revtothelimit - motorbike forum

I had a test on a 900 Tracer GT last week which I loved. Lightish, good handling, good spec...unfortunately Mrs S hated the pillion ( think she’s been spoilt by the Sprint GT)

So another test scheduled for Friday on a 1200 GS. I’m really not sure what to expect here as I’ve never really even considered one of those. It’s a 67 plate Exclusive TE so top spec for its time.

In a way I’m looking forward to it but maybe I’ll hate it. Mrs S’s opinion on the pillion is important as well as most of my riding is now 2 up.

If this doesn’t suit her I’m really at a loss and I’ll possibly end up keeping the Sprint.

Incidentally although I complain about the weight of the Sprint it felt just like putting on a pair of old comfortable shoes after being on the Tracer

Lots of folk love the big GS,so the manufacturers must be doing something right. They seem to do the pillion thing well. I don't like them,but they could very well be perfect for your job.

If I was looking for a comfy/pillion able bike I'd check out the Z1000SX,the new ones have all the electronic toys. It's also a bike you could enjoy when not carrying the missus.

The GS will ride better than you imagine, be interesting what you think

I rode an older GS and was very pleasantly surprised at how well it could be get a move on in comfort, then I got back on the K1200R and it blew my cobwebs out. Totally different world in acceleration and speed.

the_priest wrote: Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:27 pm I rode an older GS and was very pleasantly surprised at how well it could be get a move on in comfort, then I got back on the K1200R and it blew my cobwebs out. Totally different world in acceleration and speed.

Bloody hooligan kids. Pah

When i tested the Multistrada initially it was against the 1200GS with the LC engine. I rode both a few days apart on the same route and was impressed by both. I had briefly ridden a Multistrada 1000 offered to me by Couchy a few years before but had no other Ducati experience. At the time i owned a GS1150 so the cards were stacked in the GS camp favourably.

Before i signed on the line i rode both bikes back to back on the same day with the missus pillion as she didnt like the GS1150 as it lacked the fun factor of the Zx636 i had before it. We rode both, GS first, and when she got off wasnt sure as it didnt have a top box fitted which she had got used to so felt a bit different on it. We went to the Ducati dealer and rode away on the Multistrada and within 5 minutes she tapped me on the shoulder and shouted "Get this one, its like the sports bike but with comfort"

I will add that i also took into account the BMW dealer bullshitted me on warranty claims (said there were none when i knew of 3 at that dealer due to flaking engine paint) and the owner at the Ducati dealer said he would look after me and trust hi if there were any problems.

I bought the Ducati ...... and he did look after me on a secondhand bike when there was a failed heated grip and a failed LED headlight which would have been over a grand to sort but he sorted it FOC

I should add that after buying the Multi she has been on the pillion seat of not one, but two Multistradas a grand total of about 7 times in 5 years

I have a 1250GS
And am picking up a pair of Z1000SX’s on Thursday
Stick the GS in Dynamic Pro and it’ll be a very determined rider on something sporty that manages to pull away from you.
You can then turn off early and smash the green lanes for the last couple of miles home. You’ll be absolutely amazed at what one will do off road too.
For me though, the weight now after several surgeries is the issue.
So it’ll be going back before the lease is fully up. It’s not a huge amount heavier than the SX and carries it well but it’s enough that it can be a pita to pick up - besides I have a 701 to do that with which is almost 1000kgs lighter!
The SX’s give the mile munching ability of the GS with a/b road scratching as well with less commitment.
I would keep the ZZR but even with risers it’s just slightly the wrong position so causes aggravation on the screws which the SX doesn’t.

If you like the Sprint, what about a Tiger Explorer, 800 or 1200. The 1200 gives similar power delivery to the Sprint ST that I had, but for me a much better riding position, pretty big back seat and with a top box it is Something for her to lean on.
Mick

PitaNaanRoti wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:02 am You can then turn off early and smash the green lanes for the last couple of miles home. You’ll be absolutely amazed at what one will do off road too.

Until it all goes wrong and at best you've got 200+ KG of motorcycle sunk to the spindles in mud and you need 3 friends on DRZs to stop laughing and help you dig/lift the bike out, or you can just drop it at a standstill on loose gravel and it breaks your leg, both of these I've seen, I've also had Si Pavey come past me at over 100mph on a fire road in Dalby Forest on one, they're capable off road if you're good and confident and there's no deep mud, otherwise there as useless as any other adventure bike.

If you're considering a 1200GS, is it not worth taking a spin on a 1200RT too? I've got an 1150GSA and a 1200RT. Love them both but the RT is the better bike by quite some margin and would be a logical half-way step from a Spring GT I'd have thought.

I’ll try the GS and see how it goes.

All your other suggestions are good and I’ll investigate the ones I can.

I don’t know about where you lot are but my hunting ground is Edinburgh area and there aren’t a lot of test bikes going about.

The GS is the only one I could find, I could get a ride on a Tiger 800 but the rest I’d be struggling to find.

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 2:31 pm

PitaNaanRoti wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:02 am You can then turn off early and smash the green lanes for the last couple of miles home. You’ll be absolutely amazed at what one will do off road too.

Until it all goes wrong and at best you've got 200+ KG of motorcycle sunk to the spindles in mud and you need 3 friends on DRZs to stop laughing and help you dig/lift the bike out, or you can just drop it at a standstill on loose gravel and it breaks your leg, both of these I've seen, I've also had Si Pavey come past me at over 100mph on a fire road in Dalby Forest on one, they're capable off road if you're good and confident and there's no deep mud, otherwise there as useless as any other adventure bike.

I’ve not got one stuck yet and I’m around Si Pavey fairly regularly when not banned due to this fucking surgery.
Yes, they’re heavy but then I’ve seen someone bust an ankle in Loomies tarmac car park on a FS1e.
Yes, there’s times I won’t take the GS but then we aren’t discussing that. Maybe you should visit Si at ORS though and see what they will do that something lighter and less powerful won’t as a different thread.

What about the Yam XTZ1200Z.
1:43 in the pillion tester seems to rave about it?

I'll second the Super 10, my wife is very comfortable on the back of the one I've just bought. Wouldn't touch another gs with a barge-pole - see my previous post of the shite I had to put up with. The Yamaha is better in every way, even fuel consumption!

All pumped up to test the GS this morning but the salesman just phoned to postpone it. It’s still in the workshop.

12k service, drive train strip down, new tyres and other odds and sods. It’s going to have 2 years BMW warranty so presumably they want to make sure it goes out right.

I’ll be annoyed if I don’t like it

Scotsrich wrote: Fri Jul 23, 2021 12:17 pm All pumped up to test the GS this morning but the salesman just phoned to postpone it. It’s still in the workshop.

I believe that happens quite a lot with the GS.

And there's me trying not to say anything
Final drive, hmm - lets hope they put the caliper bolts in correctly then

If you're considering a 1200 Tenere, surely one of them African Twins is worth a thought too.

You’re not filling me with confidence that I’m making the right choice here

Well I had a ride on it and it’s er..different.

The wife likes it which is half the battle.

I had a quick spin with her on pillion ( I had to sneak her on as they aren’t insured for pillions) then an hour on my own. Fortunately I was able to get onto roads that I knew so I could get some kind of comparison.

In general I liked it. Much less work than the Sprint.

It felt a bit soft till I put it on dynamic which tightened the whole thing up. Seriously what’s the point of difference modes that simply make a poorer riding experience?

Anyway I decided to buy it although I can’t get time to pick it up till Friday.