Newbie & almost a R1200s owner

[Anvil77]

Hi all,
I'm very close to swapping in my 1200gs for S so thought I would come on and say hi. After spending a week at the TT I thought I was too young for the GS but love the boxer engine, I've also owned an r.
I'm test riding on Friday a 2007 with standard package and an akrapovic exhaust. Any suggestions on what to check/look out for before my heart takes over my head?
Cheers!

[eyore]

Hi and welcome,thats exactly how I came to an R12S, via a GS . Didn't like the big heavy lumpthe gS was, nor the image that goes with it.
The R 12S is a different animal all together

[Herb]

Welcome.

Not much to look out for really, the normal stuff you would check on any bike, general condition, obvious crash damage, true rims, oil leaks etc.

In addition, make sure the 'maintenance free' final drive has been thoroughly maintained with new oil at the appropriate intervals. Service history is nice, personally I would not get hung up on a dealer history, many owners maintain the bikes themselves, but evidence of what has been done and when would be nice.

You say the bike is standard with an Akra. Personally I would be looking for one with ABS, heated grips, sports pack and Akra in that order. They are around if you are patient.

If the bike you are looking at is a dealer bike, then haggle extra hard. These can hang around on the forecourt for a while and my experience is that they want them gone. Batteries can be weak, so if you can get them to fit a new battery as well, so much the better.

[exoticices]

Yep, budget for a good battery, Odyssey ideally.

The other mod would be headers (difficult to find / expensive) to remove the cat - improves the noise and 'feel'. The end can is less important.

Try to avoid ABS - not needed and expensive to fix if/when(!) they go wrong.

Other than that, usual checks as Herb said.

Bear in mind that if you're into modding your bike it can be more difficult (expensive) to get bits for the S. And they're not pillion-friendly. But they are nice and deceptively rapid road bikes.

[Anvil77]

Thanks for the advise and the welcome!

I have spent more than a few evening hours over the past couple of weeks looking in to modifications and realise this is a small and expensive world. One thing I may struggle to live without is my satnav so I will be trawling previous threads on here to see if anyone has managed to mount one successfully.

I should have mentioned it also has the BMW panniers, ABS and heated grips but not the sports package.

Interesting about the battery, I've got the price down a little and also had them include new stainless bolts to the front casing. I plan to give the bike a good look over on the test ride out of the way of the salesman. Maybe the battery can be a deal clincher if the test ride doesn't paralyse me. I will keep you informed!

[Herb]

I would disagree about the ABS. I would personally prefer it. The R1200s system can be switched off if you do trackdays. The brakes also don't have the servo assist that caused so many problems on older models.

I think ABS faults with this model are rare and the only time the ABS has activated for me is when I have deliberately tested it (a surprisingly hard thing to do) so it is not over sensitive on the road either.

I have standard suspension on mine and I find the handling excellent, although the lack of adjustment compared to the optional Ohlins might cause a problem for some. I am told the Ohlins suspension is a big step up over standard, but I have never tried it so can't miss it.

Sat Nav can be easily mounted and I have seen various solutions for mounting bike specific units. There is a power take off hidden in the fairing as well, so charging won't be a problem. Personally I use a car sat nav in a bag velcroed to the top yoke. (Cos I am cheap).

[exoticices]

Again, agree pretty much with Herb. ABS is a personal thing - not my cup of tea but my main concern is cost if it goes wrong.

I wouldn't worry about the standard suspension. If you're fast enough to find it limiting it can probably be rebuilt / setup by a specialist to a better spec than the 'Ohlins' option for not too much money. Also, the 180 rear tyre is probably 'better' than the 190 for the road - easier to turn in?

I suppose the important thing is if the bike has been well looked after really. Everything else you can tweak to your personal taste.

By the way, for the battery - twins give them a hard time - you need one with high CCA (cold cranking amps). I found Odyssey excellent but there's also Motobatt and others.

[David_S_Walker]

Hello,

I have the BMW mount on mine which is a very neat install on the headstock which has has been said wires directly in to the wiring loom. Easiest of course if you use the BMW official mount which is not too unreasonable priced and you can then use the BMW Navigator IV or its Garmin equivalent.

All works very well for me linked into my Starcom1 intercom which I have mounted in a "powered" demountable tank bag.

Otherwise I would agree with all that has been said - Try to get the factory options first and foremost and then go from there.

Personally love the ABS system although I will not I am sure should it go wrong.....

Best regards,

David

[Anvil77]

Well, I've made the purchase and said goodbye to the GS.
After 250 miles I've added some Helibars, a double bubble screen, some techspec tank pads and of course some Boxertrix stickers
What a cracking bike, I'll get some pics posted when I've given it a clean.