The wait is over, I collected my GS ADV yesterday evening. I´ve already had a 740km day today and what a ride! This is my first BMW GS so I did have to get used to the bike but boy can it boogie! It isn´t a sports bike, that´s for sure, but it can hustle very well through the bends. The bike was ordered with everything except the inner pannier cases and passenger back rest. I´m quite impressed with it, that Akrapovic end can does have a very fruity note and the engine is loosening up quite nicely.
The brakes have excellent feel and are very strong! I just need to get used to that front end not giving much (any) feedback regarding road surface compared to a good set of Showa or Öhlins conventional telescopic forks.. I can see how the front end could tuck in and lead to a low side if one was pushing this beast a bit too much.
The damn thing is very top heavy especially with a full tank of gasoline, I have a low seat from one of the round the world BMW Spain bikes in gray and it helps matters but, I do have to keep the ESA preload on rider only to be able to nearly flat foot on both feet. Even with riding boots. Commuting is going to be a pain, I mean fun.
I really like the way this bike has been thought out. It is very simple to put onto it´s centre stand; the lights actually illuminate quite well; the brakes are strong and fade free.. with the ABS intelligent enough to know when I´m hooning around; the windscreen actually deflects wind; the heated grips heat well; all the electro-gizmos work and actually make a difference; the bike is fuel efficient; it looks very imposing.
I don´t like: the bike´s weight, the seat height.
Here are some pics (cellphone, hence the quality):
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/kurtlad/GS1200ADV/Image038.jpg)
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/kurtlad/GS1200ADV/Image037.jpg)
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/kurtlad/GS1200ADV/Image036.jpg)
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/kurtlad/GS1200ADV/Image035.jpg)
(http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii273/kurtlad/GS1200ADV/Image034.jpg)
nice call on the exhaust, post some more pics of that.
Did you really have to make the first 3 pics ass shots of the bike [laugh]
Looks like that rear pannier can hold enough beer for a weekend excursion - good call.
Quote from: factorPlayer on July 29, 2008, 06:21:47 PM
nice call on the exhaust, post some more pics of that.
Did you really have to make the first 3 pics ass shots of the bike [laugh]
Looks like that rear pannier can hold enough beer for a weekend excursion - good call.
Well.. I don´t know why they were ass shots actually, never mind. I´ll get some proper ones in maybe saturday when I go out with a real camera.
I got the side cases also, I took them off and left them at home. The bike is wide enough as it is, my wife is not happy with the bike taking up half the driveway with motorbike. The side cases are HUGE, the top case keeps drinks really cold (all aluminum). I took 2 bottles of ice cold water and a bottle of orange drink (also ice cold). After 4 hours riding at temperatures of 35ºC - 40ºC the drinks were still on the cooler side of tepid/normal. A bag of ice would keep things very nice, until the ice melts and the water starts sloshing around.
I've always liked the BMW GS ADV's. Some people think they're ugly - I think they're all about being functional. If ever there is a zombie apocalypse, that's the bike I'd be looking for! [clap]
Congrats Kurt! [thumbsup]
I rode a friend's 1200GS ADV last summer and it was surprisingly agile. I have to agree with you though - the seat height was pretty intimidating, even with the low seat fitted. My friend's also had a set of knobby tires that were nearly worn out after spending a week-long trip riding dirt roads through Newfoundland. Those tires gave almost no feel at all from the front end on the road but my buddy assured me that on gravel and dirt he was cruising well over 120 at times in total comfort. A few weeks later I rode a dealer demo with the stock street oriented tires and the bike rode really well.
I have more seat time on the standard 1200GS's which I love. However if I were doing a lot of long-haul stuff I'd spring for the ADV for the larger tank. Kudos on breaking her in with a +700km day. [clap]
Good defense strategy-it is bigger than a mini ;)
Congratulations dude! Glad you're back out on a bike, shame about the circumstances.
I really want a GSA, if I could convince my wife, I'd probably get one as my next bike.
