This weekend while having my Tiger 800XC serviced I had chance to take a couple of new bikes out on demo, the first being a Tiger Sport which was a nice ride and felt just like a more roomy version of my previous Speed Triple. Liked it but the looks don't do much for me and the ergonomics of my Tiger 800XC just fit me better. About a year ago I tried out the Explorer 1200 and quite liked it but simply found it too large and the switch gear not that impressive so this time I thought I would try what the completion are offering, a bike I have resisted test riding for years simply because of the image they portray and how common they are. A BMW GS water cooled Wow what a machine, unexpectedly powerful, low down grunt, great handling and overall very impressive to ride. Yes it has a few quirks, the way the front end does not dive under braking, the clunky gearbox but as an overall package I'm disappointed to report it is a very very good bike. The BMW showroom was packed when I was there and it looks like they are selling loads of these things; even at the price they are. Have to say I am very tempted to move when I come to change next, I know I will get plenty of flack for saying this but in my opinion it has the Explorer beat in just about every area.
I'm afraid I have to agree with you,BMW seem to be leaving Triumph way behind. Having followed a couple of GS's I was impressed,one was 2 up with full luggage and seemed to be effortless on any road. They are pricey but hold their value well. I'm trying to not buy k1300S
I would never own a modern BMW as the one I hired in New Zealand almost killed me due to brake failure. That is something I won't forget in a hurry. Also I test rode the BMW S1000rr and have to say it was the most bland and characterless bike I have ever ridden. BMW have a bad habit of testing new bikes out on the first people that buy them and there is still questions around Kevin Ash's death on the GS in South Africa. There is also the matter of the bikes that BMW had to put out a World Wide press release telling owners not to ride their bikes as they were deemed unsafe earlier this year. Also speaking to some sidecar racing guys this year they told me that they all used the Kawasaki engine due to the BMW transmission being bloody awful and my 1000 Daytona and my Sprint Sport although 20 years old have far better transmissions than anything that BMW put out at the moment. Still want to buy a BMW??
Yes there are still big questions over Kevin Ash's death, he was a great journalist and hope for his families sake that the total truth comes out. The RT problem was a shock component issue I believe and BMW gave all the affected owners new GS's to use while their bikes were fixed as a mate has just bought one with 2K on it from BMW which was used to cover the recall, you could argue BMW did a decent job of looking after the affected owners, and as for testing out their new bikes on new owners, I've owned a Ducati and know all about that! I can only comment on the one BMW I've ridden and I personally think they have nailed it with the GS, kept the weird boxer engine but made it more powerful and the switch gear operates and feels like quality items. No idea how reliable it is but as three riding mates have all switched to this bike I will soon have a good idea. A good rider on one of these GS's would keep up with a sportsbike and still carry a heap of luggage. Do I still want to buy one???? I'm still very happy with the Tiger 800, comfy, reliable looks good so no plans to change yet but unless Triumph bring out something better/updated in the adventure bike class I would be daft to rule out a GS Please don't bar me Steve, I do like Triumphs really
Sorry mate didn't mean to come on all anti BMW, but a 2000 GS just about killed me in New Zealand due to brake failure and that is something that sticks in your mind for a while. Don't really see the point in a Boxer engine and it sounds like they are going to build a multistrada type bike but based on the S1000r engine. The other thing I would say is good god they are ugly bikes. Makes me wonder if they do this to show that Germans actually have a sense of humour:wink:
Its not a great looker that is for sure, and I can understand your feelings after the brake incident, sold the Multistrada when an electrical gremlin cut the bike then cut back in at full power just as I engaged 1st.......just saved it from flipping and chopped it for a Triumph the following weekend.
I had an 1150 GS for 11 years from 2000 to 2011 when I bought a Tiger 1050. The GS was without doubt the best bike I've ever owned and still rather regret getting rid of it. Perhaps I was lucky but in 60,000 miles I never had a major problem. I have to say I'm less than impressed with the new GSs and although I was offered good deal on my old one I thought the Tiger was a better bike. I was wrong but that's life innit? I was always more of cruiser man anyway and reckon my America is the best bike for what I need now and hope the rumours of a 1000cc America are true.
I had an RT for two years and have ridden many GS 1200 bikes. Both are comfy mile munchers and handle fairly well. Both have rubbish engines where you have to constantly change gear to get any progress made. As if the engine is not bad enough the gearbox is dire. You have been warned The Explorer is many times the better bike
No, no. No you do not replace a Bonnie you buy another as garage mate A Bonnie is for life.........my wife or my Bonnie.......close call (dont tell her I said that)
But have you ridden the new liquid cooled GS? It looks similar to the old bike with it's cylinder heads sticking out the sides but it is all new. While I was at the dealer a guy was picking his new bike up and his trade in was an Explorer and I'm not saying the Explorer is a bad bike, far from it.
Evening All, Hopefully an Explorer is better than a GS, as I'm just about to change my KTM 990A for an Explorer! Many reasons for picking a Triumph over a GS, some are as follows. Explorer - big, heavy, comfy, sounds good even through ear plugs and British (sort of anyway). BMW GS - big, heavy, ugly, common as muck, and always sound like a wet f*rt under a duvet on a Sunday morning. I spent 3 weeks riding one around South Africa on a tour a couple of years ago and whilst very efficient and at no time did it move the soul! :frown:Came home and bought the KTM - fun, different, almost unique (450+ bikes in my club, and I've got the only KTM. At least 20 GS's!) Now it's time for something a little different but still Gentlemanly! Hopefully the Explorer will fit the bill. If not, no doubt I'll get it in the neck from the Missus for making the wrong choice - again….:redface:
BMW's... ahh the mystery... The mystery being how something that seems so well put together can have such odd reliability issues. I found ownership (of several) a mixed experience, although the K1300GT is still the best all round tourer I've ever ridden and I'd have another one like a shot - which I can't say for its replacement the K1600. Of course no bike is immune from problems, but as Steve F says, BMW do seem to test their products on their customers... loads of niggles, especially on a new model, all put right under warranty, following which the offending part is redesigned on the next year's model. Then, when the bike has really been sorted, they ditch it and bring out a new bike entirely. When working well, the engineering is brilliant (like the duo-lever front or para-lever rear) but often there are silly issues due to poor quality (peeling rear shaft anyone?) or badly designed parts. Then there's the habit of being different for the sake of it (like the front indicator switches). I never quite got over how mixed the experience was, although saying that I guess I did as I would buy another one. We reviewed the Explorer a while back and it was a stonker of a bike. Not so seriously off-roady capable as the GS, but what a great engine! Loads of fun, loads more go in it, better gearbox..... And it looks good too. True it sounds like a bag of nails in a cement mixer, but no-one's perfect.:biggrin: But love 'em all I say - we're so lucky to have such a choice - bikes are way better than they used to be in the bad old days.:wink: I confess, I'm a bike tart. See a new one and I'm always eying it up... HH
I know what you mean about the Beamer 1300 GT. Whilst never owning one I have ridden one a couple of times, a great bike.
Yes its lovely; fast, good handling and brakes, smooth ride, 50 mpg and 5 gallon tank... electric screen... Happy days. Here's the review we did of it: BMW K1200GT, K1300GT Motorcycle Review and Test - Big Bike Mad There are a few videos associated with that link too. HH
BMW's are alright I suppose. It's just that when I have ridden them in the past (including the S1000rr) they just seem to lack any real personality. I think apart from maybe the older bikes the R80's ect the only modern one that sort of interests me is the K1600 GT as that straight 6 engine does make a great noise. I think I will stick to my Triumph Triples and my Daytona and a Super III when I get the chance.
