the best bike i've ever ridden

[Count]

One question, has anyone actually taken this new bike, two up, full lugguage for any type of real tour i.e 7 days away from home doing some reasonable daily mileages?

Question two, all this extra power? when used what does it do to the mpg?

I haven't done two up but did 500 miles over a couple of days with me and luggage ( panniers loaded and soft luggage strapped on ).

Honestly, I didn't notice the luggage with ESA set to allow for it and I just rode normally. Plenty of power and comfortable enough to flip Flipfly the bird as I overtook safely.


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[Flipfly]

I haven't done two up but did 500 miles over a couple of days with me and luggage ( panniers loaded and soft luggage strapped on ).

Honestly, I didn't notice the luggage with ESA set to allow for it and I just rode normally. Plenty of power and comfortable enough to flip Flipfly the bird as I overtook safely.


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You won't overtake me bud, I rarely travel on dual carriagways and motorways

 

[Count]

You won't overtake me bud, I rarely travel on dual carriagways and motorways

When do get a chance to use cruise control then ?


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[Flipfly]

When do get a chance to use cruise control then ?


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I have an old analogue style cruise control, I use it on start up mainly, but it gets used a couple of times a year when I have to take the road most travelled

 

[Yellow Peril]

So basically no one can really comment as to where this bike is a better touring bike or not cos you ain't done it, therefore no one can really comment that the extra power will be of any benefit for long distance touring than the older models.

And sorry it sounds to me most of this informed excellence, comes from the WC being ridden plastic rocket style. When someone can say it is comfortable after riding for 300 miles a day for 7 days I may be more inclinced to believe them.

 

[Count]

So basically no one can really comment as to where this bike is a better touring bike or not cos you ain't done it, therefore no one can really comment that the extra power will be of any benefit for long distance touring than the older models.

And sorry it sounds to me most of this informed excellence, comes from the WC being ridden plastic rocket style. When someone can say it is comfortable after riding for 300 miles a day for 7 days I may be more inclinced to believe them.

You're right of course. We really can't comment until we are old farts with millions of miles across the Serengeti under our tyres. We should never have gone out and purchased the bike at all until it was a proven old timer. BMW would go to the wall through no new bike sales which would hamper the dealers being available but who cares about progress?

The cynicism that BMW have launched an inept bike until a few "knowledgable" old timers give it their seal of approval knows no bounds. I'll take my chance that the bike is OK for what I want to do and if it doesn't, I will swap it for something else. This way I don't have to ride around on an ageing bike without the new technology. Technology that may serve me better safety and performance wise than a smug grin. Just saying...


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[Flipfly]

Technology aids safety


In what way? Traction control?

No good when the front end lets go. Ok, it'll stop the rear wheel spinning on the power, but it won't save you anymore than old tech if you hit diesel. Infact it's really only any good at reigning in all those horsepowers

Multi programme modes for different conditions? Never needed it on the wheezebox

Abs, old ones have it and it works well.

Esc, not really a safety measure and my manual adjustment won't revert back to standard mode without asking.

What other safety tech have I missed?

No doubts it's a better sportsbike than the old bike, but safety is a lame arguement

It may even be a better tourer, but it'll never be as fast or as comfy as a k1300GT

 

[Count]

Technology aids safety


In what way? Traction control?

No good when the front end lets go. Ok, it'll stop the rear wheel spinning on the power, but it won't save you anymore than old tech if you hit diesel. Infact it's really only any good at reigning in all those horsepowers

Multi programme modes for different conditions? Never needed it on the wheezebox

Abs, old ones have it and it works well.

Esc, not really a safety measure and my manual adjustment won't revert back to standard mode without asking.

What other safety tech have I missed?

No doubts it's a better sportsbike than the old bike, but safety is a lame arguement

It may even be a better tourer, but it'll never be as fast or as comfy as a k1300GT

It's a bit naive to say technology doesn't aid safety, quite clearly things like traction control and ABS and modes to adapt the bike for conditions may (I said "may") help.

Remember, not all of us are riding gods who are zen-like at one with the machine. Some of us are just blokes riding bikes and having fun. No doubt, all these aids can be mimicked by great riding skills but I'd rather have tech on my side than not.

If I wanted a big sports cruiser, I'd have got one. I wanted the new LC instead. If I want fast, the Ducatis are spot on and fun but I can't tour comfy on those and can't get off the beaten track with as much confidence.

ABS was new tech a while ago but has clearly gone mainstream now. Neither of my other bikes have it and I'd prefer they did. I have traction control on one bike and that works a treat, adjustable through 8 levels and I've found it cutting in to sort me out when I've been daft.

You missed tyre pressure monitoring .

No doubt you always check pressures, pad wear, suspension settings etc and then ride perfectly to adapt to conditions. I can sort of do this as well as I turn on the bike and press a button to suit what I'm doing. It's the same thing but you must admit my way is easier.


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[Hammam]

Technology aids safety


In what way? Traction control?

No good when the front end lets go. Ok, it'll stop the rear wheel spinning on the power, but it won't save you anymore than old tech if you hit diesel. Infact it's really only any good at reigning in all those horsepowers

Multi programme modes for different conditions? Never needed it on the wheezebox

Abs, old ones have it and it works well.

Esc, not really a safety measure and my manual adjustment won't revert back to standard mode without asking.

What other safety tech have I missed?

No doubts it's a better sportsbike than the old bike, but safety is a lame arguement

It may even be a better tourer, but it'll never be as fast or as comfy as a k1300GT

You're right. Bikes were much safer 40 years ago, with drum brakes, no ABS, elementary suspension, slippery tyres with inner tubes and leaded petrol with no catalytic converter. So were helmets made of two plastic halves glued together. What has this world come to?