[thumbsup]
Hey Kurt, glad to see you are healed up enough to take on a 700km ride. Nice bike . I had 3 BMWs before the Ducati love bug got me. Looks like a fun machine. I always look at them when I am at the Ducati Dealership since they sell both. I'm still into the speed end of the bike equation. I spent years in the woods when I was much younger, back in the late '70s. It was alot of fun. I feel down and got stuck in a lot of mud holes and bounced off alot of trees but it was great fun.
Take it easy . Dolph
Cool bike, amigo. [thumbsup] I've had my eye on one of these for awhile now.
A quick question - why did you choose the ADV over the standard GS?
Ok,,,,,, I liked that HP2,, when U had it. Even considered purchasing one(until I got quoted a ridicules price, & alvailability)
But,,, your no longer my hero,,,, :) Those Beemers just dont do it for me :( Thats a big bike. It must be comfy tho.
Quote from: roy-nexus-6 on July 29, 2008, 06:43:11 PM
I've always liked the BMW GS ADV's. Some people think they're ugly - I think they're all about being functional. If ever there is a zombie apocalypse, that's the bike I'd be looking for! [clap]
There´s one coming.. I´m ready ;D
Quote from: Markus on July 29, 2008, 07:43:01 PM
Congrats Kurt! [thumbsup]
I rode a friend's 1200GS ADV last summer and it was surprisingly agile. I have to agree with you though - the seat height was pretty intimidating, even with the low seat fitted. My friend's also had a set of knobby tires that were nearly worn out after spending a week-long trip riding dirt roads through Newfoundland. Those tires gave almost no feel at all from the front end on the road but my buddy assured me that on gravel and dirt he was cruising well over 120 at times in total comfort. A few weeks later I rode a dealer demo with the stock street oriented tires and the bike rode really well.
I have more seat time on the standard 1200GS's which I love. However if I were doing a lot of long-haul stuff I'd spring for the ADV for the larger tank. Kudos on breaking her in with a +700km day. [clap]
Thanks bro! I´m not sure I´m going to do any dirt riding with this behemoth yet. If I drop it, I´ll need around 4 friends to help pick the bugger up.
Quote from: someguy on July 29, 2008, 07:59:54 PM
Good defense strategy-it is bigger than a mini ;)
Damn right, you now know why I didn´t buy a R6 - if they can´t see me on this bike, they will hear me with the Akra can popping and crackling on the over run
Quote from: EvilSteve on July 29, 2008, 08:00:44 PM
Congratulations dude! Glad you're back out on a bike, shame about the circumstances.
I really want a GSA, if I could convince my wife, I'd probably get one as my next bike.
[thumbsup]
Take her for a ride on one, she will love it! I am really glad to be back on 2 wheels again. I´m celebrating with a track day this sunday.. well, I work with a track day organizer and help out with track newbies showing them racing lines etc. It will be an easy day on track, I´m getting goosebumps just thinking about it!
Quote from: DoubleEagle on July 29, 2008, 08:11:52 PM
Hey Kurt, glad to see you are healed up enough to take on a 700km ride. Nice bike . I had 3 BMWs before the Ducati love bug got me. Looks like a fun machine. I always look at them when I am at the Ducati Dealership since they sell both. I'm still into the speed end of the bike equation. I spent years in the woods when I was much younger, back in the late '70s. It was alot of fun. I feel down and got stuck in a lot of mud holes and bounced off alot of trees but it was great fun.
Take it easy . Dolph
Cheers Dolph, the BMW bug has bitten me with regards to practical transport. I´ll always have a Ducati for track use, I just can´t use a Testastretta engine on the road. It needs to breath and rev freely and the only place I can achieve Ducati nirvana is on a race track. Man that 700km was ride was only possible due to the most comfy bike on this planet. I´m not hurting today, I can still feel my butt so all is good.
Quote from: bluemoco v2.0 on July 29, 2008, 08:30:53 PM
Cool bike, amigo. [thumbsup] I've had my eye on one of these for awhile now.
A quick question - why did you choose the ADV over the standard GS?
The story is that my dealer (now a good friend) can´t provide me another HP2 Sport until later this year (earliest) or Jan 2009. So he sold me the GS Adventure at a very good price (14% discount on bike and 10% - 15% on extras and accessories) and I bought the bike with everything except 2 small extras which are the passenger backrest and the inner pannier bags. The idea being that when my HP2 arrives he buys back my Adventure and I buy the HP2 hopefully without either party losing money.
