“This is a brilliant bike, my is a factory lower version, although on paper says is 240kg, mine is fitted with panniers and top box, but it is very easy to handle, to put on main stand, (I'am 5'6") once is moved off is very well balance, easy to filter through traffic, I can say is more easy to filter traffic than a sport bike, ( I rode sport bike for last 17 years). It is really good on motorways, wind protection is excellent (maybe 5'6" help), cruise control, heater grips, excellent mirrors, no vibration from bar and foot pegs, with my sport bikes use to dread to go on motorways, I love it now. I've only done 8.5k miles but its 100% reliable, fuel economy is good. only negative is things the main dealer servicing is very expensive.
I hope to keep this for a good few years, but when time come to change, I would definitely buy the same bike.”
“Replaced a K1300GT, which was a superb refined missile of a sports tourer, as I wanted something lighter and more agile without losing too much performance. The w/c GS fits that bill well. Feels much smoother and more modern than an 05 GS that I'd run for 5 years.”
“In brief, I absolutely love it. Handling is brilliant. Motor has more than enough for British roads. Gearbox is slick and smooth. Controls are intuitive. Did get a sore backside but that was at the end of a 350mile day so to be expected from any bike I guess.”
“As a newcomer to the riding community and having just started my mid-life crisis, I raised a few eyebrows when I told people I was plumping for a Bavarian beast which is the BMW R1200GS!
But after road testing a variety of adventure bikes I was surprised at how well the GS hid its massive boxer twin weight. The boffins at BMW skunk-works must employ Witchcraft or have a keen interest in quantum mechanics to have the bike, which is a heavy machine off the stand to be the most balanced steering and handling I have ever experienced.
"What do you know newbie!" I hear folks saying. Well not much as an experienced and seasoned rider for sure, but certainly enough as a new rider to take the 1200cc on and off road with relative confidence. The riding modes and electronic suspension is the future and removes the dread of wondering if today is the day I will weave myself into the asphalt. Just select rain mode, and the whole bike hunkers down for the less aggressive throttling and braking situations.
Looks and feel of the GS is exceptional. No other bike, with the exception of the Triumph Tiger 800 has put a broad smile on my face and kept it there like some demented Joker from a Tim Burton movie! As a tall rider the and having an age old love for the GS, Super Tenere and the Africa twin. I could find no other bike which took me back to my poster filled bedroom wall and accommodate my stature.
The GS is a superb all round bike, It's held it's own with friends on their hornets and gsx's with relative ease and profound comfort and I am looking forward to racking up some serious miles in the UK and Europe very soon. In fact there is only one negative I would like to mention, and that is stigma! For some bizarre reason GS's and there owners regularly come under fire from hard core bikers! But we do have a culture in the UK to support the underdog and vilify the superior!... I'm just saying.”
