Back in the Saddle...

[Bill929]

But not on a Guzzi this time.  I am picking up a new BMW R1200GS tomorrow...  Early contenders also included the Triumph Explorer, Yamaha Super Tenere' and the Stelvio, but all were too tall and heavy for me to comfortably handle.  I knew I wanted an adventure bike, but one that wasn't six hundred pounds and too tall for me to navigate, so choices were limited.  I ended up seriously looking at the BMW F700GS, R1200GS and the Triumph Tiger 800.  The F700 just didn't have some of the features I wanted and the engine just wasn't up to par for highway use compared to the others.  I took extensive test rides on both the Tiger 800 XRX and the R1200GS.  The big disappointment was the Tiger, specifically (IMO) the complete absence of low end torque.  Coming from big twins, I may be spoiled, but the Tiger needed to be wound up to go and that's not conducive to my style of riding.  The triple is fine on the highway, but would be a nightmare on my 3/10 mile, 13% grade, (w/ switchbacks) unpaved driveway.  The Triumph also fell short on wind protection and highway stability.  The R1200GS blew me away.  Not your father's boxer anymore.  The new water cooled engine is fast and pulls from down low.  The ESA is quite impressive too.  Wind protection and highway stability were so much better than the Tiger they were not comparable.  The GS I'm getting is the low suspension version, which has a seat height of 31.1 inches, yes lower than a V7.  You lose an inch of ground clearance and suspension travel, but still have a center stand.  Wet weight is 525 lbs. and it has 125 bhp.  It is loaded with tech features, which could pose problems down the road, but it comes with a 3 year warranty, so at least I'll have 3 years to figure out if electronic gremlins are going to rear their ugly heads.  I'll report back after I have a few miles under my belt.  

[fotoguzzi]

Nice, post pics when it arrives.

[molly]

For all their reported faults the massive customer base BMW enjoy can't all be wrong. There is so much competition in the adventure class these days to  be the top seller the GS must be doing something right.
I had a good look around the market and chose the Triumph Tiger Sport (not available in the U.S). The engine is fantastic, stick it in 6th gear and the thing will pull all day. But the Guzzis have more character and you feel part of a small band of brothers the BMW or the Triumph can't match.

[rocker59]

Bill,

I want you to report back about this 13% grade in Florida!

A 1/3 mile 13% grade is 229 feet of elevation change!

Have you moved to Appalachia?

[gearman]

Bill,

I want you to report back about this 13% grade in Florida!

A 1/3 mile 13% grade is 229 feet of elevation change!

Have you moved to Appalachia?

Good  notice. I was wondering also.'

[Bill929]

Bill,

I want you to report back about this 13% grade in Florida!

A 1/3 mile 13% grade is 229 feet of elevation change!

Have you moved to Appalachia?

Yes, that's our NC driveway (it is not all 13%).  But that's pretty close - GPS says there is a 200 foot elevation change from the road to the house.   You can ask NCSteve about our driveway, he's ridden up it!  Lisa is up there full time.  My law partner is only part-time for now (new baby), so I'm still back and forth between FL and NC. 

[youcanrunnaked]

Very nice.  Wondering if you got a feel for which would be better off-road:  The GS or the Tiger XCX?

[Bill929]

Very nice.  Wondering if you got a feel for which would be better off-road:  The GS or the Tiger XCX?

Tiger XCX is lighter and more nimble than the GS, but the engine is the same as the XRX, so it has little torque at low RPMs, which I view as a major flaw.  I think the GS with the right tires would be a better choice despite its 40 lbs. weight disadvantage.  Caveat - I've not ridden either off-road.  But as a rule, I prefer singles for real off-road use. 

[Penderic]

The future of Adventure riding.  ;)

[Bill Hagan]

Congrats, Bill!

Look forward to seeing that new motorad in the flesh.

I have several friends with umpteen bazillion (not much of an exaggeration  ;) ) miles on GS's and they are as devoted to them as any kook-aid-drinking Guzzista to their Mandellan machines. 

My only "problem" with BMW's generally is the sound.  I keep wanting to hear a guttural Kraut growling, but seem to hear more castrato.

But, sound aside, which is a silly objection and what after-market cans (and my deteriorating hearing  ::)) can mitigate, beemers are grand.  I, too, would have to go boxer, but what Mother Munich has done to that lump is astonishing.  We are long way from the Wehrmacht and "Zen." 

BMW abstieg und geh!

Gute Reise!

Bill