Test Ride Booked

[Spook1969]

I test rode the R12 GS last Friday. Very competent bike, nice engine/gearbox/brakes and shift assist was pretty good.
I drove the ‘Sand’ version but really it’s beige and my overall impression was also beige. I was glad to get back on my R9T Turban.
The R12 sits somewhere in between the R9T and a GS. It’s not as good as a GS and not as retro as a R9T a bit devoid of character. Add in its overall double the price I’ll be staying with the R9T as I actually think it’s better.

 

[getalife]

Yep
Colour does nothing for me, one bit
But I am not riding the colour

Not keen on the colour when I rode it, but still ended up costing a bloody fortune for a white one come first of Sept.
Enjoy the ride.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I test rode the R12 GS last Friday. Very competent bike, nice engine/gearbox/brakes and shift assist was pretty good.
I drove the ‘Sand’ version but really it’s beige and my overall impression was also beige. I was glad to get back on my R9T Turban.
The R12 sits somewhere in between the R9T and a GS. It’s not as good as a GS and not as retro as a R9T a bit devoid of character. Add in its overall double the price I’ll be staying with the R9T as I actually think it’s better.

Interesting perspective
Thanks for that nugget of information
Glad you are enjoying your Urban

 

[2 wheel humvee]

I'm predicting no sales commission for the salesperson is the outcome of this test ride

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I'm predicting no sales commission for the salesperson is the outcome of this test ride

There’s always PCP …..it’s only £250/month

So you told me, for new bikes

 

[cookie]

I'm predicting no sales commission for the salesperson is the outcome of this test ride

Tyre kicking time waster

 

[2 wheel humvee]

There’s always PCP …..it’s only £250/month

So you told me, for new bikes

You're not going into this with a view to buying you're riding it so you can rubbish it having ridden it, and you're not about to replace any of your fleet for one, as an addition to the fleet is still a huge maybe


For the record, I quite like the look of the R12G/S it's possibly the only bike in BMW's current line up I do like the look of, twin cam engine is a proven unit, it looks retro/cool if you squint a bit, it's enhanced off road credentials would be wasted on me though.

 

[autogs]

You're not going into this with a view to buying you're riding it so you can rubbish it having ridden it, and you're not about to replace any of your fleet for one, as an addition to the fleet is still a huge maybe


For the record, I quite like the look of the R12G/S it's possibly the only bike in BMW's current line up I do like the look of, twin cam engine is a proven unit, it looks retro/cool if you squint a bit, it's enhanced off road credentials would be wasted on me though.

He shoots he scores

 

[FERRET]

Come on then JB what were your thoughts!

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

 

[team duvet]

Maybe still out on it since yesterday ?

 

[FERRET]

Must have traded o e of his 1150gs,s in and is in mourning.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Sorry for the late reply

It’s been a tough week, so far

Mum @ 91 had a fall on Monday night and has been in hospital since early Tuesday morning
Badly broken hip and transferred to a bigger hospital on Tuesday night, for an op to repair/ replace hip on Weds
This was done, so far…. successfully, but a long way to go - so it’s been a 100 mile round daily trip to visit her

Anyhow I did manage a brief 1 hour or so - 50 mile test ride on the R12 G/S (with an agreement to return for a proper one in a few weeks)
I took it out on the backroads of the vale of York and Howardian Hills
It had done a 1000 miles, so decently bedded in
Thoughts …..
Strong engine with a good performance and grin factor, a lot smoother & less vibes than a 2010-13 TwinCam GS
Fuelling a bit ‘fluffy’ at lower revs and town riding (bike had had its first service)
1st gear very tall and long - which made pulling away or mooching about, necessitating a fair degree of revs to pull away without stalling - which was a surprise
Suspension whilst had decent composure and held a line well on fast roads etc, was a bit ‘crashy’ & harsh over bumps & potholes - needs properly dialling in, I guess and something that would need looking at, for lower speed composure (maybe re springing for my 17 stones) but certainly compression and rebound damping at lower speeds needed adjustment
Seat was comfy for an hour or so, in a squishy kinda way - not sure how it will hold up for an hour on the motorway or longer
Ergonomics were good and everything fell to feet/hand well
Rear brake was abysmal-lever felt in the wrong place for my size 11 feet and had no feel and barely worked trying to modulate it, at junctions/in traffic
Overall the bike rode well and was enjoyable
Light and flickable
Looks great in white too
Not sure if it’s a one trick pony though - it would have to be something I would have to adjust my brain to, personally and not the bikes fault
Lack of screen was a bit of a shock at higher speeds and made getting back on the Tenere with a screen a joy (plus the full Ohlins suspension on the 700 too)