I chose the ADV as it´s just mean looking. With the cases and all it is just plain intimidating.. I´m still getting to grips with riding with other road users around me. Hopefully they can see and hear me now.
Quote from: JDS 07 S4Rs on July 29, 2008, 11:31:38 PM
Ok,,,,,, I liked that HP2,, when U had it. Even considered purchasing one(until I got quoted a ridicules price, & alvailability)
But,,, your no longer my hero,,,, :) Those Beemers just dont do it for me :( Thats a big bike. It must be comfy tho.
Ze next HP2 has been ordered jah. Just waiting for it, in the meantime I´m having waaay more fun with the GS. You´ve got to try one out, seriously.. but, a proper test ride for at least an hour.
They didn´t do it for me either but, once you´ve tried one you don´t want to ride anything else.
good luck with the GS NuTTs [moto] :)
Congrats on the new wheels, Kurt. [thumbsup]
Looks like fun!! [evil]
Yeah nutts new ride looks nice being that I live in a the city where there are zero dirt roads. Plus me liking the look of your new ride how practical would the bike be for a commuter and just hitting the tar slab up in the hills. Second question I have heard people complaining about the how easily the knobby tires wear on the streets. Does putty street tires on the bike change the ride and feel of the bike?
Thanks,
-Panthro
Sweeeeet bike, congrats!! [thumbsup]
Awesome bike man, is it new? I love that bike but like you stated the weight is really an issue and its what keeps me off one. I know you think its too much dirt and not enough street but I may try a test ride on the 800 and see how it fits me.
I did a DS ride with some local guys earlier this year in Death Valley. We did a 22 mile dirt road out of the park but the trail name escapes me. There was two of us on KLR's and one guy on a GS1200. I was expecting to smoke the guy on the dirt since my KLR is half the weight of his bike and I'm a fairly decent dirt rider at least on my CRF450. Anyway we hit the dirt and the guy on the GS takes off so fast I'm choking on his dirt. Long story short he waited for the two KLR's every 10 minutes or so but there was no way I could keep up, he was just tearing it up. I gained a lot of respect for what the GS1200 can do that day.
Again, great score and enjoy it.
Quote from: gnostic203 on July 30, 2008, 10:03:45 AM
Awesome bike man, is it new? I love that bike but like you stated the weight is really an issue and its what keeps me off one. I know you think its too much dirt and not enough street but I may try a test ride on the 800 and see how it fits me.
I did a DS ride with some local guys earlier this year in Death Valley. We did a 22 mile dirt road out of the park but the trail name escapes me. There was two of us on KLR's and one guy on a GS1200. I was expecting to smoke the guy on the dirt since my KLR is half the weight of his bike and I'm a fairly decent dirt rider at least on my CRF450. Anyway we hit the dirt and the guy on the GS takes off so fast I'm choking on his dirt. Long story short he waited for the two KLR's every 10 minutes or so but there was no way I could keep up, he was just tearing it up. I gained a lot of respect for what the GS1200 can do that day.
Again, great score and enjoy it.
Those bikes are terribly capable. It's kind of frightening. I expect good things from the 800, especially with the lighter weight and similar horsepower.
Ze next HP2 has been ordered jah. Just waiting for it, in the meantime I´m having waaay more fun with the GS. You´ve got to try one out, seriously.. but, a proper test ride for at least an hour.
They didn´t do it for me either but, once you´ve tried one you don´t want to ride anything else.
[/quote]
I have a image to uphold,,,,,,, [laugh] Maybe if it was all Black. Flat black.
Probably a fun bike tho,,,,dam. If my 1150R had more get up & go,,,,,,,,skip it,,, it still wouldnt be a Monster
Love the bike Nutts, congrats! A GS is definitely in my future, I love em. Too bad it's the way way future! Enjoy and be safe out there.
Quote from: gnostic203 on July 30, 2008, 10:03:45 AM
Awesome bike man, is it new? I love that bike but like you stated the weight is really an issue and its what keeps me off one. I know you think its too much dirt and not enough street but I may try a test ride on the 800 and see how it fits me.
