RE: PH2 Ridden: BMW R1200GS Adventure
Discussion
Mad Jock said:
ZesPak said:
To me however, these bikes are like the SUV's of bikes. The look like they can go off road, and some can, but 99% of them never will, their owners like them for the high overview position and big luggage.
Superbikes are like the Supecars of bikes. They look like they could win a Superbike Race, but 99% of them never will, their owners like them for looking like they can, especially if they wear the full power rangers leathers.
I've got an R1200R, which is essentially a more retro, naked bike based around the same chassis and engine as the GS. It's a nice machine, and for there's not a lot I'd want to swap it for right now. It's supposed to be better on the road than it's better selling sibling too. 
I'm not sure if I'd agree about the ease of filtering. They're big beasts, and I'm certainly a lot more cautious about squeezing through gaps than someone on a scooter.
There are a lot of rumours pointing towards a new, improved watercooled model next year. Should be interesting.
I'm not sure if I'd agree about the ease of filtering. They're big beasts, and I'm certainly a lot more cautious about squeezing through gaps than someone on a scooter.
There are a lot of rumours pointing towards a new, improved watercooled model next year. Should be interesting.
One fella said the new Triumph Explorer will sort out the GS.. and for some it will. And those who must have the latest thing will queue around the block to try the Triumph..
But who's kidding who here.. I've never owned a GS. I choose not to, BUT, I've tried every one since the original of 30 years ago.. what it had then, that the modern GS's [and perhaps the Triumph too]have lost, is NIMBLENESS.
As the years have gone on Nimble seems to have gotten lost somewhere.. the latest GS fully fuelled is a tremendous weight,never mind the GSA. The new Triumph, fuelled up is 259 Kg.. pardon..? And that's without panniers or a luggage roll or even.. a passenger. They need to lose 50 Kg apiece, IMO.!
Both are IMO way, way too heavy.. and how can they be remotely nimble.. that being the whole point of a motorcycle.
Something missing somewhere. The great M.Guzzi designer, JC.Carcano.. used to say.."add lightness"..but in too many modern motorcycle designs.. it's been lost. Sadly.
So, for what it's worth.. IMO the real answer is the original R80GS.. good everywhere and.. AND light. Can be fixed anywhere in the world by a reasonable blacksmith.. simple 2 valve technology and no bloody computer/ electronic thingy's. No need for a pick-up truck. BMW used to boast they could get spares [for the R80GS] anywhere in the world in just a few days.. and that's why they are still the weapon of choice for serious, committed RTW travellers.
BUT, FGS.. don't tell anybody else or they'll all want one.! OK..?
I thank you
Regards
Bill Ferry
But who's kidding who here.. I've never owned a GS. I choose not to, BUT, I've tried every one since the original of 30 years ago.. what it had then, that the modern GS's [and perhaps the Triumph too]have lost, is NIMBLENESS.
As the years have gone on Nimble seems to have gotten lost somewhere.. the latest GS fully fuelled is a tremendous weight,never mind the GSA. The new Triumph, fuelled up is 259 Kg.. pardon..? And that's without panniers or a luggage roll or even.. a passenger. They need to lose 50 Kg apiece, IMO.!
Both are IMO way, way too heavy.. and how can they be remotely nimble.. that being the whole point of a motorcycle.
Something missing somewhere. The great M.Guzzi designer, JC.Carcano.. used to say.."add lightness"..but in too many modern motorcycle designs.. it's been lost. Sadly.
So, for what it's worth.. IMO the real answer is the original R80GS.. good everywhere and.. AND light. Can be fixed anywhere in the world by a reasonable blacksmith.. simple 2 valve technology and no bloody computer/ electronic thingy's. No need for a pick-up truck. BMW used to boast they could get spares [for the R80GS] anywhere in the world in just a few days.. and that's why they are still the weapon of choice for serious, committed RTW travellers.
BUT, FGS.. don't tell anybody else or they'll all want one.! OK..?
I thank you
Regards
Bill Ferry
Edited by Bill Ferry on Tuesday 17th April 23:58
N Dentressangle said:
Have you ever had a proper ride on one, on road and in different conditions?
Not the 1200, but a bit on the 1150. Make a decent enough road bike, but seems you're paying a premium for stuff you're not really using, when there's a lot of other comfortable road bikes that can take luggage around.Be interesting to see the 1200 off-road, but if nothing else, you're going to be limited by tyre choice - you've got to up to the HP or down to the 800 to get proper dirt sizes. (And yes, when I took the zx9 off-road it had supercorsas on and did ok, but that doesn't make it ideal!)
sledge68 said:
then you need to get riding more, where do you live, you should try enduroland for some practive, i have a 450 exc and its a doddle to handle
I live on the edge of the Otways rain forest in Australia. I ride there most weekends, I'm neither fast nor skilled, but I do try and I am fairly fit. I get into trouble on deeply rutted steep climbs, which are criss crossed with slippy tree roots, hidden from view. Sometimes I fall off 20 times in 5 minutes, I start to get a bit weak, after a few dunkings in deep mud my battery starts to fail, which means I need to start kick starting my bike, I only weigh 70kg and it is a 500cc single, so I struggle. There are fast fire roads too, whoops that go on and on. The power of the bike makes these great fun, every corner is a powerslide!Kawasicki said:
I'm also confused...how can a 256kg bike be good at off roading? My 113kg KTM EXC has me struggling (and failing) to hold it up.
