The 12GS - Its Like Marmite

[yellofello]

Okay

I know I don't post often, but I just have to post my thoughts on my new toy...a BMW1200GS.

Its a bit like marmite you see, you either love it or you hate it! Me...without trying to swear, I bleeping hate marmite but I bleeping love the GS and let me explain.

First off, I come from a background of in line fours, v twins and v fours with my last bike being a VFR (as if you didn't guess). Well during the summer, I had enough of being bent over, cramped (I have a real dodgy knee from a bad accident and bits of metal in leg), going fast, and was also getting scared. I have had 2 mates killed in strange biking accidents (last one his paraglider deployed when passing through Glen Orchy- Steve and Duncy - you are always thought of and missed dreadfully guys).

Anyway, I was about to sell the VFR and give it all up. Like myself, a few mates had had enough of it all, but they jumped to Trailies over the past year, and persuaded me to give them a try...and to be honest I wish I had done it years ago.

The 12GS has put the smile back on my face, and I am getting my confidence back slowly. Its solid, will go where I want it to go, I don't feel as if I have to scream the glands out of it and its also comfy. I can ride miles without feeling pain in my knee and wrists. All my mates are now into touring as well as green laning, and I can't wait to next year to load the panniers with mountaineering gear, and head off to the Alps and Dollies on it for a spot of biking and climbing. Fantastic.

Looks, okay I admit its not the prettiest, but I like its strange quircky looks, and now I don't look like every plastic rocket biker out there.

Anyway, the most important thing is that its put the smile back on my face with regards to biking, and I love it.

What was the point of this, I don't know really, but if you meet me, or see a yellow GS in your mirrors or being overtaken by one, just smile to yourself, COS I AM LAUGHING INSIDE MA LID!

Like I said, its like Marmite, but remember, as the former owner of the Roybridge Inn once said to the crowd of all sorts of bikers in his pub one night "it has an engine and 2 wheels, so what does it matter...we are all part of the same family.......BIKERS)"

Cheers everyone

Yellofello

 

[Pressurized]

Terrific words yellofello. I got my R1100 GS when Ilived in Edinburgh and made some great friends while up there who I still meet up with and enjoy their company whenever I can.

Fantastic riding up that part of the world and I'm now going abroad on my R1200 GS with the same guys.

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

not bad post for just your fifth

you should fit right in..... go straight to the rant section...and do not pass bollox...

 

[Sugarcube]

not bad post for just your fifth

you should fit right in..... go straight to the rant section...and do not pass bollox...

 

[BTBR]

Okay

I know I don't post often, but I just have to post my thoughts on my new toy...a BMW1200GS.

Its a bit like marmite you see, you either love it or you hate it! Me...without trying to swear, I bleeping hate marmite but I bleeping love the GS and let me explain.

First off, I come from a background of in line fours, v twins and v fours with my last bike being a VFR (as if you didn't guess). Well during the summer, I had enough of being bent over, cramped (I have a real dodgy knee from a bad accident and bits of metal in leg), going fast, and was also getting scared. I have had 2 mates killed in strange biking accidents (last one his paraglider deployed when passing through Glen Orchy- Steve and Duncy - you are always thought of and missed dreadfully guys).

Anyway, I was about to sell the VFR and give it all up. Like myself, a few mates had had enough of it all, but they jumped to Trailies over the past year, and persuaded me to give them a try...and to be honest I wish I had done it years ago.

The 12GS has put the smile back on my face, and I am getting my confidence back slowly. Its solid, will go where I want it to go, I don't feel as if I have to scream the glands out of it and its also comfy. I can ride miles without feeling pain in my knee and wrists. All my mates are now into touring as well as green laning, and I can't wait to next year to load the panniers with mountaineering gear, and head off to the Alps and Dollies on it for a spot of biking and climbing. Fantastic.

Looks, okay I admit its not the prettiest, but I like its strange quircky looks, and now I don't look like every plastic rocket biker out there.

Anyway, the most important thing is that its put the smile back on my face with regards to biking, and I love it.

What was the point of this, I don't know really, but if you meet me, or see a yellow GS in your mirrors or being overtaken by one, just smile to yourself, COS I AM LAUGHING INSIDE MA LID!

Like I said, its like Marmite, but remember, as the former owner of the Roybridge Inn once said to the crowd of all sorts of bikers in his pub one night "it has an engine and 2 wheels, so what does it matter...we are all part of the same family.......BIKERS)"

Cheers everyone

Yellofello

Good write up Yellofello, and welcome to the site.

BTBR

 

[Mel]

You seem like too nice a bloke to call a tosser....but....welcome tosser! Nice post - know what yu mean about the love hate thing - I love a red one - had several K's before - worked hard at enjoying them - but dont have to work hard with the GS at all. Just climb aboard, fire it up, slip the clutch, chuck up a bit of gravel from the rear, slide off the drive and head for the hills - which for me lead to the M4 every day and the office.

Sadly today I must use the car - meeting a client who demands suit and tie and shiny shoes - but tomorrow ha tomorrow is another day.....enjoy..


.

 

[Wraithwrider]

Enjoyed the post and understand completely

Peter

 

[GSPeP]

Enjoyed the post and understand completely

The same here.

I know the feeling: Had a K1200RS as replacement for one day and getting back on my GS yesterday evening really brought a smile on my face.

 

[North]

Hi Yellofello,

Very well said, and welcome to the site.

My 1200 brings a big grin to my face when-ever I ride it as well.

North

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

..
Sadly today I must use the car - meeting a client who demands suit and tie and shiny shoes - but tomorrow ha tomorrow is another day.....enjoy..


