Tried (another) one today

[Devon]

It's an opinion. It's my opinion that the 1200 motor is wasted in a GS. I'm prepared to go into details if you wish but as you have a contrary opinion, one that I have no problem with you holding and one that I doubt that you'd alter, I won't waste bandwidth or your time.

If I was trolling, I'd have been somewhat less complimentary about the bike. I'm at a loss to see why you think that my post was trolling, unless you think that anyone who holds an opinion that conflicts with your own and has the temerity to make it public equals a troll?

Good for you. I respect your right to hold an opinion and to tell everyone what it is. Have a round of applause.

BTW, I don't recall saying that the only R1200 that might tempt me is the 1200R (I said that a 1200R might one day persuade me).

Unless you are a patronising, condescending troll in the 1200 section of a GS forum .

Just as I thought, so a slight amendment to my earlier post.

 

[MikeP]

Back to the old 1150 v 1200 argument eh?

Not really, no. Well certainly not in the sense that Devon in his inability to read and comprehend has decided that it is.

What it is is my reasons for declining to replace a perfectly decent bike with a brand-new one that is very nice but not enough of an "improvement" to induce me to buy one.

I don't think that I mentioned reliability, I didn't go into any of the hoary-old subjective stuff about looks and I certainly didn't suggest that 1200 owners are somehow deficient in their manhood or engage in un-natural sexual activities.

Please don't let the reactions of others lead you to suppose anything different.

Unless you are a patronising, condescending troll in the 1200 section of a GS forum

Is this a five minute argument or the full half-hour?

Did you actually take the time to read my posts or just decide that you wanted to do your own trolling for an argument?

All-in-all, a good bike. Possibly a very good bike but not good enough to tempt me.

Patronising and condescending? Yes. Spot-on. I tend to become either or both when someone demonstrates that they manage to read what isn't there and take umbrage at their own mistaken perceptions or because my opinion doesn't validate their own.

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Nice write up

I have only ever ridden two 1200GSA's and I did quite like them but back then though I was taking my 1150 up rough and rocky RUPPS and through muddy forests and it felt like the better bike for the job.

Now it would feel far from the right bike for the job.

 

[Devon]

Nice write up

I have only ever ridden two 1200GSA's and I did quite like them but back then though I was taking my 1150 up rough and rocky RUPPS and through muddy forests and it felt like the better bike for the job.

Now it would feel far from the right bike for the job.

Oh no, another troll






































Just Joking. Mike, I have just read your first post again and posting that in the 1200 section still looks like trolling to me, but I know you wouldn't tell lies so I believe You when you say it's just your opinion not stirring up the old 1150 is better then 1200 thing.

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Oh no, another troll

It wasn't meant like that.
Like I said the 1150 felt like the better bike at the time. If I was buying a bike for 90% road work now, to sit along side a mid sized trail bike I would look at an early no frills (red cos I like them) 1200GSA.

 

[MikeP]

Mike, I have just read your first post again and posting that in the 1200 section still looks like trolling to me, but I know you wouldn't tell lies so I believe You when you say it's just your opinion not stirring up the old 1150 is better then 1200 thing.

I didn't go into Ocean looking for a test-ride, I had my arm metaphorically twisted to take it out and was happy to do so. They are nice people in Ocean and I did feel a twinge of remorse when I saw Ian's face when I told him that I wasn't tempted. I was a little concerned that I'd like the latest Twin-Cam model a bit too much. I didn't. I didn't not like it either. I simply felt that it isn't good enough to tempt me to replace my 1150GSA and at no time have said in this thread that an 1150 is better than a 1200. I did say that I can see why people buy them but not if they already own a good 1150.

Where would be best to post a test-ride impression of a 1200? In the 850/1100/1150 section?

I don't have a pathological hatred for the 1200. You may be confusing me with a certain owner of one of those Camp 1150GSA SE's.

I'm not above a little good-natured badinage but I tend to keep that for those 1200 owners that I know.

I worked quite hard to try and keep to an objective impression in my OP simply because I'm aware how testy some owners can be. It seems that includes ex-owners too.

If I ride one again, rest assured, I'll just call it a pile of shite so that we can get straight to the argy-bargy.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I didn't go into Ocean looking for a test-ride, I had my arm metaphorically twisted to take it out and was happy to do so. They are nice people in Ocean and I did feel a twinge of remorse when I saw Ian's face when I told him that I wasn't tempted. I was a little concerned that I'd like the latest Twin-Cam model a bit too much. I didn't. I didn't not like it either. I simply felt that it isn't good enough to tempt me to replace my 1150GSA and at no time have said in this thread that an 1150 is better than a 1200. I did say that I can see why people buy them but not if they already own a good 1150.

Where would be best to post a test-ride impression of a 1200? In the 850/1100/1150 section?

I don't have a pathological hatred for the 1200. You may be confusing me with a certain owner of one of those Camp 1150GSA SE's.

I'm not above a little good-natured badinage but I tend to keep that for those 1200 owners that I know.

I worked quite hard to try and keep to an objective impression in my OP simply because I'm aware how testy some owners can be. It seems that includes ex-owners too.

If I ride one again, rest assured, I'll just call it a pile of shite so that we can get straight to the argy-bargy.

I did find some of the comments odd, that a 1200cc 110bhp engine is wasted in a bike weighing 230kgs plus and that it would be better served in a lighter naked bike with no wind protection.

Mike - I think your comments might have been better received on the 1150 part of the site, i.e. this is why I'm happy with my choice as opposed to I dont want what you lot have got nurr nurr ne nur nur.

