Urban GS, R1200GS TU or early LC? To Adv or not to Adv - share your experiences!

[Lor Enzo]

Hi all,
I finally sold the Vespa I had for the last 7 years and the boss approved the business case for getting a GS.
This is a nice problem to have and I'd like to understand your experiences.
I have been riding a 2001 R1150GS since 2004 so I know what I like!
The bike is in Italy and I ride it every time I am there. Almost 60k miles going strong!

I am toying with the idea of getting:
1. 2010-2012 GS TU (twin cam) not necessarily GSA, but why not.
2. Urban GS - it's a bit lower than a GS and the boss stated that many bikes look small with me on it. (185cm tall or 6'1" I think) Also not sure about not having the GS suspensions...
3. Early LC are within budget and stretching a bit I could also get nice 2016-17 bikes potentially GSA. I know the finish is a bit worst on these potentially, but serviceability (clutch in primis) should be better.

I will be using the bike at the weekend every now and then for now. When my daughter is older I can think about going a bit further afield.. I tend to keep my bikes for long so I'd like to ponder my options.

My questions to you:

Have you ridden an urban GS after a proper GS? How does it feel?

How is the LC comparing with the twin cam air/oil cooled engine bikes?

Any other points you might want to share it is really appreciated.

Part of me is tempted to get a nice air cooled bike and save some money as incidental towards maintenance... The bikes will last and it will be plenty for me!

 

[twizzle]

I’ve had them all -

1100/1150/1200 Hex/LC & Urban

 

[twizzle]

I would go 1200 GSA Hex - circa 2010

The suspension on the Urban is awful - and the bike will be too small two up - the urban was built to a price and it shows.

I’d take a late Hex over an early LC….

A nice 1200 GSA Hex is the perfect next step from an 1150 and nice ones can be had for £5k

 

[Neil W]

2011 onwards 1200gs/gsa twin cam better in most respects than an early lc which had issues including poor paint finish, electrical and switchgear issues, poor gearbox and many other well reported issues

 

[Lor Enzo]

Thanks guys!
I am aligned to your thoughts but wanted to understand from people with real experiences

 

[Santa-2512]

Hexhead single cam all round UK

LC more time in the dealers than on road

Hexhead Twincam all round UK & europe

 

[leadfarmer]

Had an urban GS as a loan bike for a few days, good engine but hated the ergonomy and suspension, I know it’s personal opinion but I wouldn’t want one at all

Despite what some may say, the LC is a lot nicer than the oil cooled GS

After 2015/2016 the bike should be sorted, any problems will be already fixed, and you get free driveshaft replacement from BMW as and when needed. Oil cooled FDs tend to fail where LC GDs don’t

LCs are easy to service

You’ll get some fairly divergent opinions on here, the best thing to do is ride all three and make your own choice

 

[DJ123]

I've never had anything but a LC R1200GS, 2013 - one of the early ones. No steering damper, lighter fly wheel era.

I've had it just over 2 1/2 years now and covered a little over 36K miles during that time. It's now on just over 63K miles (i picked it up on 27K) Mostly through big touring miles, but also long weekends away and big riding days.
The only 2 failures i've had are;
- the stator going; which is a big hefty bill (for parts and labour). £1621 at BMW (nigh on 50/50 for parts & labour split)
- the rear shock damping failed - £250 for a rebuild with TTech Suspension.

Other than that it has the services done per the BMW schedule, and it sees a dealer for the 12K ones so they can run their eyes over it and highlight any issues that may need addressing. It's been a great Bike through and through for me. I'll be keeping it for years to come, all being well.

Things that have been replaced along the way (warranty & maintenance)
- Heated grips (failed - my expense. Replaced both sides. £320)
- Drive shaft (BMW recall/replacement)
- Fork oil & seals (preventative maintenance. All bMW parts; £60 )
- Front wheel bearings (preventative maintenance. BMW parts & fitted. £132)
- Rear brake disc


So far, i am circa £4K spent on maintenance, servicing & repairs during this time period (including the Stator).

My average yearly servicing cost (for about 10-12k miles) is around £500.
- oil & filter every 6k (i do this at home) £80
- major service at BMW £400 (average)

This is visibility to how much i spend on a Bike i use a lot and cover a lot of miles on. I don't skimp on maintenance and tend to stick to BMW parts (unless aftermarket is a lot cheaper, but equal quality).

