I've Test Driven the R1200GS - SV650.org

05-08-05, 05:46 PM

I arrived at Mills in Sunderland today looking for a R1150GS. Found it, with a big sold sign on it. Damn. But then the block notifies of BMW's 3.5% insurance deal, and a R1200GS for 7999. Interested? Absolutely.

1/2hr later and I've got the keys for a test drive. Interestingly you select gear and can feel the bike try to go sideways via the shaft drive. Pull off and notice a distinct lack of power compared to the SV. It's not as lumpy though and by utter god is the driving position fantastic. It's smooth for such large capacity and viable around town. 65mpg+ driven normally is better than an SV. If the SV is a Fiesta XR2, the GS is a Range Rover.

The ride, the suspension is UTTER amazing. The bike refuses to dive yet absorbs bumps like no other bike I've driven. It's still firm and never looses control. I feel like I could hit anything and where-as the SV would go ****-over-tit the GS would stay upright. With the right tyres I believe the bike could go almost anywhere.

Kids point and one waves. Everyone knows this is an expensive bit of kit. With a temporary dealer insurance note with a 2,500 excess I know it too! Look mummy, there goes McGre...

It doesn't handle like an SV. It's bigger and tries to go in a straight line rather than being flicked into one. It doesn't have the power and the torque seems lost on its 30Kg excess weight. Indicators are on either side which is odd. Begins to pour down and very windy, yet still very comfortable.

The brakes are fantastic and equal to SV's, which shows SV's really arn't underpowered. I didn't get to try the ABS. Too busy trying to cancel indicators.

The position is just bliss. Loads of storage space, plush seats, heated grips on handlebars and the list goes on...

So is this the best bike money can buy? I never thought I would say this but, probably. You may not like the looks and its masculin raw presentation is too much for plastic panel lovers, however this bike isn't for the look or the raw speed or the acceleration. It's one of only a few bikes where if you get some metal panniers and beat the **** out of them, the bike looks better

This is a reality bike, and like all bike magazines agree, it's bloody fantastic.

05-08-05, 05:49 PM

Snoop's joined the Dr Rich appreciation society

GS's are great

05-08-05, 05:59 PM

So did you?????

05-08-05, 08:06 PM

Well I do like mine. Steve J will be along in a bit to tell you how much he doesnt like them

I can appreciate the facets that others dont like, such as the feeling of 'flying' over the road surface and a lack of feedback (i.e. the bike doesnt handle differently) when braking.....both of which I really like but can appreciate that some hardcore riders might not.

Its a do anything machine (although of course it isnt a dirt bike) for roads of any surface. It may do no one thing better than something else. But there's not so many bikes that you can ride up the Wye Valley like an SV and then wander up some trails and dirt tracks for an hour or so and then ride home. As I said its not a dirt bike, but it wins out in that you can ride it all day in search of some trails. I know people do that on dirt bikes but then so do people take GS's where only dirt bikes should go...i.e. they are mad

Powerwise similar to the SV in many ways, but handling and braking excellent out the crate. Then again it costs twice as much as an SV or a DL (another lovely bike to ride) so it damn well should do.

I'm happy with mine. Although KTM are bringing out a new 990Adventure next year and surely Honda must put to rest the Varadildo and hopefully build a new Africa Twin so there's going to be plenty of fun to be had along the way, and not necessarily BMW fun

One thing I dont like.....BWM GS owners

but hey, that's well documented

06-08-05, 07:37 AM

Snoopy wrote:

Quote:

So is this the best bike money can buy? I never thought I would say this but, probably.

That is a very powerfull statement and not one I could agree with based on the fact that I have not ridden enough of the bikes that are out there.
Different bikes mean different things to different people as simple as that.

Again not sure how much of a test ride you gave in order to get an idea of it's abilities in a variety of situations.

If it's a touch of touring and a bit of sportiness the Triumph Sprint beats it IMHO.

If it's a bit of a do anything then the KTM's push it too.The Ducati Multistrada can beat it for quirky looks but you go ride one Snoopy!

The looks are different but it is a Beemer and it would not be the same if it conformed!

Once again if it has to be a Beemer this is your baby:

06-08-05, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

Again not sure how much of a test ride you gave in order to get an idea of it's abilities in a variety of situations.

If it's a touch of touring and a bit of sportiness the Triumph Sprint beats it IMHO.

If it's a bit of a do anything then the KTM's push it too.The Ducati Multistrada can beat it for quirky looks but you go ride one Snoopy!

The looks are different but it is a Beemer and it would not be the same if it conformed!

Ah there in lies the proof that it is indeed the best bike money can buy, it will do all those things very well, you would need a veritable collection of bikes to match it.

06-08-05, 10:52 AM

You ridden that BMW Peter Henry?

I did a ride on it during an open day and I must say i very much disliked it. Sure you would get used to it after a bit. But I found it lacking in power for such a bike engine (maybe I was taking it a bit easy being as it werent mine) The whole pulling off to the right with the boxter twin does not win me over. The bars vibrated badly and the fairing and indicators looked like they were gonna fall off due to the vibration.

For that money you can buy so much better IMO

06-08-05, 11:35 AM

Falc...No I have not personally rode one.However I have seen one ridden extremely well and did not strike me as being something that was overly lacking in go!

My comments on it are relative comments based on the rest of the Beemer range.

I have toughn read comparo tests that featured the GS and they did not rate it as highly as one or two people have indicated. I am not slagging it,I just dont really think it would ever be my choice.

06-08-05, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

I have toughn read comparo tests that featured the GS and they did not rate it as highly as one or two people have indicated. I am not slagging it,I just dont really think it would ever be my choice.

I think its usually very well reviewed and in fact better revied than it realistically is, IMO.

