Why do you love your GS1200?

[MisterB]

I recently started a thread asking what to look for when buying an older R1200GS and have had some great replies so thank you all

Trawling through the forums there are numerous examples of not so good build quality and very (very) costly repair bills. Now I understand that if something goes badly wrong people are more likely to remonstrate about it than when things are great, but after my test ride yesterday I came away feeling confused. I loved the Telelever suspension and emergency stops (even with the servo assisted brakes) were eye-poppingly good. The ride was comfortable, though maybe the riding position is a bit too bolt upright (personal taste of course!) but the gearbox was clunky, there was a lack of low down torque and the whole bike rumbled and shook at low revs. Many of you talk about similar things yet many of you have had your bike for years and wouldn't consider changing.

So what I'd like to know please is why do you love your R1200GS...???

 

[DrFarkoff]

Its NOT a GS1200

it's an R1200 GS

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh!

 

[MisterB]

Oops!

 

[JumboSi]

That's a really good question. For me, it combines the modern suspension, brakes and all the technology that you'd expect from a 21st Century bike, with, for my sitting position, a comfortable and fantastically handle able ride, with a bit of the feel you used to get on the older bikes. That slightly agricultural element really reminds me of the older bikes I had, and still have, in one case. It doesn't have the smoothness of the Triumph triples, or the sheer power of a Kwacker, but it delivers a riding experience that I love. Though, health warning, I've not had mine that long and have not taken it on a long tour yet.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[JayC]

I see no issue with the low down torque - in fact I feel there is plenty enough grunt to be getting on with. It's a very easy bike to ride / handle, slow pace or otherwise. It feels solid and just love the thrum of that motor.
No qualms with braking , and as the OP says, the lack of front end dive was a real eye opener when I initially test drove the GS prior to purchase.
Top gear roll on hits the spot for me - simply effortless drive.

I also like the naked look to the mid - point of the bike and rearwards. A skeleton frame , how neat is that? It feels great to be aboard the GS and being aware that I have something humungus between my legs!

Still a cracking bike , and I usually get bored with the same bike in a short period of time. In saying all of the above , I won't be keeping the GS , but that's another story entirely.

 

[Dahoum]

Had mine over 10 years from new. So...

Build quality - yes really - looks and rides better than most other bikes after 10 years of virtually daily use. Parked outside, uncovered for 99% of that time. It's been bounced, bashed, beaten and battered - still comes back for more.

Versatility - cruise all day at 90 without missing a beat and then arrive somewhere and have a blast off road.

Fun factor - see above.

Road presence

It's different - less so now all the Ewanophiles and tourers are on board - but still gets looks from bikers and others.

The list goes on...

 

[Jon P]

Low down torque? They have heaps. Are you confusing torque with flexibility? The last jap bike I had before buying my first GS back in '91 was a four cylinder Kawasaki and I could ride round roundabouts in top gear if I was gentle and then accelerate away. A large capacity twin can't rev so low. It's just a characteristic.

My first GS took some time to learn to love, it was only 50hp but after a few thousand miles it seemed I never had to slow down. I loved the riding position, the easy luggage that always fits so well, the comfy seat, heated grips. I learned to love the motor and even the clunky gearbox (and they really were clunky back then). I would ride most days and quickly found I just didn't want to get off, clocking up 25,000 miles most years.

As the bikes progressed they just get better and better, power increased, the handling became even more cheeky and the brakes, well the brakes by the time the first 1100s came along were incredible.

My GSs have always put a grin on my face, regardless of the weather or the location!

 

[MisterB]

Are you confusing torque with flexibility?

You're absolutely right, I am. Far too hasty in typing my original post this morning, including the sin of referring to it as a GS1200. Sorry!!!

I've recently test ridden a CBF1000 and a Bandit 1250S and as you say I could stay in sixth gear through a town at 30mph and then accelerate quickly and smoothly when out of town again without changing gear. I've also ridden a Tiger 1050 which could do virtually the same.

I thoroughly agree that it's easy to ride at slow speed and I certainly found it lighter than it looks - maybe the weight of those cylinders so low helps that? Even after an hour I started to find the rumbling characterful, though I couldn't get used to hearing the servo (presumably!) operating every time I used the front brake!!!

 

[JerseyNeil]

When I bought mine this time last year. As I rode away I was thinking "what have I done!" I still was not sure I had done the right thing moving from a VFR800 VTEC to a R1200GS.

I live on a small island so there is a very good argument why we need big bikes etc but I go off island twice a year and enjoy the effortless power even up to 40mph

I bought mine (a 2010) on the Tuesday and was on the ferry to Portsmouth on the Saturday night as I managed to get my work to allow me to take my bike to a course in Avon and Sommerset rather than fly in for a week on the Monday. I arrived in Portsmouth at 0600hrs on the Sunday morning and had a day of riding before I had to arrive at my destination. It was early April and the roads were moist to say the least and it rained on and off during the day. I had a great ride through exmoor on slippery greasy roads which I would have hated on my VFR. I use my bike every day for work and keep it very clean but love riding in all conditions. I can't say that about my previous bikes which were fazer 600, a Thundercat and the VFR. I loved all my other bikes too but never got the urge to ride them in foul weather apart from commuting.

