Our new bike - finally.

[femaleacid]

Finally! :D
Waiting for the log book and the tax to be sorted since the previous owner left the private plates on.
BMW GS1200 Adventure
2009 plate

http://img.tapatalk.com/0263fcf5-c75a-be31.jpg
Our golly mascot (he never comes off our bikes)

http://img.tapatalk.com/0263fcf5-c77e-031d.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/0263fcf5-c79c-098a.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/0263fcf5-c7b1-4df6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/0263fcf5-c7c1-14fb.jpg
One of the panier boxes. The back box behind it.

You will sadly be missed Suzy. You was a good little SV.

[Stuuk1]

I want one!

[femaleacid]

Buy one :)

[Jackie_Black]

I might be buying one this week, tell me what you think. Its down to a KTM 990 adventure, BMW GS 1200 or if i'm suddenly sensible a 650 V storm (new shape). My wife wants me to buy a bigger bike we can tour on :smt040

[femaleacid]

I might be buying one this week, tell me what you think. Its down to a KTM 990 adventure, BMW GS 1200 or if i'm suddenly sensible a 650 V storm (new shape). My wife wants me to buy a bigger bike we can tour on :smt040

Exactly why we bought this :) we went on a tiny ride around the block and it felt good! So comfortable. I can't wait till we go on long adventures.

P.s I wouldn't advice the KTM adventure, not heard good reviews :) but good luck! :D

[Jackie_Black]

I can't find anything bad about the 990 adventure, but seem to be able to find a lot of bad about the GS. However i've had BMW cars and they've always been great so surely the bikes must be too!! From what i've read the 990 is fast and focussed and the beemer is comfy and relaxed.

[femaleacid]

Its not so much 'bad' just they say the GS is better for multiple purposes :)

Its relaxed BUT it has got some bloody power it pulled a wheely even going through gears... Made me giggle!

[orose]

KTM Adventure is a bit focused on off-road ability - SM-T might be a better bet for road-based adventure touring (and I'm not saying that because I've got one). BMW GSs are getting a bit common up our way though, so there must be something in them.

[Jackie_Black]

I just need a massive bike cos i'm too tall to get proper comfy on normal big engined things. Adventure bikes suit me best and i'm drawn to the ktm as it has the most power and is light!

[suzukigt380paul]

Its not so much 'bad' just they say the GS is better for multiple purposes :)

Its relaxed BUT it has got some bloody power it pulled a wheely even going through gears... Made me giggle!good luck with your new bike im sure it will do everything you want it to,but for its size its not particularly fast or powerfull,and ewan and charley have alot to answer for!

[DJ123]

There are tens of thousands in Europe for a reason, and in Italy where scooters are huge, the GS was the only motorbike to make it into the top 20 sold bikes (this was a year or 2 ago)
Big fan of these bikes and will get one next year all being well and good

[femaleacid]

good luck with your new bike im sure it will do everything you want it to,but for its size its not particularly fast or powerfull,and ewan and charley have alot to answer for!


Yep!
I never ever compare the GS to LWR because you never know what happens when the cameras are switched off

But thanks :) its perfect for us both and our Mascot always brings us good luck.

[chezvegas85]

:rolleyes: golly mascot? oh dear.. think i hear the PC brigades sirens on the horizon

[femaleacid]

:rolleyes: golly mascot? oh dear.. think i hear the PC brigades sirens on the horizon

Its harmless ;)

[chezvegas85]

i'm sure a certain jam company would concur :) Just have to be careful what i say here, as folk on here dont know i'm one of those softy liberal types haha

[femaleacid]

I like the red ones, it brings more character than the grey and black. But hey ho can't be fussy :P
But thanks for the link :)

Where abouts are you located Clanger? if it's not far from Bolton we could meet up and have a GS ride out!

[femaleacid]

i'm sure a certain jam company would concur :) Just have to be careful what i say here, as folk on here dont know i'm one of those softy liberal types haha
Ey! I'm promoting Jam, not ... the other thing :P
Plus, if we ever got stopped by the pigs and they're di*k heads, I will just say... It's our lucky mascot.

We drove to Southport one summer and there was around 10 asian/muslim lads looking around our SV, so we thought they was admiring it. When we got back to the bike we realised they was looking at Golly LOLOL.
Whoops!

[Jackie_Black]

I took a gs1200 out for a ride today. To make my mind up about buying an almost brand new fully loaded rallye edition. By the time I got back the bike had been sold!!

