The new Triumph 1200

[Affretage]

Other than being aircooled, what exactly do you think is old tech about the GS/A?

The boxer engine. During WW2 BMW manufactured piston aircraft engines (hence the blue and white propeller logo). When Adolf needed them to come up with a motorbike in a hurry, they took their radial engine and stripped all but two cylinders from it and fitted it to a motorbike. The rest is history. 'History' being the operative word here.

The GS is a decent bike, but needs a modern engine to go with it. When you are the market leader there is no incentive to innovate. But that may change with the introduction of Triumph's explorer.

BMW will have to come up with something beyond liquid cooled cylinder heads. Euro 4 is going to be a tough challenge to meet, using a 60 year old engine design. Needless to say, the Explorer already meets Euro 4 today !!

 

[Schtum]

The boxer engine. During WW2 BMW manufactured piston aircraft engines (hence the blue and white propeller logo). When Adolf needed them to come up with a motorbike in a hurry, they took their radial engine and stripped all but two cylinders from it and fitted it to a motorbike. The rest is history. 'History' being the operative word here.

You seem very sure of yourself. Do you work for Triumph?

There were flat twin motorcycle engines long before WWII, just as there were straight-four motorcycle engines in the 1920's. Would you suggest that the straight four is also an outdated design for a motorcycle engine?

You also seem to forget, if you ever knew, that BMW tried to kill the boxer in the 80's and replace it with the Brick. The demand from BMW riders meant that they had to revise their plans and produce the new generation of oilhead boxers. Clearly, many of us like flat twins.

BMW will have to come up with something beyond liquid cooled cylinder heads. Euro 4 is going to be a tough challenge to meet, using a 60 year old engine design. Needless to say, the Explorer already meets Euro 4 today !!

This looks like liquid cooled heads and barrels to me.....

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

All very true but by that rational surely we can say the tigers tipple engine is a 1960s engine which was taken from a trident?
The 1200 boxer engine other than its basic configuration has nothing to do with Hitler and the first boxers. Equally the 1200 tipple engine has nothing to do with the 1960s

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Oh and apparently the 1200 twin cam meets euro 4 as well. The new watercooled version is in preparation for when motorcycles need to meet euro 5. This engine and bike is well on in design as you can see above and is thought to be on show at the end of this year and available next year. Oh but wait it still has 2 cylinders one out each side so its still a 100 year old engine.

 

[EggChaser]

During WW2 BMW manufactured piston aircraft engines (hence the blue and white propeller logo).

Umm you are kind of wrong about the logo too, the propeller thing came in a few years after the logo was first used:

"The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel evolved from the circular Rapp Motorenwerke company logo, from which the BMW company grew, combined with the blue and white colors of the flag of Bavaria. The logo has been portrayed as the movement of an aircraft propeller with the white blades cutting through a blue sky — first used in a BMW advertisement in 1929, twelve years after the roundel was created — but this is not the origin of the logo itself."

 

[Bryn]

GS's are great... I've had a few of them.... at the moment I've got an Explorer... I think that's great as well...

Health to enjoy whatever you're riding at the moment

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

You also seem to forget, if you ever knew, that BMW tried to kill the boxer in the 80's and replace it with the Brick. The demand from BMW riders meant that they had to revise their plans and produce the new generation of oilhead boxers. Clearly, many of us like flat twins.

Something that Porsche tried to do to the 911 by bringing out the 928 and the 928 is long gone yet the 911 lives on

 

[stroller]

I has a test ride at the weekend and thought the bike was excellent with the exception of the windscreen.
It was apparently fitted with the optional larger screen, and the buffeting and drumming noise it created was the worst I have ever experienced, no matter which position I had it in.
I am tempted by the bike but there is no way I could live with that screen.
How many others of you have found the same problem and have you found a solution?

 

[teejay]

Have the taller screen fitted on my EXP 12 and find it spot on, as good as GS and higher/more protection on the highest setting.


Teejay

 

[EggChaser]

I has a test ride at the weekend and thought the bike was excellent with the exception of the windscreen.
It was apparently fitted with the optional larger screen, and the buffeting and drumming noise it created was the worst I have ever experienced, no matter which position I had it in.
I am tempted by the bike but there is no way I could live with that screen.
How many others of you have found the same problem and have you found a solution?

