vfr.blackbird .1200gsa?

[nsm]

Hi.Ok i have jusst booked a test ride on a gsa at vines in guilford not sure what to expect anyone gone this route?above my bikes.Love the blackie to bits but i can see it in tears at the speed it goes liecence job ect. Do the bms alll brake down like i read? Please say know

 

[vireo]

Hi.Ok i have jusst booked a test ride on a gsa at vines in guilford not sure what to expect anyone gone this route?above my bikes.Love the blackie to bits but i can see it in tears at the speed it goes liecence job ect. Do the bms alll brake down like i read? Please say know

OK.......
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NO

Well, you did ask. Seriously, these are great bikes, I have an 1150GSA and wouldn't swap it back for my VFR - I wouldn't mind another VFR or a Blackbird for that matter. If you can have two bikes, then why not......?
Some 12's have given trouble, so if you can buy new, then you get a good warrenty. If not, you pays your money (in a troubled market, you can pick up a bargain, methinks....) and takes your chance.

Oh, and welcome.

Vireo

 

[RichieS]

WHICH WAY.......

Thats is a very good question and one i ask myself on a regular basis.
I own a BB, and previously owned both an 1150 and 1200 GS. I too love the BB, but i am more concerned with comfort than speed.....not that i dont go fast, just 200 mile days are beginning to take their toll on my arse!! If you do change, the thing i think you will misss the most is the sheer power delivery of the BB. 6th gear, any speed, open the throttle.......gone!!
The plus side for me on the GS is, as said, the comfort, the fact you can potter, bimble, or just explore off the beaten track. Better weather protection during the winter.
As for horror stories of breakdowns......i never had a problem on either of mine, and i can assure you that if you do buy from Vines, that their aftercare service is top notch.
Ride the BB down there, take out the Adv for a whole day, ride the BB home and let your heart decide.
Either way, i think you are in a win win situation

Hope this helps

Richie

 

[nsm]

Thanks for your quick replies,excuse my witting i am a bit dixxi,[wife writes some times] niec to now that someone has ridden blackie and come this rote. will i miss the force of the cbr or just a better bike to live with. I DO ABOUT 20,000 on a bike so am thinking of BMW select ANY GOOD?

 

[Twotter]

Here's me looking to sell my Varadero and buy a Blackbird

Welcome to the site

 

[GS_Mad]

I feel real lucky because I have an 1150GSA and a Blackbird. I love both bikes for different reasons.

If I was on a tour doing high mileage I would use the GSA. If I'm going out for a days ride I always take the blackbird.

I really don't know which I'd sell if 1 had to go.

There are a few more details on both bikes on my website - www.deansbikes.co.uk


Cheers.

 

[SilverFish]

Thanks for your quick replies,excuse my witting i am a bit dixxi,[wife writes some times] niec to now that someone has ridden blackie and come this rote. will i miss the force of the cbr or just a better bike to live with. I DO ABOUT 20,000 on a bike so am thinking of BMW select ANY GOOD?

20,000 miles a year might be too much for a Select Agreement as I think the annual mileage allowance is only upto 12,000 miles.

That said, as I understand it, as long as you end up getting another BMW from the same dealer, it shouldnt be a problem.

Obviously, ask the salesman to go through it all clearly for you and make sure you understand exactly how much extra per mile you would have to pay if you wanted to just hand the bike back. It isnt much, a few pence - which if it was 8,000 miles would work out at (very) roughly £240 extra per year, times how ever many years you have it for.

I've got a select agreement, and do a lot more miles than 'allowed', I've asked for quotes against new BMW's, and it hasnt affected the select agreement at all. Now the trade in value - thats another story!

As has been suggested, the GS and the BB are like chalk and cheese - salt and pepper. Very different, but they compliment each other very nicely. You need a good few hours at least before you can make up your mind. Dont let them restrict you to one hour around Guildford! Take it for as long as your neck is, and especially take it down some windy B roads, the ones covered in gravel and muck - thats where it will shine!

As it happens, Bahnstormer are doing a demo weekend this Sat and Sun (25/26 Apr) down at Loomies. It'll be well worth a trip as they'll have the whole BMW Demo fleet there for you to try all sorts of different bikes on the same day. Dont forget your licence (both parts), and some kind of proof of address.