I think I see what all the fuss is about, the motor is a turbine and from the get go the bike inspires an amount of confidence that overshadows its size. Amazing brakes and lots of grunt anywhere in the rev range. The ESA option is amazing as well with the bike lowering and raising itself when switching between comfort and sport. I would have bought the bike after the test ride but as I say it had sold while i was out, serves me right for actually test riding a bike for a change!!

Very nice.

[femaleacid]

I took a gs1200 out for a ride today. To make my mind up about buying an almost brand new fully loaded rallye edition. By the time I got back the bike had been sold!!

I think I see what all the fuss is about, the motor is a turbine and from the get go the bike inspires an amount of confidence that overshadows its size. Amazing brakes and lots of grunt anywhere in the rev range. The ESA option is amazing as well with the bike lowering and raising itself when switching between comfort and sport. I would have bought the bike after the test ride but as I say it had sold while i was out, serves me right for actually test riding a bike for a change!!

Very nice.

Yeah the ESA is a nice touch :)
A

[Stuuk1]

Buy one :)

I can't afford one :(

[femaleacid]

I can't afford one :(

Finance :) think fella' pays £200pm on this... But this was second had.

[Stuuk1]

And a mortgage?! Lol, I can't afford that. My Fazer shall have to last...

[femaleacid]

And a mortgage?! Lol, I can't afford that. My Fazer shall have to last...

Haha awwww poor you! S'what you get with bills my friend.

[Jackie_Black]

The tick on the fully loaded one i was on today was £250 PCM i would have signed on the line when I got back, but they'd sold it, so I felt compelled to leave.

[femaleacid]

http://img.tapatalk.com/0263fcf5-356a-502c.jpg

Our camping gear is ready :)

[DJ123]

you pack too much, my parents take less than that on a 2 week trip to Europe

[femaleacid]

you pack too much, my parents take less than that on a 2 week trip to Europe

Hardiha! ;)

[DJ123]

True, Panniers & top box take clothes, cooking stuff, wash kit. Tent is on top of either pannier then tank bag has over proofs in.
Top box is a 52 litre one, which has room to spare and the panniers are 34 litres or so, standard Tenere ones

[femaleacid]

True, Panniers & top box take clothes, cooking stuff, wash kit. Tent is on top of either pannier then tank bag has over proofs in.
Top box is a 52 litre one, which has room to spare and the panniers are 34 litres or so, standard Tenere ones

Fecking smart ****. We like luxuries too :)

[Jackie_Black]

How long you going for!!

I only used to fill the panniers top box and tank bag on the v strom and that was with her indoors coming along for a week!

[femaleacid]

A night ;)

We have...
2x Sleeping Mats
2x pillows
Double sleeping bag that's fecking huge!
Tent
And then all the little stuff (the box's aren't filled on this)

[DJ123]

pillows???? you know you can get inflateable mattresses with pillows in them, or alternatively use your clothes/bag
Sounds more like glamping!!!

[femaleacid]

pillows???? you know you can get inflateable mattresses with pillows in them, or alternatively use your clothes/bag
Sounds more like glamping!!!

Glamping hahahahaha Im not on TOWIE.
They're like the size of both my hands then I wrap a jacket over them. I'm a fussy sleeper!

[speedyandypandy]

Congrats on your new bike, didn't know you where BMW-GS-old, I thought you where a lot younger than 40 :p;)
Yes yes, checky b4stard, I know, the missus reminds me every week.
I've twice seen GS 1100 & 1200 on trackdays, and both times the rides was faster than some of the boys on R bikes. Enjoy.

[femaleacid]

Congrats on your new bike, didn't know you where BMW-GS-old, I thought you where a lot younger than 40 :p;)
Yes yes, checky b4stard, I know, the missus reminds me every week.
I've twice seen GS 1100 & 1200 on trackdays, and both times the rides was faster than some of the boys on R bikes. Enjoy.

Tsh! Cheek on that :o :lol:

I'm just waiting for the dealership we got it from to stick their bloody finger out we've had it 3 week and we still can't get it on the road! *cry*

[speedyandypandy]

Sometimes the german efficiency gets lost on the way, or in your case, stopped at the border. I would never consider driving the thing anyway, like I never drove my bike without my license some 10 years ago.

[femaleacid]

Sometimes the german efficiency gets lost on the way, or in your case, stopped at the border. I would never consider driving the thing anyway, like I never drove my bike without my license some 10 years ago.

