OK here’s my 43,000 km report. It's not a huge report and I’ll stay away from stuff like passion and all that crap and just report the facts first. Then I’ll get into the passion stuff so you can sign off if you want. I have no modifications to speak of. I have the factory panniers and tank bag and a Givi top box and windscreen.

I purchased the 2004 R1200GS from Motor Sport World in Ottawa. Rider Profile: 5’9, 230-240. 17 years street riding. 3 years trackdays and road-racing. 2 years motorcycle drag racing. Very little off-road experience prior to purchase of 12GS. Previous trips done on VTR, and RC51 to East coast of Canada.

Previous bikes: 400 Maxim, 750 Katana, 1000R Ninja, KZ900, GPZ305, GS500E, VTR1000, RC51, CBR600RR, RD350 endurance racer, H1R replica

What has happened to date:

Just over 43,000 km as of this morning.
Usually 100 out of every 1000 kms is off-road
1 rear tire Tourance due to a flat (see below)
Front Tourance tire lasted 26,000 km
Burned about 700-800 ml of oil between 2, 000 and 18,000 km (still have bottle left in the bag). Hasn’t burned anything major since
2 burned out headlight bulbs @ 20,000 km and 40,000 km respectively
1 broken support bar for the windscreen after something “big” hit it. I’m still not sure what it was a bird or a rock since I clipped both in the same day
Longest ride in one time frame: over 1,400 km from Moncton NB to Ottawa Ont.
Fastest I’ve been: over 180 kph, with luggage on in expanded position, consistently over a 45 min period running with a couple of VFR’s and ZZR1300
Best gas mileage with bags mounted and expanded. 436 km
Worst gas mileage with bags mounted and expanded 375 km
Longest trip just under 7,000 km – Maritimes
No modifications

24,000 km. This has primarily been a weekend run of the following. I usually go for a 600 to 800 km ride on Saturday, followed on Sunday with a 100-150 km run thorough the trails outside Ottawa. There are plenty of trails wide enough for a big bike like this as well as ATV trails and wider paths for jeeps and such. I also go along the K and P Trail up by Calabogie. This is nice trail wide in some areas and thin in others with terrain from smooth rock to larger stones but no major elevation changes to really speak of. The tarmac miles have also included three runs down to Windsor from Ottawa that usually ends up being a run of over 2,300 kms round trip, back roads mainly. I’ve also gone up to Algonquin Park numerous times this summer, the Adirondacks, Manitoulin Is. and the Maritimes, specifically the Cabot Trail. I had a longest run of 1,400 kms from Moncton NB to Ottawa in one day. I usually average a speed of 120-140 kph and find it just purrs well @ this speed.

My off-road has included dirt roads, logging roads, ATV paths. I’ve had no issues riding on dirt. I’ve dropped it twice and no ill effect. I’ve had the bags on and they have taken the brunt of the hit and I’ve kept the cylinder heads clear. Both times it was in a mixture of sand, mud and muck, so no real damage to be had. Being magnesium heads I know they wouldn’t take a hit well so of course I’ll be getting some engine guards. I’ve also taken through deep waters just above the cylinder heads and no ill effects. Note a snorkel will be needed to g any deeper than just above the cylinder heads.

So as you can see my issues have been negligible therefore my gripes are none. I love ever aspect of the bike and for the first time ever I’m really regretting the end of the riding season. In my mind it’s perfect because it does everything I ask of it and it never leaves me wanting for more or for other bikes.

So there is my long-term report. Hopefully it is of help to those who are interested in this bike. While I would still say that a test ride is a good gauge I honestly believe that even that won’t tell you if you have made the right choice. But I’d say go with your gut choice I know I have. Also I think it is a good idea to decide what type of riding you are going to be doing.

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get off the cross, we need the wood