GS 1200 Fail

sound_guy · 03-02-2013, 06:30 AM

We did a fun group trail ride yesterday. One of the riders (you know the type with far too much confidence Vs ability) lost control of his bike on a downhill gravel section. He had the sence to bail out, the bike went over a 6 foot drop-off. It landed front wheel first and snapped both fork legs clear through along with quite a bit of other damage. He was OK but the bike is a near write off and only 6 months old. Hours were spent getting recovery sorted out as of course the bike was unrideable. I was shocked how fragile the machine is. Didn't take a photo as I thought that would be a bit insensitive. So I for one won't be considering one of these for serious adventure riding. I wonder if the new water cooled model is any stronger? Give me a set of conventional forks any-day! Anybody else had a show stopper with the big BMW?

MikeMike · 03-02-2013, 06:35 AM

Though I don't own a GS1200, I saw one the other day at the local independent shop that had t-boned a car at about 30mph and was surprised there was not more damage.
Personally, I think if you drop anything at speed, 6 feet on to rocky terrain, something is going to snap.
The first snap will likely be the shutter of a camera.

LaurelPerryOnLand · 03-02-2013, 06:45 AM

Yes...I do own a GS and never considered 'normal operating practice' to:

1. Drop over a 6 foot cliff,
2. T-bone a car at 30MPH

and still expect the bike to be rideable.

I believe what you're describing is spelled "T-A-N-K".

There a bit more $, as well. No BMW, IIRC, doesn't make any.

Craneguy · 03-02-2013, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMike

Though I don't own a GS1200, I saw one the other day at the local independent shop that had t-boned a car at about 30mph and was surprised there was not more damage.
Personally, I think if you drop anything at speed, 6 feet on to rocky terrain, something is going to snap.
The first snap will likely be the shutter of a camera.

Nah, the first snap is usually the femur!

mouthfulloflake · 03-02-2013, 06:50 AM

crazy that would never happen to a real dirt bike

LaurelPerryOnLand · 03-02-2013, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mouthfulloflake

crazy that would never happen to a real dirt bike

Talk about taking a 'nap'...these look like they're in a COMA

Hope you're NOT the owner of these beauts.

mb90535im · 03-02-2013, 07:00 AM

I'll never forget back when I was still a young stupid adult, a buddy of mine and I borrowed his father-in-law's VW engine rail buggy.

My friends decides to take a jump off a sheer 4' drop at around 60 MPH.

All I can say is thank God we were wearing helmets. Both seats ripped completely away from the floor board, my buddy broke his collar bone on the roll cage, and my tailbone was sore for weeks. Damn wonder it didn't kill us both.

500 lb. GS off a 6' drop, I don't think so.

dieselpete · 03-02-2013, 07:17 AM

Sounds like he forgot to engage the "levitation control"!

Yes, it's a BMW, but its still a heavy chunk of metal!

GS Addict · 03-02-2013, 07:51 AM

Can't resist......."They all do that!"

milo · 03-02-2013, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselpete

Yes, it's a BMW, but its still a heavy chunk of metal!

And a $18K one

. That's depressing, at least he's alright though. I hope he has full coverage insurance.
Essentially for the price some of us spend on luggage you can pick up a nice used 250-650cc dual sport to play around on trails.

mcstark · 03-02-2013, 08:02 AM

Did he not disengage the ABS?

y2blade · 03-02-2013, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaurelPerryOnLand

Yes...I do own a GS and never considered 'normal operating practice' to:

1. Drop over a 6 foot cliff,
2. T-bone a car at 30MPH

and still expect the bike to be rideable.

I believe what you're describing is spelled "T-A-N-K".

There a bit more $, as well. No BMW, IIRC, doesn't make any.

lol

srpuywa · 03-02-2013, 08:22 AM

I got to find the picture of my ST1300 when I T-boned a car at around 30-40, still looked new from the tank back, broke the steering head off of the engine

simmonsk133 · 03-02-2013, 09:46 AM

To the insurance comment: Will Comprehensive insurance aka Progressive cover this??? I was under the impression that off-road, you are on your own. That greatly limits my sense of adventure when on a $16K bike.

stevie88 · 03-02-2013, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sound_guy

We did a fun group trail ride yesterday. One of the riders (you know the type with far too much confidence Vs ability) lost control of his bike on a downhill gravel section. He had the sence to bail out, the bike went over a 6 foot drop-off. It landed front wheel first and snapped both fork legs clear through along with quite a bit of other damage. He was OK but the bike is a near write off and only 6 months old. Hours were spent getting recovery sorted out as of course the bike was unrideable. I was shocked how fragile the machine is. Didn't take a photo as I thought that would be a bit insensitive. So I for one won't be considering one of these for serious adventure riding. I wonder if the new water cooled model is any stronger? Give me a set of conventional forks any-day! Anybody else had a show stopper with the big BMW?