.

Interestingly, I often have to go the headquarters of large multi-national oil companies and assorted engineering houses, where everyone wears suits. Years ago, I thought, “sod this” and went on my ‘bike. They loved it. Smart “motorcycle clothing” and a collared shirt, but no tie, is my norm I now have to turn up on my ‘bike, because they expect it, including my European clients. I have found that it breaks the ice at almost any level. You’d be amazed how many closet bikers there are out there in “Suit Land”.
I’ve since converted a good friend who works in the Health Service at a high level to start attending meetings by ‘bike…..
C’mon.. fuel the revolution!

 

[yellofello]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I know what you mean Uglee. My office is full of them, although we drive company cars. All closet bikers.

 

[aspad]

Nice one yello - share your sentiments but a better analogy for me is beer - have it, have to use it. Addictive.
It is sitting there in the fridge/garage just begging for it.
Beer tonight. Bike tomorrow - and for the next 8 days straight.
I'm a climber too, along with quite a few others on this site - parallel vices I think.
Cheers

 

[Mel]

Sadly today I must use the car - meeting a client who demands suit and tie and shiny shoes - but tomorrow ha tomorrow is another day.....enjoy..


.

So I turn up at the HQ of a Swiss Insurance Co in Swindon in the tin can in pin-stripes and brogues and the buggers are in jeans and sweatshirts (one v nice lady in the tightest jeans I've seen in a while - sure SHE would have appreciated a biker in the meeting).

I've travelled to client meetings for years on the bike - praised the day disabled loos became mandatory - all that space to get your kit off! My aerostich roadcrafter does the job over smartish clothes and squeezes into the GS1200 top box nicely. Changing in fresh air is possible - boots in the small pannier - helmet in the right hand-side - grab brief case and off we go...But most offices and receptionists in particular are familiar with bikers turning up and can find a space for my kit whilst I conduct business.

 

[GSPeP]

... Smart “motorcycle clothing” and a collared shirt, but no tie, is my norm I now have to turn up on my ‘bike, because they expect it, including my European clients. I have found that it breaks the ice at almost any level. You’d be amazed how many closet bikers there are out there in “Suit Land”.

I have the luck that my boss also rides a motorcycle (R1100RS). He more or less forces me to come to work on the bike.

If I have to visit suppliers (I'm on the other side of the chain) I always get questions about my GS. (It is not an average looking bike)

 

[HOGDAWG]

Welcome Yellofello,


Enjoyed your post and agree with your sentiments completely, sorry to hear bout your mates.

Oh and by the way I LOVE Marmite

All the best mate and I hope our paths cross.

Cheers

 

[MATKAT]

welcome to our world

and remember, when your riding it you cant see the quirky looks(which grow on you anway)............ and of course the 1200GS isnt to heavy either not like the 'lardy' models. For me its much closer to the orginal concept of the go anywhere G/S..............and hey it goes as well as the VFR (except for top end).............simply the best all round , compromise honest bike on the planet...............but where the 1200ADV fits in........... I just dont know, you may as well stick with an 1150ADV

Okay

I know I don't post often, but I just have to post my thoughts on my new toy...a BMW1200GS.

Its a bit like marmite you see, you either love it or you hate it! Me...without trying to swear, I bleeping hate marmite but I bleeping love the GS and let me explain.

First off, I come from a background of in line fours, v twins and v fours with my last bike being a VFR (as if you didn't guess). Well during the summer, I had enough of being bent over, cramped (I have a real dodgy knee from a bad accident and bits of metal in leg), going fast, and was also getting scared. I have had 2 mates killed in strange biking accidents (last one his paraglider deployed when passing through Glen Orchy- Steve and Duncy - you are always thought of and missed dreadfully guys).

Anyway, I was about to sell the VFR and give it all up. Like myself, a few mates had had enough of it all, but they jumped to Trailies over the past year, and persuaded me to give them a try...and to be honest I wish I had done it years ago.

The 12GS has put the smile back on my face, and I am getting my confidence back slowly. Its solid, will go where I want it to go, I don't feel as if I have to scream the glands out of it and its also comfy. I can ride miles without feeling pain in my knee and wrists. All my mates are now into touring as well as green laning, and I can't wait to next year to load the panniers with mountaineering gear, and head off to the Alps and Dollies on it for a spot of biking and climbing. Fantastic.

Looks, okay I admit its not the prettiest, but I like its strange quircky looks, and now I don't look like every plastic rocket biker out there.

Anyway, the most important thing is that its put the smile back on my face with regards to biking, and I love it.

What was the point of this, I don't know really, but if you meet me, or see a yellow GS in your mirrors or being overtaken by one, just smile to yourself, COS I AM LAUGHING INSIDE MA LID!

Like I said, its like Marmite, but remember, as the former owner of the Roybridge Inn once said to the crowd of all sorts of bikers in his pub one night "it has an engine and 2 wheels, so what does it matter...we are all part of the same family.......BIKERS)"

Cheers everyone

Yellofello

 

[yellofello]

Thanks for all the positive comments guys and I hope to meet up with some of you guys, whether on the roads, on green lanes , up mountain or on the water (also paddle).

Tinkering with it this weekend in fitting full remus system, sw motech bars, and other bits and bobs.

Cheers

 

[beemerman]

yep use my bike whenever possible for visiting clients too. I have never had a bad response from any of them. I occasionally still use the car but increasingly find it a real PITA. its easy to forget how bad commuting in a car is when you do it regularly by bike.

 

[Bullitproof]

Good Logic......
Kinda like me too.....
Oh and I think Marmite is from the Devil