TBM Mag - April 2006 > Good 1200 Adv 1st Test

[JohnnyBoxer]

Very interesting test report from Si Pavey and a TBM staff writer, called Barni on the new 1200GS Adv.

The bike was tested exclusively in Spain, mainly off-road with little or no road work.

Superb bike pics.................can Pavey slide it and it climbs rockery like a mountain goat.

Same bikes that Sherpa rode last weekend at the BMW off-road skills course in Wales (except in much drier conditions)

Raved about how much better it is than its predecessor the 1150GS Adv, with more stomp/speed/handling and rugged looks......an Action Man of a bike and how a real Adv bike should look............it would blow the KTM Adv into the weeds.......they reckoned

Good read and not your usual bike mag crap

 

[Deadskin]

JB
Have you had a test ride yet ?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

No.....not yet, just picking out some bits from their thoughts.............

But hope to soon, ride it

 

[Yellow Peril]

Took one for a real quick test this morning whilst I was there type of thing and all I can say is WOW, I currently have a standard 12 and was expecting the new Adv to be a bit of a porker and far slower how wrong I was.. I still think the standard bike is quicker of the mark but hell the adv is giving away best part of 35 - 40 kg when full of petrol.

The new screen does exactly what the original GS's should have and my wunderlich does, great wind protection!! Another thing I noticed was the tank gave so much more protection to the legs bit like having a fairing. Don't think I will need any wally flaps now..

I was amazed how well the bike carries the extra weight and for us shorties how easy it was to touch the ground with the std bikes low seat, even to the point I think I could touch ground easier than on my std bike with the normal seat in low position.

Would I change any thing yes extactly the same mod as on my std bike NN's bar risers it would definaitely put the bars in the place I am happiests with.

Well definiately happy that I have one on order and will be happy to move from the std to the Adv.

One other thing it did seem far more planted and did not get beaten around as much as the std bike in it std format .i.e. OEM screen.

Well thats my two pennies worth from what was a very quick ride can't wait to have a go for a real test.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Agree with Shaun's comments, no noticeable difference on weight or acceleration which considering the 12GSA engine was tight is surprising. I also really noticed the difference between my 12GS with bar risers and the 12GSA without, to the extent that after a couple of hours my wrists were hurting.

Tim

 

[Crapaud]

Shaun

Thanks for warming it up for me this morning.

I headed north through Dartmoor on it and dodged the suicidal sheep on the moor. I was very surprised at how light it felt and not at all top heavy despite it having a full tank of fuel. Front wheel felt firmly planted at all times both on and off road with just the right amount of feel. Once the tarmac had warmed up nicely at midday it was great to really chuck it around on the roads near Tavistock.

I tried adjusting the screen between all its settings but I seem to be one inch too tall to get a completely smooth air flow. At least being 6 foot and a bit allowed me to get my feet flat on the floor with the standard seat on the lower setting. They changed the seat back for me after you had the lower seat I think? Seat was very comfortable I thought.
There seemed to be some "stiction" in the rear suspension as even with my not inconsiderable bulk the suspension sometimes settled down more than at other times.
I really like the look of it. Seeing one in the showroom beside the standard 12 it definately has more "atitude" in my opinion.
Only the cost (and the thought of what the wife would do to me) stopped me placing a firm order there and then. My wonderful R1100GS would generate a trade in value of only £3,000 which is only about the price of the extras on the 12 Adv! The dealer in Jersey has their original launch bike unsold and I have first refusal on it at a VAT-free price of under £10k fully loaded. I'm back in Jersey in a few weeks so it would mean keeping it in Jersey apart from when I want to go back to Morocco.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Tim your lucky one of mine was killing me after 15 mins

 

[IanC]

I've today been to two newsagents, who both still had March TBM (which I bought anyway).

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I've today been to two newsagents, who both still had March TBM (which I bought anyway).

Sorry Ian.....I get it by subscription, which is a bit earlier than the newsagents get it

 

[Deadskin]

I was amazed how well the bike carries the extra weight and for us shorties how easy it was to touch the ground with the std bikes low seat, even to the point I think I could touch ground easier than on my std bike with the normal seat in low position.

Me too
I thought it would be far to tall and heavy but with the 1200 low seat
there was very little difference and i didn't notice the weight even when
paddling backwards,

unfortunatley my 1200 is only 9 months old it's great but theres something
missing the adv has that missing something.

Please tell me not to be stupid and keep the 1200 for at least another year