Discussion
Exasperated said:
Harry Flashman said:
Lefty said:
I was driving an old series Land Rover, I did the customary wave to a brand new defender and got a middle finger in return.
Some people are just dicks, don’t worry about it.
What? Who does that!?Some people are just dicks, don’t worry about it.
*£1,250 in carbon
Michael_B said:
Why is the name of Satan’s ar$e would any real world rider want/need a 30 litre tank? To carry more weight up high, when there are 24hr petrol stations no more than 30km apart in most of mainland Europe?
To be fair, I've ridden in lots of places where there is 200km+ between fuel stops, so extra fuel is always a benefit. But I agree, for the vast majority of Europeans this probably isn't an issue.Michael_B said:
Why is the name of Satan’s ar$e would any real world rider want/need a 30 litre tank? To carry more weight up high, when there are 24hr petrol stations no more than 30km apart in most of mainland Europe?
I'm also in the 'filling up regularly is a proper pain in the arse' camp. I had a loaner GSA for a few months in the early 2000s when I was doing a lot of regular long distance travel. It was comfy as hell and the long distance between fill ups was really convenient. Did not notice the additional weight at all, it carries it really well.
been riding for a million years , have ten bikes (usually slightly more) and my old GS1250 was the best bike in the world. I've competed in the GS Trophy on it, and ridden it to Switzerland and back over two days and everything in between - without modification..
It would be the bike I would go to in an apocalypse. They're incredible things. Doesn't mean I don't like a sport bike, a vintage or a KTM EXCF.
I only let the GS go due to crash surgery and recovery and now I've bought a new GS900 for a change (as recovered from surgery and fancied an even more 50/50 road / offroad)
BMW just works - absolutely bloody brilliant things. Anyone that doesn't' like them cant' have ridden one!
It would be the bike I would go to in an apocalypse. They're incredible things. Doesn't mean I don't like a sport bike, a vintage or a KTM EXCF.
I only let the GS go due to crash surgery and recovery and now I've bought a new GS900 for a change (as recovered from surgery and fancied an even more 50/50 road / offroad)
BMW just works - absolutely bloody brilliant things. Anyone that doesn't' like them cant' have ridden one!
PurpleTurtle said:
I'm also in the 'filling up regularly is a proper pain in the arse' camp.
I had a loaner GSA for a few months in the early 2000s when I was doing a lot of regular long distance travel. It was comfy as hell and the long distance between fill ups was really convenient. Did not notice the additional weight at all, it carries it really well.
I am also not a great lover of petrol stations, which is why since 2020 I drive an EV for the 30k kms a year between here and our place in France, and let my vehicle fill itself up while I’m asleep in either country I had a loaner GSA for a few months in the early 2000s when I was doing a lot of regular long distance travel. It was comfy as hell and the long distance between fill ups was really convenient. Did not notice the additional weight at all, it carries it really well.
For the past 25 years my office commute has never exceeded 10 (countryside) miles which takes 15 minutes at any time of day, so I have indeed been spoiled in that regard.
I tend to drive, as (i) by the time I’ve gone to the garage, unlocked the bike, sorted out gear, etc, I could already been half way there, (ii) I have free parking at work. During my ‘lose weight you fat ba$tard’ period I even used to cycle
Also there is a bus/train option for £3 each way, if I fancy a few drinks after work. For other work travel (Zürich/Milan) I take the train.
So motorcycle travel is purely weekends and holidays these days.
But back when (1992-1999) I commuted all year round from Surrey to the West End (50 mile round trip), I never found a sports bike 18-20 litre tank to be an issue (GSXR600/750, R1, etc), but 250 miles/week is not ready regular long distance travel compared to some, I suppose.
A recent bike trip to Italy (1500km total) was fine with the Tiger’s 20 litre tank. They also now do a big-tank adventure version, but I certainly wouldn’t want any more weight up high on that particular bike.
Edited by Michael_B on Wednesday 2nd October 16:16
You're on the commute and stuck in a tail back of bikes trying to work their way through the traffic.
At the front there will always be a w
ker on a GS with 5ft wide panniers hogging the overtaking/filter spot. Every single time.
They're either totally oblivious to other bikers or just too important to move over to let other bikers through on more appropriate machinery for the task.
That's why people hate GS's. And maybe the fog lights blinding everyone. Having said that, I've had two over the years, they're good bikes. It's just that they can attract a certain type of owner. A bit like white Audi's
At the front there will always be a w
ker on a GS with 5ft wide panniers hogging the overtaking/filter spot. Every single time. They're either totally oblivious to other bikers or just too important to move over to let other bikers through on more appropriate machinery for the task.