 

[Coppertop]

I have owned all varieties of 1200s. I bought a 64 plate LC last year. I sold it after two months. Whilst technically better in pretty much ever way it left me feeling cold and I got sick of seeing them everywhere. I'm now back on an early oil/air cooled one and for me they just hit the spot. I really love the character of them. Also I do all my own servicing and they're so easy to work on.

If I had to choose I'd try grab a nice well sorted twincam (2010-2013) as it's a brilliant engine.

If you wanted cruise, more power/torque and fancier suspension you'd be leaning towards the LC. I don't think you can go far wrong with either tbh, they are great bikes.

 

[Santa-2512]

To the OP if your running it on a budget and home servicing ie without warranty the following give you an indication of costs of replacement parts

In order of ownership

2006 Hexhead
Starter motor £354
Rear bevel unit £1442 rebuilt by specialist workshop for a lot lot less !
Total with vat £424

Time offroad 2 weeks

2016 LC
Switch cluster LH £411
Throttle assy RH £183
Throttle repair cable £39
Fuel filler flap assy £200
ECU £726
Rear shock £1572
Throttle body £400
Fuel distributor system £176
Cam sensor £46
No labour. as all bar the shock were covered under warranty

Total with vat £4503

Time offroad 18 months

2011 Hexhead TC
LH switch cluster £261
RH indicator £42

Total with vat £363

Time off road 0 weeks

 

[Arsey]

I would go 1200 GSA Hex - circa 2010

The suspension on the Urban is awful - and the bike will be too small two up - the urban was built to a price and it shows.

I’d take a late Hex over an early LC….

A nice 1200 GSA Hex is the perfect next step from an 1150 and nice ones can be had for £5k

Agreed.
Urban suspension was truly awful.

 

[Lor Enzo]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
It's a great forum isn't it.

Let's see what I can find in the next few weeks as my insurance put me on a dummy plate for 30 days to avoid cancelling my policy, so I would love to get something sooner than later!

 

[gspod]

I’ve got a twin cam, my wife has a 2014 LC
TC - 98K miles
Rear shock overhaul at 50k
Final drive rebuild and new clutch at 65k - was only a precaution for a long trip.
Starter motor, alternator and coils replaced 60-80k.
Is running like a swis clock.

LC - 47k
Rear shock rebuild at 35K
New battery after a 9 month lay up.
Has some paint bubbles but that is not an issue for my wife.
Running like a Swiss clock.

LC engine is faster, bit more revvy - more Japanese like if that makes sense.
TC - more agricultural, more like an 1150.
LC - sit in the bike
TC - sit on the bike
Both bikes can be ridden slow or fast but the LC is definitely a better fast bike.

Hope that’s some help - I don’t think you will go wrong with either bike.

 

[Santa-2512]

I’ve got a twin cam, my wife has a 2014 LC
TC - 98K miles
Rear shock overhaul at 50k
Final drive rebuild and new clutch at 65k - was only a precaution for a long trip.
Starter motor, alternator and coils replaced 60-80k.
Is running like a swis clock.

LC - 47k
Rear shock rebuild at 35K
New battery after a 9 month lay up.
Has some paint bubbles but that is not an issue for my wife.
Running like a Swiss clock.

LC engine is faster, bit more revvy - more Japanese like if that makes sense.
TC - more agricultural, more like an 1150.
LC - sit in the bike
TC - sit on the bike
Both bikes can be ridden slow or fast but the LC is definitely a better fast bike.

Hope that’s some help - I don’t think you will go wrong with either bike.

I found both bikes sit on ( i'm a hobbit) seat lowering & suspension made then both sit in and more fun

 

[gspod]

I found both bikes sit on ( i'm a hobbit) seat lowering & suspension made then both sit in and more fun

You’re probably right - I raise the seats on all my bikes and wife’s on a low setting, probably distorts my impression.

 

[Lor Enzo]

I’ve got a twin cam, my wife has a 2014 LC
TC - 98K miles
Rear shock overhaul at 50k
Final drive rebuild and new clutch at 65k - was only a precaution for a long trip.
Starter motor, alternator and coils replaced 60-80k.
Is running like a swis clock.

