The All New 2013 LIQUID COOLED R1200GS threadfest

[Marki_GSA]

Originally Posted by MANXMAN

I do understand why BMW have gone with the wider wheels & tires. More riders want better performance on pavement than on dirt and BMW wants to sell as many GSs as possible.

I'm in the minority because if I up-grade to the new GS, I want to keep at least as much off pavement performance as I have on my 09.

Maybe the GSA will retain the narrower tyres since its meant to be more off road. Probably not though.

[Deans BMW]

Originally Posted by JNRobert

Cug, did BMW have the F800GT there?

San Jose has one on the floor, 90 HP.

[KMC1]

Question,
Why would a narrow tire on a giant piggy like a GSA be better offroad? Wouldn't a wider/larger diameter tire provide better flotation?

[JNRobert]

Originally Posted by Deans BMW

San Jose has one on the floor, 90 HP.

A GT - really?

[Deans BMW]

Originally Posted by JNRobert

A GT - really?

Yes, suprised them as they had no idea it was arriving, it just showed up, Chris was suprised. They are selling all the scooters they can get, can't wait to try one out. Willie has been riding one over the hill to and from Scotts Valley every day, he loves it.

[Marki_GSA]

Originally Posted by KMC1

Question,
Why would a narrow tire on a giant piggy like a GSA be better offroad? Wouldn't a wider/larger diameter tire provide better flotation?

You don't want to float, you want to sink to where there is grip. Think of snow and big wide tyres or even a lot of water on the road where the wide tyres slide but the narrow tyres sink through and get grip. Depends on the surface of course but mud and stuff you don't want to sit on the top where there is no grip.

[KMC1]

Originally Posted by Marki_GSA

You don't want to float, you want to sink to where there is grip. Think of snow and big wide tyres or even a lot of water on the road where the wide tyres slide but the narrow tyres sink through and get grip. Depends on the surface of course but mud and stuff you don't want to sit on the top where there is no grip.

I just keep thinking of sand and having the front end of the GSA sinking in.

[Roadscum]

Originally Posted by Deans BMW

San Jose has one on the floor, 90 HP.

Is pricing available on the GT?

Regards, Paul

[JNRobert]

Originally Posted by Deans BMW

Yes, suprised them as they had no idea it was arriving, it just showed up, Chris was suprised. They are selling all the scooters they can get, can't wait to try one out. Willie has been riding one over the hill to and from Scotts Valley every day, he loves it.

I think we're talking a different bike - this GT?

[petzi-baer]

Originally Posted by cug

For us, the show was worth it. We were looking for a potential new bike for my wife and she had a chance to sit on everything that was even remotely interesting - even on the GS. She can pretty much flat foot it with her 5'7" and 32" inseam.

I think the GS looks better (less "sporky") in person, the windshield adjustment is pretty good, looks like it might give a fairly turbulence free ride, it felt fairly light, the seat was much better than on the older GS, felt more like the seat of the RT.

So, overall I really liked it. Will take a test ride when the demo bikes come in. Not sure whether it's for me. I got the R1200R bug again, which was also the most interesting bike for my wife.

But have to admit, compared to any of the European bike shows, the IMS is a freaking joke. Two very small exhibition halls barely filled. But at least most of the manufacturers were there, not many aftermarket guys though. Next time I plan my European vacation around Intermot or so.

I think the one in Long Beach is bigger. It shows KTM as one of the exhibitors. And I seem to have seen an announcement that Touratech will be there as well.

petzi-baer

[dmac57]

Originally Posted by Emoto

I think the problem with a California intro is that it is not exotic. IMHO, BMW likes to portray the GS as a bike to ride across the most remote corners of the globe, so it needs to be someplace that looks to be out of a National Geographic safari of some kind.

Exactly. If I were a betting man, I'd put some dollahs on it *not* being in California, unless they just have to due to time of year and temperature. I think the desert SW is more likely.

[Montauk]

Honestly I don't know what's the fuss about wider tires on the GS. 10mm = 0.39 inches, is that gonna make a life and death issue? Wouldn't you trust BMW engineers to gave one their all kinds of analysis on this? Especially when they sell out in 100s of thousands AND make tire manufacturers to make specific tire. I know if I had to designs something I will exhaust all available resources at my disposal and do all sort of analysis. So I don't think we ought to be concerned too much about the tires.

[Montauk]

Originally Posted by petzi-baer

I think the one in Long Beach is bigger. It shows KTM as one of the exhibitors. And I seem to have seen an announcement that Touratech will be there as well.

petzi-baer

Yes!

[Deans BMW]

Originally Posted by JNRobert

I think we're talking a different bike - this GT?

Don't know for sure. That is a great looking bike, WOW.

If I get to talk to Chris today, I'll post.

[khale]

Originally Posted by Beemerlover

Damn! Ya beat me to it. I was about to say almost those exact words.

Great minds think alike, I guess!

Some people enjoy riding the bike, and like the feel of it even if they don't get it dusty or muddy as much as they should. I ride mine like 10% off road, mainly because I have a smaller TE310 that I get plenty dirty and muddy. No need to jab at folks that are batting on the same team.