BMW R1200GS (2004) – Am I Missing Something?

Well Matt has spent too  much time with BMW riding Andy it would appear and he has turned to the dark side and bought himself a BMW R1200GS. I followed him down to a mate’s place a few weeks back and he and the bike do seem to suit each well: He was swift and assured on the chunky GS, generally quicker than when rides his trusty CBF1000.

So I was interested to have a go on his latest stead recently and see how it compares with a 2008 model I rode recently. Initial impressions are that the two are very similar to ride, as you might expect. I was impressed how taut the bike felt for a nine year old, 36,000 mile bike. The suspension felt well damped, the brakes had a good feel at the lever and bite well. The engine was smooth and responsive although, again like the 2008 bike I feel a 1200 twin should have more grunt. The indicator switching remains maddening and I am not sure that familiarity would ease my feelings of hatred towards it!

In cracking condition and looking virtually as new…impressive for a 9 year old machine. Seen here touring in Northern Spain….the GS is really well suited to this kind of work as you would expect

When compared with the 2008 model it lacks some of the electronic trickery, but for my money the vast majority of that is not needed in any case, so the earlier bike is no poorer for the absence of these trinkets

But yet again I find the GS to be a bit too clompy in feel for me: I know they are massively popular and the more you ride one the more you are supposed to ‘get it’. But the whole thing eludes me, they just strike me as overweight and clumsy. Clearly I am wrong as the sales numbers tell their own story. Everybody I know with one loves their bikes; so it must be me!

Anyway Matt cheers for the ride and I hope you continue to enjoy the old girl as much as you have done so far.