Anyone Consider a GS First?

[dragonmojo]

I'm curious if anyone had originally considered a GS instead of a Rockster (or Roadster)? And if so, why did you decide to go with the R/Rx instead (the extra few thou in cost notwithstanding)?

[jon pierce]

The GS is a better bike (for me). I have had several since the late 1980s along with most other BMWs.

In my opinion if you want to ride long and hard with luggage and possibly a pillion nothing comes close.

BUT, over here in the US the GS is very common and there is a premium to be paid. It seems that dealers get ful price for them.

I bought a new Rockster a couple of months ago - got a good deal - truth is it is not such a popular model - so deals are out there. I bought a new Bronze one with all the extras, ABS, luggage, tank bag, innner bags, main stand, etc for less than the price of a basic bike without ABS. Besides, I did always like the 'cheeky' look of the Rockster.

I very much like the bike and have no regrets not buying another GS - I like the fact that I will probably never see another one parked next to mine and it goes well enough - this will be the first BMW I have had (I have had 9) to change the seat on - and no matter what anyone else says the Rockster does not have the amazing handling of the GS (though the handling is good).

[munchmeister]

I have an F650GS and seriously considered an 1150GS or 1200GS but the price entry point is much higher. For my purposes I want ALL the features: a sport bike, a cruiser bike, a dirt bike, a touring bike. For now, and with realistic financial contraints, I kept my F650GS for dual-sport rides and the R is my sport touring bike. I luv 'em both. If I had to hone it down to just one, though, it would probably be the 1200GS. But I'd miss the somewhat smaller and lighter F650 on the back roads and I think I would miss the somewhat sportier nature of the R on the twisty asphalt. As it is now, I think I've got the best of both worlds.

[single650]

I had a TDM in the past and very much wanted a GS. I now have a Rock. Why?

That beak Bluhh! and its soo top heavy when fuelled up

The rock is really a GS thats closer to the ground and looks so good

(that should offend some people )

[leno]

I had a GS but it's a big bike for me. I found the reach to the bars and ground hard. The width was also an issue with the trafic. I tried R and was amazed here was a GS but twice as easy to ride. And quite cheap in comparison.

[riceburner]

Tested and preferred a GS when I bought my latest (3rd) Rockster - but the difference in value was just stupid.

Rockster : 1200 miles, mint condition, 2004 : £5500

GS: 12000 miles, rough around the edges, 2005: £6500

GS was stupidly overpriced so stuck with the Rockster.

[leno]

The price of my 6 week old R was one 3 year old GS with 15k, plus 1500 pounds.

[gutsibikes]

I did 35 000 miles on my R1100GS before it started running badly and I had to get rid of it.

I bought a Rockster for the price and looks. Now I've got used to it its more comfortable, handles better and is much quicker so a better bike all round!

[rockster.ch]

I could not quantify the extra cost and ugliness of the 12GS

[beemerphile]

As a tall guy, I liked the ergos of the GS much better than the R, but I did not like any of the available solutions for wind blast. They all created turbulence at speed. Since my favorite use of motorcycles is extreme long-distance usually high-speed riding, I wanted touring bike quality wind protection. The RT style didn't suit some of the planned uses for the bike like the haul road to Prudoe Bay or the Trans-Labrador Highway, or most any part of Mexico. The only solution I could muster was to start with a basic bike like the R1150R and solve its "issues" related to LD adventure riding. Starting with either a GS or an RT would not have gotten me there.

The R was raised with GS suspension components, Wilbers shocks, and fitted with Dunlop D616 dual-use tires from a Buell Ulysses. This makes it a decent ride on the loose and bumpy stuff, but certainly not a "dirt bike". GS footpegs and controls and Wunderlich Touring Wellness handlebar with Verholen barbacks made the ergonomics fit me. A Sargent seat with Alaska Leather sheepskin will do until the Russell seat arrives.

The Hannigan fairing has RT comfort levels but since it is handlaid fiberglass it is tough enough to be crashed and repaired. The flat dash on the Hannigan is an ideal place for GPS / ValentineOne / and aux. gauges. The Jesse aluminum luggage is tough as nails (once the mounts are re-engineered) and large enough for a 4-week camping load. I have a 5-gallon aux fuel tank that is not yet installed to make the spans between fuel on some of these out-of-the-way destinations. Dual batteries and larger battery cables help assure that the beast will start every time.

NET NET? There was nothing out there for sale that would do this duty and no better place to start building it than the R-R.