When I first got the GS I thought I would change the conti trail attacks to pr3's but after a few rides down crappy lanes I have realized that if I wanted a bike with road tyres........ I should have bought a road bike. That said I am quicker on the GS when away in France than I was on my VFR which had PR3's (I know this because my long term riding buddy has noted this).

For me the GS is like a land rover discover with a V8 and a handling kit. It is quick, handles well, fun in all conditions and gives you a great field of view and is a great packhorse too if that floats your boat. Last but not least I am now so easy to buy for now at Christmas and birthdays.........farkles

I hear what your saying about the upright riding position. That was an attraction for me as I have just reached the 'repair age' so arms and neck are starting to protest when hunched over a bike.

At this moment in time I can't see me wanting anything else.

Enjoy the thrill of the chase!

Neil

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

So far I don't. Bought it in October and have had little time to ride it, only done 800 miles.

My current feeling is that I should have stuck with the RT.

 

[autogs]

bought mine in sept,done 3000 miles wouldnt have any other bike tbh

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Dahoum has it spot on, mines 10 years old too and taken me across 3 continents as well as to Tesco.

100% reliable so far, quirky and a perfect tool; as in it just 'does it', whatever 'it' happens to be (off road, tour, scratch, shopping, commute.........) Obviously most bikes can do all of that but very few can do all of them well - a true all Jack of all trades that is close to being a 'master' in most of the categories you can throw at it.

It's the longest I've ever kept a bike and having had an itch this autumn I test rode a few bikes I thought might replace it.......guess what, I've still got it

If I could fault one thing is it's lack of character, it's too good a bike to have character............

Andres

 

[Pukmeister]

Perhaps the test bike you rode wasn't quite as smooth as it could be if well set up? Balancing throttles, valve clearances etc make a big difference to how the big twin feels and performs, as does a good running in from new.

It takes a while to gel with a GS when you are used to Jap stuff, maybe a week or two of riding the thing then they make sense. You become fond of the big lump that can tour, scratch and carry a ton of gear, float over bad roads and potholes and ford rivers. It's a bike that can earn your respect through its usefulness and all round ability.

My first 1200 was an 04 bike and I loved it, I even shipped it to Australia and back rather than part with it. I only traded it for a newer 08 Adventure as I was in the right place and time for a deal too good to miss.

 

[HarrisBikeNut]

Had mine 5 years now - toured a lot of this country, Scotland and have done 2 trips abroad. Love the looks, the ride quality (have Ohlins front and rear), the "go anywhere, do anything" nature BUT most off the fact that my good lady finds it so comfy on the back and THAT has allowed us to ride all over together which no other bike has done.
In 5 years the only issue has been a failed left hand indicator button thing which required an £80 second hand part and a new battery (Odyssey) which has been faultless. I imagine now, having thought about selling, that this will be a keeper until it becomes too big and heavy.
For me it is a truly great bike.

 

[elvisncheese]

Apart from all the above, for me it's the most striking looking bike on the road. Before I bought one, it was the bike whose looks and profile always got me craning my neck as it disappeared round the bend.

Maybe not beautiful, but bloody striking.

 

[mrsroynie]

I hesitated to respond as I sold my 2005 1200 last year to Mide of this parish, and I hope it's still going as well as ever. But I loved it for its comfort, smoothness and reliability. Apart from a fuel pump controller failure in Roussillon, Côtes d'Azur (there are worse places to get stranded ), the bike never let me down. Ever.

I keep hoping that I will grow to love the 1150 in the same way.

 

[earthmover]

Mine clocked up it's 70,000th mile tonight, and bar a couple when mates have been riding it, they're all mine. Can only echo the previous comments, does everything I want.
Mark

 

[Wilsdorf]

Just because

It's about as quick 2 up, as it is with just a rider, handles as nicely as I need, and carries a lot of crap too.

I love it, and so does the missus. If it had around 30bhp more, I wouldn't need another bike, but it is what it is - bloody brilliant!

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I'm not too sure WHY I love my 2005 1200GS as much as I do.

I wanted one as I just loved the look of the thing (always loved GSs, even back to the 1100GS). A test ride confirmed that it was actually a motorbike. It's just SO easy to ride. In fact, it's SO easy to ride fast too
I rode mine back from Peterborough when I had a dose of swine flu. I'm just glad it was so easy to ride.

I like the fact that when the police see the bike, they assume that there's a kindly old Gent riding it, so don't bother to give it a second look. They seem to miss the fact that I might be breaking the speed limit, and I'm really still a hooligan

There's very little of the macho bullshit you get with sports bikes, although people do like to ask "When was the last time you took it off road?". They fail to see the irony of owning a Fireblade/R1/GSXR etc and NOT taking it on the race track

For me, it's the bike I just love right now. I still love my other bike (ZZR600). In a few years time, I might be loving a different bike.


[Columbo] Oh, just one more thing, sir [/Columbo] The bike is the reason that I am on THIS forum. That's reason enough, surely...

 

[donny1972]

I like it because you can drop it then pick it up and ride. I also like it because its ugly. I like ugly lol.