Anyway - good for you though, youve saved yourself a fortune.

 

[MikeP]

I did find some of the comments odd, that a 1200cc 110bhp engine is wasted in a bike weighing 230kgs plus and that it would be better served in a lighter naked bike with no wind protection.

As I said before, it's my opinion and one that's informed by factors that appear to be different to yours (among others).

I don't accept that the bare figures of bhp tell the full story, it's how and where it makes that power and what/where/how the rider uses the machine.

As for why I feel that the Twin-Cam motor would be nice in an R1200R, it has a lot to do with the nature of the motor: It is much happier to rev and encourages holding gears longer than earlier Boxers. For that reason I believe that it would better suit a bike with less "load it up and set-off for the horizon" pretensions (where a lot of torque produced over a wide rev-range is more suitable IMO).

The engine reminded me a little of my much loved but recently sold, K75 (just not as smooth). It was happier in lower gears than I'd want from a bike with GSA-type use in mind, usually two gears lower than my 1150 is happy to pull at similar speeds.

That's why I immediately thought that it would be great in an R1200R, a lighter, nimble machine and one that I'd enjoy "keeping on the boil" on A and B roads (where wind protection really isn't important).

It's all subjective and a matter of opinion. Yes I know the old saying about opinions and arseholes but as far as I know, there are still no rules against stating one's opinion here, even if it doesn't conform.

Mike - I think your comments might have been better received on the 1150 part of the site, i.e. this is why I'm happy with my choice as opposed to I dont want what you lot have got nurr nurr ne nur nur.

Had I done such a thing there would have been howls of outrage from some 1100 and 1150 owners (for sullying that section) instead of just some 1200 owners.

 

[Rasher]

You mentioned the seating position, I have noticed on the ones ive ridden theyve had the bars down low in a sort of flat tracker position. I wonder if this is a deliberate ploy to attract people from pocket rockets etc?

Well it worked with me if that was the aim, I actually like being a bit perched on top of a bike, and compared to modern sportsbikes the GS is very upright, roomy and laid back.

All things modern in the bike world seem to be getting smaller and lighter (including the GS it seems) and I do not think that is automatically a bad thing, perhaps bar risers would suit those looking for a more 1150 experience

Mine made my shoulders ache at first, especially on long runs but I had actually forgot all about it (until it cropped up here) I think with all bikes it takes them a while to break you in, no complaints after 3100 miles in the Alps.

I am glad I am not the only one who thinks reliability is not great and has concerns, it is just a shame BMW got themselves into this situation as if they had just sorted the FD quickly and looked after customers who had failures at low mileages regardless of warranty status I suspect they would have a few more returning customers (me for one)

Now I am used to my 2008 model I would be quite interested to hop onto a 2010 to see if I could spot the difference back-to-back, not that I will as my worst nightmare would be wanting another GS

 

[WindyChuffer]

laydeez please....

 

[ecowarrior]

triple black not

Interesting points, my 09 12ADV is in dock for it's 12k service today so I have the dealer's 12ADV twincam demo bike, I've put around 100 miles on it this morning, my impressions are;
I like the increased shove in the lower revs, very tractable and a lot less snatchy around town,
I also like the exhaust note, as has been said it's rorty but not offensive,
I am also not fussed on the new R.I.D. not least because I was looking for it in the wrong place out of habit but there is also a lot of information to display so fuel guage/temp/gear pos. indicator are smaller or have changed position but I'm sure I would get used to it,
chassis wise there is little to report over my 09 bike which is a plus for me as I like the way it rides/handles/steers etc.
It may be a result of the smoother engine but I feel the twin cam felt less busy at higher motorway speeds
My own bike is fitted with (de-cat) Remus headers so the extra claimed 5bhp of the twin cam engine wasn't at all noticeable to me, in fact I'd say thus equipped my own bike is more lively from 5k revs upward
My dealership (Riders Cardiff) also had a Triple Black ADV in the showroom and very nice it looked too, apparently equipped with BMW's latest "dynamic ride" version of the ESA suspension, sounds like thaqt will be expensive if it ever goes wrong (eh Rasher...... )
Overall I enjoyed the twin cam, all I have to do now is not look in the direction of the Triple Black when I return to collect my bike this afternoon.
I cannot really comment or make a comparison between a 1150 ADV and 1200ADV as I swapped from 1150 to my first 1200 6 years ago other than I do recall it took me a while to "gel" with the 1200's lighter and nimbler handling.

dont want to disappoint you but it isnt triple black,and dosent have that sinster look of the GS triple black in fact in my humble opinion it should be renamed the triple bland, and what makes it even better is that if you are going to buy a triple bland then you dont get the £800 quid of equipment you would if you buy the ordinary one and yet you pay more for it ??? wasted on me, this could have been so good.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

dont want to disappoint you but

You haven't

 

[cookie]

if you are going to buy a triple bland then you dont get the £800 quid of equipment you would if you buy the ordinary one and yet you pay more for it ???

that is a bit of a cheek

in photos, i don't think the GSA triple black looks as nice as the GS does, but i'm still waiting to see one in the flesh.

 

[Number 6]

.....I hated the riding position, it's on rather than in. I felt I was perched on top of it, much closer to the bars .

The bar risers are reversible. Swapping them round moves the bars forward a good bit and it feels more like an 1150 GSA.

 

[MarkyRR]

......you dont get the £800 quid of equipment you would if you buy the ordinary one.....

uhhhh, yes you do. At least, thats whats offered to me by North Oxford Garage. Unless its only recently changed to give the £800 (which I can have either in 'stuff' or as a discount on the bike.