[dragonmojo]

Sounds like BMW's answer to Harley's basic Softtail!

[jon pierce]

As a tall guy, I liked the ergos of the GS much better than the R, but I did not like any of the available solutions for wind blast. They all created turbulence at speed. Since my favorite use of motorcycles is extreme long-distance usually high-speed riding, I wanted touring bike quality wind protection. The RT style didn't suit some of the planned uses for the bike like the haul road to Prudoe Bay or the Trans-Labrador Highway, or most any part of Mexico. The only solution I could muster was to start with a basic bike like the R1150R and solve its "issues" related to LD adventure riding. Starting with either a GS or an RT would not have gotten me there.

The R was raised with GS suspension components, Wilbers shocks, and fitted with Dunlop D616 dual-use tires from a Buell Ulysses. This makes it a decent ride on the loose and bumpy stuff, but certainly not a "dirt bike". GS footpegs and controls and Wunderlich Touring Wellness handlebar with Verholen barbacks made the ergonomics fit me. A Sargent seat with Alaska Leather sheepskin will do until the Russell seat arrives.

The Hannigan fairing has RT comfort levels but since it is handlaid fiberglass it is tough enough to be crashed and repaired. The flat dash on the Hannigan is an ideal place for GPS / ValentineOne / and aux. gauges. The Jesse aluminum luggage is tough as nails (once the mounts are re-engineered) and large enough for a 4-week camping load. I have a 5-gallon aux fuel tank that is not yet installed to make the spans between fuel on some of these out-of-the-way destinations. Dual batteries and larger battery cables help assure that the beast will start every time.

NET NET? There was nothing out there for sale that would do this duty and no better place to start building it than the R-R.

Interesting - though I do sometimes wonder why we seem to load ourselves down so much.............maybe it's time to buy a landrover? Do we really need huge fairings, so much gas, so much luggage, so much electronics?

I went to a GS event at Max BMW day a few weeks ago and was amazed at what folks seem to stick on their bikes - The GSs that turned up appeared to be prepared to cross the Saraha, the irony was that the guest speaker was non other than Helge Pederson whose own adventures, (in my opinion) reflect the true spirit of of exploring on a motorcycle.

By the way - how did you raise the front of the R?

[beemerphile]

Interesting - though I do sometimes wonder why we seem to load ourselves down so much.............maybe it's time to buy a landrover? Do we really need huge fairings, so much gas, so much luggage, so much electronics?

Landrovering is a different hobby. Not interested. I have my 3-week camping load down to a practical minimum. It is still a significant amount of volume (tent - bag - Thermarest - chair - 4 days clothing - foul / cold weather gear - personal items). A full fairing takes the chore factor out of 18 hour riding days. And 400 miles of gas are necessary for some of the lonely stretches. With 200 miles of gas and the possibility of next gas being 100 miles away, you have to fill the 200 mile tank when it is only half-empty. The reserve range should be equal to the expected maximum fuel interval. As far as electronics: Where am I? Where are the cops? How healthy is my engine? These are basics of high speed travel.

I went to a GS event at Max BMW day a few weeks ago and was amazed at what folks seem to stick on their bikes - The GSs that turned up appeared to be prepared to cross the Saraha, the irony was that the guest speaker was non other than Helge Pederson whose own adventures, (in my opinion) reflect the true spirit of of exploring on a motorcycle.

There is no "one way" to enjoy this hobby.

By the way - how did you raise the front of the R?

I did not raise the front. I had experimented with a bushing to place under the A-arm ball joint to raise it, but there is only about 1" available before the spring takeup is completely relaxed. I may raise it later, but right now I am satisfied with the ground clearance and the handling with only the rear raised.

[jon pierce]

Interesting - though I do sometimes wonder why we seem to load ourselves down so much.............maybe it's time to buy a landrover? Do we really need huge fairings, so much gas, so much luggage, so much electronics?

Landrovering is a different hobby. Not interested. I have my 3-week camping load down to a practical minimum. It is still a significant amount of volume (tent - bag - Thermarest - chair - 4 days clothing - foul / cold weather gear - personal items). A full fairing takes the chore factor out of 18 hour riding days. And 400 miles of gas are necessary for some of the lonely stretches. With 200 miles of gas and the possibility of next gas being 100 miles away, you have to fill the 200 mile tank when it is only half-empty. The reserve range should be equal to the expected maximum fuel interval. As far as electronics: Where am I? Where are the cops? How healthy is my engine? These are basics of high speed travel.