"They all do that".

03-02-2013, 06:30 AM	#1
sound_guy ^OP Back on a bike! Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Dubai Oddometer: 9	GS 1200 Fail We did a fun group trail ride yesterday. One of the riders (you know the type with far too much confidence Vs ability) lost control of his bike on a downhill gravel section. He had the sence to bail out, the bike went over a 6 foot drop-off. It landed front wheel first and snapped both fork legs clear through along with quite a bit of other damage. He was OK but the bike is a near write off and only 6 months old. Hours were spent getting recovery sorted out as of course the bike was unrideable. I was shocked how fragile the machine is. Didn't take a photo as I thought that would be a bit insensitive. So I for one won't be considering one of these for serious adventure riding. I wonder if the new water cooled model is any stronger? Give me a set of conventional forks any-day! Anybody else had a show stopper with the big BMW? __________________ Perhaps the only DRZ 400E/S in Dubai?

03-02-2013, 06:50 AM	#5
mouthfulloflake Not afraid Joined: Aug 2008 Location: N.W. Arkansas Oddometer: 11,241	crazy that would never happen to a real dirt bike __________________ "A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a ton of explanation." - H. H. Munro (Saki) (1870-1916)

03-02-2013, 07:00 AM	#7
mb90535im '05 R1200 GS Joined: Jun 2008 Location: NW GA Oddometer: 4,074	I'll never forget back when I was still a young stupid adult, a buddy of mine and I borrowed his father-in-law's VW engine rail buggy. My friends decides to take a jump off a sheer 4' drop at around 60 MPH. All I can say is thank God we were wearing helmets. Both seats ripped completely away from the floor board, my buddy broke his collar bone on the roll cage, and my tailbone was sore for weeks. Damn wonder it didn't kill us both. 500 lb. GS off a 6' drop, I don't think so. __________________ "Dang man I'm impressed." - Willy-B "Are you OK? ... Are you sure you're OK?" - Honcho "Disturbing and funny, all at the same time." - MrTwisty

03-02-2013, 07:51 AM	#9
GS Addict Pepperfool Joined: Sep 2006 Location: British Columbia Oddometer: 2,574	Can't resist......."They all do that!" __________________ Old enough to know better.... Young enough to try it again

03-02-2013, 08:02 AM	#11
mcstark Oilhead convert Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Bflo, NY Oddometer: 930	Did he not disengage the ABS? __________________ Regards, Mark 2003 BMW R1150GS

03-02-2013, 06:35 AM	#2
MikeMike Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: South east Mexico Oddometer: 2,403	Though I don't own a GS1200, I saw one the other day at the local independent shop that had t-boned a car at about 30mph and was surprised there was not more damage. Personally, I think if you drop anything at speed, 6 feet on to rocky terrain, something is going to snap. The first snap will likely be the shutter of a camera.

03-02-2013, 06:45 AM	#3
LaurelPerryOnLand Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 2,429	Yes...I do own a GS and never considered 'normal operating practice' to: 1. Drop over a 6 foot cliff, 2. T-bone a car at 30MPH and still expect the bike to be rideable. I believe what you're describing is spelled "T-A-N-K". There a bit more $, as well. No BMW, IIRC, doesn't make any.

03-02-2013, 07:17 AM	#8
dieselpete Adventurer Joined: Apr 2012 Location: Rockyview County Oddometer: 68	Sounds like he forgot to engage the "levitation control"! Yes, it's a BMW, but its still a heavy chunk of metal!

03-02-2013, 08:22 AM	#13
srpuywa Big 'G' Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Puget Sound, WA Oddometer: 363	I got to find the picture of my ST1300 when I T-boned a car at around 30-40, still looked new from the tank back, broke the steering head off of the engine __________________ IBA 53683 09 R1200 GS ADV

03-02-2013, 09:46 AM	#14
simmonsk133 Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Oddometer: 63	To the insurance comment: Will Comprehensive insurance aka Progressive cover this??? I was under the impression that off-road, you are on your own. That greatly limits my sense of adventure when on a $16K bike.

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