The bike I hoped my GS would be.

the woodster

the woodster

Well-known member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
Nov 14, 2016
Messages
1,336
Reaction score
702
Location
Orpington, South East London
I bought a pre-reg 1200GS in Nov last year with delivery mileage on the clock. I like it but have never got on with the gearbox (the normal problems) or the ESA. It was either too soft or too hard. I upgraded from my Tiger 800 XCX because I have a bad back and although the Tiger's WP suspension was good, I believed the BMW would be better. Anyway, I took it in to Coopers in Tunbridge Wells this morning to get the wheels replaced (corrosion) with only 800 miles on the clock. That hasn't put me off because these things happen; they shouldn't, but they do. They lent me a 2017 GS TE courtesy bike.

This is a different bike. They have sorted the gearbox and the auto ESA is without doubt the best I have ridden, probably better than the Aprilia Caponard Rallye and I thought that was the best up until today.

This isn't 'shiny bike' syndrome. Has anyone else with a pre-2017 model tried the new one and found it much better or I am I imaging this? :D
 
I owned a Craponord 1200 for two years and have ridden the Rally version too. My 2016 GS's suspension is far better than the Caponord's and doesn't wallow when pushed.

I almost never left my suspension set to auto in the Caponord either as it was too softly sprung.
 
fredaroony said:
I owned a Craponord 1200 for two years and have ridden the Rally version too. My 2016 GS's suspension is far better than the Caponord's and doesn't wallow when pushed.

I almost never left my suspension set to auto in the Caponord either as it was too softly sprung.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I need it softly sprung but able to react to crap surfaces, acceleration, braking etc........cue the 2017 GS !!
 
It`s not your imagination.
Here are my thoughts after 1200miles and 4 weeks of a new spec 2017 GS.
My bike is effectively an `Exculsive` but in white so all latest kit.
I`ve owned 7 GS bikes over the last fifteen years mixed in with other manufactures so think I know the product quite well.
I fitted Road Tec 01 tyres from new as these have been far the best tyres I`ve used recently and wanted a direct comparison to the 2013 Lc (one of the first -non steering damper and light flywheel)which had these on.
These are purely my thoughts and I`m sure other riders will have there own views and thoughts. Most of my riding is done one up in Wales and on B roads .
Firstly the overall package is so much better. The drive train is smooth and the clutch is the best yet. No clonks or crunching engaging 1st. The engine is smooth and progressive but initial pick up maybe a little less free probably due to the heavy flywheel but tick over slow riding is better but I never had problem before. Wind blast really no different but again might be marginally quieter. The Gear shift assist as it should be going up the box and ok coming down but for smooth corner entry when not committed I still prefer the old fashioned constant throttle and clutch method. Steering slightly better turn in but I recall the front geometry was changed with the introduction of the steering damper. The hill start works fine and I could see it appealing to two up and fully loaded.
So to the suspension. Generally as I said the package is so much better overall but for me it could still do with a bit of sorting in road mode. I`ve tried all combinations and keep coming back to Throttle in Dynamic ( only option for me) and varying between `AUTO` suspension setting and either Dynamic or Road . The Road mode seemed pretty good to start with just getting the feel of the bike but after a day it is just a bit too soft on the front. The rear is fine but the front tends to pogo a bit and for me if I could adjust it I would increase the front rebound. I found that if pushing on a bit on a bumpy B road and hitting a bump just before a corner the steering weight would be lost due to the soft rebound. . Funnily I found it very good in the wet . I must admit I keep coming back to Dynamic setting as my default . I keep trying to like the road mode as it give that nice drive and does soak up the bumps very well but then after hitting a few bumps one after another you think the front has a mind of its own so it back to dynamic.
It`s a shame the road mode is just a little off as it`s the only fault in otherwise a now better bike.
Would I buy one ? Yes
 
