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Gbaz
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 09:48 am: | 
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Great thing about BMW is the option to get ABS on almost every bike they make. I know some peeps dont like ABS.... but i would have loved to have it on evey bike ive owned.
Im still looking for a uly though.
also i hated cam design... |
Jphish
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 10:07 am: |
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Hey Doc - Let us know what ya think on the GS. Word of caution on the GSA - It's REAL tall - I couldn't get both toes down, and with a 7gal tank that thing is top heavy - too much for me. The GS seems much more manageable. The security ring failures ? Most GS guys I know carry a spare - small part & about $80 I think. I like the GS - When the Uly is all used up & parts bin has dried up - I may consider one along with a Tiger. But that will be a few years yet. Chow' j |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 10:10 am: |
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Probably right that 23,000+ isn't enough but it's been a good start. Harley engines are pretty durable from my experience though to be honest about it, I'd rather they were as smooth as an inline 4 engine. Heresy to some but I like smooth and quiet but live without both. Look forward to 500 mile per charge electric bikes whenever that may come. More heresy from the EG. |
Jpl9sx
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 04:03 pm: |
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Might want to wait to see how the new Multistrada compares.
http://multistrada.ducati.com/ |
Eulysses
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 04:32 pm: |
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Going from big thumpers (singles) to my Uly...it is smmmmoooooth! Interesting side note...went from triple Yami snomobiles to twins (SkiDoo) last few years and get forearms that just die at the end of the day. Thought I was getting old but the arm pump comes from the vibration of the twins...sets off muscle fiber and they overwork. Wild. No issue with the smooth triples. |
Black51
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 05:15 pm: |
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As someone else pointed out the maintenance costs for a BMW are pretty insane. I believe the first service after break-in is $1,000 at the dealer.
Also, the weight is ridiculous. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the BMW GS1200 is over 800 pounds, which is about 350lbs more than the Uly. |
Florida_lime
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 05:25 pm: |
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R1200GSA (the bigger one) is 564 "wet" excluding options like luggage according to their website.
Heavier than the Uly, yes.
But not 800 pounds !  |
Thegibbon
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 05:27 pm: |
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I always thought the 1200GS's were much heavier, but they're only about 447 lbs dry, and the Adventure is 491. Maybe the older ones weighed more. |
Dr_greg
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 09:26 pm: |
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Howdy fellas,
Well, time for the daily update. Interesting thoughts about the R1200GS here: seems to me some opinions are accurate and some are a little off.
Although I've read it before, it is always sobering to read through this guy's experiences with an '05 GS. Who on earth would want one of those lemons?!?!
Well, hard to say.
quote:Doc, nice to met ya. Just thinking as a retired guy when the cash flow slows and every penny gets stashed to work for you somewhere to keep you fed until 100...especially with Obamaflation staring at us...this is me. If I had your working knowledge of Ulys and a spare motor/parts it would be a real bonus on top of driving my 09 into the next ten or 15 years
You betcha. With my parts bike sitting out back, and the knowledge that I've had everything apart on the Uly except splitting the cases...that's very hard to release. OTOH...life moves on. Even though I talk about retiring, I will still work part-time and could even do a little better than now. Hard to say.
quote:Great thing about BMW is the option to get ABS on almost every bike they make. I know some peeps dont like ABS.... but i would have loved to have it on evey bike ive owned.
I agree. It would've saved at least one crash that I had. I'll bet the Uly would've had it soon, but...woulda, coulda, shoulda...
quote:Hey Doc - Let us know what ya think on the GS. Word of caution on the GSA - It's REAL tall
I'm not really thinkin' GSA. Good grief; it's a tank!
quote:Probably right that 23,000+ isn't enough but it's been a good start. Harley engines are pretty durable from my experience...
I agree on the durability. If---as appears likely---I'll keep the Uly(s) I'll be counting on that. Based on my first engine I think they'll go a long ways.
quote:Might want to wait to see how the new Multistrada compares.
Yowza! I sure will! If there's one engine I know even better than the Uly it's the 2-valve Ducati. I have 41,000 miles on my '92 900SS and recently did a complete engine rebuild. I'll definitely check it out...THANKS!
quote:I always thought the 1200GS's were much heavier, but they're only about 447 lbs dry...
One of the things I'll be doing during the test-ride is weighing the GS in my garage. My Uly weighed in at 515 "wet" (forget how much gas) We'll see about the GS.
My oldest son (31 YO) is expecting a lady friend from NYC to visit in a while; she is interested in going on a motorcycle ride with him. So I suggested he take the Uly. He took it out yesterday solo; came back saying he now understands how I can do 600-mile days, BUT...
• The seat is REALLY tall (he had the low seat)
• LOTS of hot air blowing on his right leg
Hee-hee...I told him he should have ridden it before I installed the Comfort Kit. Of course the fan is dead; dunno if that makes things better or worse.
