bladerunner
Registered user
Just had an enjoyable morning testing the new BMW releases. I have owned 1200GS and 1100RT and presently have 1150GSA and 1600GT so, for what it's worth:
1200RT
Looks lovely, very well put together, huge fairing, hidden bolts, clearly well designed and seems solid. Panniers large and easily take full face helmet.
Ergonomics good - BMW seats seem comfy from the off these days. Slight feeling that I was "thrown" forwards over the front wheel.
Excellent mirrors, vibration free
Screen was OK-ish - still some serious buffeting of the shoulders whatever height the screen was. But on a windy motorway, neither were uncomfortably blown around
clutch light, gearbox excellent, brakes very good, especially rear.
Nimble bike with excellent road holding - an easy bike to ride well. The police will love it. Very chuck-able.
Good grunty motor at low speed, bags of torque front the off.
Only down side was that above 90, once again the boxer engine runs out of puff and the roll on in 5th above 80 was disappointing. Absolutely nothing compared with the whoosh of power you get from the 1600 6cylinder. The 1600 is addictive - change down to 4th at 80mph and twist the throttle and you give out before the bike does. With the 1200RT there is forward motion but nothing like the sense of power. For that reason, I would not buy the RT.
GSA
I have ridden the GS and did not like it - I found the steering too light as if the fork angle was too steep. It was knocked off course on bends by pebbles.
The GSA felt much more stable without loosing the flick ability.
The bike is not so "one piece" as the RT - there are bits here and bits there and I agree the crash bars look like the dental brace of an american teenager.
Wind protection was nearly as good as the RT.
Mirrors good. Ergonomics fine.
Engine character suits the GSA more than the RT and then there is the dynamic mode.
oh yes, we like that!
There is a character to the GSA that makes you smile - it may be mass produced but it is not anodyne. A bike that becomes more than just a machine in your garage. A bike that makes you think up new reasons to travel further.
Bottom line - the RT is the better bike, but the GSA is the one I'd buy.
In short, although you know you could ride all day on the RT, the GSA is the one that makes you WANT to ride all day!
Thank you for listening!
1200RT
Looks lovely, very well put together, huge fairing, hidden bolts, clearly well designed and seems solid. Panniers large and easily take full face helmet.
Ergonomics good - BMW seats seem comfy from the off these days. Slight feeling that I was "thrown" forwards over the front wheel.
Excellent mirrors, vibration free
Screen was OK-ish - still some serious buffeting of the shoulders whatever height the screen was. But on a windy motorway, neither were uncomfortably blown around
clutch light, gearbox excellent, brakes very good, especially rear.
Nimble bike with excellent road holding - an easy bike to ride well. The police will love it. Very chuck-able.
Good grunty motor at low speed, bags of torque front the off.
Only down side was that above 90, once again the boxer engine runs out of puff and the roll on in 5th above 80 was disappointing. Absolutely nothing compared with the whoosh of power you get from the 1600 6cylinder. The 1600 is addictive - change down to 4th at 80mph and twist the throttle and you give out before the bike does. With the 1200RT there is forward motion but nothing like the sense of power. For that reason, I would not buy the RT.
GSA
I have ridden the GS and did not like it - I found the steering too light as if the fork angle was too steep. It was knocked off course on bends by pebbles.
The GSA felt much more stable without loosing the flick ability.
The bike is not so "one piece" as the RT - there are bits here and bits there and I agree the crash bars look like the dental brace of an american teenager.
Wind protection was nearly as good as the RT.
Mirrors good. Ergonomics fine.
Engine character suits the GSA more than the RT and then there is the dynamic mode.
oh yes, we like that!There is a character to the GSA that makes you smile - it may be mass produced but it is not anodyne. A bike that becomes more than just a machine in your garage. A bike that makes you think up new reasons to travel further.
Bottom line - the RT is the better bike, but the GSA is the one I'd buy.
In short, although you know you could ride all day on the RT, the GSA is the one that makes you WANT to ride all day!
Thank you for listening!
If you like it, surely you'll want to enjoy it over summer?
