still not sure if a GS is for me?

woodman

woodman

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OK, so here goes.
I have been riding an ST1300 for the last ten years and fancy a change.

I tour round Europe every year and mostly camp, so as the guy at the BMW dealership in Wolverhampton said, "you are on the wrong bike, you need a GS".

So, I tried both the new and the old model and liked them, but I have also tried the RT and liked that as well (much more like my Pan)

I don't thing I will be taking the bike to Africa any time soon, but I still love to camp so I feel as if I am stuck between two camps as it were.

I wonder how many of the GS riders actually use the bike for the purpose it was designed, as I see loads for sale "Never riden off road", so why did they not buy an RT.

Or am I missing something?
 
woodman said:
I wonder how many of the GS riders actually use the bike for the purpose it was designed, as I see loads for sale "Never riden off road", so why did they not buy an RT.

Or am I missing something?
Click to expand...

About as many GS's go off road as Range Rover Sport's I reckon...

Ultimately, it's what makes you happy... So go on, let yourself go!
 
No intention of going to Africa on mine - It's for exploring pock-marked un-classified roads and twisty passes...... and cruising the less exciting bits that join those together.

Owned since late 2004 and my only bike.

Doesn't mean you'll like one.

:beerjug:
 
Unless you carry loads of equipment and/or like unclassified/single track roads get the RT
 
For touring I'd choose an RT if that was the bulk of my riding:thumb

The gs is just more fun on a day to day (plus mine goes off road):D
 
Out of the 2 options, I would prefer the RT for the high mile days on fast roads across Europe and the GS for fun days out once I got to interesting, mountain roads or byways. Either will be fine for the whole lot, but to me it is about where you want the balance to be.

I prefer to compromise a little on the high mile fast days to have the best bike for me when i get there, so "adventure" bikes for me. :thumb

Matt
 
If you mainly stick to A and B roads, and have no interest in pot holed lanes with grass in the middle, then go for the RT.:rob I won't be taking my GS offroad, much, but I like riding down nadgery little back roads, and like the high riding position.:beerjug: People seem to have an issue with GS riders never taking their bike offroad, but the GS is about so much more than riding offroad.:thumb
 
Why not take both for a spin and see which you prefer?

I tried a GS when I changed my last RT for another one.

The GS was brilliant but the RT does everything I want and suited my needs better with it's bigger top box, electric screen and music system.
 
My RT was so much better for fast continental touring than my GSA. Better protection and economy.
But it was a hotel bike, I didn't want to strap any camping gear to it.

Once you get over the optical effect of the big fairing the RT is great fun, tho the std tyres were not the greatest(IMHO)

Ride both, decide what you'll use it for, buy one.

Stu
 
I bought my R1200GS because I love the styling of it and always have since the R1100GS was launched. The most "off roading" I do is on the un-tarmacced private road I live on, and the occasional grassy field when camping. Basically, nothing I wouldn't do on ANY bike.

The good thing with BMWs is, because they hold their value, if you buy one and DON'T like it, you should be able to get nearly (if not) all of your money back when you sell it.

Unlike if you buy a nearly new Varadero :blast
 
woodman said:
I wonder how many of the GS riders actually use the bike for the purpose it was designed
Click to expand...

I can't second-guess the BM designers and marketers, but my impression is that the GS is pitched at 'mature' riders who want to tour, but don't want the bulk and image of a full-dress tourer. The GS is practical, comfy, and easy to ride, but also characterful, a bit rufty-tufty looking, and has an absurd amount of point & squirt frisk for such a big bike, which makes it a versatile all-rounder, for fun back road blasts as well as big distances.

And whilst many never stray far from tarmac, the wide bars and low centre of gravity provide welcome wieldliness on wet cobbles, gravelly goat-infested mountain roads with bits of tarmac missing and other sketchy surfaces, which give confidence that the bike can handle the range of crappy conditions that you may incidentally (rather than purposely) encounter on your travels.
 
I was not sure about a GS as most of my riding was road orientated, mostly day rides, and I like the sporty nature of my Tiger 1050. So I kept the Tiger and bought a nearly new GS as an experiment with the view to selling one or the other. Six weeks later the Triumph is up for sale. The GS is everything I was told it was but doubted. I am quicker A to B, it is more fun, and I have started riding off road. It's quirky. and does not make sense to me, but I am loving it.

Only reservation is this shaft drive lark which transmits less power than a chain and from what I am reading seems to need more attention. :blast
 
woodman said:
OK, so here goes.
I have been riding an ST1300 for the last ten years and fancy a change.

I tour round Europe every year and mostly camp, so as the guy at the BMW dealership in Wolverhampton said, "you are on the wrong bike, you need a GS".

So, I tried both the new and the old model and liked them, but I have also tried the RT and liked that as well (much more like my Pan)

I don't thing I will be taking the bike to Africa any time soon, but I still love to camp so I feel as if I am stuck between two camps as it were.

I wonder how many of the GS riders actually use the bike for the purpose it was designed, as I see loads for sale "Never riden off road", so why did they not buy an RT.

Or am I missing something?
Click to expand...

It's simple, the GS is the best all round bike that one can buy - just because it is good at everything doesn't mean that it is compulsory to do every type of riding on it.

A sports bike is too restricted in it's use, so is a pure tourer like the RT, so is a pure off-road bike - the GS is the best possible compromise.
 
I have had an RT(1100) and now have a GS(1200) and both are great bikes.
I have found that everything except riding across a country on a motorway is more fun on the GS(and it's not fun on an RT really, just more comfortable) and that only happens once or twice a year.
 
If you never find yourself grinding the pegs or slowing down on the RT because you've run out of suspension travel on fantastic mountainous or country roads and most of your camp sites have gravel or metalled roadways stick with the RT.

On the other hand............................

RT, around 5" of suspension travel, GS around 7½ - 8". A man's bike:toungincheek

P.S. GS's fly brilliantly on lumpy and undulating minor roads. FUN FUN FUN:D
 
gs

the gs is a fantastic allround bike ,make sure your happy with servicing costs before you buy,£400.00 for a 6000 mile service on a twin cam at North Oxford robbing gits
 
The Nutty GSER said:
If you mainly stick to A and B roads, and have no interest in pot holed lanes with grass in the middle, then go for the RT.:rob I won't be taking my GS offroad, much, but I like riding down nadgery little back roads, and like the high riding position.:beerjug: People seem to have an issue with GS riders never taking their bike offroad, but the GS is about so much more than riding offroad.:thumb
Click to expand...

What do you mean?

I've successfully offroaded my RT in the forests in the French Vosges as Micky can testify & it was pretty gnarly

They go well offroad
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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