Anyway, Im surprised you like those sports boxers. I honsetly dont understand why anyone would pick a boxer twin bike out of choice. Ok, on the 1200GS its a different kettle of fish as its a sports utility vehicle bike

but I dont think Id buy a boxer twin if I had the choice. Id love a v-twin in the GS. If there's an attraction there Im missing it somehow. Not that on the GS its a problem, the boxer's fine in that I guess. Not that Ive ridden a boxer RT or ST or anything, but Im not sure I fancy it.

Now the K1200 series especially the one Quiff posted about today and the sports tourer ones are another thing altogether.....

06-08-05, 05:31 PM

Simply put, it's the worst motorcycle I have ever ridden....

Good points: Dash position, comfort.

Bad points: The vibrations from the engine, lack of response, those infernal bloody indicators, it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, that tendancy to sway when revved.

Personally, unless you have to go to work down green lanes or live on a farm, I can't see the point. I really wanted to like it when I tried it, but it's not for me.

.

05-08-05, 05:46 PM	#1
snoopy Guest Posts: n/a	I've Test Driven the R1200GS I arrived at Mills in Sunderland today looking for a R1150GS. Found it, with a big sold sign on it. Damn. But then the block notifies of BMW's 3.5% insurance deal, and a R1200GS for 7999. Interested? Absolutely. 1/2hr later and I've got the keys for a test drive. Interestingly you select gear and can feel the bike try to go sideways via the shaft drive. Pull off and notice a distinct lack of power compared to the SV. It's not as lumpy though and by utter god is the driving position fantastic. It's smooth for such large capacity and viable around town. 65mpg+ driven normally is better than an SV. If the SV is a Fiesta XR2, the GS is a Range Rover. The ride, the suspension is UTTER amazing. The bike refuses to dive yet absorbs bumps like no other bike I've driven. It's still firm and never looses control. I feel like I could hit anything and where-as the SV would go **-over-tit the GS would stay upright. With the right tyres I believe the bike could go almost anywhere. Kids point and one waves. Everyone knows this is an expensive bit of kit. With a temporary dealer insurance note with a 2,500 excess I know it too! Look mummy, there goes McGre... It doesn't handle like an SV. It's bigger and tries to go in a straight line rather than being flicked into one. It doesn't have the power and the torque seems lost on its 30Kg excess weight. Indicators are on either side which is odd. Begins to pour down and very windy, yet still very comfortable. The brakes are fantastic and equal to SV's, which shows SV's really arn't underpowered. I didn't get to try the ABS. Too busy trying to cancel indicators. The position is just bliss. Loads of storage space, plush seats, heated grips on handlebars and the list goes on... So is this the best bike money can buy? I never thought I would say this but, probably. You may not like the looks and its masculin raw presentation is too much for plastic panel lovers, however this bike isn't for the look or the raw speed or the acceleration. It's one of only a few bikes where if you get some metal panniers and beat the ** out of them, the bike looks better This is a reality bike, and like all bike magazines agree, it's bloody fantastic.

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05-08-05, 05:49 PM	#2
Cloggsy Guest Posts: n/a	Snoop's joined the Dr Rich appreciation society GS's are great

05-08-05, 08:06 PM	#4
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a	Well I do like mine. Steve J will be along in a bit to tell you how much he doesnt like them I can appreciate the facets that others dont like, such as the feeling of 'flying' over the road surface and a lack of feedback (i.e. the bike doesnt handle differently) when braking.....both of which I really like but can appreciate that some hardcore riders might not. Its a do anything machine (although of course it isnt a dirt bike) for roads of any surface. It may do no one thing better than something else. But there's not so many bikes that you can ride up the Wye Valley like an SV and then wander up some trails and dirt tracks for an hour or so and then ride home. As I said its not a dirt bike, but it wins out in that you can ride it all day in search of some trails. I know people do that on dirt bikes but then so do people take GS's where only dirt bikes should go...i.e. they are mad Powerwise similar to the SV in many ways, but handling and braking excellent out the crate. Then again it costs twice as much as an SV or a DL (another lovely bike to ride) so it damn well should do. I'm happy with mine. Although KTM are bringing out a new 990Adventure next year and surely Honda must put to rest the Varadildo and hopefully build a new Africa Twin so there's going to be plenty of fun to be had along the way, and not necessarily BMW fun One thing I dont like.....BWM GS owners but hey, that's well documented

06-08-05, 10:52 AM	#7
falc Guest Posts: n/a	You ridden that BMW Peter Henry? I did a ride on it during an open day and I must say i very much disliked it. Sure you would get used to it after a bit. But I found it lacking in power for such a bike engine (maybe I was taking it a bit easy being as it werent mine) The whole pulling off to the right with the boxter twin does not win me over. The bars vibrated badly and the fairing and indicators looked like they were gonna fall off due to the vibration. For that money you can buy so much better IMO

06-08-05, 11:35 AM	#8
Peter Henry Guest Posts: n/a	Falc...No I have not personally rode one.However I have seen one ridden extremely well and did not strike me as being something that was overly lacking in go! My comments on it are relative comments based on the rest of the Beemer range. I have toughn read comparo tests that featured the GS and they did not rate it as highly as one or two people have indicated. I am not slagging it,I just dont really think it would ever be my choice.

06-08-05, 05:31 PM	#10
Jelster Guest Posts: n/a	Simply put, it's the worst motorcycle I have ever ridden.... Good points: Dash position, comfort. Bad points: The vibrations from the engine, lack of response, those infernal bloody indicators, it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, that tendancy to sway when revved. Personally, unless you have to go to work down green lanes or live on a farm, I can't see the point. I really wanted to like it when I tried it, but it's not for me. .