtesy bike.
'Enduro Mode' was interesting when combined with 'Hard' suspension but not a mode I'd leave the bike in long term. In actual fact there is no reason, least not that I found, why it couldn't be left in 'Enduro Mode' most of the time, providing the 'correct' suspension setting was being used for the given road conditions and an experienced hand was in control of the throttle.
For anybody who hasn't ridden the WC yet it doesn't suddenly go from Jeckyll to Hyde, or vice versa just because you switch from Rain to Enduro. If you ride with an aggressive right hand then it's down to you to adjust your style to suit, not rely on a computer to tell you how to do it. Mind you I didn't do too much switching on an off of traction control. Perhaps Mr Hyde resides in there somewhere but I certainly wasn't going to go looking for him!
In truth I would think that any of the modes would be easy enough to live with on a day to day basis, but again, provided the suspension was set up for the relevant conditions.
I did like the cruise control and couldn't help but wonder how many LC owners use this device, and then as if to emphasise how clever the LC is they remove their right hand from the grip completely and place their hand upon their thigh whilst overtaking. Look Mum, no hands!
After some 100 miles or so of twisties and general B road use I was starting to get agitated by that stupid bloody protrusion on the side stand which would have me missing the upshift until I made a conscious effort to realign my left boot to get the shift I missed on the previous occasion. This would usually only be the initial shift from 1st to 2nd, after that the foot would need to be held in an inward facing manner to clean the rest of the box up.
On a few occasions the changes in the box would clunk quite prominently, no particular gear, just random changes.
Low speed fuelling would definately need looking at as I felt the motor would hunt on occasions. Certainly not to the point point of being unrideable, but annoying, perhaps.
Putting the bike on the centre stand was carried out with ridiculous ease and very little effort. I have felt since day one that the balance of distribution over the centre stand on the 1200GS TC is pretty damn good, and again very easy to hoist it up onto the main stand, the WC just made it childs play!
The screen for my ride height was very good, very good indeed on the highest setting. I had a twiddle whilst on the bypass and though dropping the screen was very easily carried out, raising it again was almost impossible. I felt I was either going to have to slow down to stupid speed or that the knob would break in my hand as it refused to be raised again. A potential seize point? I don't know. Does it not like to be adjusted over a certain speed? Again, I don't know. What I do know is that it was very very reluctant to shift once dropping it down. I dropped speed a little and finally manage to wind it back up.
When I got the bike back home I had a very good look all around and took some photo's of things that I really don't like on a 10K plus bike, regardless of the manufacturer!
The first pic isn't so much a dislike, more a ref to possible concern in the light of a recent thread on here....the weeping hole!
...and here the tracer of green dribble!
This is the corrosion revealed when peeling back the fork tube rubber on a 3,500 mile 1200GS WC.
Unfinished paint inside the frame hole.
Pedantic? Maybe! It's a bike that cost over £10K. Every right to be pedantic.
I am guessing this is the ECU on the WC under the headlamp assembly? Not the best photo but plenty of corrosion on the alloy housing.
Rear disc.
The engine paint looks rushed and nasty in my opinion. It has a 'dipped' runny appearance rather than a controlled spray paint.
As I said at the beginning of this report, I had no idea what to expect from the LC experience, and went in pretty much open minded. I maintain that it looks fabulous in the flesh and away from the showroom...
but looking a million dollars simply doesn't make it appealing enough for me to want to chop my 1200GS in against one, either now or in the future!
The disappointments in my 2 days of use of the LC far outweigh the positives, and the positives were very positive. Whilst I have no doubt whatsoever this is a great bike, it isn't a great bike for me. I don't want to have to start redesigning parts that in my opinion don't sit well from the day it left the factory. Neither do I want to adjust my riding style to the extent that I have to twist my left foot inwards in order to be able to ride the way I have been riding for the last 36 years!
Pros:
It shifts well (not the gearbox, the bike itself), it feels very light for its size, has a wonderfully light clutch, can be put on the main stand with very little effort (very well balanced), actually feels a more sturdy stand than the previous model, brakes well, corners well and is very smooth, almost vibe free, super light throttle and has a certain tech-head wow factor appearance of state of the art moderness (if a Boxer can have such an accolade) about it.
Cons:
Intrusive Sat Nav dial-a destination wheel that prevents a 'natural' usage of the left hand control switchgear.
Intrusive side stand spigot that hinders gear upshifts.
Clunky gearbox.
Poor quality build materials (metallic)/protective treatments.
Unfinished frame paintwork.
Unsightly engine paint finish.
Too many unnecessary toys for my liking.
Aesthetics not all they could be.
None of the above suggests or implies I don't like the WC, just that there are a number of aspects that are important to me that don't meet my requirements or satisfaction. In a nutshell, I didn't like it enough.
I think by the time some riders have sorted which mode they want/need to be in I would have already reached my destination on my 1200GS, rolled a smoke and drank half of my coffee!
I won't hide the fact that I was glad to hand the WC back today and get back on my 1200GS, which feels transformed after the 6K service compared to how it felt prior to the service.
makes you think you're a LOT better rider than you actually are, it does everything so well, the gearbox just demands more precise riding to get the best out of it. ive done 5kmls and loved every one of em, as i have riding all my other previous bikes, cos that why were here, because we love riding bikes
