This is an interesting thread. We have just returned from a trip to Germany on a 2006 Fat Boy. Really enjoyed the 5 days we had but I have just done a deal to sell Fat Boy for an 06 1200 GS. I guess the grass is always greener!
JohnC
Registered user
Parador said:
No Harley I've owned or have tested handles or tours like a GS, either loaded, two up or solo. V Rod included for handling, and various FLH's for touring. Great posing tools for summer days or for pretending you're a bad mother
But if you need to get from A - B quickly, over mixed terrain in any weather, then a GS would be the weapon of choice. I now love the sound my 12 makes with a Remus fitted, not as potato-potato as a Harley, or as deep bass as a priller, but unique all the same, especially on the down shifts 
Minky, grin all you like after a 100 yards on yer Harley if that floats your boat, (sounds like you and yer missus are gaggin on the 'image' though) but why not own both??
Huh? I've cycled up the Alpe d'Huez road but can't recall anywhere that you could get 120El Minky said:
JohnC
Registered user
RickG said:Yeah, you are right, mostly.
I doesn't handle, it's gutless and it wieghs a ton. It's less flickable than a run aground supertanker, it sounds like a bag of nails and looks like a wart hog that's been hit by a truck. A Ducati is way sexier, any Jap' sportsbike will run rings around it and some may think a Harley sounds better (but is of course waaaay uglier!)
However:
when you rip past some sunday aftenooner on a country lane 'cos he's too low down to see where the next bend is, when you are skating on 3 inches of water at 90mph on a motorway during a thunderstorm while all around you cower under bridges, when it gets you home in a snowstorm on a freezing february night and when it carts you, the missus and a ton of unecessary junk over the Stelvio Pass, even the most underwhelmed ought to allow themselves the hint of a smirk. But most grinworthy of all is that it does all these things in spite of its shortcomings. It would even buy you a beer if it remembered where it had left its wallet.
I'd understand if you have no idea what I'm talking about.
Top post
I fear it's his recent bitch slapping from his missus that's the real problem. "I'm not grinning, boo hoo"
Working his right hand on an Alpine pass near you -
Loving the sage like newb posts on this thread btw
Bob Baker
Registered user
Maybe its because it does everything it should do and does it so well. I have only had my 12gs for a month and have nearly done the milage I did on my last bike in six months.
Ride the gs like an old fart and yes you can get 60 mpg and look at the butterflies ect while you are doing it but then thrash it down some tight twisties in the lake district and you can see further than the crotch rocket crew can and if still not happy try an off road course on someone elses gs before trying it on your own with some gentle green laning and reach the places other bikes cant reach.
Bob
Ride the gs like an old fart and yes you can get 60 mpg and look at the butterflies ect while you are doing it but then thrash it down some tight twisties in the lake district and you can see further than the crotch rocket crew can and if still not happy try an off road course on someone elses gs before trying it on your own with some gentle green laning and reach the places other bikes cant reach.
Bob
MOve on. You're quite right - if its no fun, there's no point in keeping it.
I always reckoned it is a mistake to buy a second bike car etc the same as the last one. Just like its always a mistake to go back to an old girlfriend.
I always reckoned it is a mistake to buy a second bike car etc the same as the last one. Just like its always a mistake to go back to an old girlfriend.
bigbob1
Registered user
I have just had GS1200 for a couple of weeks and so far love it have been round and about the highlands on it and it has certainly put the grin on my face I did get a fright on the GS the other day when I knocked my foot off the peg on a right hander did not realize how far over I was going. I have done the alps many times 5 times on a HD sportster including the Gavia before they put tar down and the Stelvio/Umbrail many times last time on a TDM900 but I can't wait til I get my GS12 over next year.
I did get a fright on the GS the other day when I knocked my foot off the peg on a right hander did not realize how far over I was going. I have done the alps many times 5 times on a HD sportster including the Gavia before they put tar down and the Stelvio/Umbrail many times last time on a TDM900 but I can't wait til I get my GS12 over next year. Teddy
Guest
I have a picture of mine on my desktop
Makes me smile everytime!!!!
Got back three weeks ago from a trip to Swtzerland and managed to scratch everything including the pannier rails.
Two weeks ago I tried green laning with Greg and the lads, such nice chaps, and I am still grinning.
I have had sports bikes and I have raced F2sidecars. Sorry if it hasn't got you off, buy a 1200 if you want to moan!!!
Graham G
Guest
A good thread.
For a while I've been disenchanted with the 12GS - probably as a result of reading the problems reported on this site. Motorcycling is both subjective and objective. The objective is the skill with which you ride; the subjective is the pleasure you get from riding.
I just didn't enjoy the 12GS anymore - so it had to go, and it did. Got a Triumph Sprint ST and the grin was well and truly back on my face. It's a personal choice, but for me I'm glad I changed.
