and as a second conversation starter

[lazarus]

what is it do you think that makes the BMW 1200GS much the best bike you can buy today? Is it the style? The go anywhere ability? The technology? The sheer build quality? The fact that it still works when it rains unlike anything from Italy?

[fatboy]

What attributes are you using to determine 'best' ?
Not the same ones Im using, thats for sure. The GS may well be a bloody good workhorse but I think the Falco is the best bike ever made in terms of delivering rider enjoyment.
Mine has been the sole transport all winter, some prolonged starts but reliable

[Dusty]

I blame Boorman and McGregor. Like many products, celebrity endorsement is enough to persuade people that they have to have it.

[Aladinsaneuk]

It's not

Personally I think it's a crock of shit

[mangocrazy]

what is it do you think that makes the BMW 1200GS much the best bike you can buy today? Is it the style?

I believe sir is pulling our collective plonker (apologies to BG). Apart from the fact that it's fuck-ugly, I'd be tempted tp say it is entirely lacking in style.

The go anywhere ability?

As long as you have a camera crew and support truck with complete spares kit (including spare frames)

The technology?

As in '90s technology?

The sheer build quality?

As in sheer nylons - rip as soon as you look at them?

The fact that it still works when it rains unlike anything from Italy?

Now I know you're trying to get a rise... Come to one of our Newark meets if you want to see how well Falcos handle a monsoon...

[Willopotomas]

The technology?

As in '90s technology?

When did they upgrade then?

[mangocrazy]

The technology?

As in '90s technology?

When did they upgrade then?

I meant the 1890s...

[lazarus]

Come on chapos. You can do better than this. You know deep down that you really fancy a GS - you're just in denial!.

Let me give you some hints:
1/ upright riding position - no weight on wrist
2/ adjustabvlke seat height for thos with ducks disease
3/ shaft drive - thats got to beat chain any day
4/ characterful boxer engine that has real low down flexibility
5/ non dive froont suspension giving sports bike roadholding
6/ excellent variable luggage system
7/ adjustable screen
8/ electric suspension, abs , traction control
9/ all terrain, all weather capability
10/ comes pre equipped with fluorescent sam browne belt and IAM membership.

And you meet the nicest people on GSs

[D-Rider]

Just looked it up to see what it is.

Conclusion:

• Ugly
  Expensive

Not my cup of tea really. Nothing against BMW bikes per se but not one I'd choose unless I needed specific capabilities that I could not get elsewhere

[mangocrazy]

Come on chapos. You can do better than this. You know deep down that you really fancy a GS - you're just in denial!.

Let me give you some hints:
1/ upright riding position - no weight on wrist

An upright riding position is fine for a lightweight trailie, but for anything else I prefer a sporty-ish riding position. Mango 1 - GS 0

2/ adjustabvlke seat height for thos with ducks disease

I have never had a problem with seat height on any bike. Mango 2 - GS 0

3/ shaft drive - thats got to beat chain any day

er, no. The extra weight alone is enought rule it out for me, before we start discussing the effects on handling. Mango 3 - GS 0

4/ characterful boxer engine that has real low down flexibility

You mean something like the characterful V-twin Falco engine that has real low down flexibility as well as a proper top-end rush, without the annoying side to side motion when blipping the throttle at a standstill that bedevils boxer twins? Mango 4 - GS 0

5/ non dive froont suspension giving sports bike roadholding

A degree of dive is required to assist with turning and corner entry. If the GS system is so good, why aren't MotoGP or WSBK using it? Mango 5 - GS 0

6/ excellent variable luggage system

The GS does not have a monopoly on this. I find the genuine Falco system, combined with a Baglux tank harness/bag provides for all my bike luggage needs. Mango 6 - GS 0

7/ adjustable screen

Woop de fucking doo... I'm very happy with my Puig screen, thanks. Mango 7 - GS 0

8/ electric suspension, abs , traction control

Again, not exactly unique to the GS. Nearly all modern bikes have ABS and TC, and quite a few have all 3. Having said that, I'm quite happy without all that stuff to go wrong. Mango 8 - GS 0

9/ all terrain, all weather capability

Now you're taking the piss. All terrain? A GS? I'm docking you 2 points for that. And I gave up being a hero in the winter about 15 years ago. Mango 10 - GS 0

10/ comes pre equipped with fluorescent sam browne belt and IAM membership.

Er, thanks and no thanks. Basically just about everything you've listed above is an answer to a question that I've never needed answering. I don't want all that shit, thanks.

And you meet the nicest people on GSs

Most BMW owners I've met have had a superiority complex that I find quite distasteful.

[BikerGran]

Most BMW owners I've met have had a superiority complex that I find quite distasteful.

Oh yes!

The rest of this thread's a bit irrelevant to me, but that definitely strikes a chord!

Have to except those who are just riders that happen to own a BMW...

[randomsquid]

what is it do you think that makes the BMW 1200GS much the best bike you can buy today? Is it the style? The go anywhere ability? The technology? The sheer build quality? The fact that it still works when it rains unlike anything from Italy?

Horses for courses - the best bike I could buy today would be a lightweight single with a big top box, big mudguards and as little electronic stuff as possible.

[D-Rider]

..... or a jet-ski .....

[fatboy]

So, conversation stopper it is then !

[BikerGran]

Oh I'll carry it on and tell you about my encounter with a BMW rider!

You'll have to forgive me if I've told this one before - it's me age you know!

Our club used to meet at the local Little Chef car park as it was huge with lots of empty space. We had all sorts of bikes, old and new, and same could be said of the riders. So there we were gathering for rideout, and there was a BMW rider complete with Sam Brown (that should have told me something) pulled into the car park and parked up on his own a bit away from us.
Well people who didn't know us often did that till they were sure they were welcome so muggins here went over to say hello.

When I said "Are you her to ride with the DMEC?" he looked me up and down and said

"I don't THINK so! "


So I said 'suit yourself' and was pleased to note that by the time we left a while later he was still on his own .