NewNiceMrMe Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Are there any 1200 GS (in Adventure or any other guise) owners on here? I'd be interested in any views from ownership. I am contemplating buying a new 1200 GS Adventure, probably fully loaded in a variant with the Premium Pack. However, I'm also looking at the pre-2014 models and maybe running one for a year before buying new. I know both pre-2014 and the new models get superb reviews but there are a few things about the new bike that appeal to me and got me looking. But, I have seen a few 2010-11 (or thereabouts) bikes at good prices at main dealers and might decide to buy used before taking the plunge. I'm particularly interested in another thing too - GS or GS Adventure? Before adding stuff one is listed at £12,850 and the Adventure bangs on a £3k premium. I know the differences, but the question is whether you think the Adventure is worth it? The reviews, again, suggest it is, but nor do the reviews say the GS in standard guise is anything less than an excellent bike. I have my licence from many, many years ago but I don't want to go back down the high performance route (i've owned a Ducati before) and have plans for a few very long trips to countries I'd like to explore. The R 1200 fits the bill perfectly in terms of what I'd use the bike for, the luggage carrying capability and the variable terrain use (I'd probably run it on mid off-road tyres from the start). Also, is the BMW Nav worth the premium over a third party Garmin nav? The GPS preparation option is standard on most models above GS in raw format. Few other bits: - engine guard bars (side) - worth it? - BMW panniers or go for the likes of Touratech? - adjustable foot brake and rests, or stick with the standard ones?- any thoughts on the best security marking or anti-theft devices (over and above the BMW system)- if I decided on used, does anyone have a reputable dealer? It's a very long time since I even looked at bikes but as you can see from above I've been doing plenty of research and the one thing I'll lose if I go for used is the back-up of a BMW garage and warranty, so I don't want to buy from a dodgy place with shite after-sales support.I thought I'd lost the biking thing, but I got talking to a guy who'd done France, Italy, Norway and Sweden just over a week ago....and I found myself realising it hadn't really gone away. I'd just lost interest in high performance blasts but the enduro-variants give me a whole new appetite for planning something... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Ok who gave T_S NNMM's login details? On second thoughts - he'd never buy new 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Wow- change of heart. I'd suggest you dip your toes in the insurance costs, they don't much like born again bikers and you will have lost NCB due to the time lag between then and now. As for the list of Q's- I don't know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) Ummmm...£328, fully comp, on a brand new 1200 GS Adventure....through BMW. Already had it checked out. p.s. despite not being a 'performance' bike...it doesn't hang around. 0-62 mph....3.7 seconds. p.p.s. Charley Boorman seems to like it and he knows a fair bit about endurance trips/bikes - Boorman reviews the new 1200 GS Adventure. I must admit the new version of the bike really does appeal because of the stunning tech built into it. 5 stars from MCN too. Hmm. Motorcycle News reviews the R1200GSA Edited September 1, 2014 by NewNiceMrMe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Well...... there's a lot to try and reply to there MrMe Personally I'd go for a R1200GS TE, the only optional extras needed is Gear Shift Pro for lazy gear changes and the factory alarm. The adventure extras do make the bike much wider, I think the only true fire way would be to ride both, scary if you've been off the tools for a long period. BMW Motorad dealers are very good (well, the TWells guys are) and they'll help you get back on two wheels by taking you out for test rides on smaller bikes (T800GS, etc), before jumping on a bigger bike. Personally I prefer OEM paniers, they tend to get more out of the space round the bike that the aftermarket offerings, meaning they hug the bike more. Why do I know all this even though I've not owned one.... well.... there'll be two bikes in the garage soon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) Cheers. Hahahaha too! How spooky. You up for a European/Scandinavian road trip at some point in Spring 2015 then? I'm thinking of 2 weeks and 4,800 miles, maybe a bit more.... I'm more inclined to go with the OEM panniers if I buy new to be honest. I asked about the Touratech because there is no denying the rear-collision protection they can provide in a small shunt (and coincidentally this was evidenced on Long Way Round!). I'm not at all nervous of getting back on a bike. I don't think you ever 'forget' how to ride a motorcycle but I'd take it very steady anyway. The key is that I'm not buying for performance, but more for all round capability and long endurance. I really fancy the hand grip controlled Nav.....I like things like that. Oh and the tinted screen. I need the tinted screen on a black bike... p.s. 64-67 mpg, you know! Edited September 1, 2014 by NewNiceMrMe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Lovely bit of kit. Like that a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 I'd recommend Art of Motorcycling just round the corner from you for a refresher lesson or two - I did my test with them and they're very good. Its about £60 for a 2-hour lesson, Garry Chipsaway and Gary D&G both learnt with them and recommended them effusively to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) Effusively, that's over posh. You Northern tart. Edited September 1, 2014 by Calm Chris 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Good choice. I have a mate in South Africa who has one and he loves it. It is the light of his life.... They are awesome bikes... just make sure you use it for what it was intended for.... Mega touring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Effusively, that's over posh. You Northern tart. I did has went to a propa gramma skool yous know! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 I've only been out on the older one for an hour or so and hence can't really comment on them. I do know loads of guys with GS's (they're almost compulsory in Advanced riding groups!) but the onyl Adventure is pre-2014. It is hefty especially when full up with fuel. The down side of the big fuel tank is that it's only of benefit if you're riding with others who are also on them.... unless you'll be the refueling station for them! There's a massive following for them and hence some really good forums.Some GS specific but lots of "adventure" (lowercase a) type of forums too. With regards Scandiland - I'm up for it. I've pondered it time after time. Particularly want to see the Northern lights up there but it's a long way with no guarantees. With all due respect, are you gonna be bike fit enough to endure that much mileage without having ridden for so long? I ride daily but know that it would still be an endurance thing, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 Good choice. I have a mate in South Africa who has one and he loves it. It is the light of his life.... They are awesome bikes... just make sure you use it for what it was intended for.... Mega touring. That's my intention. I have no interest in Sunday morning blasts around Northumberland on a high performance super bike, just getting around a continent (or two) as quickly as possible and seeing things I'd probably not get to see by car (or not without lots of difficulty). Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Croatia, The Netherlands, Belgium....and a round the coast of The Republic of Ireland - they're all on my list. That's all it'd be used for although the temptation for a quicker way to London is tempting with the way the M1 traffic and train prices are going. I could do that very easily on an Enduro bike. It'll have to be an early 2015 purchase as I am inclined more by the day to choose new (gadgets and the new engine and gearbox appeal). I'll wait and buy outright in new guise in all probability as they're not expensive and It also allows me to shed a lot of weight beforehand (all part of a plan of sorts). I'm now browsing headgear, outerwear, boots and the like. Black is the order of the day and I reckon the all black R1200 and tinted windshield look rather fetching. Tart? No, not me. Much. Okay, perhaps. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 Sounds like a plan Stan... Put an order in for two 90th Anni edition R1200GS TE's and a running maching in the morning 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 Best wait till you reshape before you buy a set of skin hugging black leathers then 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Going to test ride a R1200GS TE next weekend, will let you know how I get on Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Fantasic plan. Will take huge balls to follow it through. Always kick myself that I didn't do this pre kids. With a 2 and 4 year old it wouldn't be fair to disappear now and no time in the next 10 years I wouldn't have thought. How long would you go for and what does your partner think about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 I did has went to a propa gramma skool yous know! Is that t'propa one in t'Owdum or t'one for woollybacks wi' odd numbers o' fingers up t'hill? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Hulme Prep in Oldham and then Bradford Grammar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Ah. O'er t'hill then. Aye. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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