Mine has the standard screen and in this hot weather I have been riding with sunnies on and visor open at up to 60mph. This would have been uncomfortable to do on my GS (also with a standard screen). There is a bit of buffetting at motorway speed, but no more than the GS. Admittedly part of any buffet is height and positioning of rider and design of helmet so what works for me may not work for you.

 

[bogman]

Touring screen on the launch model is streets ahead of the standard 800xc one in terms of protection, very impressed

 

[Bryn]

Touring screen on the launch model is streets ahead of the standard 800xc one in terms of protection, very impressed

Fitted this to my touring screen .... visor up at 80 mph ( if you don't mind bees in your teeth) and directs most of the wind blast over my head

If you want to go to the other extreme powerbronze are offering a very tasty looking shortie screen

 

[Mad Paddy]

re 1200exp

sorry i didnt keep touratech screen spoiler now it looks ok
have you wired your sat nav directly to battery or just using cigarette lighter ?
also is tank bag any good ?
rds keith

 

[stroller]

Bryn,
Pick my new Explorer up Next tuesday, and I wondered what tank bag you are using - it looks like a Bags Connection one, but I am not sure which one.
How do you like the fit of it? I don't like tall tank bags, so I am looking for a low profile one with map pocket if poss.

Cheers,
mike

 

[EggChaser]

Bryn,
Pick my new Explorer up Next tuesday, and I wondered what tank bag you are using - it looks like a Bags Connection one, but I am not sure which one.
How do you like the fit of it? I don't like tall tank bags, so I am looking for a low profile one with map pocket if poss.

Cheers,
mike

Hi Mike,

Bryn is travelling in foreign parts ( I saw him at Ace Cafe on Sunday) He did have his Bags Connection on his Explorer then so should be able to give feedback on how all his luggage and ride went for a 2-up trip.

I also have the Bags Connection fitted, in my case I have a larger bag that I used to use on my GS and it is a very good fit on the Explorer, but does touch the paint between the filler and the rider, so have stuck some clear tank protector there. I also have the bag that is one smaller than the one Bryn has for day use and that is clear of the paintwork. I'll try and sort out some photos if I get time later.

C.

 

[Jonnybiscuit]

Bryn,
Pick my new Explorer up Next tuesday, and I wondered what tank bag you are using - it looks like a Bags Connection one, but I am not sure which one.
How do you like the fit of it? I don't like tall tank bags, so I am looking for a low profile one with map pocket if poss.

Cheers,
mike

Bryn's is an "Engage". I just sold one. A bit small for me. I now have a "City" and it's much more useable. It zip expands too. Here's a photo of the "City" (not expanded BTW)...

 

[stroller]

Guys, Thanks for your input regarding the Engage & City tank bags - presumably you can get a mapholder to mount on top of these?

 

[EggChaser]

The map holder is an optional extra (i.e. extra cost)

These are the bags and fittings I have:

Large "GS" Bag (with map pocket fitted) - note I think the latest version of this bag has some styling changes but is the same size.
------------------------------------------------

Lock-to-lock for "GS" Bag
------------------------------

Smaller "Daypack"
----------------------

- with the map pocket I bought with the GS bag fitted. No idea if there is a specific pocket for this bag, but as you can see it does fit even if it looks odd.

The standard Tankring (not the EVO one)
-------------------------------------------------

The Engage that Bryn has comes in between the Daypack and the City Bag with the GS being just above that. All 3 bags expand (although in my photos the are also not expanded. The Daypack will more or less hold a wallet, sunglasses, a phone an iPod and maybe a pair of gloves (unexpanded). The GS will hold a pair of trainers and rolled up waterproofs as well.

 

[Jonnybiscuit]

Yep...here's one....

http://www.swmotech.co.uk/bags-connection-map-holder-for-quicklock-tankbag-bmw-gs-p-16287.html

 

[stroller]

Great information, very informative. When I get the bike this will help greatly in deciding which to go for.
Cheers,
Mike