What is the Best GS, Which on is BS??

[motobiker]

Yes, it breaks. It's not required, so they removed it. What's your problem?

The fact it breaks is the problem... whereas it should 'brake'

The servo is a classic example of a "solution to a problem that never existed" - it went horribly wrong and so was dumped. Fortunately there are plenty of bikes out there that don't have it and so in the contect of the OP - the bikes without are the better option regardless of actual model.

 

[AdamA]

The fact it breaks is the problem... whereas it should 'brake'

Agreed.
It's just when it does break it is not the near death experience some would have you believe.

The servo is a classic example of a "solution to a problem that never existed"

Quite.

Fortunately there are plenty of bikes out there that don't have it and so in the contect of the OP - the bikes without are the better option regarldess of actual model.

Never said otherwise.

 

[shready]

1100GS is the best, IMO

 

[Brian ROSEN]

"....The servo is a classic example of a "solution to a problem that never existed" - it went horribly wrong and so was dumped. Fortunately there are plenty of bikes out there that don't have it and so in the contect of the OP - the bikes without are the better option regardless of actual model..."
__________________ Well I wonder if you are right. I had one of the early 1200GS's with the servo brakes; The roads around here are very steep and very twisty. I thought that the brakes were certainly the best I have ever had; they required little effort, there was no lack of feel and they were very powerful. BMW droppd the servo from the 2008 model - I have one now and I believe that the brakes are pretty well as good as the 'old' servo model. Could it just be that there has been progress? Obviously there is a consequent saving in cost and less complication;

 

[AdamA]

The servo is a classic example of a "solution to a problem that never existed" - it went horribly wrong and so was dumped. Fortunately there are plenty of bikes out there that don't have it and so in the contect of the OP - the bikes without are the better option regardless of actual model...

Well I wonder if you are right. I had one of the early 1200GS's with the servo brakes; The roads around here are very steep and very twisty. I thought that the brakes were certainly the best I have ever had; they required little effort, there was no lack of feel and they were very powerful. BMW droppd the servo from the 2008 model - I have one now and I believe that the brakes are pretty well as good as the 'old' servo model. Could it just be that there has been progress? Obviously there is a consequent saving in cost and less complication;

Aren't you saying exactly the same thing as motobiker?

The 2008 has conventional brakes (if you forget about ABS) which work just fine, certainly as good as the servo assisted ones (when they are working), hence the servo assist was a solution to a problem that doesn't exist with conventional brakes.

Or are you saying the 2008 conventional brakes are using new technology to previous conventional brakes hence are able to match the servo asisted brake performance?

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Do I know what I am talking about?

".....Or are you saying the 2008 conventional brakes are using new technology to previous conventional brakes hence are able to match the servo asisted brake performance? Yes, I think that may well be the case; However it really is difficult to judge as, although from necessity I use the brakes a lot on my descent into town they are very rarely "used in anger." The early problems with disc brakes ( and I am going back many, many years) was the amount of effort required to operate them; thus it was not long before all cars had servo assistance - and I suppose they still do? I remember the early disc brakes on BMW's - they did require a lot of effort and they hardly worked at all when wet; There has been considerable progress, particularly in pad material. The answer to the question above is ...not really!

 

[AdamA]

Yes, I think that may well be the case;

Conventional brakes have been good enough to stoppie(i.e. they they required little effort, there was no lack of feel and they were very powerful )at will for the last 15 years at least. Way before BMW felt the need to put servo bikes on a GS.

BMW may however have learnt to do a better job with existing technology tho.

The early problems with disc brakes ( and I am going back many, many years) was the amount of effort required to operate them; thus it was not long before all cars had servo assistance - and I suppose they still do?

Cars have a LOT more weight to stop with and more importantly a lot larger surface area of caliper pistons to push out with one small foot powered pistion doing the pushing. Hence the need for assistance.

Somewhat different on a bike.

 

[motobiker]

It's just when it does break it is not the near death experience some would have you believe.

 

[AdamA]

 

[peepingtom]

1200 is "best" for me, ive had R80gs/100 pd/100gs/1100gs and a millon other bikes .Generally newer bikes will be better i should say, it makes sense doesnt it?
Depends want riding youll be doing There all good ,dispite the problems some people have BM's are great bikes. cant think of a better one

 

[AdamA]

Aye. get over it.

