The ABS is a must IMO but I hated having to stop the 1150, turn off the engine and turn it back on while holding the ABS button just to go off-road. Once youve experienced ABS off=road, you wont make that mistake again...
I agree that the ABS is a must. Turning it off must be different now. I just come to a stop at the dirt road/trail head, hold the button for a few seconds and the ABS is off. Restart is required to turn it back on.
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
I'll be damned if over lunch today, out of the blue, "she" was telling me get a note and buy a new GS-A 1200.
Wonder if she wants to go on rides or something?
Are you waiting for her to change her mind? GO MAN GO!
Keep in mind though, the big GS is NOT a gnarly single-track dirt bike....at least not in my hands. I've seen some accomplished riders do amazing things with them however.
We need to have an .ORG days at the BMW off-road riding school next year! They even provide the bikes.
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
Are you waiting for her to change her mind? GO MAN GO!
Keep in mind though, the big GS is NOT a dirt bike....at least in my hands.
Got that right...believe me, I won't make that mistake.
We need to have an .ORG days at the BMW off-road riding school next year! They even provide the bikes.
Last edited by luvtolean; 09-02-2008 at 05:41 PM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Actually, I think she feels a bit guilty that she's driving an 08 STi and I'm driving a POS 85 Mustang.
Originally Posted by DUX
She'll forget all about the bike when she finds a nice diamond tennis-bracelet in the side case.
Right now it's diamond $tud$...
Last edited by luvtolean; 09-02-2008 at 05:40 PM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
I went thinking the silver from the brochures and pics, but in person there was no question. Red. You know what they look like. No pics worth posting, the coast was fogged in and I was too busy having fun, and being comfortable!, in the twisty bits to think to park for one.
I decided on all the options/techno wizardry, ESA/ABS/ASC/TPC, enduro trans. Added the BMW bags and GPS too, but I bought it too late last night so they're not installed yet.
I've only got 150 mi on it, most from a quick jaunt out to the coast this morning. Had it on twisties, single wide forgotten paved backroads (some covered in sand), a bit of dirt road and on the slab.
The traction control is something else. I tried to spin up the rear tire on it in the road construction sand and I don't think it broke traction before the electronics stepped in. Then I set it to the offroad mode and took it out on a bit of dirt, you can spin it enough to point the bike with the throttle. Standing up is amazingly comfortable too.
In sport mode it handles way better than I figured, or in some ways, a 500 pound motorcycle with 8.5" of travel that has the rider perched as on a dirt bike, has a right to. Passing sportbikes with it is a bit entertaining. Actually, it's easily capable of more than my normal (slow) pace on backroads, I kept "cruising" into corners marked 20MPH to look down and see 40-50MPH and still have a good 1/3" chicken strip left on the front (more on the rear).
Nobody familiar with sportbikes would call it fast, but the motor is quite competent at what it's doing. It vibrates more than I expected actually, but everyone says they need miles to get good.
While there's definitely still a big "new motorcycle" buzz factor in my review, and the thing was hideously expensive (still feeling a bit guilty)...racebikes not included, this is my favorite bike I've ever ridden I think.
Damn, must be gettin' old.
Last edited by luvtolean; 09-07-2008 at 09:40 PM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
While there's definitely still a big "new motorcycle" buzz factor in my review, and the thing was hideously expensive (still feeling a bit guilty)...racebikes not included, this is my favorite bike I've ever ridden I think.
Two years later, and the buzz still hasn't worn off for me. I can't say that about any other bike I've owned. I'm truly psyched for you!
It only gets better as you test your abilities and realize that you may never exceed those of the machine.
Recommendation: I bought a black Cortech tail bag. The "sport" bag that's kind of a tear-drop shape. It mounts easily on the back rack. I keep it on the bike almost all the time to carry the necessities (rain gear, tools, cargo net, etc..) For around $50, it's tough to beat. I only use the top case now when the wife is riding.
If you got the BMW cases, make sure they throw in the backrest pad that goes with the top case.
Did you get knobs or street tires?
Pic 1 is the Cortech bag. Pic 2 shows the backrest pad for the top case. Pic 3 is the first day with the bike. She came with knobs. They'll be going back on this month for a trip to VT in October.
Good luck!!!!!!!
Last edited by DUX; 09-07-2008 at 09:23 PM.
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
It only gets better as you test your abilities and realize that you may never exceed those of the machine.
The shop I bought it at has a pretty active ride group. We talked to the owner quite a while, and he's raced on dirt and street. He runs dirt riding clinics (though he advised me I'd probably be bored, he said I should just take it up to the area and go!) and they also do a CLASS day. A trackday with it may actually be a pretty good skills development type thing. Today they were doing a 500 mile road loop, but I decided not to go being worried about that much milage. After riding for 130 miles this morning...I can see why they plan the loops that long, I was just getting warmed up.
