So had a ride on a R1200S (Ohlins, 190 rear tire, ABS) en R1200GS (Remus can) and compared them against the ole S (Wilbers, short paralever strut, steel enforced brake lines, ABS, Laser Y-piece). Testtrack was my daily commuter route wich can be ridden by highway (100 mph cruisin speed) or by B-roads (poor road surface, 100 mph topspeed ... and more fun ofcourse).
Notes on the R1200S:
1) riding positon appears to be more compact/less stretched then on the S
2) nice sound even with standard cans
3) messy look into the cockpit/fairing
4) less windprotection then on the S (with standard screen)
5) engine doesn't feel any stronger .... until you pass 6000 rpm
6) upto 6000 rpm it seems a bit reluctant to go
7) gap between short first and longer second gear
'smooth' gearbox (considering it's a BMW)9) to get at and beyond 6000 rpm you need to stretch the throttle to the very last 5 millimeters
10) suspension, stability and roadholding not better then what I'm used to: meaning it's very good
11) steering just a bit more nimble due to the loss of weight
12) same flimsy paintjob as (originally) on the ole S
13) you really need to tuck in when reaching 125 mph
13) looks good in black
14) more vibrations than the ole S, especially round 5000-6000 rpm (they did put in a balancer shaft ... didn't they?)
Notes on the R1200GS
1) riding position: upright, hands high, arms spread. After getting used to: very relaxed
2) at standstill: d*mn its big (touched the ground with the ball of my foot)
3) on the move: you just forget all about its size
4) nice sound with that Remus
5) high handlebars
6) engine really smooth, much like the ole S, even the gear ratio's
7) 'smooth' gearbox (considering it's a BMW)
more buffetting due to upright position9) suspension, stability and roadholding less then what I'm used to: meaning it's still good but on really poor roadsurfaces the front has difficulty to keep track (standard suspension on this one)
10) steering is easy and you'll work more from the hips
11) ground clearance less then on both S'es
12) easy to handle on the occasional unpaved road
13) same flimsy paintjob as (originally) on the ole S
14) you'll hit 125 mph in the same upright position as when you took off; ready to read the newspaper
15) looks more like a tool then a motorcycle
So ..... I would like the engine of the GS in the new S (maybe with a button to switch the mapping on a trackday!) so I'll have the looks of the S and the 'torque-all-over-the-place' of the GS.
I think it's a pitty BMW didn't use the extra power of the new S to make it stronger in mid region rpm's. Sure the sensation of that 6000 rpm boost would be less, but it would be easier to apply that power in real world road riding. Still it can be fun to ride on the other side of 6000 rpm but why squeeze it in in the very last 5 mm of throttle?
Buying a GS can be justified by stating that I want something different. Buying an S means paying a lot money for a bike that's hardly better then the one I already own.. newer yes ...
So what about buying a recent R1100S BCR and spend the savings on trick accesoires ..... ? Tune it up a bit.
HJ