I went to a GS event at Max BMW day a few weeks ago and was amazed at what folks seem to stick on their bikes - The GSs that turned up appeared to be prepared to cross the Saraha, the irony was that the guest speaker was non other than Helge Pederson whose own adventures, (in my opinion) reflect the true spirit of of exploring on a motorcycle.

There is no "one way" to enjoy this hobby.

By the way - how did you raise the front of the R?

I did not raise the front. I had experimented with a bushing to place under the A-arm ball joint to raise it, but there is only about 1" available before the spring takeup is completely relaxed. I may raise it later, but right now I am satisfied with the ground clearance and the handling with only the rear raised.

As I say............interesting! I find it all so fascinating. Though in my mind it does prompt a few questions...........?

Why go so far so fast?

We have spent the last 20 years travelling all over the World with tent, motorbike, car, boat, plane, motorhome, walking, cycling etc and I often feel guilty of not stopping other than for the quick kodak moment - to me (and clearly you) the actual travel is more than the destination. There was a three year period during which we both had regular jobs and did 36,000 miles in our motorhome, 75,000 miles on our GS as well as 150,000 miles by car for work. So having decided that the travel is more important that the destination, next question.........is the mode of travel more important than the travel? When looking around I suspect that for a lot of people it is - those GSs at Max BMW were so shiny. I once got my R80Gs loaded onto a small fishing boat so I could ride a remote area of Scotland and I remember how the fisherman teased me for having such a big bike with a big tank - they suggested that maybe a 250 would be more fun? Of course they were right (well, kind of) a smaller bike would use a lot less petrol and yet would still carry all I really needed.

Of course like (I guess) everyone on this site I am an enthusiast and a big fan of BMW - I just try and remember why it is I do what I do. Sometimes seems that things these days have become much too complex. Boy, I wish I still had that R80Gs, so small and light!

As a wise gent once said............"if you don't go when you need to go you might fiind that when you do go you've gone!" and no, he wasn't talking about the toilet!

Incidently, back at that Max BMW day when it came time for Helge to take a break from his presentation for lunch all the delegates got up and walked to the sales counter to order more shiny extras or get a burger rather than take the oppurtunity to share a tale or two with a fellow traveller. Which was great for me as I had a chance to compare notes regarding travel through Norway and Finland.

[beemerphile]

Why go so far so fast?

My good friend Ed Culberson (now departed) saw half the world on the same R80GS. He was happy making 8 miles through the jungle in a day with 4 bushwhackers ahead of him cutting underbrush. I have to say he was ten times the adverturer that I will ever be. Helge is another one of that ilk, I'm sure, except I have never known him.

My game is different. I just like to ride. I can see the scenery fast-forward as I go. I went by Mount Rushmore and just waved at the presidents. Can't 'splain it. Next week I am headed to the BMW National in Vermont. I'll start from Georgia and get to Vermont by way of Wisconsin and after two days will be bored straight and will probably head to Nova Scotia. Still can't 'splain it, it's just what I will probably do.

Big fairing, lots of gas and electronics make it a happier time. Guys who tour on a step-through 50 have my admiration. - Lee

[domekrome]

Let me just say, that after riding four different Ducatis recently, getting back on my Rockster felt like riding a GS

[jon pierce]

Let me just say, that after riding four different Ducatis recently, getting back on my Rockster felt like riding a GS

Here, here - everything in life is relative!

[dragonmojo]

Let me just say, that after riding four different Ducatis recently, getting back on my Rockster felt like riding a GS

Here, here - everything in life is relative!

Hehe, probably also felt like finally making it out of the womb!

[Brownw3]

I have always loved the GS but geez, I'm not riding to Afghanistan next week, so I guess I just didn't need all the goodies. I was in the process of buying one when the operations manager from the dealer showed me a 2004 super touring rockstar, tank bag, ABS, touring cases, never titled program bike with only 1000 miles on it.... for $9500! I didn't hesitate, put a touring windscreen and R bars on it and now I have a Super Hooligan adventure touring bagger for 10G! Too sweet to pass up, guys.

[ranmar850]

I went thru this a while back--rode NZ on a hired 1200GS, and loved it. Can't help thinking the Rockster would have been better, in theory, in the twisties which abound in NZ, but that GS did everything soooo well--remember, we were doing all our miles two-up, with full hard luggage, and you could really chuck it around. I only had a few brief rides solo, and seriously considered swapping when I came home. Price has something to do with it, of course....pillion in a million definitely preferred the GS seat to the Rockster's, too.