Have fun choosing, but if there is the feintest chance - try and get both!!

Mike

 

[steveh]

if your looking at a new vfr...

I would look elsewhere! I had the vtec one for 2 months and hated it slow, vtec is nasty and is as interesting as a door stop.

BB and GSA, very nice

 

[original_concept]

I would look elsewhere! I had the vtec one for 2 months and hated it slow, vtec is nasty and is as interesting as a door stop.

I wouldn't look elsewhere, I've had the VTEC one for 6 years, enjoyed it, was fast enough, vtec isn't a problem.

However, the GS is slow, noisy, uses oil, warps disks....

Bottom line, have a test ride... ignore all the comments; make your own mind up.

 

[RichieS]

Both....

Considering i am lucky enough to have the BB and an HP2E with both sets of wheels, i reckon i will keep 'em both. Just been invited to the 'ring at end of May.....BB....awsome on the way down the autobahn, maybe not as good on 100+ bends. HP2 with supermoto wheels....awesome on the bends......and bit of a drag on the autobahn. Decisions decisions

 

[elefantmanshawn]

GSA its good but it aint no honda,if you want honda build quality buy a honda if your worried about your licence don't ride it like a tw#t

 

[RichieS]

GSA its good but it aint no honda,if you want honda build quality buy a honda if your worried about your licence don't ride it like a tw#t

Those are good points well presented!!!!

 

[hondated]

If it is...

not too late I did what you are about to do and it was only several months later that I realised that the mistake I made was not readjusting my brain to give the GS a fair trial.If you do not do that then given the power smoothness of the BB you will I am sure opt for the BB.
The GS will stand no chance when it comes to these two factors but if you determine in your mind before setting off that you are not going to have the power and that the Boxer Twins have a unique feel to them then your choice maybe different.

I have yet to buy a GS but I do now have a twin and I have to say it has far more character than a straight four and I am enjoying the torque as well. It is great to be able to ride down a road within the limit and not feel as if I am holding the bike back and when it comes to twisties the riding position is just great.

Don't forget take that BB brain out before you test ride the GS.

 

[nsm]

Some good advice from you thanks. If i may ask another question it would be if i buy what sort of extras should i get with the select. warranty,service panniers ect or what not to get! Thanks again.

 

[nsm]

Hondated, spot on about holding the bike back thats what im trying to get away from the BB is just ticking over at a ton.

 

[Twotter]

Can you post a pic or two of your BB ?

 

[Kneeslider916]

I miss the sheer grunt of my Blackbird,......but i love my license more......and i think after 6 months of a 1200GS i wouldn't go back.

 

[Bahnstormer]

20,000 miles a year might be too much for a Select Agreement as I think the annual mileage allowance is only upto 12,000 miles.
Mike

Recently BMW Financial Services made some changes to BMW Select finance and we can now offer agreements calculated on an annual mileage from 3,000 - 20,000 miles per annum, maximum deposit also increased to 40%. Needles to say this isn't the place to go into detail, but anyone wishing to obtain a quote based on their requirements please feel free to contact us.

Regards
Paul

 

[Littledumptruck]

3 years ago i bought an 1150GS to replace my Bird. As it was January I managed to persuade the other half that the Bird wouldsell better in spring. It never happened. Loved the GS in the winter weather, but soon tired of all the gearchanging, the lumpy engine, lack of rev range, lack of overtaking power, and to be honest the finish was diabolical compared to honda.
By the end of the year the Gs had gone, a CB1300 followed and was a damn site better, but still not enough to sell the Bird.
So 3 years later my bird is still here and is now stabled with a cheap R850GS that Ive just bought for winter riding. All the handling of the 1150 but less power which isn't noticable when the roads are covered in crap, and the engine is so much smoother being so less stressed.
Some on here have said they'd use the GS to tour, but I was the other way. I just couldn't bear the idea of working so hard at riding such a bike for days on end across europe, the Bird is just so much easier to ride for day after day. I don't suffer from a heavy hand, 6 years of Bird ownership and still clean(although that may change any day)
Try not using 5th and 6th gear, save them for the motorway. Stick to 2nd, 3rd and 4th for most of your riding, you'll find the bike far more responsive, for acceleration and deceleration. You should then also find your top speed will come down as you'll feel like your thrashing it too much.