Anyway...I'll contact the BMW sales guy tomorrow to try and set up my test ride for Thursday morning. The weather here will be perfect. Hope everything goes OK.
I'll take plenty of pictures, and try to give you my most sincere evaluation. Thanks for all the comments: I appreciate both "pro" and "con" opinions. Mrs. Greg has told me to make a list of pro and con. I say nuts to that and go with my gut.
--Doc |
Itileman
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 09:42 pm: |
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Do what's best for you. Look forward to reading your analysis.
Ride safe. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 10:10 pm: |
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quote:I agree. It would've saved at least one crash that I had. I'll bet the Uly would've had it soon, but...woulda, coulda, shoulda...
Yep, word on the street was that it was going to be a 2011 model option. |
Eulysses
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 02:48 am: |
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I see a lot of ADVriders are opting or prefering the non-ABS 1200's...like they were a premium in the used market. Not sure why. |
Florida_lime
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 05:36 am: |
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Yowza! I sure will! If there's one engine I know even better than the Uly it's the 2-valve Ducati. I have 41,000 miles on my '92 900SS and recently did a complete engine rebuild. I'll definitely check it out...THANKS!
FWIW -- The new 1200 Multistrada has the 1199cc liquid-cooled 4-valve motor based on the one from the superbike family. |
Dr_greg
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 06:17 pm: |
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OK guys, I'm all set. Just got off the phone with the General Manager at the BMW place and he said I can take their R1200GS SE "limited edition" model out "for as long as I want." Woo-hoo! (it's the bike the GM rides and also their demo bike)
I'll make sure and give you all the full scoop.
Oh, and I was a little disappointed to see this...
quote:FWIW -- The new 1200 Multistrada has the 1199cc liquid-cooled 4-valve motor based on the one from the superbike family.
Here I'm super-familiar with wrenching on the Ducati 2-valver, and they go with the 4-valve mill. Nuts. Not sure I want to do shim-under-buckets on one of those. That's also the reason I'd favor the '09 and earlier R1200 engine; in '10 it's supposedly going to DOHC with shims.
Of course WE all know the real answer is to use---as I recall it from a late-50's Hot Rod magazine cartoon---a "hydro bumpstick!"
Cheers!
--Doc |
Dentguy
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 06:37 pm: |
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"Not sure I want to do shim-under-buckets on one of those."
Come on Dr_greg. Shim under bucket on a Ducati? You know better than that. I'm sure it was just a typo.
Can't wait to hear how your test ride goes.
Enjoy.
(Message edited by dentguy on November 03, 2009) |
Sanjuro
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 09:14 pm: |
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Funny, the GS vs Uly comparisons seems to be naturally and frequently occurring. It sure was in my case. My final two on the dating scene were the GS and Uly. I agonized between the two. It took a Zen-like-simple question to get me out of the deliberative funk. It was in two parts. "Why do you ride a bike?", "Well, ok then, which one does it for you?". I signed papers two days later at the Buell shop. I was fortunate to have a long test ride on both (on multiple occasions). I buy a bike to ride it and keep it long term, thus I try to forecast 10 years ahead at least. I was impressed with the suspension (until I compared it to the Caddy like ride, even two up, of the Buell) and I was less than impressed with the twin that needed to be revved like a four to feel motivated. It just didn't inspire me. Both are bikes that seem to evoke something rare. That is a growing fondness of the machine with the passing of time. I love my Buell and plan on keeping it as long as I can keep it running. I wonder what the nuances at the "other camp" exist on the GS. Personally, if I could afford to, I'd own both. I'll continue to follow these comparison threads and encourage others to chime in, e.g., what Doc's in the middles of which I can relate to. In either case, or in any case, a worthy way to end any note on such a forum is, "I like motorcycles." |
Black51
| | Posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 10:19 pm: |
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I am waiting with bated breath to hear the results, Greg! And I am sure everyone else would like to hear about the GS as well. Impressions?? Three hour ride? Through mountains? |
Eulysses
| | Posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 10:34 pm: |
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I was committed to the GS for a year and a half and kept riding my DR650 while I shopped for an elusive deal on a used 1200. Hard to find in Seattle area. I did not know about Buells. Never considered them. Accidentally rode one. Pulled the trigger. All I need or ever wanted and not looking back at all. |
Dr_greg
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 09:33 am: |
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quote:I am waiting with baited breath to hear the results, Greg! And I am sure everyone else would like to hear about the GS as well. Impressions?? Three hour ride? Through mountains?
Yes. Exactly. I had one of the best Thursdays in memory as I rode the '09 R1200GS SE for three hours, roughly 200 miles, through mountains. On a workday.
Full report to be posted tonight.