Going to have a longer ride when life settles down
Worth serious consideration for the future

 

[APE]

Sorry to hear the news about your mum, hope she feels better soon.

 

[team duvet]

Sorry to hear the news about your mum, hope she feels better soon.

Ditto.

TD

 

[nicholsonj2252]

Johnny - Hope your Mum is on the mend

A good review , a few comments from me ....

Strong engine - I agree I think it is smooth and has more than enough power

Fuelling at lower revs and town riding - I have had no issue so surprised with this

1st gear very tall and long - mine pulls well from low revs . My R1250GSA was very poor at low speed espcially when coming off hill hold , the R12 is smooth as anything and comes off hill hold seamlessly

Suspension - stock settings were a bit harsh but now adjuted I am OK with it

Seat - I also find comfy , all be it I only do 2 hour stints before getting off for a break

Rear brake - placement of pedal is OK for me but I agree the feel is a bit wooden especially if you use only the rear brake and the linked brakes , it does work and slow you down but seems to be either fully on or fully off

Lack of screen - I'm hoping the enduro fairing helps , if not I'll wait until and aftermarket solution comes out

 

[Edventure]

Good review and mirrors my experience test riding the bike.
I thought it was very nice to ride and the gearbox is a revelation, even compared to the latest 1300's. The rear suspension however, seemed very harsh and transmitted every bump in the road straight up my arse. I think I'll have another test ride after footling around with the damping

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Johnny - Hope your Mum is on the mend

A good review , a few comments from me ....

Strong engine - I agree I think it is smooth and has more than enough power

Fuelling at lower revs and town riding - I have had no issue so surprised with this

1st gear very tall and long - mine pulls well from low revs . My R1250GSA was very poor at low speed espcially when coming off hill hold , the R12 is smooth as anything and comes off hill hold seamlessly

Suspension - stock settings were a bit harsh but now adjuted I am OK with it

Seat - I also find comfy , all be it I only do 2 hour stints before getting off for a break

Rear brake - placement of pedal is OK for me but I agree the feel is a bit wooden especially if you use only the rear brake and the linked brakes , it does work and slow you down but seems to be either fully on or fully off

Lack of screen - I'm hoping the enduro fairing helps , if not I'll wait until and aftermarket solution comes out

Thanks for the echo of my findings
Perhaps the fluffiness was that particular bike and not common or me needing to adjust to modern stepper motor fuelling instead of cable activation
I found the rear brake better in Enduro mode on the road, as the rear ABS is switched off
Preferred this mode on the road fuelling was better too
Hopefully the suspension would improve if I set it up by dialling in the damping

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Good review and mirrors my experience test riding the bike.
I thought it was very nice to ride and the gearbox is a revelation, even compared to the latest 1300's. The rear suspension however, seemed very harsh and transmitted every bump in the road straight up my arse. I think I'll have another test ride after footling around with the damping

My thought too
Shame dealers don’t set up the bike suspension to show the bikes off in the vest light possible
Salesman didn’t really understand what I was talking about and his eyes glazed over when I mentioned it post ride
Then I said my T700 outside has Ohlins forks and shock and I was partial to sublime Suspension
I am sure it can be improved on the G/S without much expense or effort

 

[Davey B]

Is one on order then...together with a new set of bike specific Ohlins ?