What would put you off buying a GS1200/1250?

[Flintlock]

Could not care less about the image. I have a 2010 1200GSA (TC). Had a R1100GS before. The 1200 is just a brilliant all round bike, great engine with a great note from the standard exhaust & all day comfort. You only notice the weight/bulk of it when you have to move it around (parking/turning etc), but once on the move it just feels so right (for me).

I am of an age now where I have to think about the next bike being lighter, but I intend to hang onto the GSA for as long as possible. I have no real loyalty to any particular brand (had a ride on the Yam T700 and thought it was a great bike)

So when the time comes it will not necessarily be another BMW unless they come up with a serious contender for the Yamaha T700 & if so it had better be good

[Benson-1215]

Don't like Starbucks

[PaulinBont]

Far to expensive price wise, and they are VERY bulky size wise....!! Too cumbersome....!!! Too hefty...!!!

Something between 650cc and 950cc engine size wise is all you'll probably require nowadays. Instead I'd buy either one of these machines instead of the HUGE bulky BMW, V-Strom 650 - XT660Z - 950 Ducati.

Peter

Why does it have to be over 650cc?

My CB500X does everything I want, is very economical, spare parts are plentiful and cheap as chips and it will sit at 70 all day without screwing it's nuts, goes off-road without any dramas; bland and anonymous can have advantages

[macvisual]

I totally agree PaulinBont, yes it can/could well be a smaller engine cc size ok...!

[catcitrus]

I also agree on the CB500X--mine is just an earlier version--with a bullet proof and long lived engine. I'm at that age where I also questioned the need to heave a great big hunk of junk around every time I stopped--and this is an adventure bike forum!--the big GS is a total liability anywhere near offroad--and it has lost its GS origins--thats why the smaller versions are so popular. I've ridden offroad with people trying to use the big GSs and got fed up with trying to drag them everywhere as soon as things got a little bit sticky--I agree that Knighter would have no problem, but mere mortals certainly will (I have two 250 trail bikes which I CAN pick up).

[Asgard]

A 2019 R1250GS ADV weighs 268...yes 268 fucking kilos

Sod that for a game of soldiers

[Slowboy]

To answer the question directly;
1. Weight. The latest is nearly twice the weight of my CRF250 Rally (itself not a lightweight)
2. Price. Nearly 3x the cost of a CB500X. It's not three times better.
3. Cost of ownership.
4. BMW's reliability record. I know they're not all bad, but when they get a bit glitchy.......


But then I'm happy with my Rally, used to go very fast once and dont need to anymore. I value economy and all round capabilities these days. If I can cover over 18,000 miles (all fun miles to, I'm retired and don't work now) in two years, I personally happy there's not much wrong with it.
Easy to service myself as well, including the valve shims.

[macvisual]

I've owned my Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 since new in 2008, love it ok, but been thinking when I go to change at some stage I'll definitely aim for a smaller sized machine and engine cc also, the days of big brake horse power is disappearing I believe.

My V-Strom kicks out around 95bhp which is more than adequate, I hardly use it all to be honest..! It's well plenty.

Something like a Yamaha MT-07 Tracer would suit if I were to change...

I love the good old saying; "Less Is More".

[Tonibe63]

What did put me off buying a 1200gs?

1) The horror stories about reliability
2) the perceived high price even for a used one
3) the thought it was too heavy for the 2 up road and offroad trips I had planned.
6 months later I ended up buying one anyway and after 58k miles in 11 years, having completed all I wanted to do I have no regrets or breakdowns or expensive dealer servicing ......... the fact that it has only depreciated £5k in all that time is a bonus.

[redbikejohn]

I did consider getting an older version as they can be had pretty cheap for bikes with 50k plus on. Mileage doesn't bother me (106k on my xt660z). I thought about a bike for my missus to be a bit more comfy on the back. She doesn't rate the 660 comfort wise. There is no way I'd have a gs for every day use though. Too big for commuting and I doubt it could match the fuel economy of the 660. Sure as hell would not pay new prices though. Might buy a 700 tenere new but that is a out the highest I'd go. I was going to buy one but rear seat is an afterthought.