Recommendation: I bought a black Cortech tail bag. The "sport" bag that's kind of a tear-drop shape.
That looks pretty handy, think I'll go look for one.
Originally Posted by DUX
Did you get knobs or street tires?
Street- Tourances
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
The shop I bought it at has a pretty active ride group. We talked to the owner quite a while, and he's raced on dirt and street. He runs dirt riding clinics (though he advised me I'd probably be bored, he said I should just take it up to the area and go!) and they also do a CLASS day. A trackday with it may actually be a pretty good skills development type thing. Today they were doing a 500 mile road loop, but I decided not to go being worried about that much milage. After riding for 130 miles this morning...I can see why they plan the loops that long, I was just getting warmed up.
That looks pretty handy, think I'll go look for one.
Street- Tourances
The Tourances are great....on my second set now.
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
I hammered the throttle over the speed bump in front of my house this morning and the front wheel came up what felt like a couple inches before the ASC kicked in and cut power just enough to drop it to the ground, but still be accelerating. (with the caution light winking at me from the dash)
I am really surprised how well this stuff all works.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Yeah, this is all I need to read. That bike has been burning a hole in my head for a while...
It's a really big dirtbike/motard, with great wind protection, heated grips and all the electronics you'd expect in a luxury SUV. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, stay the hell away from this thread, ADVrider, and the Beemer dealers unless you've got 20 grand burning a hole in your pocket.
I was trying to come up with a "competitor's" motorcycle and there isn't one.
Closest thing in the automotive world would be a Land Rover LR3, it has a very similar set of electronic systems to adapt it to what you're doing. Hopefully the Beemer is more reliable.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
It's a really big dirtbike/motard, with great wind protection, heated grips and all the electronics you'd expect in a luxury SUV. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, stay the hell away from this thread, ADVrider, and the Beemer dealers unless you've got 20 grand burning a hole in your pocket.
I was trying to come up with a "competitor's" motorcycle and there isn't one.
Closest thing in the automotive world would be a Land Rover LR3, it has a very similar set of electronic systems to adapt it to what you're doing. Hopefully the Beemer is more reliable.
Yeah, a buddy of mine in Incline Village, NV has one. I've ridden it everytime I go to visit him. I tested the ABS with my wife on board, and it worked great. I was also quite amazed at how agile it was in the twisties around Tahoe (road tires, not the nobbies). Like you said the power isn't "sportbike", but it is sure as hell "peppy" for a bike that size. To be frank, each time I ride that thing and get home, it takes divine willpower to hold back the urge to go buy one.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Yeah, no shit... it's horrible when a bike starts growing on your cranium. And to make matters worse I am re-watching the LWR, LWD and Dakar Race series with my dad right now. That REALLY helps the situation. I'm doomed, you are soooooo right.
The more I rode on the track, the less I wanted to ride sportbikes on the street. I tried to get back into them but it just wasn't the same. If you're not trying to go fast, the focused design, and resultant compromises, of a sportbike get pretty obvious.
"She" finally graduated and we're able to get out and explore on weekends, we just got a yearly pass to Yosemite even. That was what really made it the right time to finally get something like this. Combine a great ride with a great hike. That's a weekend.
Now the tough choice for those trips will be, STi or GS?
Last edited by luvtolean; 09-08-2008 at 12:05 PM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
The more I rode on the track, the less I wanted to ride sportbikes on the street. I tried to get back into them but it just wasn't the same. If you're not trying to go fast, the focused design, and resultant compromises, of a sportbike get pretty obvious.
"She" finally graduated and we're able to get out and explore on weekends, we just got a yearly pass to Yosemite even. That was what really made it the right time to finally get something like this. Combine a great ride with a great hike. That's a weekend.
Now the tough choice for those trips will be, STi or GS?
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Yeah, no shit... it's horrible when a bike starts growing on your cranium. And to make matters worse I am re-watching the LWR, LWD and Dakar Race series with my dad right now. That REALLY helps the situation. I'm doomed, you are soooooo right.
You're done, and
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
Order the catalog. It's free, and about three inches thick.
There are some really cool bikes from around the world in there.
Yeah, my Incline buddy with the GS1200A has them sitting around his house. He offers them up to me every time I visit. The bastard. I know what he's up to!
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Reply With QuoteOriginally Posted by luvtolean
I'll be damned if over lunch today, out of the blue, "she" was telling me get a note and buy a new GS-A 1200.
...believe me, I won't make that mistake.
Right now it's diamond $tud$...
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