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1200 gs is it worth it... 1200 gs is it worth it...
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  #1  
Old 10 Jun 2010
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they are all features irrelevant to propelling yourself around Europe. you choose large engine, big suspenders, large tank, shaft drive (!?), etc for image/ideological reasons and certainly not for any need-to-have reasons.

you want a GS because of what it represents, not because there's nothing else and the choice is limited. there's never been more choice for bikes suitable to ride around Europe, where the OP is planning.

these days, outside of specialist riding, any bike will do. for european road riding I don't think there's a technical argument in favour of any bike; not one that beats riding something you just enjoy. it seems many people want to make a technical case for something which should be emotional.

ride whatever turns you on... :-)

there's certainly nothing in it as far as one manufacturer being more reliable than any other (apart from Guzzi obviously :-) )
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  #2  
Old 10 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by DougieB View Post
they are all features irrelevant to propelling yourself around Europe. you choose large engine, big suspenders, large tank, shaft drive (!?), etc for image/ideological reasons and certainly not for any need-to-have reasons.

you want a GS because of what it represents, not because there's nothing else and the choice is limited. there's never been more choice for bikes suitable to ride around Europe, where the OP is planning.
Why do you think you know why I bought my bike? What a joke!

Regardless of what you think, I did not buy a GS because of "what it represents"...to me it doesn't represent anything...while you might consider a large engine, good suspension, ergonomics, shaft drive, etc. to be "irrelevant", they are not irrelevant to me.

Sure, I could "ride around" on any bike, but the fact is the vast majority of other bikes don't suit my needs, if that's OK with you...
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  #3  
Old 10 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by motoreiter View Post
Why do you think you know why I bought my bike? What a joke!

Regardless of what you think, I did not buy a GS because of "what it represents"...to me it doesn't represent anything...while you might consider a large engine, good suspension, ergonomics, shaft drive, etc. to be "irrelevant", they are not irrelevant to me.

Sure, I could "ride around" on any bike, but the fact is the vast majority of other bikes don't suit my needs, if that's OK with you...
I really don't care why you bought your bike, or even what bike you bought.

the point is... we could all ride the same bike, if riding was about getting something technically capable. but technical capability is largely irrelevant. I have a DL1000, spent a good few thousand miles on an 1150 GS, been there on an Africa Twin, but actually prefer my ZX6. But, when it comes down to it (and the OP question), all bikes are capable of western european riding.

the reason you choose a gs ? why do I think I know.. well you said it yourself, 'large engine, big suspension, shaftie'.

none of which are essential to riding in western europe. you prefer a large engine, you don't need one. you prefer big suspension, but you certainly wouldn't need it for a ride up the Highlands. You prefer a shaftie, presumably because you like the technology. you don't need a huge tank, there are fuel stations everywhere. ergonomics are part and parcel of any modern bike.

all personal preference, for whatever reason. I was merely suggesting that any modern bike is capable, so the OP should choose what he prefers and ignore any doom merchants.

no need to be so defensive. unless you have one of the GS' from the 'bad years'
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Old 10 Jun 2010
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Oh Christ.. Not again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buy a 1200GS.... You really want one. Sometimes you have to be lead by your heart.

Wait for it to cost you some big money and/or leave you stranded needing the LWR support crew to just change a fuse and then you can start you own threads like:

"I HATE BMW'S - Why didn't i listen to all the warning alarms flashing all over the internet by people who have already learnt the hard way"

"I can't believe I can't fix this stupid bike with a normal tool kit"

"Did I just spend £15,000 on a bike instead of £3000"

"Why are their more electronics in my bike than R2D2's underpants drawer"

"Why can't I lift my 250kg caravan on two wheels"

"Why does every spare spart cost ££££ and is difficult to bodge"

Sometimes, you have to learn the hardway... That's why I love buying old bikes off ebay and high performance supermotos ! I'm an expert of "Learning the hard way"

Just buy one, buy the luggage to match, go to the Touratech meetings and drink frothy coffees.


Or if you want to go Overlanding, buy something Japenese !!
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  #5  
Old 11 Jun 2010
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Ahhhh, mambo-jumbo, it's a great bike GO FOR IT! They'll always be the naysayers-doomsday-finaldrivewillbreak-toomuchelectronic kinda folks out here. Some just haven't caught up with the times and still type their rants on DOS operating systems...

P.S.: And, their is nothing wrong with a good cup of joe, or Long Way Round. Come to think of it, I always enjoy a cup of coffee while watching Long Way Round
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Old 11 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by DougieB View Post
none of which are essential to riding in western europe. you prefer a large engine, you don't need one. you prefer big suspension, but you certainly wouldn't need it for a ride up the Highlands. You prefer a shaftie, presumably because you like the technology. you don't need a huge tank, there are fuel stations everywhere. ergonomics are part and parcel of any modern bike.
But I'm not in Western Europe... And as to ergonomics, of course they're part of any modern bike, but the ergonomics of most bikes out there are not comfortable for me, or even safe IMO. I ride in heavy traffic almost every day, and I want something really tall for visibility.

Finally, to set the record straight, I'm not being defensive, I just don't like people that don't even know me telling me why I did something...
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