The review you may have been waiting for ! Big rock moto on the 12 G/S

Yup, matches my experience. Bike ends up in a grey zone, for me. Very cool to look at and ride for a coffee, for everything else I’d pick something else. Undecided so far!
 
This will be interesting, except its 46 minutes 🤔

Just started, I hear the Dakar is now called the Dikaar then 🤣
 
I suspect he’s in the top ten bike reviewers but I normally skip his videos, don’t enjoy them. Chris Northover, Lell Pavey, Motobob, and the father and son team (someone and the ‘ol’ man) for me. And that balding chap that crops up on Bike World/1000PS/some others. He’s an easy listen
 
I suspect he’s in the top ten bike reviewers but I normally skip his videos, don’t enjoy them. Chris Northover, Lell Pavey, Motobob, and the father and son team (someone and the ‘ol’ man) for me. And that balding chap that crops up on Bike World/1000PS/some others. He’s an easy listen
Chris Northover is brilliant . I didn’t mind Posh Darcy and his dad until recently but their reviews are a bit crap . If it’s not a Harley they don’t like it .
Ian at Big Rock is much more subjective.
Only a couple of weeks ago , father and son stated they hated adventure bikes so tested a Vstrom 800 then slated it for not having the midrange of a big Harley . Fucking idiots . Of course an 800 hasn’t got the midrange of an 1800+ cc bike .
Made themselves look a tad bigoted and ignorant , slagging off a motor that is pretty much universally regarded as best in class . Unsubscribed.

Motobob is ok but he’s a bit odd in a robotic kind of way . Has a weird way of phrasing when he’s talking
 
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His 3 gripes are off.

1. Luggage is no issue, I fitted my own but you can buy bmw soft bags also
2. The clutch is not weak as he claims, read the comments.
3. The reserve light comes on but you still have 50 miles plus left. Yes a few litres more would have been nice but it's not a major problem.

Not ridden mine on any tough off road yet but the suspension doesn't feel soft, any stiffer and it would be a pain on the road.
 
Simple fact is it's a fun bike to ride.

If I want to go from a to b with less fun I would just take the car.
 
Simple fact is it's a fun bike to ride.

If I want to go from a to b with less fun I would just take the car.
Yes but some people don’t want to pay £18k for a bike that is just a bit of fun when there are bikes costing half as much that are better at touring and better off road .
I’ve not ridden the 12 G/S but rate Ian at BRM very highly . Sounds like he’s bang on with his summation that it’s basically a pretty bike that you buy with your heart and then accept compromises.
 
Yes but some people don’t want to pay £18k for a bike that is just a bit of fun when there are bikes costing half as much that are better at touring and better off road .
I’ve not ridden the 12 G/S but rate Ian at BRM very highly . Sounds like he’s bang on with his summation that it’s basically a pretty bike that you buy with your heart and then accept compromises.
I would agree it is a minority interest bike, however for my needs it's close to ideal.

I avoid motorways where can although I actually found it fine and quiet at 70mph on the trip home after buying it. I much prefer a small screen to a noisy one. They are better for hot places and I go to Spain a lot.

I wanted the boxer engine again but not the bulk of the 1250 I had.

It feels like a better 1100gs which I owned

I like back roads and the ability to take unsurfaced roads, for that it is more nimble and well suited.

My 1100 I progressed to some fairly ruff stuff and see no reason why this won't be better.

For proper off roading I would buy another enduro bike but that isn't the riding I do now. I have done the off road to the bottom of Portugal, the French alps etc already. Ticked those boxes

I don't need massive panniers, over the years I have learnt to pack light and know what I do and don't need to take on a trip.
 
I would agree it is a minority interest bike, however for my needs it's close to ideal.

I avoid motorways where can although I actually found it fine and quiet at 70mph on the trip home after buying it. I much prefer a small screen to a noisy one. They are better for hot places and I go to Spain a lot.

I wanted the boxer engine again but not the bulk of the 1250 I had.

It feels like a better 1100gs which I owned

I like back roads and the ability to take unsurfaced roads, for that it is more nimble and well suited.

My 1100 I progressed to some fairly ruff stuff and see no reason why this won't be better.

For proper off roading I would buy another enduro bike but that isn't the riding I do now. I have done the off road to the bottom of Portugal, the French alps etc already. Ticked those boxes

I don't need massive panniers, over the years I have learnt to pack light and know what I do and don't need to take on a trip.
Sounds perfect for you then .
Agree about small screens . Only ever had a fly screen on my KTM 950 SE and it was perfect .

Can you see the pope ?

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Here’s a close up

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Caused much amusement when people saw il papa solare waving at them
 
Yes but some people don’t want to pay £18k for a bike that is just a bit of fun when there are bikes costing half as much that are better at touring and better off road .
I’ve not ridden the 12 G/S but rate Ian at BRM very highly . Sounds like he’s bang on with his summation that it’s basically a pretty bike that you buy with your heart and then accept compromises.
He also said it’s great fun on the road and torquey as hell. I’ve got the same engine in my R9T Scrambler and it’s a lot of fun to ride, but the suspension sucks. This bike looks more capable suspension wise, with a very comfortable riding position. I don’t think it would be very good offroad for anything other than gravel trails though………..but let’s face it, what else do most of us do 🤔
I like it, but in the entry level price range without all the bullshit. I’d probably buy the grips, skid plate and engine bars separately though………..then it’s more sensibly priced at £14k
 
He also said it’s great fun on the road and torquey as hell. I’ve got the same engine in my R9T Scrambler and it’s a lot of fun to ride, but the suspension sucks. This bike looks more capable suspension wise, with a very comfortable riding position. I don’t think it would be very good offroad for anything other than gravel trails though………..but let’s face it, what else do most of us do 🤔
I like it, but in the entry level price range without all the bullshit. I’d probably buy the grips, skid plate and engine bars separately though………..then it’s more sensibly priced at £14k
Agreed .
I had an early R9T Urban and the motor was great but the suspension was beyond dreadful .
My last ever new BMW bike , and that’s unlikely to change given the current range /prices
 
Sounds perfect for you then .
Agree about small screens . Only ever had a fly screen on my KTM 950 SE and it was perfect .

Can you see the pope ?

View attachment 478662


Here’s a close up

View attachment 478663


Caused much amusement when people saw il papa solare waving at them
The Pope must have been good for an extra bit of safety at speed 😁
 
I think it looks like a purposeful bike for the tall amongst us. The whole being greater than the sum of its parts 🤔
 
I got a very good deal, a pre reg bike with comfort pack and other extras for under £13k due to the dealer closing up shop.

At that price I consider it a bargain.
 
There can be a perverse pleasure in taking a heavy bike off road and with the right tyres they do better than you think if feeling confident.

However, unless you happen to be very talented, a light bike is just much easier.

I see these as a bike you can ride stress free on unsurfaced roads yet able if you happen to meet something harder than expected.

Not many will really buy them as a full off roader, as a mixed surface bike I think they are ideal.
 


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