Test ride this Friday

[Homertrix]

I've got a test ride booked this friday to get a general feel for the bike. What should I be looking for on the GS?

BTW, its got a Remus exhaust, what's the general feeling on aftermarket exhausts? RiDE suggested in their "dyno it" article this month that aftermarket exhausts on the R1200GS tend to cause it to run too rich.

 

[Homertrix]

No issues to look for on the R1200GS then?

 

[BBB61]

Just go and ride it and see how YOU get on with it. That's the best thing you can do.

Bob

 

[Homertrix]

Yes, thank you; I know that. I'm talking about technical issues that I need to be aware of from people who currently own one.

 

[Franky]

If it goes anything like my test ride just prepare your wallet for a battering!! Or don't take it!!

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

To fully appreciate the handling ensure the rear preload is wound up near to or on max. Other than that I can't think of any 'technical' issues to look out for.

A lot is gonna' depend on what sort of bikes you are used to riding, for instance, if you are used to 4 cylinder 600's prepare to re-educate your riding style i.e. use the mid range, ride the torque to fire you out of corners - the GS is quick but in a deceptive way and rewards smooth riding rather than 'screaming the t1ts' off it IYSWIM.

Not sure about the remus making the engine run 'rich' - do a search on the site but, if anything, it could make the engine run weak. Whilst on the subject, my test ride was on a bike with a Remus. I found it to have a really anoying 'drone' on a constant (70-80mpg) throttle - nothing to do with loud pipes (I love 'em), it was the sound/frequency I didn't like. See what you think.

One final thing - the GS has a very 'slow' action throttle, as in it takes two handfulls to wind it up. This wasn't something I noticed on my test ride. Give it a 2nd hadful and it will really fly - well, for a boxer it will

Enjoy and be prepared to part with loads of cash!

Andres

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

To fully appreciate the handling ensure the rear preload is wound up near to or on max. Other than that I can't think of any 'technical' issues to look out for.

Why???is that the only way to set up the suspension - max pre-load and no sag???

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Oh blimey - suspension

No, of course not Johnny, everybody has their own preferences and that just happens to be mine.
I find it quickens up the steering nicely and makes the steering more precise, which is what *I* like.

Without wishing to go off topic, being a bit of a numpty I thought that sag was affected by the stifness of the spring not the amount of pre-load.
Of course, I stand to be (and fully expect to be) corrected

Andres

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

So then Homertrix, what did you think?

Andres

 

[Homertrix]

Hate the servo assisted brakes, no feel whatsoever. Vibrations in the bars sent my arms to sleep. However, still a nice ride, still on the short list.

 

[Franky]

None ABS is the way forward! I didn't like the ABS brakes so I rode one without and there's much more feel, not sportsbike's level but still good!

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

Each to their own I suppose. I have to say that I think that the brakes on the 1200 (with ABS) are fantastic.

Mind you, I don't use em much...

Kai

 

[cljxr27]

I've just come back from test riding a R1200GS. All week I've been looking forward to it after endless reading about why its such a good bike and it being the UK's 4th best selling bike.
I've found myself talking to other GS riders who all praised the bike including "Bill & Becky" who I met in the services on the M1.

http://www.2riders-1dream.com/

After having the low seat fitted I started my test ride. Indicators took some time to get use to. As did the bars that felt like a set of cow horns had been fitted. The engine still vibrated alot at low revs but was ok once on the motorway. I found the steering not as quick as my Yamaha. As the bike had only 300 miles on the clock this may be the reason for the vibration and why I didn't lean it over to far on the roundabouts.
That vibration and annoying tappet tick at low revs was driving me mad, I can only hope with more mileage (running in) it improves.
When I got back to the dealers (minus the wow factor smile) I checked out some used 1150GS's that had lots of surface rust on the front shock and rust bubbles under the paint on the bottom steeriing yoke. I know all bikes rust, but I thought these had a good build quality. I hope the New1200GS has these problems sorted out.
I'm sorry to speak my mind but I can't justify the £10,000 price tag. Thats not to say that if someone from BMW would like me to do some long term testing and offered me a bike I may grow to like it.

 

[Deadskin]

cljxr27
Took me 4 test rides and a lot of pissing about with the rear
suspension to get it to handle the way i like.
I'm not paying 10k for mine, i'm paying more or less the same
as my GXSR 1000 K5 did with an alarm fitted...

Have you got an xjr 1300 ?

 

[Alphason]

If I were you I would not buy one. Horrible bikes, just horrible

 

[cljxr27]

Gauloises,
Dont laugh but its a BT 1100 Bulldog... I know its not a 130mph machine but thats why I got it to save my licence. Its a very popular bike in Europe especially Germany and theres loads and loads of extras. Still haven't worked out why they are not buying BMW's instead.

I know this bike is not in the same class as the BMW (infact I not sure what class it should be in cruiser,street etc) but I'm sure if the tuning fork badge was removed and replaced with the BMW lots more would have been sold. The only down side is, its made in Italy!!!!!!!

 

[Deadskin]

I ain't laughing

You can't have had the Bulldog long,
are you bored already ?
i know i got bored of the K5 really quick

 

[cljxr27]

I need the space in my garage as I have just got a 1988 Honda Hawk GT650 from the USA which I'm going to strip down and rebuild