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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
BMW R1200GS motor bike?
Anyone own a BMW R1200GS?

Im thinking of getting a used one due to a change in circumstances, and every biker Ive spoken to says they are known to be a great bike. I haven't owned a bike for some time, so are there any features I should avoid or look out for?


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Last edited by WarPig on 9th Mar 2014 10:03pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #314784 9th Mar 2014 7:13pm
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easydeluxe



Member Since: 18 Nov 2013
Location: antwerp
Posts: 55

Belgium 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Epsom Green
post 2006 models without servo brakes are the best bang for your buck. (2007 are the most sought after and easy to maintain yourself)
Go for a regular GS and not the GSA unless you need the 30 liter tank AND are really really tall.
Those boxer engines are bomb proof, so don't be afraid of some milage. Watch out for play on the rear wheel axle.
And the GS needs a good strong battery to work.

After a lot of bikes I love my GS.

G
Post #314794 9th Mar 2014 7:27pm
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Cakey



Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 468

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
I had the enduro version for a while . Only thing I hated was the speedo .
For back road riding it was as good as my explorer , traction control is mint . Just gives you a few scares when u let it do its stuff .
my sunday haunt is at the cafe at lady bower lay by on the snake .
Post #314796 9th Mar 2014 7:30pm
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Dave78



Member Since: 24 Feb 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 25

United Kingdom 
I've got a 2007 GSA. It is easy to work on and service yourself. I agree on avoiding the servo brakes. Standard brakes are more than good enough.

I'm not really really tall (only 5ft7) but with a low seat the GSA is manageable, with an airhawk on for padding.

If you are in Sheffield pop over the M1 to Rotherham and go to Rainbow. There've always been very helpful when I've popped in. Might also be worth saying hello on ukgser.com as someone is bound to have one close to you so you can have a natter.

I'm prob up your way in a few weeks, if I didn't need the space of 4 wheels I'd come up on the bike and you could have asked away.
Post #314806 9th Mar 2014 7:44pm
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Buzz



Member Since: 11 Oct 2011
Location: Inverness
Posts: 235

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Tonga Green
2010 GS here. I use it for work travelling all over the UK surveying. Has proved very comfortable, reliable, and actually bloody good fun on twisty A and B roads.
Post #314816 9th Mar 2014 8:01pm
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jumbo



Member Since: 21 Jan 2014
Location: Dublin
Posts: 29

Ireland 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Orkney Grey
I have 2007 GSA, fantastic bike, mile muncher, comfortable to ride all day even with pillion. They are a big heavy bike, so take in to account your height and fitness, those boxers take a lot of abuse, I have off-roaded a 1200 GS and it was as capable as many of the smaller 650's although it's a tough ask to pick them up when dropped.
The only prob I had to date was replacing the fuel tank gauge.
I can stay with all my pals on so called faster sports bikes and great fun on track days.
Post #314845 9th Mar 2014 8:50pm
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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
Thanks, didn't realise so many of you had this bike.

Im 6' 3" and 22 stone, so I'm kind of a big bloke! Mr. Green, I'm assuming this is a bike I could ride without looking like Alexei Sayle on his moped!! Shocked

How does the GS differ from the GSA? I did go over to Rainbow BMW in Rotherham last Sunday, but they were closed! But looking on their website they have a few used models, this one takes my eye..

http://www.rainbow.co.uk/approved-used-bik...028ZU12153
Post #314861 9th Mar 2014 9:19pm
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Dave78



Member Since: 24 Feb 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 25

United Kingdom 
GSA v GS

GSA is higher than a GS - in seat height
GSA has a large fuel tank
GSA has a large screen and winglets
GSA has crash bars and spoked wheels as standard

GSA normally has the ali panniers, and the GS the plastic ones. although I believe you can fit the ali to the GS as well.

All this based on the upto 2012 versions.

I went for a GSA cause I wanted the larger screen and crash bars, and well I just like the look of it more. If we bought bikes and defenders with our heads I doubt we'd have them.
Post #314874 9th Mar 2014 9:47pm
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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
Thanks Dave, so I assume GSA stands for GS Adventure?

Maybe a daft question, but how are they for 'year round' use, such as both riding and left parked in the rain?
Post #314876 9th Mar 2014 9:48pm
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Dave78



Member Since: 24 Feb 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 25

United Kingdom 
Yep, GSA = GS Adventure

Many over on the UKGSER forum use theirs all year round, cover it in ACF-50 before winter and wash it all off after. Mine is more a toy that gets used for weekends away and days out (got a little 125 to commute on).
Post #314879 9th Mar 2014 9:55pm
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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
Brill, thanks Thumbs Up

Last question for tonight (probably). Ive been reading about triple black models, what are they please?
Post #314882 9th Mar 2014 10:02pm
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Dave78



Member Since: 24 Feb 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 25

United Kingdom 
Triple black have lots of bits painted black, such as engine, shaft drive cover etc.

Some view them as the bees knees of the GS/GSA, others as just another special edition.
Post #314884 9th Mar 2014 10:05pm
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AndrewS



Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3708

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 SW Rimini Red
The triple black is a black bike that has 3 shades of black..

I have a 13MY GS TE that's just about to be replaced with a new Olive GSA


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Post #314886 9th Mar 2014 10:10pm
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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
Now THATS a nice looking bike Andrew, and a cracking photo Thumbs Up

Is the Triumph Tiger Explorer an equivalent bike to the GS?
Post #314890 9th Mar 2014 10:17pm
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AndrewS



Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3708

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 SW Rimini Red
Well there is a question, I looked at the Triumph before I got my GS as seen here


Click image to enlarge


Having closely looked at both bikes I thought to myself, If I rode them around a motox track which one would survive when I dropped it? I got the GS Thumbs Up
Post #314898 9th Mar 2014 10:29pm
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