The age old question. Which one.
- Thread starter richh
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In a word yes.
Age 40 ish , I had a 2011 gsa twin cam and went to jefferies in 2013 to try the water cooled bike, and getting back on the twin cam after felt like the brakes were jammed on. A big step forward imo. I am someone who doesn't hang about , WC all the way. 10k miles in 18 months on it and swapped for the S1000xr, regretted it, that really did have less character than the WC.
Bottom line, try before you buy.
This looks like a good TC on here at £4950.Hard to try second hand though.
Does anyone give a test ride these days? I know I don't !
My triple Black GS TC has spoked wheels
A GS with spoked wheels looking funny, now that's a new one, GSs where born to have spoked wheels.
It's the ones without spoked wheels that look funny to me.
IMO it's best to think about what you intend to do with it - where you want to ride, and the distances you want to do (do you need the extra weather protection, extra seat height, and larger tank?)
My GSA was awesome for the long commute to my GF's when she lived 240 miles away. In cooler weather the GSA seemed to give more weather protection, and the tank range was useful It was a Cumbria to Cambridgeshire route, and I varied it a lot, usually using cross-country via Matlock Bath or similar. With some dual-carriageway/motorway mixed in so that it didn't take all day. The GSA was fab for this. It had quite a "serious" nature, and munched the miles.
I owned the GSA and GS simultaneously for a few months
Going for a spin around N Yorks, or a blast with mates, the GSA always felt a bit bulbous. I know they can be "well ridden" but for me it always felt less playful/responsive on the twisties. The GSA (IMO) lacks the sportier/more playful nature of the GS. Likewise the "LC" is a bit ore sprightly than the TC. The TC is a lovely bike, but the LC loses a bit of charm in return for perkiness and a few more creature comforts...
If you want luggage, so you want "Vario's" or Alu panniers? I prefer Vario because of the way they work (for me) and also the lack of ugly "scaffolding" when the panniers are not installed...
I still have 2 bikes but the GSA was replaced with a V85TT and now a Stelvio V100. I still have my GS - it's been a "keeper"
I have decided that I prefer the smaller nimble bikes. I'm 6'1" and 14.5 stone. The Stelvio is my favourite for pottering around solo, or riding with my brother on his V85TT... But for long trips, or 2-up touring, or chasing mates with big bikes (big KTM's other 1200/1250 BMW's, a Multistrada and a Tiger 1200) the GS is the one I use.
My GSA was awesome for the long commute to my GF's when she lived 240 miles away. In cooler weather the GSA seemed to give more weather protection, and the tank range was useful It was a Cumbria to Cambridgeshire route, and I varied it a lot, usually using cross-country via Matlock Bath or similar. With some dual-carriageway/motorway mixed in so that it didn't take all day. The GSA was fab for this. It had quite a "serious" nature, and munched the miles.
I owned the GSA and GS simultaneously for a few months
Going for a spin around N Yorks, or a blast with mates, the GSA always felt a bit bulbous. I know they can be "well ridden" but for me it always felt less playful/responsive on the twisties. The GSA (IMO) lacks the sportier/more playful nature of the GS. Likewise the "LC" is a bit ore sprightly than the TC. The TC is a lovely bike, but the LC loses a bit of charm in return for perkiness and a few more creature comforts...
If you want luggage, so you want "Vario's" or Alu panniers? I prefer Vario because of the way they work (for me) and also the lack of ugly "scaffolding" when the panniers are not installed...
I still have 2 bikes but the GSA was replaced with a V85TT and now a Stelvio V100. I still have my GS - it's been a "keeper"
I have decided that I prefer the smaller nimble bikes. I'm 6'1" and 14.5 stone. The Stelvio is my favourite for pottering around solo, or riding with my brother on his V85TT... But for long trips, or 2-up touring, or chasing mates with big bikes (big KTM's other 1200/1250 BMW's, a Multistrada and a Tiger 1200) the GS is the one I use.
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I own a 2017 LC 1200 and its been a great bike, I do fancy an upgrade, I've had this one now for 5/6 years.
Not in a rush as there is nothing wrong with this, so I am waiting on the perfect 1250/1300
Reason for upgrade is simply age, still love the bike like I did when I first rode it.
I took her in for a service and BMW loaned my a 1250 719 spec bike, which was great but after a couple of days it was just like riding my own.
After getting my own bike back the only thing I missed was the TFT screen if I'm honest.
Using the wonderwheel to operate the Nav6 and TFT was great, it wasn't cold enough for me to use the heated seat on the 1250, which i think is the only other difference between that and my own bike.
But if I was in your shoes id be looking for a 1200 TE or Triple black that's got full BMW service history.
Just get the newest you can afford.
Not in a rush as there is nothing wrong with this, so I am waiting on the perfect 1250/1300
Reason for upgrade is simply age, still love the bike like I did when I first rode it.
I took her in for a service and BMW loaned my a 1250 719 spec bike, which was great but after a couple of days it was just like riding my own.
After getting my own bike back the only thing I missed was the TFT screen if I'm honest.
Using the wonderwheel to operate the Nav6 and TFT was great, it wasn't cold enough for me to use the heated seat on the 1250, which i think is the only other difference between that and my own bike.
But if I was in your shoes id be looking for a 1200 TE or Triple black that's got full BMW service history.
Just get the newest you can afford.
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