Confession.....

[bmw_al]

"Forgive me father for I have sinned" There is no easy way to say this......I've traded in my MTS950 and bought a....ummmmmm.....ermmmmm....B.......oh bloody hell, I've bought a 2017 R1200GS!  Unlike some of you, I do a fair amount of touring with my wifey on the back and although the MTS950 is fine for that, its not as good as GS with more torque, pillion comfort etc.  Other rationale I used for the decision was the annoying cold clutch (I live on a steep hill that makes it even worse), and funnily enough the lack of any Haynes or service manual for garage fiddling.  As you can see I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel here as I've really enjoyed owning my Mutley.......I turned 50 earlier this year, so it's obviously downhill from here......   I've had a lifetime perception that BMWs are for old blokes (!) or Police patrol bikes, and have spent some years avoiding the GS for those reasons alone, as well as because it's such a default popular choice and largely poo pooed by most bikers.

I rode a GS last year, and was impressed with the ease of turning, low speed smoothness, and characterful chugging boxer engine - easy slow speed 2nd gear turns two up etc.  I suppose its a bit like (stay with me here..) owning a Fiesta (which we have also just updated).  You could avoid it, but there's a reason it's been the most popular small car in Britain for nigh on 40 years, and it ain't 'coz it's rubbish!  Love the GS, really enjoyed the Mutley, but time to move on.

I must say this is one of the best bike /owner forums around so I plan to keep in touch and come on the Wales trip next year, even if you make me ride at the back some two miles distant.....

I look forward to meeting up with some of you in the coming weeks too.  I realise come Sat 6th June I will know longer be an MTS950 owner, but lets not let my new wife come between us...

Come on that lets have it....Wassers for sure won't be able to hold back.....

[thenozzle]

Well what can I say to a Traitor, but joking apart enjoy your new stead and ride safe mate keep in touch on the forum 

[Wassers]

Originally Posted by ducati_al

"Forgive me father for I have sinned" There is no easy way to say this......I've traded in my MTS950 and bought a....ummmmmm.....ermmmmm....B.......oh bloody hell, I've bought a 2017 R1200GS!  Unlike some of you, I do a fair amount of touring with my wifey on the back and although the MTS950 is fine for that, its not as good as GS with more torque, pillion comfort etc.  Other rationale I used for the decision was the annoying cold clutch (I live on a steep hill that makes it even worse), and funnily enough the lack of any Haynes or service manual for garage fiddling.  As you can see I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel here as I've really enjoyed owning my Mutley.......I turned 50 earlier this year, so it's obviously downhill from here......   I've had a lifetime perception that BMWs are for old blokes (!) or Police patrol bikes, and have spent some years avoiding the GS for those reasons alone, as well as because it's such a default popular choice and largely poo pooed by most bikers.

I rode a GS last year, and was impressed with the ease of turning, low speed smoothness, and characterful chugging boxer engine - easy slow speed 2nd gear turns two up etc.  I suppose its a bit like (stay with me here..) owning a Fiesta (which we have also just updated).  You could avoid it, but there's a reason it's been the most popular small car in Britain for nigh on 40 years, and it ain't 'coz it's rubbish!  Love the GS, really enjoyed the Mutley, but time to move on.

I must say this is one of the best bike /owner forums around so I plan to keep in touch and come on the Wales trip next year, even if you make me ride at the back some two miles distant.....

I look forward to meeting up with some of you in the coming weeks too.  I realise come Sat 6th June I will know longer be an MTS950 owner, but lets not let my new wife come between us...

Come on that lets have it....Wassers for sure won't be able to hold back.....

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 

My eyes, my eyes 

I've read it and re-read it, but the message stays the same 

I can't believe it 

Ducati_al needs to change to BMW_al...  its suddenly not so classy or cool anymore 

I can only put this down to you going slightly cuckoo during the lockdown and spending too much time not thinking straight 

Whats done is done I guess, there is no going back now 

We may allow you as a distinguished guest to join us on next years Ducati Owners Wales trip, but we will take you up on your suggestion to 'at all times' remain behind us by at least a couple of miles and when we park up, please park up somewhere else so as not to spoil the beautiful view of all the heavenly Italian Ducatis. German tractors should be parked in a nearby field.

