Rode a 2008 1200gs Adv an hour ago at work - very impressed

mitt · April 14, 2009, 12:55:14 PM

First, at 5'10", I was nervous I couldn't touch ground on such a tall bike, but even with flat casual shoes, I was able to stand the bike up off the side stand pretty easy and touch almost flat with both feet.

The low speed maneuverability was amazing for such a big tall bike. I have rode a Vstrom 650 and a bmw gs 650, and they were less stable and more top heavy at parking lot speeds in my opinion. The 1200gsa felt very stable and confident.

The engine has a nice feel as well, with enough grunt to get going, and able to spin up with a nice sound and pace.

Not enough time to really test the suspension & brakes, but at 40mph and less, it felt pretty good, and soaked up bumps and entrance curbs with very little transmitted to the rider.

The controls and wind protection were very nice as well. I could see this bike as a great everyday transportation, and is probably worth the 19k price tag, although that is still hard to swallow for a bike.

mitt

herm · April 14, 2009, 01:56:47 PM

i am also a fan...i could see myself taking some long trips on one.

just need to have my work buy me one....

Popeye the Sailor · April 14, 2009, 04:42:51 PM

It's not news but....love those bikes. Want one. Very well made.

DoubleEagle · April 14, 2009, 05:03:59 PM

Quote from: littlewiseass on April 14, 2009, 04:42:51 PM
It's not news but....love those bikes. Want one. Very well made.

Would you settle for a K1300GT ? Dolph

Popeye the Sailor · April 14, 2009, 06:05:58 PM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on April 14, 2009, 05:03:59 PM
Would you settle for a K1300GT ? Dolph

Nah, but nice bike ya got there.

DoubleEagle · April 15, 2009, 09:35:24 AM

Quote from: littlewiseass on April 14, 2009, 06:05:58 PM
Nah, but nice bike ya got there.

Yea, two entirely different types of bikes .

I'd like to have an Adventure GS. It seems like there is so much bike for the $$$.

I've heard they don't do bad in the twisties. The one I looked at had a tire on it that looked not that unlike a road tire.

At my age I'm not much interested in going off road. Dolph

oldjackbob · April 15, 2009, 10:07:02 AM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on April 15, 2009, 09:35:24 AM
At my age I'm not much interested in going off road. Dolph

Funny, I was just thinking about that very bike this morning, and how I'm feeling drawn more and more to adventure-style trips lately ... but that may be because I've been a mountain biker for a number of years, and often find myself contemplating that type of riding with the added luxury of a motor.

derby · April 15, 2009, 10:19:27 AM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on April 15, 2009, 09:35:24 AM

I've heard they don't do bad in the twisties. The one I looked at had a tire on it that looked not that unlike a road tire.

i've seen a brit on an all-three-hardbags 1200gsa do some "defies physics" stuff on pch between carmel and cambria.

i'd say that bike is quite capable in the twisties.

mitt · April 15, 2009, 10:48:48 AM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on April 15, 2009, 09:35:24 AM
The one I looked at had a tire on it that looked not that unlike a road tire.

The one I rode had a 'dual sport' tire, more road than dirt. I think they come with either that or knobies as you wish.

mitt

redial · April 15, 2009, 10:49:32 AM

BMWs rock, i would definitely consider a GS as a second bike. take it everywhere id be afraid to mess up the ducati

sbrguy · April 15, 2009, 11:50:05 AM

if you get the regualr 1200gs it comes with less agressive tires on it more like street tires on it.

also i would venture to guess that its abilities in the twisties is not limited so much by the bike as by the tire choices and the rider ability.

mitt · April 15, 2009, 12:03:20 PM

Quote from: sbrguy on April 15, 2009, 11:50:05 AM
if you get the regualr 1200gs it comes with less agressive tires on it more like street tires on it.

The adventure can also come with either tire for no additional cost.

sbrguy · April 15, 2009, 02:32:29 PM

Quote from: mitt on April 15, 2009, 12:03:20 PM
The adventure can also come with either tire for no additional cost.

yeah but at that point why get the adventure model? a fully loaded normal gs has basically everything the adventure does save for the slightly higher suspension i think? correct me if i'm wrong.

Randy@StradaFab · April 15, 2009, 03:53:35 PM

I rode a GS about a month ago. Very surprised! Too tall for me though. I was going to trade the Multi for an R1200RT until I rode one. Nice bike but it didn't really thrill me. Then I rode a K1200GT. Wow! Fit perfect, rides like a Cadillac, and has 152hp. The Multi is now for sale.

superjohn · April 15, 2009, 06:20:59 PM

Quote from: sbrguy on April 15, 2009, 02:32:29 PM
yeah but at that point why get the adventure model? a fully loaded normal gs has basically everything the adventure does save for the slightly higher suspension i think? correct me if i'm wrong.

The GSA also has lots of the optional crash protection from the GS as well as 3-4 more gallons of fuel capacity.

I rode an RT a while back and loved it for a touring bike. I'd definitely like a BMW.

News:

Rode a 2008 1200gs Adv an hour ago at work - very impressed