BMW Test-Ride Report

DUX · 06-19-2005, 11:20 AM

I went to a BMW open house yesterday. Great people and nice dealership.

For a long time, I've been drooling over the 1200GS and was excited to get a chance to ride one. The advertising had worked on me, and this bike was in contention for my next purchase. When I first got on the bike, I thought "no way is this thing going to be any good on the street." To my surprise, as we got through a few turns I got more and more comfortable and was leaning much farther than I thought I would. It is heavy and tall however. If I used it for any type of off-road, I have no doubt I would eventually try to come to a stop somewhere off-camber and drop it. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the image I'd built up for it over the past few months. I would be much happier with a nice sport-tourer and a DRZ 400s for about the same price.

I also rode the 1200RT. Again, a nice bike but overall it was uninspired. Like the 1200GS, the Boxer engine left me cold. It just felt like old technology.

My favorite ride of the day was the K1200 S, BMW's new inline four sport-bike. I loved it, but probably for reasons many in here would hate it lol. The bike felt much heavier and stable than my 954, something I'm coming to prefer for street riding. I had never ridden a BMW before, and this is the one that felt like what I had expected. We had a 5-series years ago, and every time you closed the door you felt like you were securing yourself inside a tank. The bike was like that, it just felt solid and smooth. Plenty of power and it sounded mean with the aftermarket can they had on it. Cool gizmos included ABS, heated grips, single-sided swing arm, shaft drive, nice cockpit, great riding position (although I'd still want risers), and a push-button on the bars that allowed you to choose between soft, normal, and sport riding suspensions on the fly! They say that this bike is aimed to compete with the Blackbird and the Busa. If it was with even few thousand of their price range, I'd be seriously considering one. As it was, the bike was over $18k before you added the cool expandable touring bags.

For those of you who do buy one, I am jealous.

The more I look, the more I think the FJR 1300 is in my future.

ConqSoft · 06-19-2005, 11:22 AM

Just call me Chain Jr......

DUX · 06-19-2005, 11:24 AM

DUX · 03-31-2006, 8:59 PM

I got a chance to ride the 1200GS Adventure today. One year and two sport-bikes after my first ride on the 1200GS, I'm really starting to appreciate what this bike is all about. It was uncomfortably tall when I first got on but as soon as I started to roll the bike felt light, powerful, and responsive.

This time the test ride took place in Maryland and I got to put the bike through some twisties. I could easily be as fast on the street on this thing as I am with my RC, especially considering that I never push the limits on the road. The comfort factor was huge and I can already think of dozens of new roads (paved and dirt) near my house to explore that I just couldn't tolerate with the RC suspension.

Mojave954 · 03-31-2006, 9:08 PM

And the re-birth of CHAIN....

Seriously. Nice write ups. Was thinking about those bikes and it is nice to get a real riders review.

Think I will stick with what I have for now.

G-Force Junkie · 03-31-2006, 9:21 PM

Have you ridden an 1150GS Adventurer? Different than the 1200's, and they will be cheap here real soon as people tradeup to the 1200ADV.

DUX · 03-31-2006, 9:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojave954

And the re-birth of CHAIN....

I don't think I have the disposable income that CHAIN went through lol. If I could afford to keep the RC and get a GS I definitely would do it.

Right now I want a bike that I can ride long distances in rain or shine, on or mild off-road, and all year round to work. The GS just seems to fit that perfectly.

However, even if I sell the RC I'll have to wait until at least this winter to order the GS.

DUX · 03-31-2006, 9:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Force Junkie

Have you ridden an 1150GS Adventurer? Different than the 1200's, and they will be cheap here real soon as people tradeup to the 1200ADV.

Can't find a test-ride on one. I think they look much cooler than the 1200's, but the lighter weight and more power of the new bikes is appealing to me.

The shop had two in stock today, one with 23k and the other with 46k miles.

Pricing the 1200's with options does result in some sticker shock, lol.

phobiaphobe · 04-01-2006, 10:30 AM

I love the K1200S. Once the second generation comes out and the major bugs are all fixed I'd like to buy one. The ESA is pretty cool and the airbox makes a wicked honk on full throttle.

Happy birthday BTW.

Mojave954 · 04-02-2006, 8:24 AM

KTM rider brought out his Avenger to CSS thought maybe he was going to ride it with us. It was all packed out too. Going fm Canda to Baja Mexico and back. Talk about a bike that will get you into trouble quick. So, need one.