For me it's really the height and the bulk.
I've got a couple of BMs at the moment, an R1200s and an R1150r (in Rockster guise cos they are a lot cheaper cos of "challenging" looks) and I wouldn't say either is all that well built, the 1150r being especially weak in that area. But they do have a great solidity (they will take an impact well and the cylinder heads make a great leg protector as I found when I despatched on boxers a bit)and are very comfortable and that is why I have them - though don't go thinking the shafts are never going to go wrong.
And I love the GS feel, nice and lofty position etc and great comfort - basically a two wheel X5 and about as useful off road!
But for me it is way too big and bulky even for road use. Watching people pattering around even on the GS with little tippy toes scrabbling for the ground just looks scary - how can that be a good London bike? And the low seat height option - fine but you then get pain in the knee from the now sharper angles? If I was taller then maybe - but for me it's a no - the 1200s will have it in a corner and the r will be easier (though still heavy and bulky) to commute on.
And better still I bought my little collection of low mileage examples for £8k, less than a single GS of similar mileage would have cost I suspect.
I've got a couple of BMs at the moment, an R1200s and an R1150r (in Rockster guise cos they are a lot cheaper cos of "challenging" looks) and I wouldn't say either is all that well built, the 1150r being especially weak in that area. But they do have a great solidity (they will take an impact well and the cylinder heads make a great leg protector as I found when I despatched on boxers a bit)and are very comfortable and that is why I have them - though don't go thinking the shafts are never going to go wrong.
And I love the GS feel, nice and lofty position etc and great comfort - basically a two wheel X5 and about as useful off road!
But for me it is way too big and bulky even for road use. Watching people pattering around even on the GS with little tippy toes scrabbling for the ground just looks scary - how can that be a good London bike? And the low seat height option - fine but you then get pain in the knee from the now sharper angles? If I was taller then maybe - but for me it's a no - the 1200s will have it in a corner and the r will be easier (though still heavy and bulky) to commute on.
And better still I bought my little collection of low mileage examples for £8k, less than a single GS of similar mileage would have cost I suspect.
Why do people buy a GS? The same reason why people keep buying 911's. Because it is a GS, and allot of the riders will keep buying one untill BMW stop makeing them. The same as the 911 they are the best all round package for the people that buy one.
They can manage to cross a rutted road, building site, gravel path, Spanish motorway or any other day to day poor road surface with no problems. They have a shaft drive so no p***ing about with chains. They can carry a big old load. They are well built.
It is a gestalt bike. Every time someone else trys to be better they focus to much on being the best at one thing, and that is not the point in the whole R1200 range. Even within BMW the K's and F's are more focused, the K1300GT being a better tourer than the R1200RT for little more money, yet people still buy the old flat twin.
They can manage to cross a rutted road, building site, gravel path, Spanish motorway or any other day to day poor road surface with no problems. They have a shaft drive so no p***ing about with chains. They can carry a big old load. They are well built.
It is a gestalt bike. Every time someone else trys to be better they focus to much on being the best at one thing, and that is not the point in the whole R1200 range. Even within BMW the K's and F's are more focused, the K1300GT being a better tourer than the R1200RT for little more money, yet people still buy the old flat twin.
Jazoli said:
camel_landy said:
FWIW - I don't have fog/driving lamps but I do use main beam when filtering.
M
Then you my friend are a grade a plank, I tend to close gaps for bikes with main beams on, simply because there is no need and it actually makes it harder to see you M
I should of explained better I guess, I wouldn't do anything silly to have anybody off, I just meant that I wouldnt do the little things like moving over slightly in my lane to allow a bike to squeeze through when sub 5mph if they had main beams on as it's inconsiderate and there is no need.
I've been riding bikes for over 20 years and have not once felt the need to have my high beams on to help me filter through traffic, it's as bad as being a foglight w
ker.
I've been riding bikes for over 20 years and have not once felt the need to have my high beams on to help me filter through traffic, it's as bad as being a foglight w
ker.Jazoli said:
I should of explained better I guess, I wouldn't do anything silly to have anybody off, I just meant that I wouldnt do the little things like moving over slightly in my lane to allow a bike to squeeze through when sub 5mph if they had main beams on as it's inconsiderate and there is no need.
I've been riding bikes for over 20 years and have not once felt the need to have my high beams on to help me filter through traffic, it's as bad as being a foglight wker.
The full beam thing seems odd to me - it simply never occured to me to do it and perhaps it is an assumption thing. I assume I've not been seen and no amount of light will change that, so upsetting people won't make it better - others maybe see it as ensuring they have been seen so they can ride accordingly? Maybe it comes from riding bikes of a certain age (some of mine were 6volt) where illumination was limited by engine speed and going round corners was always accomplished in the dark irrespective of where the blo*dy switch was!I've been riding bikes for over 20 years and have not once felt the need to have my high beams on to help me filter through traffic, it's as bad as being a foglight w
ker.I find bikes approaching with full beams on makes it harder to judge the distance, so I don't use mine as I reckon it's more dangerous. Extra lights however are well worth it IMO as a pattern of lights moving together (I have 2 spots plus the single dipped beam) are a lot more noticable and the spots can easily be adjusted to ensure they're not dazzling anyone.
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