For a while I've been disenchanted with the 12GS - probably as a result of reading the problems reported on this site. Motorcycling is both subjective and objective. The objective is the skill with which you ride; the subjective is the pleasure you get from riding.
I just didn't enjoy the 12GS anymore - so it had to go, and it did. Got a Triumph Sprint ST and the grin was well and truly back on my face. It's a personal choice, but for me I'm glad I changed.
JohnC
Registered user
Graham G said:
Emmm, yes
I own other bikes... but... this is a GS forum... Feel free to read the problems about Triumphs on the Triumph site. Close the door on the way out marsellus wallace
Guest
When I had my Ducati 749 I had a massive grin on my face every time I used to ride it,it used to get a lot of attention etc etc but I would never swap back from my gs.Admitted there is less of a grin factor but the fact that I can now go on long journeys in comfort with a fair dose of speed and above all feel confident on the bike in all conditions outweighs the grin factor for me absolutely
Graham G
Guest
JohnC said:Emmm, yes
Errr? Wasn't this post about GS Grin factor - or lack of it? As a subscriber to this site I'll say when the door is closed - not some Tosser from Scotland.
And as for the smug smart Alec comment above, pretty much sums up this site. Don't get the YMCA icon - but probably a gay thing? So, here's the door slamming and I'm off to the Triumph problem page (hopefully technically whinges and not kiddy trantrums). See you Tosser. 
whitegloss
Registered user
El Minky said:Just got back from 2100 miles down to Italy and back on my '06 gs (my '04 barely made it out of my road without breaking down!)with the missus on the back, bike ran perfectly, never missed a beat, only used 1/4 of the windows worth of oil, luggage didn't fall off, in fact as far as the bike was concerned, totally drama free. Brilliant!
Except....
OI! Minky your talking BULLSHIT :goof
If the bikes so SHITE then why did you buy a second r12oogs ?
JohnC
Registered user
Graham G said:Errr? Wasn't this post about GS Grin factor - or lack of it? As a subscriber to this site I'll say when the door is closed - not some Tosser from Scotland.
Why mention Scotland? Bit of a complex going on have we? Well At least you finaly know your place and have closed the GS door. Have fun in the Triumph 'problem page'. I'm sure you will get plently of use out of it. Bye bye loser
Here we go again, handbags at dawn.
Why can't you people take some abvice from Thumpers mum (Bambi); "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
As for the original topic, sad to hear that the GS doesn't do it for you. I hope you get a good price when you sell it and buy something else more to your liking.
FWIW mine used to make me grin. I'm sure as hell not grinning now whilst I wait for BMW to come back from their holidays and consider a goodwill repair to my final drive, but I guess thats another story and all just part of the ownership experience with these bikes.
Good luck with your next choice of bike.
Why can't you people take some abvice from Thumpers mum (Bambi); "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
As for the original topic, sad to hear that the GS doesn't do it for you. I hope you get a good price when you sell it and buy something else more to your liking.
FWIW mine used to make me grin. I'm sure as hell not grinning now whilst I wait for BMW to come back from their holidays and consider a goodwill repair to my final drive, but I guess thats another story and all just part of the ownership experience with these bikes.
Good luck with your next choice of bike.
JohnC
Registered user
Wheres the fun in that?
Eastriding2002
Registered user
At the end of the day, the original poster was stating his opinion, and as such he should be entitled to it, all the handbags after that were uncalled for.
I've had good bikes, bad bikes and great bikes in the past, they've all put a smile on my face at most times. Then again that's just me, I just love being out on a bike. I'd be more than happy to do the Alpine passes on a CG125 just to admire the view if nothing else.
Andy T
I've had good bikes, bad bikes and great bikes in the past, they've all put a smile on my face at most times. Then again that's just me, I just love being out on a bike. I'd be more than happy to do the Alpine passes on a CG125 just to admire the view if nothing else.
Andy T
JohnC said:Wheres the fun in that?
Fun is when people enjoy the joke. When people start bitching at each other, and using a personal tone (e.g about being a "Tosser from Scotland") then I don't find that funny. And no, I'm not Scottish before you ask. Maybe the bit about Scotland was said in jest and I'm misreading things, but it sounded like a personal vent to me.
Kinda had the same feelings myself when i got the 1200, but i have to be honest and say its the best bike i've ever owned and its gets better with each ride. Toured europe with it this year and when you hit some of the alps passes it just comes to life, same with and nice twisies up here in scotland, great bike, try to bear with it you be scraping your boots in no time 
JohnC
Registered user
Pukmeister said:
I agree, but I'm a big boy and can handle it. It does irk sometimes though when folk use the Scottish/English or whatever card as part of their riposte
We Jocks usually carry bricks in our handbags anyway
IMO It's simple, if you dont enjoy the bike flog it and buy something else. Just dont expect to get much sympathy in a GS forum when you spit your dummy out over GS ownership
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