PhilBolton
Registered user
ballcocks!! I have done many thousands of miles, on a succession of XR250 and currently an XR400, trail riding mainly in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District over the last 25 years.
Last year, because I'd recently returned to the BMW fold and got a 12GS, I got a birthday present of a 2-day course at the BMW OffRoad Centre in S Wales, with a riding god, Simon Pavey.
I opted to ride a 12GS. It was a new '08 and the only mods from standard are a lack of centre stand and spoked wheels and knobblies.
I was gobsmacked at how supremely capable the GS is -- mud, rocks, ruts, ascents, descents, tree roots - you name it, the GS did it all. Noo problem!
Phil
Its not just the machine though is it, the rider himself has got to be capable as well, sounds like you had fun
Gonzo
Registered user
A couple of corrections if I may, chaps......Because it's made for people who want to look like MEN!!onyack
Cos its got BALLS, and it'll make up for your lack of.....
its all poo
Registered user
if I recall did the camera man in the longway around actualy did better on the 350 Jawa ? than any on the mighty GSA, I wonder if BMW insisted on any film editing !?!?!?!?!? and when it went wrong it did not have to go back to BMW ?
Quite. A less capable rider would struggle like hell on a 12GS and find it a lot easier on a small trail bike.Its not just the machine though is it, the rider himself has got to be capable as well, sounds like you had fun
Yes, a GS can hit the trails, but its lot easier on something designed with trails more in mind. Not to mention a damn sight cheaper when you get it wrong.
To be fair a lot of that was down to lack of luggage and it being a lot lower so putting both his feet down could make up for his lack of skill.
But yeah, a lighter bike is always going to be more manageable.
Doesn't mean you can't have a good crack at it on a GS th.
Yeah but the Jawa did break down every 10 minutes, requiring the skilled attention of numerous Russian bush mechanics.
Oh, hang-on, so did the BM's........
PhilBolton
Registered user
Its not just the machine though is it, the rider himself has got to be capable as well, sounds like you had fun
Claw - you smooth talking bathtub, you might be my new best friend!!!!!!!!
And YES! it was fun, it's always easier when it's not your own (or a friends) bike so it doesn't matter so much if you drop it, which I did by the way.
If any body fancies a go on one of these courses, then I would say to them "Go on". The only downside is that they are not cheap, and probably I wouldn't have bought it for myself, just being a poor pensioner, but as I said, it was a present. And added to the cost of the course is B&B in the local pub ( I stayed three nights).
But if you can afford it, it is a bloody good couple of days!!!!!!
Phil
its all poo
Registered user
Putting his feet down what a big girl !!! he should have extended the suspension added kilos of weight higher up and then it would have been much better off road as long as the back wheel did not break off. Best bike I ever tried off road was a ural outfit with nobblies on did not fall of once !!! and carried a lovely girly and a picnic, bbq, tents, radio ect.
nedflanders
Registered user
Maybe the extra weight was actually BMW taking into account the type of rider that feels the need for a bike like the GSA on UK roads and in fact the only reason it has a larger fuel tank isn't to reach those far flung places like ASDA but to rest their substantially (approx 30KG) heavier bodys on 
i think it's the *Presence* people drivel on about when discussing the GSA. it must weigh something, surely?
i think it's the *Presence* people drivel on about when discussing the GSA. it must weigh something, surely?
30kg apparently.
Although some people appear to confuse 'presence' with 'balls' - perhaps they're the same - "the GSA's presence is actually balls"
That must be why you want one so much Matt...
Says who?
If I was to change my lovely 1100, it'd be for an 1150
(RIP) Bin Ridin
Registered user
The sales pitch for the 1200 described someone in BM putting a 30kg jerrycan (Ha!) of water on the table and telling the designers that the 1150 had to lose that much weight or else....
Lo, it came to pass and the weight was lost, very noticeably.
It baffles me why the GSA put the bleedin' wt back on. Wos the point?
Bin
Lo, it came to pass and the weight was lost, very noticeably.
It baffles me why the GSA put the bleedin' wt back on. Wos the point?
Bin
Btw, according to BMW's figures there is only 20kg difference in dry weights not 30. 203kg v 223kg.
20kg will soon be found in the bolt ons that a GSA has and a GS doesn't as a standard bike.
20kg will soon be found in the bolt ons that a GSA has and a GS doesn't as a standard bike.
HORIZONTALLY OPPOSED
Registered user
Gerry47
Registered user
Jaysus lads now I'm just getting confused....when is 30kilos not 30kilos??
on tuesdays..
HORIZONTALLY OPPOSED
Registered user