Old Den said:
It`s not your imagination.
Here are my thoughts after 1200miles and 4 weeks of a new spec 2017 GS.
My bike is effectively an `Exculsive` but in white so all latest kit.
I`ve owned 7 GS bikes over the last fifteen years mixed in with other manufactures so think I know the product quite well.
I fitted Road Tec 01 tyres from new as these have been far the best tyres I`ve used recently and wanted a direct comparison to the 2013 Lc (one of the first -non steering damper and light flywheel)which had these on.
These are purely my thoughts and I`m sure other riders will have there own views and thoughts. Most of my riding is done one up in Wales and on B roads .
Firstly the overall package is so much better. The drive train is smooth and the clutch is the best yet. No clonks or crunching engaging 1st. The engine is smooth and progressive but initial pick up maybe a little less free probably due to the heavy flywheel but tick over slow riding is better but I never had problem before. Wind blast really no different but again might be marginally quieter. The Gear shift assist as it should be going up the box and ok coming down but for smooth corner entry when not committed I still prefer the old fashioned constant throttle and clutch method. Steering slightly better turn in but I recall the front geometry was changed with the introduction of the steering damper. The hill start works fine and I could see it appealing to two up and fully loaded.
So to the suspension. Generally as I said the package is so much better overall but for me it could still do with a bit of sorting in road mode. I`ve tried all combinations and keep coming back to Throttle in Dynamic ( only option for me) and varying between `AUTO` suspension setting and either Dynamic or Road . The Road mode seemed pretty good to start with just getting the feel of the bike but after a day it is just a bit too soft on the front. The rear is fine but the front tends to pogo a bit and for me if I could adjust it I would increase the front rebound. I found that if pushing on a bit on a bumpy B road and hitting a bump just before a corner the steering weight would be lost due to the soft rebound. . Funnily I found it very good in the wet . I must admit I keep coming back to Dynamic setting as my default . I keep trying to like the road mode as it give that nice drive and does soak up the bumps very well but then after hitting a few bumps one after another you think the front has a mind of its own so it back to dynamic.
It`s a shame the road mode is just a little off as it`s the only fault in otherwise a now better bike.
Would I buy one ? Yes
Click to expand...
Copy cat :thumb2:thumb2
 
Do it! I took my new Rallye out for the first time on Saturday, and was very impressed at how perfect it is, straight out of the box. Best GS yet, by far. :clap
 
the woodster said:
Unfortunately, I need it softly sprung but able to react to crap surfaces, acceleration, braking etc........cue the 2017 GS !!
Click to expand...

I have ridden the GS on far worse roads than on the Caponord and it still handled better and took the bumps better. There is not a single thing better about any version of the Caponord's suspension over the previous model GS
 
Agree with Old Den. I have an Exclusive and blow hot and cold over suspension. 'Road' seems underdamped but much of the time is fine. 'Dynamic' is better but gets a little uncomfortable on undulating surfaces. Sometimes think a spirited ride on a really bumpy road, as fast as is safe, helps to get it sorted for a while. I'm also up to nearly 1k mls. and think it may have got better or I have got used to it. Actually if you glance down to the front forks whilst riding it is amazing just how much work the forks are doing!

Otherwise bike is superb and engine faster and more torque than my '15 model. Maybe a bit more wind blast owing to remodelled tank/front fairing.
 
For about a year I bleated on about how bad my gearbox was on one of the original WC bikes. I was shouted down and lectured by the likes of Engineer on the fact that I apparently didn't know how to change gear. :D

And when I mentioned that BM were redesigning their gear box in the 2017 range it was apparently nothing to do with the old shit one, it was just 'continuing development that all manufacturers do ..'

At least BM have done something about it at last ... :thumb2
 
Giles said:
For about a year I bleated on about how bad my gearbox was on one of the original WC bikes. I was shouted down and lectured by the likes of Engineer on the fact that I apparently didn't know how to change gear. :D

And when I mentioned that BM were redesigning their gear box in the 2017 range it was apparently nothing to do with the old shit one, it was just 'continuing development that all manufacturers do ..'

At least BM have done something about it at last ... :thumb2
Click to expand...

Sound like you'd be better sticking to your pushbikes, maybe somebody will listen to you then instead ;)
 
I loved my 2014 GSA and the only fly in the ointment was the (at times) notchy gearbox.

The gearbox on my 2017 is definitely better and I now have the perfect bike.. for me anyway. :thumb
 
I must have been lucky on my 14 plate Gs, Pidcocks changed the clutch push rod at first service & never had a problem since.
I'm staying away from test rides until something (colour scheme or upgrade) really floats my boat.
My next change is going to be near £10k I can see..
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom