So I'm looking for a bike to ride to starbucks :whistle:
Seriously, this year I've noticed that I've enjoyed camping backroad and mile munching trips so I'm thinking of getting a big BMW GS as I've always wanted a boxer and I like sitting up tall. There are loads of different types on the market from the 1150 onwards but which one is best? Comfort and reliability are my top two needs. I'll hunt around for one with all the bells and whistles.
Cheers
Bren
Which GS?
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geoham
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Re: Which GS?
I have a 2008 1200 GSA. Bought it with 4000 miles,It now has 31000 miles. The only thing I have had to do to it was replace the rear ESA shock plus the oil sight glass as it started to weep plus service items and brake pads.
We have toured all over Europe 2 up and I have to say it's the most comfortable bike I have rode.
My wife would agree as we have covered upto 500 miles in a day without either of us being sore. Granted we were both knackered!
Some guys will tell you the 1150 is the better bike. I have rode both but I find the extra BHP with the 1200 makes it that bit better for 2 up fully loaded.
The boxer engine is a great engine, so much so that I have 4 of them. Then again I'm a bit of a BMW fan (thumbs)
We have toured all over Europe 2 up and I have to say it's the most comfortable bike I have rode.
My wife would agree as we have covered upto 500 miles in a day without either of us being sore. Granted we were both knackered!
Some guys will tell you the 1150 is the better bike. I have rode both but I find the extra BHP with the 1200 makes it that bit better for 2 up fully loaded.
The boxer engine is a great engine, so much so that I have 4 of them. Then again I'm a bit of a BMW fan (thumbs)
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Brenhden
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Re: Which GS?
zimtim wrote:The KTM one :whistle:
sorry couldn't resist (thumbs)
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And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.
Suzuki DR200 Djebel.
Suzuki DR200 Djebel.
Re: Which GS?
I'd advise you take a BMW Boxer for a test ride if you haven't been on one before. The engine is .... unique and certainly not an engine that be called smooth or nice sounding. I have a 2012 GSA and its a plodder and seems to be reliable, although i bought it as a shed and had to have it rebuilt from the ground up so I am not expecting any issues.
The GSA is a big bike - very top heavy - and worth considering if you aren't a big lad. Comfort wise - i'd personally invest in a decent seat and some handlebar risers (Rox or the chinese copies) which make the ride better for me.
Apparently, the general consensus is that the 1150 is the more bullet proof one of the bunch, but then thats akin to "KTM is better than BMW" opinions - much like assholes, everyone has one, but the only one which really matters is yours. Go to the dealers and try a one. I assume you will be going for the oil versions rather than the LC (liquid cooled) or latest WC (water cooled) ones. Remember with the oil cooled versions that there are the TC (twin cam) models and the earlier single cam ones. The TC version is thought to be better than the single version. LC's have a bad rep and the WC ones are very expensive.
ESA OE shocks can be rebuilt for a smallish some (<£300). Service intervals are 6000 miles. BMW GS/A engines can burn a lot of oil so keep some spare with you (there is a special slotl to store an oil bottle on the GSA "just in case"). The 1200s have had some diff/finaldrive/bevel box failures due to oil leak.
Every bike has some issues, just go in to the purchase with your eyes open.
Hope that helps.
The GSA is a big bike - very top heavy - and worth considering if you aren't a big lad. Comfort wise - i'd personally invest in a decent seat and some handlebar risers (Rox or the chinese copies) which make the ride better for me.
Apparently, the general consensus is that the 1150 is the more bullet proof one of the bunch, but then thats akin to "KTM is better than BMW" opinions - much like assholes, everyone has one, but the only one which really matters is yours. Go to the dealers and try a one. I assume you will be going for the oil versions rather than the LC (liquid cooled) or latest WC (water cooled) ones. Remember with the oil cooled versions that there are the TC (twin cam) models and the earlier single cam ones. The TC version is thought to be better than the single version. LC's have a bad rep and the WC ones are very expensive.
ESA OE shocks can be rebuilt for a smallish some (<£300). Service intervals are 6000 miles. BMW GS/A engines can burn a lot of oil so keep some spare with you (there is a special slotl to store an oil bottle on the GSA "just in case"). The 1200s have had some diff/finaldrive/bevel box failures due to oil leak.
Every bike has some issues, just go in to the purchase with your eyes open.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Leigh (LMG)
Leigh (LMG)
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wideparting
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Re: Which GS?
lmg wrote:I'd advise you take a BMW Boxer for a test ride if you haven't been on one before. The engine is .... unique and certainly not an engine that be called smooth or nice sounding. I have a 2012 GSA and its a plodder and seems to be reliable, although i bought it as a shed and had to have it rebuilt from the ground up so I am not expecting any issues.
