so should I buy............

[birdseye]

a 650GS or a 1200GS

My last bike (until written off) was a 1200gs and I liked it a great deal. But I didnt use it more than 4000 miles pa, I did find it a bit big / heavy (I've got a fair few summers under my belt) and its a bit boring just to buy the same thing all over again. On the other hand, I dont want to find myself on a smaller bike that struggles to keep ahead of the traffic and has to be thrashed. And I dont like vibration.

So are there any posters out there who have moved down from a 1200 as opposed to up from a 650? If so, how would you compare them in real world terms?

 

[wildbeeste]

see this thread for some tips generally
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65797&highlight=downsize

 

[Janie]

why not have a honda transalp............its a twin so not as thumpy as a single...........and it really comfy for distance.........plus it's nimble round town...........they cost 5k so around the same price as the bmw 650.........anyway just a thought..............................

 

[richc]

Not from a 1200 - I went from my '04 GS to a 650 Dakar. I rode a couple of 1200's before finding the Dakar, I thought they'd improved over the 1150 but still felt like I was pushing them thru corners. I'm not new to BMW's, I've owned them since 1970 with the exception of a R27 (250 single) they were all big twins. You mention vibration, I'll admit it's what kept me from ever looking at the 650's seriously. That R27 I had really vibrated and I assumed the 650 would do the same - only worse. The Dakar I bought was the first one I'd ever been on, and it has very little vibration - if any. What I like about the bike is it brings cycling back closer to the days (before 1970) when I rode BSA and Nortons (I still love Nortons). The bike feels "flickable" - something I haven't experienced on the twins. It's also not top heavy, I'd often not get the 1150 out for around town trips because it was so difficult to manage at slow speed.
The only negative I have is I can't run along at triple digit speeds all day on the 650. It's comfortable at 70-75 mph - above 75 it's straining. If you want to go fast it's not the bike to buy.
You should find one to try out and see if it's your cup of tea. I was in serious dealings with two shops on a 12GS when I stumbled on the Dakar - by accident. I was visiting family in a city I'd never visited, and while on a walk happened by a dealer who had just uncrated a Dakar. I had them start it and lend me a helmet so I could try it. I bought it on the spot when I returned from my test ride. I'm still happy with it.