I need time... and lots of it to forgive you     

[20220727]

I can’t deny than I’m a little shocked 

And I agree that you need to change your name to BMW_al

I did look at BMW earlier this year, but I would of gone for a 1250 GSA.....there are always deals on used bikes just need to be patient & do some research

As for the wales trip, if I remember right it was you that told me it should only be Multi’s !! So as long as you keep your distance we should be fine

[bmw_al]

Don't mention the £1000+ spent on suspension and tyres early this year, although my 2018 trade in (with all accessories) was pretty good to be fair.  If it helps, I also considered the Triumph Tiger 1200 (but could not get anywhere near one in lockdown), as I also love a Triumph triple and the Trumpet is well reviewed on 44Teeth etc.  Can't change my forum name, so it has to remain Ducati_al, as a happy memory....

I did consider the R1250GS (don't want or need GSA), but it's not a huge amount different, and I won't be able to push the limits on the R1200 so what's the point? It was at least £2K more than the £11.6K I paid for a fully optioned and luggaged 2017 R1200GS Exclusive TE (5.5K miles, FBMWSH, with 2 year warranty and European breakdown cover) - comes with crash bars, LED aux lights and all the things I'd otherwise have bought.  The only thing I'll need is a TomTom Rider mount (don't like Garmin Nav 5/6 and they is 'spensive)

Never mind Wales - what about cafe trips in the coming weeks once they re-open?  Promise I'll hold back using my superior torque (maybe not to your 1260 BabyD  ), and I'll wait while you oil your messy chains...... Just hope my shaft drive doesn't pack up like Murf's mate last summer.......

[bmw_al]

I only have one bike so I want the best all rounder I can have, and in my case, I think the R1200GS will suit me a little better.  I will not defend it, but I will waive to other bikers, unlike many snooty GS owners - it's only another motorbike after all.

Brings me on to Harleys - always hated them as I grew up with NZ wannabe biker gangs all on said Harleys, so my association with the brand was always bad ass dudes........now, I would ride one in the US on a long tour, but that's where I would leave it....unless that changes too!

Must be an age thing.....

[neilb]

😮 Won't be talking to you again, Al 😂

[IakWhisky]

It'll be interesting to see what you think of it after you've spent some time on the bike. I can understand why you might want a bit more torque for two up etc. Fortunately that's not a problem for me as my wife wouldn't dream on getting on a bike. 

I had three 1200GSes from 2005 to last year. The final one was a 2016 model so close to what you have got. It was, however, the one that I had for the shortest period as I didn't really enjoy it as much as the previous two. That may just be down to me or that particular bike. I had a real issue with the ride by wire and the clutch. Couldn't do the scalded cat launch from the lights in the same way as before and ended up lurching about. Mind you I only found one other GS rider that had the same problem.

Contrary to popular belief, I'd say that a warranty (and then an extended warranty) is essential. All of my GSes had problems of one scale or another that justified the investment in the end.

I have the TomTom Rider 550 and used a RAM mount set up together with the Nippy Norman lead and some marine grade connectors etc https://www.nippynormans.com/f650gs-08-on/lead-for-connecting-any-garmin-or-tomtom-gps-into-the-bmw-harness

I may still have the cradle and mounts etc. if you are interested.

[bmw_al]

Thanks for your post lakWhisky - interesting info on your lengthy GS ownership.  In terms of the TomTom Satnav, I will be looking at replacing the standard Garmin Navi 6 mount with an above clocks option mounting in the same/similar place, rather than a RAM mount - there seem to be a few around including something similar to the SW Motec option I use on my Mutley 950 currently.  If you still had the cable with connector (I'm guessing you don't) I'd be interested in that.  What do you mean by the cradle and mounts? Funny - I had already come across Nippy Normans lead in my research......thanks for the info!  Let me know re the SatNav bits and bobs.  Cheers

[Conman]

 
Somebody's going to get a nice second-hand 950!