LC - 47k
Rear shock rebuild at 35K
New battery after a 9 month lay up.
Has some paint bubbles but that is not an issue for my wife.
Running like a Swiss clock.

LC engine is faster, bit more revvy - more Japanese like if that makes sense.
TC - more agricultural, more like an 1150.
LC - sit in the bike
TC - sit on the bike
Both bikes can be ridden slow or fast but the LC is definitely a better fast bike.

Hope that’s some help - I don’t think you will go wrong with either bike.

98K Miles! That's good going.
I think my hearth is set for a TC, possibly Triple Black...
All the bikes I list here are non Adv TC
I found a good one with 48K miles, the bike looks good, but I'm not entirely sure about the high mileage, but looking at yours it seem to be ok! It's not that I'll do a big annual mileage unfortunately... Thoughts?

The bike got good service history and looks well kept and it just shy of £6k delivered home...

I have found another one with 35k, but the front engine cover has suffered and the owner has no idea what is needed next in terms of service and while it's ok for people not to be mechanically minded, my guts tell me to pass...

I found another one with 27k, looks good on photos, but they said there's no service history...they will do a PDI and oil and filter change ahead of delivery ... I wonder if a call to BMW Motorrad with the registration might help me understand more...

There are a few bikes I looked at that could fit the bill. I quite like spoked wheels as it's what I got on the 1150, but perhaps I should not exclude a bike with alloys ...there is a good one for £6k and 20k miles.
I know it might seem a lot for a 12+ years old bike but my mind and hearth is set on an air/oil cooled GS!

Should I be concerned about the high mileage?

If you think 48K it's 4k a year on average per 12 years...

 

[gspod]

My TC is a triple black and a great bike that has taken me a lot of places.

Personally, I believe rightly or not, that the more a GS is used the more reliable it is - especially if it’s year round. I wouldn’t worry about high mileage but I would want a full documented service history with receipts not just stamps.
I’m not a monster miler but I keep my bikes for a long time and only have one at a time - I sold my 1100 with 180K miles.
Having said that the bike only had 3K miles on the clock when I bought it and the TC had 18K, so most of the miles were mine. Still, at some stage I might have to buy an older bike and the mileage wouldn’t bother me.
Good luck with your search - seems to me it’s a good time to buy, plenty of bargains out there so be fussy.

 

[gspod]

BTW I rode my TC from Canada to Patagonia - the bike had over 65K miles on the clock when I rode out of Montreal.
I also went on one of Bilco’s trips (around 5K miles I believe) on my 1100 - it had 150K miles on the clock.
Not Willy waving just saying that I trust a high mileage GS.
These are just my personal experiences and thoughts.

 

[DJ123]

My TC is a triple black and a great bike that has taken me a lot of places.

Personally, I believe rightly or not, that the more a GS is used the more reliable it is - especially if it’s year round. I wouldn’t worry about high mileage but I would want a full documented service history with receipts not just stamps.
I’m not a monster miler but I keep my bikes for a long time and only have one at a time - I sold my 1100 with 180K miles.
Having said that the bike only had 3K miles on the clock when I bought it and the TC had 18K, so most of the miles were mine. Still, at some stage I might have to buy an older bike and the mileage wouldn’t bother me.
Good luck with your search - seems to me it’s a good time to buy, plenty of bargains out there so be fussy.

My thoughts are the same, regarding a higher mileage better serviced Bike is a reliable one.

Any Bike in regular use, or used on regularly long journeys is one the owner is likely to take good care of to ensure it is reliable, trustworthy & will get them from A to B, to C and so on. Carrying out regular maintenance, pre-emptive maintenance & ensuring nothing left 'wanting'. And probably has a stack of receipts and invoices for everything carried out as 'proof' of work.

A Bike used less regular is likely (IMO) the opposite - things that need doing get delayed, the service is done as/when rather than at the mileage of time service & niggles are left because it doesn't need to be reliable.

 

[Lor Enzo]

I put down a deposit on a nice 12 plate Triple Black with about 35k miles.
Expected delivery in a couple of weeks they'll keep me posted... I cannot wait.
It's really the evolution of the R1150GS that we got in Italy and I do hope that will serve me well as the 1150 for years to come!
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, really appreciated!
Looking forward to sharing my adventures over here! (In the dedicated section)