BTW, have you ridden an LC recently?

 

[Count]

You're right. Bikes were much safer 40 years ago, with drum brakes, elementary suspension, plastic tyres with inner tubes and leaded petrol with no catalytic converter.

Let's not forget the leather crash helmet and goggles.


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[JohnnyBoxer]

Count and Flipfly, why don't you two just get a room



You're going at it like hammer and tongs



Count..I guess you're new to GS's - enjoy your first GS

Phil - you'll never convince the newbies that the old tractor is indeed a fine machine, best let them think that the WC is the best ever GS, little do they know what they've missed..........

BMW have built some mighty fine earlier bikes over the years, I'm glad to have sampled a few

 

[Flipfly]

I understand your points, but a little slide can let you know there's a lack of grip and condition your riding accordingly, traction control may prevent this conditioning by masking the tell tale signs of low grip conditions.
As I said, it will not help you alot of the time. A bike should not feel safe, safety breeds contempt, not something that mixes well with motorcycling imho.
As for tyre pressure monitors, I'd rather do them myself and you can feel when they are low (slow puncture) and in the case of a fast deflation, the one time it has happened to me (130mph on the motorway, rear tyre went down sharpish,hence I avoid them where possible now!) I am sure that a pressure monitor would have been ignored

Look, I'm sure the LC is a great bike, but I can't help thinking that you have all been sucked in by the marketing bollocks. If you wanted a GS on steroids then good for you, that's what you and all the others got, but not what I wanted at all. I'd have gone for a little less show and 70+ mpg and 300 mile tank range. A bit of simplicity too and fixability on the roadside. The perfect GS

 

[Count]

Count and Flipfly, why don't you two just get a room



You're going at it like hammer and tongs



Count..I guess you're new to GS's - enjoy your first GS

Phil - you'll never convince the newbies that the old tractor is indeed a fine machine, best let them think that the WC is the best ever GS, little do they know what they've missed..........

BMW have built some mighty fine earlier bikes over the years, I'm glad to have sampled a few

I am new to GSs, as a newbie it's been odd to see the negativity heaped on the new bike by some of the current GS community. I'm on the Ducati forums as well and the new bikes are mostly embraced and enjoyed while the older bikes are also liked and enjoyed. The new models are discussed of course but I think the difference is the community are looking to be positive about a new model and not instantly sceptical and dismissive. It's not all rose-tinted glasses as Ducati owners are used to issues but at least they have some optimism. A lot of posts here seem Dads Army "we're all doomed" for daring to embrace the new bike.

Should have got the Multistrada....




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[GS TRV]

Count - take a chill pill and just enjoy the forum

Hope you're still here in 6 months time.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I am new to GSs, as a newbie it's been odd to see the negativity heaped on the new bike by some of the current GS community.

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We've seen it all before, it'll never change

 

[Flipfly]

I am new to GSs, as a newbie it's been odd to see the negativity heaped on the new bike by some of the current GS community. I'm on the Ducati forums as well and the new bikes are mostly embraced and enjoyed while the older bikes are also liked and enjoyed. The new models are discussed of course but I think the difference is the community are looking to be positive about a new model and not instantly sceptical and dismissive. It's not all rose-tinted glasses as Ducati owners are used to issues but at least they have some optimism. A lot of posts here seem Dads Army "we're all doomed" for daring to embrace the new bike.

Should have got the Multistrada....




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Don't worry the BM guy at the NEC was just as pissed when I pointed out all the errors on the new bike

There's nothing wrong with it as a roadbike, but it is a shame bm have gone in the same direction as everyone else with more pooooooooooooooweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer rather than thinking outside the box. High mpg would be more useful to most and if it isn't now, it will be in the future.

The new bike does about the same mpg as the 1150, surely it should be both faster and way more frugal seeing as it is so light in comparison.

My next GS will be an 800, by far the most GS of all at the mo imo

 

[Count]

Count - take a chill pill and just enjoy the forum

Don't get me wrong, banter on the forums is always a laugh - as a whole though, I've found myself surprised that the underlying tone is negative about the new bike.


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[sven]

If you feel you need another 15bhp to overtake safely you're making some dodgy overtakes.

Not true - the vastly superior roll-on acceleration of the LC engine would allow safe overtaking opportunities which would not be overtaking opportunities full stop on an older 1200, never mind an 1150. I do not over take if it isn't safe to do so.

 

[Flipfly]

You're right. Bikes were much safer 40 years ago, with drum brakes, no ABS, elementary suspension, slippery tyres with inner tubes and leaded petrol with no catalytic converter. So were helmets made of two plastic halves glued together. What has this world come to?

BTW, have you ridden an LC recently?

Not all technology is bad. I've owned airheads and they were good fun because of the lack of brakes, but they just didn't work for what I wanted. I actually chose a bike without abs this time as it was a pain in the arse when offroading as it kept resetting after I turned it off on my old abs bike.

I notice you're all happy to call the old bikes dinosaurs, heavy, slow, old fashioned etc etc, but you get very touchy when someone points out that your bike may not be what the bm salesman told you

For me, the new bike would have to be 4-5 times better to justify spending that much money, imho it's not twice as good so what's the point

 

[Flipfly]

Not true - the vastly superior roll-on acceleration of the LC engine would allow safe overtaking opportunities which would not be overtaking opportunities full stop on an older 1200, never mind an 1150. I do not over take if it isn't safe to do so.

Nope, still not convinced, still can't think of a single time when I've needed more power to make me safer