That's why people hate GS's. And maybe the fog lights blinding everyone. Having said that, I've had two over the years, they're good bikes. It's just that they can attract a certain type of owner. A bit like white Audi's
Edited by Harry H on Wednesday 2nd October 16:36
The Selfish Gene said:
....Anyone that doesn't' like them cant' have ridden one!
The rest of your post was sensible and well balanced but the last sentence I cant disagree more. I loved the idea of one until i had a go on a 1250 and bought a 650 only to sell it a couple of weeks later.OldGermanHeaps said:
The Selfish Gene said:
....Anyone that doesn't' like them cant' have ridden one!
The rest of your post was sensible and well balanced but the last sentence I cant disagree more. I loved the idea of one until i had a go on a 1250 and bought a 650 only to sell it a couple of weeks later.To be fair, I've never ever had panniers, top boxes and the like, and I wouldn't - the GS1250 I ran was the exclusive so it had the non adventure tank, no spotlights and didn't have the silly wide boxes. It's much better bike that way!
The Selfish Gene said:
this is fair comment - it's super subjective. I just think they're really useful, comfortable etc.
To be fair, I've never ever had panniers, top boxes and the like, and I wouldn't - the GS1250 I ran was the exclusive so it had the non adventure tank, no spotlights and didn't have the silly wide boxes. It's much better bike that way!
For me the one thing that put me off is how smooth the engine is. I've been riding an Africa Twin for some time, so I'm used to a fairly vibey bike. When I was riding the GS I thought it might as well be electric! It felt like it would be a very capable for touring, but not for me, it just felt a bit plain.To be fair, I've never ever had panniers, top boxes and the like, and I wouldn't - the GS1250 I ran was the exclusive so it had the non adventure tank, no spotlights and didn't have the silly wide boxes. It's much better bike that way!
The Selfish Gene said:
this is fair comment - it's super subjective. I just think they're really useful, comfortable etc.
To be fair, I've never ever had panniers, top boxes and the like, and I wouldn't - the GS1250 I ran was the exclusive so it had the non adventure tank, no spotlights and didn't have the silly wide boxes. It's much better bike that way!
the 650GS single had been my commuter for years, effortless to ride, slim, comfortable and bullet proof. To be fair, I've never ever had panniers, top boxes and the like, and I wouldn't - the GS1250 I ran was the exclusive so it had the non adventure tank, no spotlights and didn't have the silly wide boxes. It's much better bike that way!
Before that I had a Bandit 1250S, great for commuting just bit heavy and thirsty.
Then sold my 650 for VFR800 vtec, spend more time back to dealership than my ducati. Sold that money sink after 6 months
kurokawa said:
the 650GS single had been my commuter for years, effortless to ride, slim, comfortable and bullet proof.
Before that I had a Bandit 1250S, great for commuting just bit heavy and thirsty.
Then sold my 650 for VFR800 vtec, spend more time back to dealership than my ducati. Sold that money sink after 6 months
Charging system issues?Before that I had a Bandit 1250S, great for commuting just bit heavy and thirsty.
Then sold my 650 for VFR800 vtec, spend more time back to dealership than my ducati. Sold that money sink after 6 months
The Selfish Gene said:
BMW just works - absolutely bloody brilliant things. Anyone that doesn't' like them cant' have ridden one!
Only one of my various GSes had a warranty problem: fuel pump! It was replaced with the updated version and kept a spare in the top box. It doesn't take long to replace one. I always found working on a GS stress-free.The Selfish Gene said:
OldGermanHeaps said:
The Selfish Gene said:
....Anyone that doesn't' like them cant' have ridden one!
The rest of your post was sensible and well balanced but the last sentence I cant disagree more. I loved the idea of one until i had a go on a 1250 and bought a 650 only to sell it a couple of weeks later.To be fair, I've never ever had panniers, top boxes and the like, and I wouldn't - the GS1250 I ran was the exclusive so it had the non adventure tank, no spotlights and didn't have the silly wide boxes. It's much better bike that way!
I have ridden more than a few GSs and while they are OK, I found there to be nothing special about them. They're heavy and underpowered for the engine size and the famed tourque was, I thought, not at all impressive. The benefit of the low C of G that the boxer engine offers is canceled by the 6 storey seat height.For me, there are many bikes that will do anything and everything the GS does but better, while being loads more fun.
Give me a KTM every time.
it's a bit like Ford and VAG isn't it - people are either BMW or KTM
to be fair I have both for different things - but the new FS900 GS really is a weapon ...........KTM 790/890 defo has the edge off road, but the BMW is better on (in my opinion)
this is why we all need N+1 motorbikes, as we are yet to find the unicorn!
to be fair I have both for different things - but the new FS900 GS really is a weapon ...........KTM 790/890 defo has the edge off road, but the BMW is better on (in my opinion)
this is why we all need N+1 motorbikes, as we are yet to find the unicorn!
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