My first test ride on a BMW 1200GS.

[Dirtbiker]

Yes, the other day, I rode my '11 V-strom 650 into town. Man, was it was cold. Well anyway, I decided on visiting the local BMW shop just to check out the BMW 700GS, along with everything else they had in stock.

The salesman was really nice, and offered to allow me to test ride a 2010 GS1200 I mentioned I've been riding since May, just to be fair. The salesman was okay with it. I only rode it around the block, but still. To ride the GS was a dream, and a blessing to me.

I found the 1200's controls so smooth in operation, just what I would want in a $15,000 motorcycle. Now, I noticed there was more vibration with the twinboxer, which I didn't care for. But once underway, everything was just fine. The GS1200 was my dream bike.

Now, after the ride. I got back on the V-strom 650, I found it to being much smoother. And easy to handle. I never test rode a bigger bike, that GS1200 was my first. Well, I have nothing really bad to say about either bike, of course, those of you with years of riding different bikes, might offer a different opinion.

I can say this, having riden the GS1200, it's a little more out of my system. So I can wait, and I do have a real appreciation for my V-Strom 650. Great machines.

[biodieselandon]

Go test ride a 2013 F800GS. You will not in any way be disappointed.

[Loutre]

Originally Posted by biodieselandon

Go test ride a 2013 F800GS. You will not in any way be disappointed.

Way to safe this thread from being moved Well done

[FredRydr]

Originally Posted by biodieselandon

Go test ride a 2013 F800GS. You will not in any way be disappointed.

Bio,

You test rode one already? Where?

Fred

[Loutre]

Originally Posted by FredRydr

Bio,

You test rode one already? Where?

Fred

They are out since september 2012? I think every dealer had at least one since then

[FredRydr]

Originally Posted by Loutre

They are out since september 2012? I think every dealer had at least one since then

I had no idea! I misunderstood the BMW corporate rep at the D.C. show, and came away with the impression they would be available this winter. In fact, he said the price wasn't announced yet, that he predicted it would be the same as last year's price, and that the LED light would be an expensive option. But WhyTF would I hear that, instead of that the bike had already been out for half a year and the price is XYZ? Weird.

What were they exhibiting?

Fred

[4TooMany]

Originally Posted by FredRydr

I had no idea! I misunderstood the BMW corporate rep at the D.C. show, and came away with the impression they would be available this winter. In fact, he said the price wasn't announced yet, that he predicted it would be the same as last year's price, and that the LED light would be an expensive option. But WhyTF would I hear that, instead of that the bike had already been out for half a year and the price is XYZ? Weird.

What were they exhibiting?

Fred

The BMW rep was probably talking about the new 1200, not the 800.

[biodieselandon]

Originally Posted by FredRydr

Bio,

You test rode one already? Where?

Fred

I own one

[Loutre]

Originally Posted by biodieselandon

I own one

Ah... These tires... I always have the impression that they forgot to make a proper design for them and at the end they just took a knife and scratched some lines in them like an artist

[biodieselandon]

Originally Posted by Loutre

Ah... These tires... I always have the impression that they forgot to make a proper design for them and at the end they just took a knife and scratched some lines in them like an artist

Yeah they weren't very fun in the sand. Having my shop put TKCs on it this month. My dad only got 4000 miles out of the rear on his Multistrada so I don't really know what they are good for. Street performance I suppose.

[4TooMany]

So you own a V-Strom, but you test rode a 1200GS and posted about it in the 800/700/650 forum. What am I missing?

[Dirtbiker]

Originally Posted by 4TooMany

So you own a V-Strom, but you test rode a 1200GS and posted about it in the 800/700/650 forum. What am I missing?

My bad, I was to excited aobut the experience. The 1200GS, is a dream bike. The Strom my first street bike. I posted before thinking where I was posting, but I was excited.

[ebrabaek]

[biodieselandon]

Now I am confused. I sure wish I could test ride the new R1200GS. I don't know what I am going to do when I see one at my dealer, probably keep telling myself I would rather have my F8... Even though that would be a lie. I guess the price tag helps too.

[EddieMac]

Originally Posted by Dirtbiker

Yes, the other day, I rode my '11 V-strom 650 into town. Man, was it was cold. Well anyway, I decided on visiting the local BMW shop just to check out the BMW 700GS, along with everything else they had in stock.

The salesman was really nice, and offered to allow me to test ride a 2010 GS1200 I mentioned I've been riding since May, just to be fair. The salesman was okay with it. I only rode it around the block, but still. To ride the GS was a dream, and a blessing to me.

I found the 1200's controls so smooth in operation, just what I would want in a $15,000 motorcycle. Now, I noticed there was more vibration with the twinboxer, which I didn't care for. But once underway, everything was just fine. The GS1200 was my dream bike.

Now, after the ride. I got back on the V-strom 650, I found it to being much smoother. And easy to handle. I never test rode a bigger bike, that GS1200 was my first. Well, I have nothing really bad to say about either bike, of course, those of you with years of riding different bikes, might offer a different opinion.

I can say this, having riden the GS1200, it's a little more out of my system. So I can wait, and I do have a real appreciation for my V-Strom 650. Great machines.

The 1200gs needs to warm up for about a minute on a cold day before it gets smooth.