:lol: leave our new baby alone! We can't all be speedy like you ;)

[Jackie_Black]

I'm still having my head done in from my test ride on monday. I may go and put a deposit on an adventure this week. It was a great bike to ride.

[femaleacid]

I'm still having my head done in from my test ride on monday. I may go and put a deposit on an adventure this week. It was a great bike to ride.

I was gutted for you!
Was it just standard? I hope you get one, I just hope that we find something that cushions my back on the top box because when the front wheel lifts up I end up with bruises!

[Jackie_Black]

It was a pre registered fully loaded rallye model with ESA, ABS, AKrapovic and all the boxes and stuff. A guy came in and bought it while I was out on the demonstrator! They had an adventure in though triple black with the same spec and 2k on it. But I left the shop to have a think about it as an adventure is even more serious than a GS.

[femaleacid]

Yeah, ours were fully loaded too. It was 10,000 but we part-ex the SV for about 2,800. There was another adventure, exactly the same butility without all the extras for 7,000 but it was rough! The windacreen had cracks where they have tightened it too much and there was more scratches and scuffs. Were lucky qe got this one that has got one tiny stuff on the side that's hardly visible.

I canne wait till were going to France on it!

[orose]

I just hope that we find something that cushions my back on the top box because when the front wheel lifts up I end up with bruises!

Easy way to solve that is to share the love and bruises... It'll soon calm down after a few rides

[femaleacid]

Easy way to solve that is to share the love and bruises... It'll soon calm down after a few rides

I guess so!
I may just put my back armour in so its less direct on my spine since I wear a textile jacket now.

[orose]

Well, I meant punch him in the kidneys when he's riding like a knob, but you could do that instead

[andreis]

Hey, don't mean to bud in, but I will..
@Jackie_Black If you're thinking about getting yourself a GS, why don't you try some of the competition as well:

1. For on and off road, there's the Triumph Explorer 1200(just as pricey as the GS) and the KTM Adventure 990 (could be had for a lot less then the gs)
2. For the on road only :
- KTM 990 SMT (a lot less than a GS)
- Triumph Tiger 1050 (a lot less than a GS)
- Ducati Multistrada 1200 (pricey)
- Suzuki VStrom 1000 (doesn't get abs) & 650 (has ABS and cost probably ~1/3rd of the GS, 1/7th if you get a used one)

If you're gonna buy yourself GS, I'd say you should at least convince yourself it's exactly what you want.
The biggest drawback I see with them is their infamous service costs and the very high rate of shaft drive failure (they stopped publishing the actual service numbers once the failure rate went over 2% of machines... it's probably around 4-5%). I would think a GS is for the very well off and you can get the same bike for a lot less. I say you should think about it.

[femaleacid]

Well, I meant punch him in the kidneys when he's riding like a knob, but you could do that instead

LOL, I don't mind him driving giddy, just not when Im smashing on my back. (nobody play on those words)

[Jackie_Black]

Hey, don't mean to bud in, but I will..
@Jackie_Black If you're thinking about getting yourself a GS, why don't you try some of the competition as well:

1. For on and off road, there's the Triumph Explorer 1200(just as pricey as the GS) and the KTM Adventure 990 (could be had for a lot less then the gs)
2. For the on road only :
- KTM 990 SMT (a lot less than a GS)
- Triumph Tiger 1050 (a lot less than a GS)
- Ducati Multistrada 1200 (pricey)
- Suzuki VStrom 1000 (doesn't get abs) & 650 (has ABS and cost probably ~1/3rd of the GS, 1/7th if you get a used one)

If you're gonna buy yourself GS, I'd say you should at least convince yourself it's exactly what you want.
The biggest drawback I see with them is their infamous service costs and the very high rate of shaft drive failure (they stopped publishing the actual service numbers once the failure rate went over 2% of machines... it's probably around 4-5%). I would think a GS is for the very well off and you can get the same bike for a lot less. I say you should think about it.

I've had a V-strom thou, loved it should never have sold it. I was in the market for a 990 adventure too and fully loaded new they cost the same as a GS. Nothing is standard on the KTM same as a BMW, so with everything its £12k. The multistrada is just a brutal sharp thing, probably too much for touring but hilarious for scratching.

I'm in a bit of dilema to be honest. I rode the GS it fit like a glove and felt awesome straight away. I would be geting it serviced by an independent mechanic not BMW, but had no idea they had a 5% failure rate on the shaft drive. That has probably put me off quite a bit as i expected that to be completely bullet proof as they have always made shaft driven bikes.

