EVO
Guest
Some five years ago my brother and I arranged a test day with BMW to try the new 1200 GS. At this time I had a Suzuki GSX 750 R. I had decided to move on, as I could only use it as it was designed on track days and they where very few and far between. Also, the trips to Euro land were getting longer and my back was not up to the task. It’s hard to look around and enjoy the ride when your arse is up and your head is down. I was seeing too much of the road and not enough of the countries 
.
Anyway, the test ride seemed very uneventful and the bike seemed very big at first. It seemed quick enough, it handled well and the cornering was great. Getting off the bike I said it was nice, but I was not sure
.
It was not until the ride home afterwards that I realised that the GS was everything I was looking for. The GSX 750 R felt like a mini motto, the ride was bumpy and there was no where to stick anything (drink, waterproofs and other items you may need on a long day out). The fact was my priorities had changed
, I still wanted the speed if needed, but I wanted more, more comfort, more choice of routes, more options 
.
Two months later a 6 month old 1200 was purchased with 3000 miles on the clock and all the toys.
The Good
It rides like a dream, I have more fun, can ride B roads and lanes all day and get away from the traffic. I have seen more of my local area in the last four years then in the last twenty. The wife and I did a trip to the Alps, that would never have happened on the sports bike
. Did a 10-day trip with the lads to Denmark, Germany, Poland, Czech, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France. 3000 miles, would not have done that on the GSX R and actually saw something other then the tarmac and my Osteopath 
.
The GS is an all-round bike, it does everything you ask of it and more. The tank rang is A1, especially if you find yourself in France on a Sunday
. The fact you can ride all year round and still enjoy yourself, I even go out in the rain these days.
The GS Clubs are great and the events, ride outs and fun to have is something else. There is a very different mentality, one of fun, adventure and have a go. What’s more the members are helpful and always willing to take the p….s. This year I am off to Lands End and Wales in April for the weekends and John O Grouts via Ullapool in June. Meeting new people and having a great time.
The Bad
Fully loaded its heavy, but then you have to start thinking about what you need. The kitchen sink is not a must
. Due to the amount of space, at first I took too much. You have so much space you just keep filing it 
.
Cost, they not cheap
, but then having tried others they are the best.
The Ugly
I have had the lot
, you name it and its gone wrong, my brothers GS with more miles has had hardly a problem. There are a number of posts that document far better then I can the problems that can occur.
HOWEVER
BMW have put everyone right so far without a penny to me
, even when the warranty had run out by three months. They collected the bike and returned it. They even extended my warranty a further 12 months, due to the problems I have had 
.
As it has been pointed out to me on a number of occasions, it’s the same for all other bikes. The fact that the GS community talks to each other makes it seem much worse then it is.
SO
The Conclusion.
Buy one.
You will not regret it. I would sell the family car before my GS
. If you want to do more touring, see more of the UK and join a bunch of p….s taking, full of fun, always willing to help, have a go bunch of people, you will fit in well.
Its more then a bike its a way of life.
.Anyway, the test ride seemed very uneventful and the bike seemed very big at first. It seemed quick enough, it handled well and the cornering was great. Getting off the bike I said it was nice, but I was not sure
. It was not until the ride home afterwards that I realised that the GS was everything I was looking for. The GSX 750 R felt like a mini motto, the ride was bumpy and there was no where to stick anything (drink, waterproofs and other items you may need on a long day out). The fact was my priorities had changed
, I still wanted the speed if needed, but I wanted more, more comfort, more choice of routes, more options .Two months later a 6 month old 1200 was purchased with 3000 miles on the clock and all the toys.
The Good
It rides like a dream, I have more fun, can ride B roads and lanes all day and get away from the traffic. I have seen more of my local area in the last four years then in the last twenty. The wife and I did a trip to the Alps, that would never have happened on the sports bike
. Did a 10-day trip with the lads to Denmark, Germany, Poland, Czech, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France. 3000 miles, would not have done that on the GSX R and actually saw something other then the tarmac and my Osteopath .The GS is an all-round bike, it does everything you ask of it and more. The tank rang is A1, especially if you find yourself in France on a Sunday
. The fact you can ride all year round and still enjoy yourself, I even go out in the rain these days. The GS Clubs are great and the events, ride outs and fun to have is something else. There is a very different mentality, one of fun, adventure and have a go. What’s more the members are helpful and always willing to take the p….s. This year I am off to Lands End and Wales in April for the weekends and John O Grouts via Ullapool in June. Meeting new people and having a great time.
The Bad
Fully loaded its heavy, but then you have to start thinking about what you need. The kitchen sink is not a must
. Due to the amount of space, at first I took too much. You have so much space you just keep filing it . Cost, they not cheap
, but then having tried others they are the best. The Ugly
I have had the lot
, you name it and its gone wrong, my brothers GS with more miles has had hardly a problem. There are a number of posts that document far better then I can the problems that can occur.HOWEVER
BMW have put everyone right so far without a penny to me
, even when the warranty had run out by three months. They collected the bike and returned it. They even extended my warranty a further 12 months, due to the problems I have had . As it has been pointed out to me on a number of occasions, it’s the same for all other bikes. The fact that the GS community talks to each other makes it seem much worse then it is.
SO
The Conclusion.
Buy one.
You will not regret it. I would sell the family car before my GS
. If you want to do more touring, see more of the UK and join a bunch of p….s taking, full of fun, always willing to help, have a go bunch of people, you will fit in well. Its more then a bike its a way of life.
