| Author | Message | ||
     Tnbueller |
I have an 09 XT Ulysses. Been reading about adventure bikes and got to thinking what my next bike might be when the uly bites the dust (hopefully not for a long time). Anyway went down to my local dealer and test rode a BMW F800 GS and a 1200 GS adventure. The 1200 GS was very comfortable. However, the power and torque seemed really weak to me compared to my Ulysses. Anybody else ever ride or compare these before. As much as Ive read about them it was quite disappointing especially since it cost $7,000 more than mine. Anyway on paper they seemed comparable but in real life not at all. any thoughts - thanks in advance. | ||
| Ronmold |
Extra 100 lbs. of steel on the Beemer. Put an anvil in your Uly topcase and see if it dogs a bit!  | ||
| Froggy |
If I had 100lbs in my top case my front wheel would never be on the ground. | ||
| Etennuly |
An extra hundred pounds means little to the Uly. Have to foul a plug to equalize it.  | ||
| Ulynut |
If I had 100lbs in my top case my front wheel would never be on the ground. Your front wheel is never on the ground anyway. | ||
| Crusty |
Dan, you beat me to it. | ||
| Firstbatch |
Have riddden the R1200GS many times as one of my riding buddies has one and we switch up every so often. I think the weight is comparable on the Uly vs the the Std GS but at around 430# dry + or -, but the Adventure I think is over 500#. No doubt the GS has no where near the low RPM torque of the Uly, but wind up the GS and it goes hard. Just very different power bands. The 2010 GS, which I have not had a chance to test ride supposedly has a noticeable boost in low end torque with the new dual OH cam heads and some top end RPM gains. To me the immediate difference between the GS and the ULY is wheel base, rake/trail and overall feel of "size". The GS just feels much bigger. No thoughts of lofting a wheel on the GS unlike we all know the Uly is ready to go at a moments notice  For my buddy the GS rider he always comments after getting off the ULY of how short it feels and describes the front end being right under neath him and he never forgets to go on and on about how the throttle response is very strong and that he must pay close attention to initially to how the power comes on and ride accordingly. For two bikes that get compared a bunch I think they are like night and day in how you ride them. | ||
| Jim_williams |
Bike mag just panned the 2010 GS as the old guys bike. The one you switch to when you just want to plod around (ie: not be a hooligan). They didn't notice much difference in the new vs. old 1200 motor. After 30K on a 2005 GS1200, I'd have to agree. | ||
| Blackdog |
I have both. First, the BMW dry weight is 448, I think the XT is 398 or so so you have a difference of 50 lbs, not 100. The Buell is much more agile and is faster but it will never replace the BMW. BMW has a 19" front wheel, ABS, longer wheelbase, way more steering lock to lock, 5.3 gal fuel tank, has excellent luggage. You can ride 2 up with a ton of junk in total safety and comfort. The windshield offers superior protection. After riding the BMW the XT feels like a necked sport bike. | ||
| Ronmold |
BMW's site shows GS adv. 564 wet. Uly 430# - 564= ...anvil! | ||
| Ronmold |
They are built solid though!  I wish I had the $$$ for both myself. | ||
| Blackdog |
BMW's site shows GS adv. 564 wet. Uly 430# - 564= ...anvil! That is the much heavier Adventure model not what he was asking about. | ||
| Slipknot |
I do not recall where but a British mag weighed the GS wet at 540. | ||
| Dr_greg |
During my GS LE test ride last fall I weighed it in my garage. Comparison of wet weight: Uly: 515 lb GS: 561 lb GS had Vario side and top cases. I was generally impressed with the GS except that it was TOO DAMN BIG! --Doc | ||
| Conchop |
looks like the multistrada is the only viable powerhouse Uly replacement | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
A good friend of mine who is a die-hard GS rider took my Uly for a spin. His reaction was "I could really get in trouble on that bike." He was a little taken aback by how little "bike" was out in front of him. I guess he is used to the GS bulbosity out front(is that a word?). Overall he thought it was a fun bike. | ||
| Skinstains |
I really like that F800GS, would like to test ride one of those for sure. The 1200GS I rented was nothing if not a huge disapointment. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
I was originally planning to get a 1200GS adventure, but when I rode it it was just too much. as in too much stuff... plastic, aluminum, steel, whatever it is, there was just too much of it. I couldn't see myself enjoying myself commuting to work on it. So I looked at the basic 1200gs. But I still felt like I was driving a cager minus the cage! Then the 800gs came out but it was just disappointing. What a boring drive on the road  . And since coming out it has been reddiled with issues. So much so that I hear something about BMW pulling the model. When I heard what HD (sic) did to Buell, I did the only logical thing I could do... Sold my Triumph and drove 300Miles to buy a Uly! And trust me I did the right thing. Although my Uly may never attain the off-roadiness capabilities of the GS, I have an full-on ear to ear grin everytime I drive to work on it!! and its not one of these types  Its one of these:  LOL! I am now explore off-road driving with Uly. I am taking the BMW off-road cource with my Uly on May 8th. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
It would be very helpful for you to post your experience in the BMW off road course with your Uly. Thanks. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
I certainly will. | ||
| Conchop |
The GS is more comfortable, but it really needs revved to get any scoot. | ||
| Hangetsu |
Frankly, the off road capabilities of the GSA are very over rated. Any photo's you ever see are professional riders in very staged situations. And I guarantee you, of you ever drop one of those on very uneven dirt surface, or, the gods forbid, highside one into a ditch when you're alone, you will NEVER get that thing righted and rolling again by yourself. | ||
| Bzrider |
and off road capability of the uly are very underrated.only limited to lack of a knob for the really slippery stuff.its more about the rider | ||
| Eulysses |
With the Multi coming on with 17"ers...we may get some tires yet! Hang in there you dirtheads. I am...the bike is just too much fun on every other riding opportunity. | ||
| Bobbuell1961 |
looks like the multistrada is the only viable powerhouse Uly replacement With valve adjustments every 15k, this would be a deal beaker Love the Uly, change the oil, adjust the clutch, make sure nothing is falling off and go  | ||
| Wbrisett |
And I guarantee you, of you ever drop one of those on very uneven dirt surface, or, the gods forbid, highside one into a ditch when you're alone, you will NEVER get that thing righted and rolling again by yourself. BS.... Been there, done that! Yes, they are heavy, but you can lift them by yourself. Here is my take. I love the boxer, but then that's what I got in my touring bike (1200 RT) and after having ridden the GS and GSA, I will say that they feel very similar to the RT in nearly every situation, too similar for me to have both an RT and GS. The power band is different than the Uly, no doubt about that. But, that doesn't make one any better or worse from the other. They both have their strong and weak points. That's why I own both engines. If something happened to my Uly and I couldn't find a suitable replacement, I wouldn't think twice about replacing it with a GS. But I might actually go with the 800 GS instead of the 1200 GS. Lighter, has a different feel to it. Wayne | ||
| Bzrider |
my next will be the gsa i dont know what it is i just like it .i looked into the ktm adventure way to much maint.for the 150 + miles a day i ride .i luv the uly and cant believe hd ex. idiots dropped it .ducatti comes with one his year .yamaha considering it .ktm has the new smt harly mus have lost heir mind . | ||
| Blackdog |
I'm lucky to have both bikes. I'm thinking of selling my 2005 1200GS so I can get the new 2010 GS.  | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
thats a nice stable blackdog, not a little redundant thought? both steeds have more or less comparable capabilities... different feels though.... hmm... seem to have answered my own question. |
