Can anyone confirm my experience with an R vs. GS?

[dedmo]

I have had an '03 K1200RS for 4 years now and while it is an awesome bike in many ways (fast, silky smooth, etc.) I don't find myself riding it as much as I used to ride when I had a R1150R. Thought I would check out the latest R bikes and test rode the R1200R and the GS today. Only had about 15 minutes on each and wondered if anyone can confirm or expand on my observations.
Both bikes still have the buzz and vibration that was one of the few things that bothered me on the old R but it seems to be only as noticeable at idle and low RPM's. The mirrors are mostly useable on the new 1200's
Both bikes had the low seat and seemed that my feet were just short of flat footed on both (I am only a 29inch inseam) which surprised me as I assumed the GS would be much taller. Even so my legs were more comfortable on the (lower?) GS pegs.
The reach to the bars was very similar although the GS may have been a tad closer, which again surprised me as it looks like a much larger bike.
The GS felt a little bit top heavy compared to the R but both were amazingly lite and easy to handle.
The GS engine seemed considerably louder. This may have been because the windscreen was in the full up position and I was getting almost no wind noise while the R had the sport screen which was OK but with a fair amount buffeting.
The GS seemed more stable at highway speeds.
The R seemed to respond better in the curves (the GS was just a bit vague) but both were a blast on the few curves I found.
The R seemed to accelerate slightly better from a stop, didn't notice any difference once past 1st or 2nd gear.
The R's transmission seemed smoother and quieter.

I am thinking of trading the KRS for one of these as a more "basic" bike, for want of a better word, might be more useable on a day to day basis.

Any of your thoughts would be much appreciated.

[dedmo]

Not sure but maybe I should have posted this in the R1200R sub forum?

[GJBushman]

Of the new R1200's I have only ever ridden the RT. I do currently own a 2003 K1200RS and a 2003 R1150R. You've owned the K12 for 4 years, why are you unhappy with it? Not suited to your type of riding? I've also owned a R1150GS and I did not find it suited to my riding style. My only comment regarding your choices is that make sure you decide on what type of riding you will do. Each of these bikes will do one style better than the other. Think about it long and hard and then walk away and keep the K12. If you want smooth than stay on the dark side!

[dedmo]

I use to hop on the RR for lots of short trips around town which I seem to rarely do with the KRS. The last long trip on the K bike I also noticed my knees were really uncomfortable after a couple of hours despite stopping to stretch. Maybe approaching 50 years thats what happens. Not sure I want to lose the K but I also don't feel the need to do 120 mph anymore (and I did that once on the R1150R anyway). Maybe a more "versatile" (and comfortable?) bike would spend less time in the garage.

[mcooperstein]

dedmo my friend... Since this thread is also pertinent to the R1200R section, I am going to 'move' it, and leave a 'shadow' in the R1150R forum. That way it will appear in both sections, and you'll get more bang for your buck!!

Regards,
Mark
--------------------------
member #3

[dedmo]

Thanks

[curibeu]

Same happend to me today, i´m confused also.....
I tried both and was amazed.... GS feels heavier cornering than r, but more stable at the same time...
r1200r seems more versatile than gs 1200 to me... also i felt more confidence riding the r, i am also in the short inseam side, so thats why i found the r more enjoyable to ride, and at low speed handling felt better with r....
plaese guys post your opinions on this topic, i really dont know what to buy yet, altough i{m a little bit biased toward the r1200r.

[deilenberger]

I have had an '03 K1200RS for 4 years now and while it is an awesome bike in many ways (fast, silky smooth, etc.) I don't find myself riding it as much as I used to ride when I had a R1150R. Thought I would check out the latest R bikes and test rode the R1200R and the GS today. Only had about 15 minutes on each and wondered if anyone can confirm or expand on my observations.

I'll note I haven't ridden a GS - but friends have ridden both, and I'll note what they said.

Both bikes still have the buzz and vibration that was one of the few things that bothered me on the old R but it seems to be only as noticeable at idle and low RPM's. The mirrors are mostly useable on the new 1200's

The buzz is MUCH less than the '04 R1150RS I traded in to get the R1200R for. The counterbalancer is the reason. While there might be some noticeable at idle when the bike is cold - it pretty much goes away once warmed up. It reappears above 5,500 RPM or so - but since I never cruise at that RPM - it's a non-issue

Both bikes had the low seat and seemed that my feet were just short of flat footed on both (I am only a 29inch inseam) which surprised me as I assumed the GS would be much taller. Even so my legs were more comfortable on the (lower?) GS pegs.