To add more to this I have have found a 340 hp BMW M car for the same money that I would love to own and chop my Diesel in for.

Which decision is the correct one!! and what a nice position to be in!

[andreis]

I should be more clear about the shaft drive. It's not the shaft drive itself that usually fails, but a valve that is used for servicing the oil. When it fails, the oil starts to leak. This in itself would not present a big problem, but unfortunately, the amount of oil is rather small (220ml) and it leaves the shaft unlubricated quite fast, which leads to the failure of the shaft.

If you're careful with the bike, you can catch it in time. BMW redesigned the assembly in 2009 and is has somewhat curbed the amount of failures, but did not eliminate them and this is still a hot topic on advrider.

I do not have all the facts. If you like the bike, you should invest some time in researching it out. For instance, I didn't know about the price of a 990 fully kited and I mostly researched second hand values (as I'm not in that stage of my life when I can afford new shiny toys). I think that decisions taken in the heat of the moment bring huge immediate satisfaction but are also a huge gamble in the long term. I saw that you were willing to buy the bike after you rode it, which is great, but if you really liked it, you should research out the quirks ;)

Best of luck and cheers

[Jackie_Black]

Funnily enough the guy has just rang me back and the man that bought it on monday has pulled out (and lost his deposit) so if I want it I can have it!! I have a few more bikes to check out first though and that crazy sportscar as well. Think i'll just see what floats me boat!

[BoltonSte]

Funnily enough the guy has just rang me back and the man that bought it on monday has pulled out (and lost his deposit) so if I want it I can have it!!

Discounted by his deposit I hope?

[femaleacid]

Funnily enough the guy has just rang me back and the man that bought it on monday has pulled out (and lost his deposit) so if I want it I can have it!! I have a few more bikes to check out first though and that crazy sportscar as well. Think i'll just see what floats me boat!

Awwww yay! :) well best of luck with whichever bike you get.

[Small Clanger]

Do it, don't be put off by some spurious statistics on an internet forum. Especially from someone who states "I do not have all the facts"

I have these facts. They're fantastic bikes to own and ride. I enjoyed every mile I did on them. The resale values are great. They have a warranty.

Enjoy.

[andreis]

Do it, don't be put off by some spurious statistics on an internet forum. Especially from someone who states "I do not have all the facts"

I have these facts. They're fantastic bikes to own and ride. I enjoyed every mile I did on them. The resale values are great. They have a warranty.

Enjoy.

It wasn't an ill intended advice. How often do you see someone admitting upfront that they don't know that well what they're talking about?

My only point was that I've heard plenty about the matter without actually having to research it. I felt like he/she should research it before deciding on the matter.

Now if you'll poke me enough, I'll research it myself and it might not turn out to support what you're saying. What then? :smt032

Now I'm sure they're great bikes, as only zee germans can build, and that you had great fun when riding yours and probably it was mostly trouble free, but don't eat all the jam Ewan&Charlie made out of fresh fruits from Mongolia. There's plenty of other bikes out there that ought to be researched before taking the plunge and dishing out the hard earned. If you're suggesting he/she shouldn't even look at the competition, then what's the point of having the choice? We should all go out right now and buy only GSs, right?

[Small Clanger]

If he buys one and does not like it then he can sell it and try the competition. Whats the point in f-cking about?

[andreis]

If he buys one and does not like it then he can sell it and try the competition. Whats the point in f-cking about?

Oh come on, you know that's dumb. Maybe you're just angry and not willing to concede that there is a point to researching stuff before doing said stuff, but I'm sure that once you relax about the matter, you will agree that he/she should at least test ride some other bikes and think a bit about the matter.
Your beloved brand should come out on top after such due process, shouldn't it?

[yorkie_chris]

Is the back end suspension/drivetrain the same design as the K1200GT?

I'd avoid that design, a friend had one* and it went wrong. The krautish equivalent of the wheel bearing going knackered every part aft of the gearbox output shaft.

He did ride it probably a little bit harder than the average BMW but nowhere near what you'd subject a jap bike to and get no trouble at all.



*He also keeps telling me I should buy an R1150GS which makes me question his taste... but anyway... what I really want is one of these
http://www.screenok.com/images/wallpapers/Suzuki%20DR800%20Dakar-268715.jpeg

[yorkie_chris]

Quirky and unusual, and with lots of torquey character. What's not to like?
That or a 990 dakar.

