Rode the new GS1200

[Zombie Master]

I took one out for a test ride for about an hour and a half.

I have a test route with a lot of rough road and gravel.

I was impressed with the suspension and power mode selelctions.

I was able to travel quickly on very rough roads with the suspension dealing with the road surface.

Mostly I kept the bike in Dynamic (full power) and Soft on the suspension, though I did try all the settings.

The bike is very comfortable and the expandable hard bags were not noticeable when riding.

The engine is very powerful in a brutish kind of way but that engine is a bit rough. It could use some more flywheel IMO. I was expecting it to be more sophisticated in feel, given the price of the bike. The Ducati Mutistrada had a more enjoyable engine though I don't think it would be as easy to own as the Beemer.

For long trips I think the GS would be a great machine. It's a very large machine for a daily rider, at least for where I live.

I wish it were lighter.

If I buy one I will order the 2014 model. And get that first year production out of the way.

[Steve in Golden]

A GS1200 eh? Looking to replace the Bandit with another Shitzuki?



Yeah yeah I know you are talking about the new wasserboxer but I couldn't resist.

I hope the starter doesn't go out, apparently if it does a new engine might be necessary to fix it. I guess if one buys one of these, one will then be buying one every 3 years to keep the warranty coverage going. Can you imagine the expense of a new engine if out of warranty and your starter craps out?

[Major Softie]

Steve, have you read that string? No one needs a new engine because their starter dies. That is a complete misrepresentation of what occurred.

The problem was not a dead starter, and the only reason a new engine was provided under warranty was because BMW has not yet trained their dealer mechanics on assembly/disassembly of the new engine. There is no part of this scenario that requires a new engine for a dead starter.

[Steve in Golden]

Yeah I've read most of it. Just trying to be a bit humorous - I guess I failed.

[Major Softie]

Oh.

Ha Ha.

[Steve in Golden]

OK it wasn't funny, sorry. I'll try to make more liberal use of smilies in the future when I am failing at being funny.

On the topic at hand, if I had bought a brand new 20,000 dollar motorcycle and after only 200 miles it required a new engine, I would not be happy. I think ZM is wise to wait for the next model year before buying one.

[Zombie Master]

Steve, have you read that string? No one needs a new engine because their starter dies. That is a complete misrepresentation of what occurred.

The problem was not a dead starter, and the only reason a new engine was provided under warranty was because BMW has not yet trained their dealer mechanics on assembly/disassembly of the new engine. There is no part of this scenario that requires a new engine for a dead starter.

A friend of mine just bought an old K1200 BMW and while the starter spins the engagement mechanism has failed. This requires a major disassembly of the engine. The value bike would not be worth the effort.

Also, on the new GS1200 I see the generator is internal, boiled in oil again. I find that disappointing.

[Zombie Master]

A GS1200 eh? Looking to replace the Bandit with another Shitzuki?



Yeah yeah I know you are talking about the new wasserboxer but I couldn't resist.

I hope the starter doesn't go out, apparently if it does a new engine might be necessary to fix it. I guess if one buys one of these, one will then be buying one every 3 years to keep the warranty coverage going. Can you imagine the expense of a new engine if out of warranty and your starter craps out?

Wow I already own a GS1200. Thanx for the new bike

[Steve in Golden]

On Saturday I took a little cruise around town on the GS to run some errands, get some raingear, etc. The hot young babe at the motorcycle store on S. Broadway said they didn't have a Haines service manual for the GS, try Foothills BMW. So I rode there and what did I see sitting outside?

You guessed it, a 2013 R1200GS WC. Blue, demo model, for sale for $17.5 K or something, available for test rides. It definitely looks better in person than in the photos I've seen - it looked very good and I said so. They like me, because I bought my new GS from them last August. I've spent tons of money there. They said I should take it for a spin. So I did.

It was pretty dang fun to ride. In fact it was a blast. Tons of power, more than a GS should have, really, if you are planning on doing any off road. But apparently it has different power modes and one of them is "enduro" which has a reduced power profile. But it seems with this bike BMW is kind of getting away from the off road paradigm, it seems more of a street oriented bike than the prior GS's. Mag wheels for one thing. Then there's the $20,000 price for a new one. Who is going to take a 20,000 dollar motorcycle off road? It might get a scratch in the paint. Some of that whiz-bang high tech electronic wizardry might break if you drop it. I guess the same could be said of my GS though, but this one is even more technologically complicated. Computer-controlled everything, even the suspension. One has to have a computer science degree to ride this motorcycle.

Impressions: popping it into first in the way I am accustomed to (from neutral, pull clutch and immediately shift into first) was rather abrupt. I guess with the wet clutch if might be better to wait a half second or so before shifting to first? The shift lever looks the same length as on my GS but for some reason I was having a hard time finding it with my boot, it seemed too short. It seemed to surge a little bit and the throttle was a bit snatchy. The turn signals have been changed, you now use them the same a many Japanese machines - a switch on the left grip controls the signals. Several times I found myself hitting the starter button when trying to cancel the turn signals since I am used to the prior way as on my GS. Luckily the starter must be wired to not kick over when the engine is already running or bike is in gear, clutch engaged.

So it was very fun to ride, and had lots more power than the prior GS's. But it still felt good to be back on my '12 GS afterwards. If I was going to buy one of the new WC bikes it would be after it's been out for a few years. Let others be the beta testers for the first generation bikes.

[Deleted User 287]

Yeah, with all that electronics on it, it had better NOT engage the starter if it's already running!