Generally newer bikes will be better i should say, it makes sense doesnt it?

Depends what you want from a bike and whether the manufacturer takes successive models away from what you want doesn't it?

If you want rock solid handling, rock solid dependability, mechanical (and electrical simplicity) and a big road presence then quite possibly newer bikes won't be better for you (goes for most models, not just BM GSs).

Depends want riding youll be doing There all good ,dispite the problems some people have BM's are great bikes. cant think of a better one

Quite.
They are just all a little different from each other. Just ride them all and decide which one best suits.

 

[(RIP) ugg]

buy a 1200 , if its crap, n ye dont like all the plastic ,

sell it buy a 1150 , if ye dont like the 1150 looks and extra 6th gear,

sell it and buy a good 1100 , with all the money ye have left , buy loads of bolt on extras n go out n enjoy the ride

ugg

 

[casperfelix]

I'm interested in the comment, "If you have owned a bike from new and it has been dealer serviced blah blah" which implies the dealer keeps the bike in 'just so' condition.
My experience of dealer service is not so positive. Had my 1150GS in for a 24k (very expensive) service last year. When I rode away the clutch felt different etc - and it had been washed - so it seemed serviced. As the year progressed it became clear that they hadn't done that much for their nearly £500.
Subsequently I've changed all the bits they didn't and adjusted this and that and my little girl now runs a treat!
She's a grey 1150GS - they were the ones that were built to last - regardless of (some) dealers worst efforts.

 

[jimswms]

For the record, I was talking about brake assist, not ABS, a different matter altogether.

When the brake assist module fails (production 2001~2006), it goes without any kind of warning, so dealers cannot help you out before it happens. Warning lights come on as you brake- a bit late don't ya think ? Residual braking power is laughable. Instead of stopping behind a van, you're in it.

I resent this talk about riding style; there's no discussion : it's the brake system that's faulty. Since you live in France, imagine a failure on Alpine roads. BMW ('unstoppable') has belatedly recognized the power assisted brake system is not fail safe, and have withdrawn it from production. I consider myself lucky without major damage, where a personal friend of mine (R1150R) needed back surgery, and others have had broken ribs (Dutch forum member).

In short, my '05 bike was new, properly maintained, the brakes went, I could afford it, and changed bikes.

My 05 did the same. Rain. Red light. Coasted right through. No amount of pulling the lever, and, standing on the rear brake did anything. Couldn't agree with your comments more. It is, indeed, very scary, and, real.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Dealers !!!

I'm interested in the comment, "If you have owned a bike from new and it has been dealer serviced blah blah" which implies the dealer keeps the bike in 'just so' condition.
My experience of dealer service is not so positive. .........- regardless of (some) dealers worst efforts.

I am afraid that a modern bike (or car for that matter) does require competent mechanics;I used to live in Suffolk and had problems with the dealer in Ipswich; Then I found an excellent BMW mechanic, Paul Nadin, who had spent a good portion of his life working on BM's for the police. he must be retired now - he lived in Felixstowe.

 

[gee-yes]

Interesting that so few of you have even mentioned R80s or R100s I own an R100 GS PD which is an absolutely fantastic piece of kit. It may not be fuel injected and offer as much power as a 1200 but on real roads with real riders there's not much between them - its the rider that will make the difference.

 

[elefantmanshawn]

The GSA 1200 is the best no question,turned me on to BMW's after a long time of not seeing the point,buy the GSA not a tarted up GS,get the enduro box,and nothing else-gizmo's and gimmicks will let you down sooner or later,if you want warm hands buy good gloves and don't get me started on heated clothing...

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Warm hands

"......,if you want warm hands buy good gloves...." Well, I never found any warm enough and 200€ extra for heated grips seemed like a sensible investment.

 

[GSband]

... buy the GSA not a tarted up GS ...

I always found the GSA to be a tarted up GS .

But it's great so many people enjoy their GSA, it's a fantastic bike.

IMHO the question 'which one is best' as far as design goes boils down to personal preference, to each his own, and so on. Whatever makes ya happy.

 

[AdamA]

I always found the GSA to be a tarted up GS

Ah, but it's "Factory" tarted up. That's always worth major kudos to us ex sport bike riders.