Ride on a new R 1200 GS

[clint640]

I get it now. If you want the road less travelled, a GS. If you want to play, a middle weight.

...& if you want to play AND do the road less travelled get a middleweight. Or get freakish riding skillz (I hate those people too )

Clint

[BMWST?]

...& if you want to play AND do the road less travelled get a middleweight. Or get freakish riding skillz (I hate those people too )

Clint

you guys got it just a little bit wrong....ROADS.Thats the gs any ROAD .And they can be a little bit of everything too

[Eddieb]

You can get a little bit marginal on a GS, I've had mine airborne a couple of times but I think it would take more abuse than I'm comfortable in giving to wheelie the thing. They are superbly balanced so better than you might expect in more marginal stuff but yes there's definately a point where the weight becomes a restricting factor.

[marks]

Every bike in the class is going more electronic.

which is a bit sad in someways

it almost seems like each bit of tinsel you add removes a tiny bit of the 'rawness' that makes motorcycling what it is.

I like knowing I got around the corner because I did the right things rather than the bike stopping me from doing the wrong things

to each their own

[Oscar]

which is a bit sad in someways

it almost seems like each bit of tinsel you add removes a tiny bit of the 'rawness' that makes motorcycling what it is.

I like knowing I got around the corner because I did the right things rather than the bike stopping me from doing the wrong things

to each their own

I agree.
I love motorcycles 'cause they are accessible technology - you could fix or tinker them (or used to able to) and the wizzy bits are right there in the open where you can see them.

[Gremlin]

Eh? The standard GS is what, 10-15kg heavier than your bike? and thats made up with mostly petrol!

Can you fix YOUR bikes electronics?

Nimble is not a problem on a GS. They're as nimble as a nimble thing.

Ok, so the standard is lighter... except you lose 50% of the fuel tank.

No, I can't fix my electronics, hell, I don't change oil BUT there are at least 3 dealers in the South Island that work on KTM. The BMW has 3x the computers, that's 3 times the potential problems.

The tyre sizes are also annoying... 120/70/17 and 180/55/17 have heaps of options, but I guess the beemer is more dirt orientated than I want.

[dino3310]

I agree.
I love motorcycles 'cause they are accessible technology - you could fix or tinker them (or used to able to) and the wizzy bits are right there in the open where you can see them.

yep agreed here too.
The XR is as complecated as i handle and it dont even have a fuse never mind a battery and shit

[warewolf]

which is a bit sad in someways

it almost seems like each bit of tinsel you add removes a tiny bit of the 'rawness' that makes motorcycling what it is.

Agree; 'rawness' good word. I think that's why I'm not particularly enamoured with GPSs. Also, I like responsive, lively bikes rather than armchairs. Couple of years ago we hired an R1150GS for a two-up tour in Aussie. There was a huge disconnect between the road & the rider, particularly from the front end - somewhat disconcerting. It felt more like an appliance than a bike.

[warewolf]

BUT there are at least 3 dealers in the South Island that work on KTM.

There's probably that many BMW dealers, too. 'Parts & Service Agents' they are called; Thunderbike in Nelson is one.

The BMW has 3x the computers, that's 3 times the potential problems.

And how many problems do those computers make go away?

[Gremlin]

And how many problems do those computers make go away?

If its dealt with it... its not a problem... so you never know

Still... when you can power a fridge off the electrical system, you know it should be able to handle a few extras like GPS

[trustme]

which is a bit sad in someways

it almost seems like each bit of tinsel you add removes a tiny bit of the 'rawness' that makes motorcycling what it is.

I like knowing I got around the corner because I did the right things rather than the bike stopping me from doing the wrong things

to each their own

You need a Scrambler

I had one of the original R80gs'ss before they were fashionable, people used to say , 'why?'.
To most it was neither fish nor fowl, but it was ahead of it's time.
The new Beemers leave me cold , maybe detached is a better term.

Edit
Then again, hit a few decent bumps & i wish my retina's were still Attached

[marks]

Agree; 'rawness' good word. I think that's why I'm not particularly enamoured with GPSs. Also, I like responsive, lively bikes rather than armchairs. Couple of years ago we hired an R1150GS for a two-up tour in Aussie. There was a huge disconnect between the road & the rider, particularly from the front end - somewhat disconcerting. It felt more like an appliance than a bike.

you could argue that the klr is a smaller unresponsive armchair but it makes up for it by its 'modern bsa single' feel. Its honest low-techness appeals to me the way a 'fully featured' bigger bike never will

You need a Scrambler

I spent a great weekend in Nelson/Golden Bay on a Scrambler - what a magic bike - once some decent shocks have been fitted - BUT my klr is more versatile, has better weather protection and has a better ride so it wasn't to be. I secretly lust after a Thruxton - but I won't admit to that here

[gammaguy]

Rainbow coloured ones ....................

OK I may have sounded a bit harsh. I can easily see them as a trans-continent machine. But 4 hours or less on a bike in NZ and you can go ocean to ocean!

Probably irrelevant anyway - I'd be to anal to get it dirty if I owned one!

And those GS guys piss me off when I'm on my bike giving it some stick on the hills, me thinking I'm doing well, all huckered down over the tank, with sweat on my brow and some bugger on a 300kg trail bike passes me with his flip-face-helmet open sipping a cup of coffee held in his left hand I mean really - they don't even wave!

erm----please explain how one waves with one hand,whiile simultaneously holding a cup of coffee in the other AND piloting an oversized trail bike past some hapless tarmac dwelling japinlinefour??

answers on a postcard please .......

[Big Dave]

I consider the GS, Super10 etc to be too lardy & complicated for adventure riding but..

...it really depends on who is riding it.

I would happily do the Capital coast on one with TKCs fitted. To me it isn''t a big bike.

[That looks like fun]

erm----please explain how one waves with one hand,whiile simultaneously holding a cup of coffee in the other AND piloting an oversized trail bike past some hapless tarmac dwelling japinlinefour??

answers on a postcard please .......

Balls biguns