Again, great score and enjoy it.
The 800GS is really really nice but it´s just as tall. It´s lighter and better in the dirt from what I gather. I did buy mine new on a multi opcion purchase, keeps my options open ;D
Quote from: DuCaTiNi on July 30, 2008, 03:58:01 AM
good luck with the GS NuTTs [moto] :)
Thank ya TiNi
Quote from: DesmoDiva on July 30, 2008, 04:06:18 AM
Gracias! I´ve got that Bee Gees tune "Staying Alive" playing in my head when I ride this bike. [laugh]
Congrats on the new wheels, Kurt. [thumbsup]
Looks like fun!! [evil]
Waaaaay too much fun!
Quote from: JDS 07 S4Rs on July 30, 2008, 11:01:14 AM
Ze next HP2 has been ordered jah. Just waiting for it, in the meantime I´m having waaay more fun with the GS. You´ve got to try one out, seriously.. but, a proper test ride for at least an hour.
They didn´t do it for me either but, once you´ve tried one you don´t want to ride anything else.
I have a image to uphold,,,,,,, [laugh] Maybe if it was all Black. Flat black.
Probably a fun bike tho,,,,dam. If my 1150R had more get up & go,,,,,,,,skip it,,, it still wouldnt be a Monster
Image schmimage.. it makes me feel like Arnie looking for Sarah Conner. I´m gonna Monsterize it for a couple of days: no screen, brushguards, luggage or metal structure, no pillion seat, no ghey front mudguard. Should look nice.
Go on, you´ve had a 1150R - it´s pretty much that same bike! I wear a dark visor just in case I´m spotted by a friend [cheeky]
Quote from: NvrSummer on July 30, 2008, 01:03:04 PM
Love the bike Nutts, congrats! A GS is definitely in my future, I love em. Too bad it's the way way future! Enjoy and be safe out there.
Cheers!
congrats nutts! great bike to hold you over until the HP2 comes in [moto]
i bought a new R1100GS in '94 which replaced the older carb'd R100GS. put a lot of miles on that bike for many years and i sold it about a year ago. never had any major problems either. i don't know why but the older i get the more sportier i want to ride.
i did get tired of how top heavy she was after awhile. kept the off-road tires on for a few years and eventually put street tires on for the last few years i had it. still fairly capable on the fire roads even with streets on but i stayed on the street more and more.
IMO, the GS's are the most versatile bikes out there. any road surface is devoured with grace and precision and excellent torque. they are big but perfect for long trips in any weather. they are quite indestructible for most applications. i miss my GS whenever i pass or see a dirt trail in the distance...
best of luck with it...who know's, you might end up with a GS and HP!
glad to know you're riding again. hope to see you in barcelona or madrid. i'd love to rent a GS while i'm there in Oct... [moto]
Quote from: hydra on July 30, 2008, 04:07:29 PM
congrats nutts! great bike to hold you over until the HP2 comes in [moto]
i bought a new R1100GS in '94 which replaced the older carb'd R100GS. put a lot of miles on that bike for many years and i sold it about a year ago. never had any major problems either. i don't know why but the older i get the more sportier i want to ride.
i did get tired of how top heavy she was after awhile. kept the off-road tires on for a few years and eventually put street tires on for the last few years i had it. still fairly capable on the fire roads even with streets on but i stayed on the street more and more.
IMO, the GS's are the most versatile bikes out there. any road surface is devoured with grace and precision and excellent torque. they are big but perfect for long trips in any weather. they are quite indestructible for most applications. i miss my GS whenever i pass or see a dirt trail in the distance...
best of luck with it...who know's, you might end up with a GS and HP!
glad to know you're riding again. hope to see you in barcelona or madrid. i'd love to rent a GS while i'm there in Oct... [moto]
Don´t forget to let me know the dates. I will be close to Barcelona in October for a couple of track days. And in Madrid I´ll show you around introduce you to the crazy biking fraternity we have here.
Any bike that comes with an exposed tubing frame and a cooler is a surefire winner [thumbsup]