In my local riding group there seems to be a mass migration over to the new GS, ditching the 1150RT's and 1150R's because it's "lighter". I actually like the "heaviness" of the 1150R. I'm not a speed jockey or a "knee dragger" and many of the other folks aren't either so I don't get it.
They're in love with the GS. Personally, I think it looks like a duck (not a Ducati, you know, the water fowl).
What are you seeing out there?
Erik (a.k.a. Norseman9)
Lexington, MA
2002 R1150R (black, the only color)
Yankee Beemers
With the exception of havng a little difficulty flat footing it (and Im 6ft!!) there was nothing I didnt like about this bike. Smooth throttle, snitchy gear box, ABS you can turn on and off, next gen 1200cc engine, increased HP, lower weight, the list could go on and on....
I dont do any trail riding but where I live there are a lot of dirt roads and while the R has been adequate, its never felt fully at home on them. Even on less than perfect paved roads, I can see where the taller ride and off road oriented suspension would be alluring. Like our beloved R, it can easily be configured for around town riding or canyon carving. Throw on the touring screen and bags and go around the country (or if you're done shooting a Star Wars movie and have the money and time, the world!!) and its still fun to just throw around.
I think that once a the R1200R does actually hit the showrooms, you'll probably see alot of those same folks trading in the 1200GS for the 1200R. Some boys just have to have the latest toys!! I know i want one and if there werent other financial obligations there would be one in my stable right now!!
Craig
Life is too short to use cheap toilet paper
Member #457
95 R1100R Red
NorseMan9 wrote:In my local riding group there seems to be a mass migration over to the new GS, ditching the 1150RT's and 1150R's because it's "lighter". I actually like the "heaviness" of the 1150R. I'm not a speed jockey or a "knee dragger" and many of the other folks aren't either so I don't get it.
They're in love with the GS. Personally, I think it looks like a duck (not a Ducati, you know, the water fowl).
What are you seeing out there?
Very popular down here (Arizona) where the asphalt quickly turns into a dirt road.
I loved the old GS, except for the height. The lighter weight and engine and tranny improvements would make the R1200GS appealing. But I can't buy a new bike for a while, so I will just wait on the 1200R!
'02 in black - the real BMW color! (Now gone to a new home)
Vann - Lifer No. 295
Pop on over to adventure rider and look at the problems some folks have had with those things. It will make a smart person perhaps think twice about BMWs latest and greatest. My 2 cents. Bill C. Black '03 R
I loved my black RR, but the R1200GS is by far the best bike I've ever had. Tours, scratches, commutes, everything really, and all in supreme comfort. Change the tyres and it goes reasonably off-road, although dirt bike it ain't.
Oh, and despite the sayers of doom, in almost 2 years and a lot of miles, no problems, excepting a couple of recall items, fixed quickly and without fuss or charge.
Spent 3 years and 35K miles enjoying the heck out of my RR. A brief stint aboard a new KR and I was longing for a boxer again. Exit KR, hello GS. Best all-arounder I've ever sampled! It's happy cruising, is a fanatastic, comfy, and capable tourer, doubles as a sport bike and lets me explore unimproved roads that I never would have attempted with a strictly road bike. The upcoming R1200R should be a knockout too, if they just don't screw up the styling....