1200GS Vs GS 'Adventurer'

[Mattmeister]

-I fancy doing some touring in europe next year (as the missus seems really up for going!) and I'm thinking about getting one of the above. Had BMWs before (1150 rockster/1100 boxercup rep) and love the flat twins/shaft drive....

Was thinking of a 'normal' GS but went to have a casual look round at the weekend and saw the 'adventurer' version and it just looked so much 'meatier'.....

anyone got either bikes and/or have any opinions on the merits of one Vs the other?

[sjwb]

Unless you are serious about going off road or into difficult terrain, buy the standard R1200GS. A much sweeter and better balanced road bike with so much capability to munch miles. I loved mine and only sold it because they were becoming very common and to be brutal it wasn't that comfortable. A change of seat would have cured it; a road that many have travelled!
As much fun as anything on two wheels.

[Mattmeister]

sjwb said:

Unless you are serious about going off road or into difficult terrain, buy the standard R1200GS. A much sweeter and better balanced road bike with so much capability to munch miles.

doubt i will be going off road, why do you say the std one 'sweeter/better balanced' -is the suspension very different? i dont really know the main differences except the bigger tank on the adventurer?

Edited by Mattmeister on Monday 30th June 15:36

[sjwb]

Actually the Adv suspension is far better quality, more robust, better damped and with more adjustment. There is also much more suspension travel - meaning greater ride height, leading to (if you have short legs) getting on and off difficulties. Mind you, the std bike isn't exactly biased to anything less than 31" inside leg.
The std GS is lighter, lower c of g and has road focussed tyres / suspension; all in all more tarmac based.
Buy one, you will not regret it. Whether you want to be looney or sensible, fast or slow, the GS will get you there.

[gsfrontera]

I had the 1150gs up to about 2 months ago. They are great bikes, absolutely spot on and would recomment them to anyone. The adventure will be taller than the standard bike, and will have a larger petrol tank, allowing you to go further between fuel stops. The adventure is also more expensive.

If I was getting another I would get the adventure model. One of the reasons would be because they do look a lot meatier than the standard bike. They will go further and are bomb proof.

Rest assured, which ever you do decide to go for, your not making a bad decission.

[RizzoTheRat]

Best bet for a comparison between the two is a rummage around the forums on UKGS'ers http://www.ukgser.com/forums/

[D1 MAD]

Look out for the July issue of TBM magazine which will be in the shops in the next few days, they have just tested the adventure, see below.

---

It's new issue time again folks, and we've got another action-packed mag for you again this month, with some seriously monster features.
Within the lustrous pages you'll find:

• BMW's new G450X launch test. The full lowdown on the innovative new thumper; from the theory behind the engineering to how it rides. We think you'll be surprised...

• Morocco trail holidays. TBM's Girl Guide, Mel, has been playing in the sand with the major dirtbike tour companies...

• WEC Wales Preview. We find out what lays in store for the world's best enduro riders on 19-20 July by riding the course and the extreme test... It's gonna be an awesome event!

• BMW R1200GS Adventure versus KTM 990 Adventure S. How d'ya test two big, fast adventure bikes? Take them on a big fast adventure, of course! We rode the pair to the infamous Erzberg Rodeo in Austria, razzed them up the mountain in the Prologue race, then rode home again. That oughta split 'em...

• Derbi's new Terra Adventure. A new big trailie which isn't actually 'big'...

• Behind the Scene - just some of the people who've made our sport what it is today. This month we look at George Greenland's 60 years in the dirtbike world...

• WEC Poland. All the action from a very dry 'n' dusty Kwidzyn. And not a single bad 'quids-in' pun in sight..!

• Staff KTM 690. You won't believe what we've gone and done now...

• Staff Gas Gas EC200. Some light fettling brings the 200 back on song...

• Project YZ144. One day this'll be a cracking little bike...

• Old Gold. One for the Fantic fanatics this month.

• Special Test - I've been using and abusing Scott's funky, all-plastic Genius boots. So this is what I think of them...

Plus there's fantastic columns from David Knight, Chris Evans, Lois Pryce, Bywayman and Mike Woolley; More silliness in the letters pages; Shiny new products; the latest dirtbike news and more.
And, AND! There's the chance to win an Acerbis race shirt signed by all of the members of the Farioli KTM race team! How good would that look framed in your workshop..?
On top of all that, subscribers will also receive a free WEC GP of Wales event program along with their mag. Are we good to you or what?
The July issue should land on subscribers' doorsteps on Tuesday, and it'll be out in the shops shortly afterwards...
Enjoy!

[castrolcraig]

you need a nice r1150gs, come to think of it i know where there is one for sale........


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/583029.htm

[Felters]

First up I'm partisan - I have a 1200GS. That said it's a better tool if you are not going to stray from the road or civilisation. The tank will give you about 200 miles and the Adventure probably 300 - on the other hand if you're much under 6 foot then the Adventure with a standard seat will be a liability. I'm 6'4" and the standard GS seems to feel right. Also if you do drop an Adventure the extra weight will tell. On the other hand the Adv. does have a much better screen...

Ride both and see how you feel. BMW dealers are a pushover for test rides.

[Mattmeister]

thanks chaps, will have to test ride both obviously -i did sit on the adventure and could only just about get my toes down (im about 5 11 -6ft with shoes on! ) but heard the suspension was adjustable?

whats the name of the magazine mentioned?

part of me has already decided on an alpine white with red 2006 GS Adventurer but this is purely based on aesthetics and I will obviously have to try one.... as we're not planning on going touring til next year (too much planned this year already) i might try and pick up a bargain in the winter.

[fergus]

Mattmeister said:

whats the name of the magazine mentioned?

TBM - trail bike magazine. It's a little A5 sized mag. Sometimes hard to find. Most WHSmiths stock it though.

[Mattmeister]

thanks

[Davel]

Another vote for the GS.

I've recently bought an '08 version and I had the previous model too for a couple of years.

I'm 5 ft 10 but simply couldn't climb onto the GSA.

For most riding, the GS is excellent and I really didn't fancy the extra weight and height of a GSA.

Try them both and then decide.