The GSA is a big bike - very top heavy - and worth considering if you aren't a big lad. Comfort wise - i'd personally invest in a decent seat and some handlebar risers (Rox or the chinese copies) which make the ride better for me.
Apparently, the general consensus is that the 1150 is the more bullet proof one of the bunch, but then thats akin to "KTM is better than BMW" opinions - much like assholes, everyone has one, but the only one which really matters is yours. Go to the dealers and try a one. I assume you will be going for the oil versions rather than the LC (liquid cooled) or latest WC (water cooled) ones. Remember with the oil cooled versions that there are the TC (twin cam) models and the earlier single cam ones. The TC version is thought to be better than the single version. LC's have a bad rep and the WC ones are very expensive.
ESA OE shocks can be rebuilt for a smallish some (<£300). Service intervals are 6000 miles. BMW GS/A engines can burn a lot of oil so keep some spare with you (there is a special slotl to store an oil bottle on the GSA "just in case"). The 1200s have had some diff/finaldrive/bevel box failures due to oil leak.
Every bike has some issues, just go in to the purchase with your eyes open.
Hope that helps.
what he said,spot on.go for a 1200 gs adventure,10 -13 reg twin cam.this was probably the best model,most things sorted by then. other models are available.
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Brenhden
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Re: Which GS?
Thanks guys,
It amazes me how well the 1150 has held its value. I'll go do some test rides when I can.
It amazes me how well the 1150 has held its value. I'll go do some test rides when I can.
And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.
Suzuki DR200 Djebel.
Suzuki DR200 Djebel.
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WillS
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Re: Which GS?
Hi Brenhden, I have had a few boxers, 2 x RT and a GS.
Currently I have the 2007 1200GS, its a great bike for touring, and a little off-road, even though I did manage to do a Morocco trip with it in 2013, but very heavy going in the sand.
I have done a few trails in the Pyrenees with it also, but it can be a handful.
Great bikes for luggage, camping gear etc, excellant tourque from the boxer engine.
Mountains or motorways, a good allround bike, but not for the HISS.
Have a test ride, I am sure you will like it.
Will
Currently I have the 2007 1200GS, its a great bike for touring, and a little off-road, even though I did manage to do a Morocco trip with it in 2013, but very heavy going in the sand.
I have done a few trails in the Pyrenees with it also, but it can be a handful.
Great bikes for luggage, camping gear etc, excellant tourque from the boxer engine.
Mountains or motorways, a good allround bike, but not for the HISS.
Have a test ride, I am sure you will like it.
- IMG_0974.JPG (114.65 KiB) Viewed 2688 times
Which GS?
I have a 2011 GSA. I have put over 50k of its 63k miles pretty much trouble free - shocks replaced, clutch slave replaced last week, and umm, that's it. It shrugs off heavy loads and pillions like they aren't there - although the weight is always there. Sergeant seat has been the best mod - thank you Redrick.
Home servicing is easy and use the money "saved" to buy any specialist tools you may need. Although there are loads of non- franchised specialists out there - in the UK and if you travel just about everywhere in the world. There's also gazillions of off the shelf mods and farkles to customise the bike to your needs although some of it is silly money due to the perceived affluent/grey ££ market the bike is perceived as selling into.
Great bike IMHO. Mines a keeper for the next 2-3 years at least by which time it will be way over 100k miles and I know still going strong.
Home servicing is easy and use the money "saved" to buy any specialist tools you may need. Although there are loads of non- franchised specialists out there - in the UK and if you travel just about everywhere in the world. There's also gazillions of off the shelf mods and farkles to customise the bike to your needs although some of it is silly money due to the perceived affluent/grey ££ market the bike is perceived as selling into.
Great bike IMHO. Mines a keeper for the next 2-3 years at least by which time it will be way over 100k miles and I know still going strong.
Re: Which GS?
I had a 1200gs which was a mile munching plodder all over Europe, I bought it not as a dual sport ( the size of the thing is beyond my capability!) but because I liked the distance touring side the bike offered. Just me but I could never get the seat comfortable, for big mileage trips. I now have an1150 gsa no frills added, and amazed that even tho the seat doesn't look like it should be comfortable I find it is! Also across the1150 range parts are interchangeable which for me on a budget I like! So I guess the bike fits, its agricultural but I like it for that! I'm short in the leg and like my ktm I can only get tip toes on the floor until loaded but I'm used to that!