--Doc |
Dentguy
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 09:37 am: |
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Will look for your full report tonight. You don't sound disappointed. |
Jphish
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 09:59 am: |
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Hey Doc - I test rode my riding partners new f800GS - nice machine - but not the grin factor of the Uly. He's keeping the 1200GS for longer more road oriented trips (less dirt) and using the 800 in place of his 650KLR. I'm keepin my thumper - hate to bash up an expensive piece of German engineering in Baja. I'm not sure I dont prefer the 800 to the 1200, you might want to ride both. For us under '180 pounders' the 800 does fine - chain drive is one of the down sides tho. Awaiting report. j |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 11:02 am: |
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I was less than impressed with the twin that needed to be revved like a four to feel motivated.
That is strange. The R1200R I test rode felt stronger than my Uly just about everywhere in the rev range, and the fun didn't stop at 6500rpm. Are the R and GS tuned differently? Can't see why they would be. Perhaps my Uly isn't cranking at it's full potential for some reason. (The Uly is still pretty new to me, so something could be amiss without me knowing it.)
I'll be interested to read your report Dr. Greg! |
Galloper
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 11:34 am: |
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quote:
Full report to be posted tonight.
Thats tomorrow for me  |
Dr_greg
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 12:26 pm: |
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quote:...I'm not sure I dont prefer the 800 to the 1200...
I didn't really consider the F800GS, although it is the "ADV centerpiece" in the dealer showroom right now---all bedecked with Jesse cases, etc.
Given that one of my issues (yes, there were issues) with the R1200GS is its SIZE, I probably should look at the 800. But I really didn't want another chain...and since the vast majority of my riding is pavement the greater dirt focus of the 800 isn't THAT appealing to me. |
Rubberdown
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 12:51 pm: |
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The GSA is the most incredibly satisfying all purpose machine I've ever ridden.... and the range 400+ miles on a tank, yes ... and with a pillion, perfection(the ESA is a wonderful thing. I'll stop now, though I could ramble on a long time about this bike. |
Thegibbon
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 12:55 pm: |
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I've heard that a lot of folks actually like the F650GS at least as well as the 800 - same engine (but detuned), more street-oriented, and a couple grand cheaper. |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 02:08 pm: |
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DrGreg,
You need to kick back and let this urge to spend money pass. Go for a long ride on your faithful steed, Ulysses and forget that nagging, money depleting nagging whim of yours. How many bikes can you ride at once anyway. |
Florida_lime
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 04:25 pm: |
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Yes. Exactly. I had one of the best Thursdays in memory as I rode the '09 R1200GS SE for three hours, roughly 200 miles, through mountains. On a workday.
Full report to be posted tonight.
--Doc
Tease ! 
 |
Dr_greg
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 05:16 pm: |
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quote:The GSA is the most incredibly satisfying all purpose machine I've ever ridden.... and the range 400+ miles on a tank, yes ... and with a pillion, perfection(the ESA is a wonderful thing. I'll stop now, though I could ramble on a long time about this bike.
And---if I may ask---what is your size? I'm 5-9, 155.
quote:I've heard that a lot of folks actually like the F650GS at least as well as the 800 - same engine (but detuned), more street-oriented, and a couple grand cheaper.
Y'know, I just was thinking about the "650"...
quote:You need to kick back and let this urge to spend money pass. Go for a long ride on your faithful steed, Ulysses and forget that nagging, money depleting nagging whim of yours. How many bikes can you ride at once anyway.
That is exactly what I'm doing tomorrow on the steadfast Uly. Same route as the GS---gonna compare fuel used. We already know the answer, of course.
--Doc |
Jphish
| | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 07:27 pm: |
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Beuwulf - My riding partners 1200GS & my 08 Uly cannot lose each other in the straights - pretty equal. He's a more skilled rider than I am... but he still cannot catch me in the twisties. I don't know if ALL BMW1200s are created equal so can't account for the R vs GS in performance. I do know the Uly throttle has a long twist to the stop - I found out that last 1/2" makes a huge difference - so are you sure you're @ WOT ?? |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 10:50 am: |
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- so are you sure you're @ WOT ??
Jphish - I just took a test ride on the R1200R, so the comparison wasn't exactly scientific for sure, and I did spend most of the ride at partial throttle of course. I have become very familiar with the Uly's power delivery at all throttle positions, though, so I'll stand by my observations. The power difference between my Uly and the 1200R was real and unmistakable.
This thread made me curious, so I looked up some old magazine reports. From Motorcyclist, the R1200R weighs 515 wet ( only 1 lb. heavier than the Uly wet) and made, at the wheel, 96.8 hp @7800 and 73.5 lbs-ft @ 6350 (vs 84.2 @ 7000 and 67.5 @ 6220 for the Uly.)
I found this interesting: the 1200GS made 83.9 hp @ 6750 and 73.6 lbs-ft @ 5750. It weighs 544 wet (581 for the big GSA if you are wondering) which would seemingly translate to very similar performance between the GS and Uly. They claim to use a Dynojet 150 for all test unless otherwise noted, so the R made a whopping 15% more squeeze than the GS.
Reviews from other publications are consistent with these numbers. So the R and GS engines may be the same, but something (intake/exhaust?) is apparently making a pretty significant difference. |
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