Am I crazy for considering a R1200GS?

[Big Blu]

Pics or it did not happen

I don't bother with taking pictures, it gets in the way of having fun.

Freedom Cycle in Las Vegas and in Reno are owned by 2 partners that were happy to work with me on a fly-ride deal. They both met me at the airport, put me up in a casino overnight, and paid for my drinks and meals. The next day the general manager of the Vegas shop picked me up at the casino and took me to the shop. Here a photo of my scooter from their face book page: https://www.facebook.com/FreedomCycleLasVegas/photos/pb.261876830583385.-2207520000.1447164814./279674142136987/?


Paul

 

[Checkswrecks]

I own a Vespa 300 GT that I rode across country in 2012, it's a cool bike to! ::024::

5k miles in 28 days, best CC trip ever, and I had many. ::015::
For me it's about the journey(smiles and miles), not the destination, not the tool, bro! ::021::

Paul

That sounds like a blast!
Scooters can be a lot of fun!

 

[hambonee]

Late to the party but I sold my 2013 LC GS and bought a 2013 Tenere and would not go back.

The goods of the GS:
Cruise, heated grips, electronic adjustable stuff(Tenere past 2014 has this though).
Bit more power and torque
Spiffy LED headlight and such..look cooler ::26::
Some nice touches like steel braided break lines.

Bad:
Was scary around any vehicle van sized and up. Hard to explain but just did not feel stable and had some front end worble when behind big vehicles(Tenere has none of that and no other bike I have had did this. I have confirmed through loaner that this was just not my bike).

TOO many electronic do dads(more to break and rarely if ever used).
Transmission was HORRIBLE!!!! Clunky, no way not to grind anywhere from 1st to 3rd gear range(here again loaner has same issue).
Seriously, you can buy the Tenere now and farkle the crap outa it and come no where near the price of the beemer.


For me I am happy as hell with the Tenere. The tiny bit more power the BMW had is a non issue and it just feels like a better made ride(stability and transmission). In the end though...what tugs at the heart strings rarely makes sense...just have to look at my X wife to figure that out! ;D

 

[Big Blu]

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In the end though...what tugs at the heart strings rarely makes sense...just have to look at my X wife to figure that out! ;D

If it/she tugs at my heart string I'm riding it, smiling and grinning, feeling like a king, luv'n every minute of life. Nut'n else matters to me. ::015::

2013 was the 1st year of production for the LC GS, in 2014 they added a steering dampener to firm up the steering. I suspect that would eliminate the instability you noticed when in traffic. As for the gearbox...... I've ridden better. Perhaps BMW should look at Japans, England, or Italy for a transmission engineer..... can't hurt.

Paul

 

[Donk]

As for the gearbox...... I've ridden better. Perhaps BMW should look at Japans, England, or Italy for a transmission engineer..... can't hurt.

Paul

England? Clearly you have no experience with the Triumph Trophy or Explorer. When they came out with the 1200 a bunch of us bought them. Most of the guys had transmission problems between 20,000 and 40,000 miles requiring a rebuild. I got lucky and sold mine before I had any issues.... other than the head, the cruise, the...... The good news is the Explorer pushed me into the S10 and I lived happily ever after.

 

[Dogdaze]

England? Clearly you have no experience with the Triumph Trophy or Explorer. When they came out with the 1200 a bunch of us bought them. Most of the guys had transmission problems between 20,000 and 40,000 miles requiring a rebuild. I got lucky and sold mine before I had any issues.... other than the head, the cruise, the...... The good news is the Explorer pushed me into the S10 and I lived happily ever after.

You're assuming BB meant Triumph, he could have meant Norton or Royal Enfield? Yes I know they are made in India, but so is Triumph, according to the UK Gov at least.

 

[Donk]

You're assuming BB meant Triumph, he could have meant Norton or Royal Enfield? Yes I know they are made in India, but so is Triumph, according to the UK Gov at least.

The 1200s are "made" in England. I'm pretty sure the 675s, 800s, and Bonnevilles are made in Thailand and from what I hear the build quality on them is pretty good.

 

[Dogdaze]

Triumph will assemble six of the models–Bonneville, Bonneville T100, Daytona 675R, Street Triple, Speed Triple and Thruxton–at its new factory at Manesar in the northern state of Haryana, India.

 

[Joega]

Yes you are .

 

[Dogdaze]

So far 5 pages of opinions, and we have not heard from the OP yet, did she or didn't she?

 

[Big Blu]

England? Clearly you have no experience with the Triumph Trophy or Explorer. When they came out with the 1200 a bunch of us bought them. Most of the guys had transmission problems between 20,000 and 40,000 miles requiring a rebuild. I got lucky and sold mine before I had any issues.... other than the head, the cruise, the...... The good news is the Explorer pushed me into the S10 and I lived happily ever after.