Having a 27" inseam - there is a difference in the seated height. The GS is taller. The lower pegs are a clue there.. they're higher than the pegs on the R1200R, but the seat-foot distance is greater.

The reach to the bars was very similar although the GS may have been a tad closer, which again surprised me as it looks like a much larger bike.

As far as I can tell - it's very similar - an upright seating position for both.

The GS felt a little bit top heavy compared to the R but both were amazingly lite and easy to handle.

The GS being taller will feel more top heavy.

The GS engine seemed considerably louder. This may have been because the windscreen was in the full up position and I was getting almost no wind noise while the R had the sport screen which was OK but with a fair amount buffeting.

Can't see any reason for a difference in engine noise - I suspect the screen was reflecting noise towards you.

The GS seemed more stable at highway speeds.

Dunno. The R1200R is quite good at highway speeds - not bothered a lot by crosswinds or truck blast.

The R seemed to respond better in the curves (the GS was just a bit vague) but both were a blast on the few curves I found.

Lower COG..

The R seemed to accelerate slightly better from a stop, didn't notice any difference once past 1st or 2nd gear.

The R1200R has about 12 more HP than the GS

The R's transmission seemed smoother and quieter.

Same transmission - so again - probably the screen for noise, and then just a bike to bike difference.

I am thinking of trading the KRS for one of these as a more "basic" bike, for want of a better word, might be more useable on a day to day basis.

Any of your thoughts would be much appreciated.

I ride my Roadster all the time - day to day commuting, long trips, short trips, day trips.. about 8,500 miles since May. I still look forward to riding it, and am disappointed if a day goes by without riding it. A friend bought a GS about the same time - and it doesn't seem he has the same fevor for riding it. Might just be him though.. certainly other people do love riding their GS's.

The R1200 motor is a wonderful engine. Smooth, powerful, torque all over the place. Probably the finest motorcycle engine I've ever experienced.

I'd suggest longer test rides on both bikes - if you're serious, the dealer shouldn't have a problem allowing you an hour on each of them.

[hass]

I wrote a short comparision after I borrowed a GS while my R12R was having it's 1000km service.

http://r12r.org/blogs/rides/archive/200 ... sions.aspx

I had a K1200RS '98 for four years and can say that the R12R is everything I wished the K12RS was! The only area where I think the RS was superior is comfort on the long haul but only by a small margin.

[ka5ysy]

Check out my "blog" for a discussion of a lot of this...

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.c ... php?t=2378


Changing the bar end weights to Throttlemeister's will eliminate the buzz nicely.

I love the R12R. Like Don, I will use every excuse to ride mine, and do so regularly when I make my daily courthouse runs which are about a 50 mile round trip. I have quick access to the River Road (Mississippi River) which is a really nice twisty roadway, and the RR really eats it up.

My bike is currently getting tank averages of 53mpg now, and tank range is usually in the 260 mile range. Best range to date is 278 miles with the computer still showing 30 miles to empty. It is an amazing bike, and possible the best evolution of the Boxer BMW ever built. I believe it is a more versatile bike than the GS, unless you really, really need the off-road capability. I gotta say, however, that most GS drivers do not go off road, and I have actually followed GS's on my RR down some of their roads (including some problematic gravel) without a lot of fuss by standing up on the pegs. Unless the GS has the TKC's the street dual purpose tires are not a lot different from my Conti Road Attacks on dirt or gravel roads.

A lot of us have put bar risers or bar-backs on to sit a little more upright, which makes for a much easier time for backs.

Doug

[BCC]

Well, I used to own a K12RS, a 12GS and I now ride a 12GSADV and a KS is in there somewhere too.

My wife has a R12R.

Obviously if you are doing dirt, the gs is the way to go. If you are tall, the GSA is a great choice
If you want a sportute style of touring bike the GS is a strong choice. And the GS/GSA is supprisingly good in the tight mountain twisties.

If you are not tall, if you don't do dirt and if you don't carry enormous quantites of "stuff" on your bike cross country, the RR wins.

Fast, nimble, comfortable with a great pannier system. Wifey likes the sport shield on the 4 hour highway ride to the coast on weekends.

My favorite allround streetbike. Period.