But still if I wanted to spend the money on something big and daft and knobbley it would be a toy, there are better things than wannabe traillies to use on the road, like the tiger/SMT :)

[Jackie_Black]

YC that is amazing, what is it?

[Heefy]

Why does it have it's own scaffolding all around it?

It's great good luck.

H

[Jackie_Black]

Oh and YC I will be subjecting whatever bike I get to the usual thrashing from the word go, do you think they are more easily killed than chocolate japanese bikes?

[femaleacid]

Why does it have it's own scaffolding all around it?

It's great good luck.

H

Hahahaha! :lol:

[femaleacid]

Had our first ride out this weekend on Lutz (our name for it) clocked up around 400 mile which isn't so bad.

All I can say is that I'm impressed up to now. Thinking about getting a Gel seat for it though because being a pillion with a bony ass soon hurts and aches after a while.
Noticed we don't get as many 'biker nods' anymore now that were on this GS which makes me chuckle. The bike hides its bloody speed though, going 'certain speeds' in fast lane on motorway only felt like 60-70mph, crazy!

Were having some problems with the electrics at the moment - battery being a bit of a bigger and various warning lights appearing for no reason. May have to take it round dealership to get them to sort it out.

Other than that... Lovely bike.
Glad we bought it :)

[Jackie_Black]

Were having some problems with the electrics at the moment - battery being a bit of a bigger and various warning lights appearing for no reason. May have to take it round dealership to get them to sort it out.

Other than that... Lovely bike.
Glad we bought it :)

Every time i'm just about to take the plunge I hear more things to put me off!!

[femaleacid]

Every time i'm just about to take the plunge I hear more things to put me off!!

We suspect its something the dealership have done when fitting the alarm as they have to wire it up all around the bike - doubt its an actual bike fault as its only happened since the alarm was fitted :)

P.s. Don't let people put you off! Its what you're happy with and what you feel comfortable with. Every bike has its fault - there's no stopping that. I hope you find one though :)

[Jackie_Black]

None of my other bikes have ever had any faults ever. I won't tolerate failure!!

[suzukigt380paul]

We suspect its something the dealership have done when fitting the alarm as they have to wire it up all around the bike - doubt its an actual bike fault as its only happened since the alarm was fitted :)

P.s. Don't let people put you off! Its what you're happy with and what you feel comfortable with. Every bike has its fault - there's no stopping that. I hope you find one though :)you had a alarm fitted,thats most likely the worst(when it comes to reliability)thing you can fit to a bike,as i never known a alarm not to give you trouble some time down the line,ive got 3 bikes that have been de alarmed because theyve gone wrong and let me down

[femaleacid]

you had a alarm fitted,thats most likely the worst(when it comes to reliability)thing you can fit to a bike,as i never known a alarm not to give you trouble some time down the line,ive got 3 bikes that have been de alarmed because theyve gone wrong and let me down

Yeah, they cause more problems! K don't even know why he spent £300 on a alarm, I really don't its crazy. Its not like somebody can pick the bike up is it?
Although, his garage attracts attention recently and has had a few break-in attempts especially now the KTM is getting built up.

[femaleacid]

None of my other bikes have ever had any faults ever. I won't tolerate failure!!

Hahahaha you'll have to tolerate it some day ;)

[suzukigt380paul]

Yeah, they cause more problems! K don't even know why he spent £300 on a alarm, I really don't its crazy. Its not like somebody can pick the bike up is it?
Although, his garage attracts attention recently and has had a few break-in attempts especially now the KTM is getting built up.as a anti theft device they can put thieving scum off taking your bike,but the determined thief will either not care or disconect it,and if youve taken a alarm of a bike before it aint that hard to stop it making a noise,and i would say a alarm on the door of the garage would be just as effective or not effective as no one takes any notice of a alarm going off anycase

[femaleacid]

http://img.tapatalk.com/4e937209-c562-7330.jpg

[missyburd]

Thinking about getting a Gel seat for it though because being a pillion with a bony ass soon hurts and aches after a while.


So stop and take more photos :p How many miles were you doing between stops? I can't go pillion too long on YC's bike anymore, I get dreadful back ache (which I never get when riding my own bike), it's probably stemmed from the hundreds of miles I did as pillion..and not stopping enough! I used to stand up on the back and stretch the old gluteus maximus but I don't think you're ever going to get a comfy seat when you're doing serious mileage. Your bones are not naturally supposed to stay in one place for that amount of time, you're going to ache whatever your seat's made of. If I remember rightly you really didn't like the SV seat either, and the GS seat will be much better than that.