You're right, I haven't ....... just the modern Scrambler, Daytona 675, and a Tiger 800XC, and my 1st, a new '69 500cc Triumph TR6C Tiger scrambler with high pipes,

Ahhhh the good old days: http://www.classic-british-motorcycles.com/1969-triumph-tr6.html
Not a bad ride in the day. this reminds me of the time and place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ICK92Xr0-I
I want to be just like Steve McQueen, enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz5b3C3e0Qo
If I had kept that bike I'd be a wealthy oil magnet, it made oils and left puddles where ever it was parked...... porous cases!

Paul

 

[greg the pole]

Triumph will assemble six of the models–Bonneville, Bonneville T100, Daytona 675R, Street Triple, Speed Triple and Thruxton–at its new factory at Manesar in the northern state of Haryana, India.

hope their QA/QC is up to snuff...
They are not cheap bikes. You don't see yamaha sending the FZ07/09 FJ09 that way to cut costs. Their smaller bike the r3 is put together in Thailand.

The new gen KLR650 was put together in thailand (all parts were japan supplied)...it went from being an ok product, to barely acceptable.

 

[Rasher]

...it went from being an ok product, to barely acceptable.

Sounds like were talking about BMW's again

 

[Defekticon]

The new gen KLR650 was put together in thailand (all parts were japan supplied)...it went from being an ok product, to barely acceptable.

I rode my KLR650 in to work today.... Everytime I get on that bike I remember why I didn't trade it in when I bought my S10.

 

[greg the pole]

I rode my KLR650 in to work today.... Everytime I get on that bike I remember why I didn't trade it in when I bought my S10.

you do know what they say about opinions ::015::
That's mine and mine only. My 99 was better put together than my late 2008.
as far as fit and finish, my DRs had much better fit and finish.

Not all bikes feel the same. That's why I need three

 

[Donk]

hope their QA/QC is up to snuff...
They are not cheap bikes. You don't see yamaha sending the FZ07/09 FJ09 that way to cut costs. Their smaller bike the r3 is put together in Thailand.

Too late, Triumphs QC on the 1200 is terrible. I must admit what were the Thai built bikes were pretty good. Who knows what will happen with the move to India.

 

[greg the pole]

Too late, Triumphs QC on the 1200 is terrible. I must admit what were the Thai built bikes were pretty good. Who knows what will happen with the move to India.

well...that means it's pretty much the same across the board.
It's funny, I picked up my first KTM this year. 2008 exc450. Decent hours on it, and in good shape. Man, you start reading the little things that KTM messes up, and it's a laugh. Water pump seals put in backwards, little stupid things, that they didn't bother looking at. That said, the rest of the bike is first rate. Very good components.
Same story with my buddy's 1190r. It just looks a bit cheap underneath. The wiring loom especially (it's a thing I have).

I'll stick with my japanese built FJ, and Tenere.

 

[RhodeTrip]

The picture of the guys riding the Victorys look more like weekend warriors then daily commuters. If you only ride your bike on sunny Sunday afternoons, then expectations are going to be different. Would they be equally satisfied with their big cruiser commuting to work at 7AM on a rainy January morning

To answer your question about commuting; yes they would. I had 3 Vics and many friends that still have them most of averaged 12000-16000/year. They have their quirks but are reliable, fit and finish isn't unto Yamaha. I got tired of 900+lb bikes and went for a 2015 ES; the reliability of Yamaha was a big factor, shaft drive and believe it or not, the weight (more stability on slab) were big factors in my decision. So far I am enjoying the heck out of this bike.

 

[Donk]

well...that means it's pretty much the same across the board.
It's funny, I picked up my first KTM this year. 2008 exc450. Decent hours on it, and in good shape. Man, you start reading the little things that KTM messes up, and it's a laugh. Water pump seals put in backwards, little stupid things, that they didn't bother looking at. That said, the rest of the bike is first rate. Very good components.
Same story with my buddy's 1190r. It just looks a bit cheap underneath. The wiring loom especially (it's a thing I have).

I'll stick with my japanese built FJ, and Tenere.

Greg, how are you liking the FJ? I just bought one and the verdict is still out. I think it's going to be ok, I love triples and it seems pretty good but built to a price point. How many miles on yours?

 

[Donk]

To answer your question about commuting; yes they would. I had 3 Vics and many friends that still have them most of averaged 12000-16000/year. They have their quirks but are reliable, fit and finish isn't unto Yamaha. I got tired of 900+lb bikes and went for a 2015 ES; the reliability of Yamaha was a big factor, shaft drive and believe it or not, the weight (more stability on slab) were big factors in my decision. So far I am enjoying the heck out of this bike.

Victory makes a really nice bike. Fit and finish is first rate. Took a friends Vision(no top box) for a ride and ran it up to 120 without realizing it. Big heavy bike but a super nice ride.