What have I done…

[GrahamW]

I have been finding that my Big vibrates quite a lot at dual carriageway/motorway speeds so have been thinking about getting a different bike for longer journeys and camping.  Anyway a couple of weeks ago I saw this 2010 30th Anniversary R1200GS Adventure for sale up in Grimsby so me and my mate went up there on the bikes to take a look and I bought it.  

First impressions its a bit of a beast but suits me, nice and smooth with virtually no vibration and the big screen is great I can have my visor up at speed with no wind.  The bad points, shocking corrosion to the aluminium in places but nothing really serious also being scared to slip the clutch as its a dry clutch!  I have been doing a bit of servicing on it as it wasn't used much since 2017, oil and filters and checking final drive.

It is a very different bike to the Big and I think the DR is much more suited to the back roads and narrow country lanes being lighter, riding the BMW really makes me appreciate how good the DR is for a 30 year old bike.

[Chris1215]

Looks good Graham. Iv got a 1200 tiger for 2 up riding. But like you say the Dr grat for the back roads

[kurtverbose]

I watched Ewan and Charlie and bought a BMW R1150 Adventure. Bit of a stupid decision as I'm 5" 6", and I bought it off a really tall German guy who'd spec'd it with an extra tall seat.

This was the only way I could get on it.



I ordered an extra low seat, and that made it acceptable.



Loved the telelever suspension which gave it a nice ride and no dive when braking. Didn't like the engine which was a bit like a lawn mower. I have heard the 1200's are better but I've not tried one.

Eventually I traded it for a touring bike and since then I've always had a touring bike as my prime bike.

I quite liked the bike but don't think I'd get another. There's thousands of them here in Switzerland.



Well done on the final drive maintenance. I've learnt from bitter experience 30 years ago with a K100 to regularly grease the shaft of shaft driven BMW's.

Looks like you have a nice one.

[GrahamW]

Ha ha thats funny having to use a step ladder to get on. My Big is taller than normal and I struggle to get on and off it when loaded up but the GS is a bit lower. The telelever has taken some getting used to as the Big really dives when I brake and I am used to pumping the tank up and down to hear if I have much petrol left. Less of a faff having only one filler cap as well and the 33l fuel capacity is great enough for 3 trips to work and back with plenty of reserve.

[BigBob]

I bought an 1150 GS years ago and absolutely hated it. It was sold on in a couple of weeks.

[GrahamW]

I bought an 1150 GS years ago and absolutely hated it. It was sold on in a couple of weeks.

I was expecting the gearbox to be really agricultural as I remembered what you said about the GS but they must have improved things as when I first took it out neutral it felt like nothing had happened.

[Hann]

I bought an older 2004 1200 `Hexhead` last year primarily to take the Mrs out (she`s been nagging for years about going pillion).
I liked it so much that i sold it after a few months and bought a new 1250GSA which is a very capable motorcycle......





I still like the Big though, it`s having a gap year at the moment. I`ve got the CBR1000 on the road at the moment + one other bike so the Big is having a rest.

[nug]

Ridden the 1150 GS and both air and water cooled 1200's. Great motors but all felt rather fat to me. The big wide bars on the 1200 with the huge frontal area made me feel like I was riding a Bull. Great bikes and I can see why they are so popular but just a bit bulky for me.

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/hRkzafQvWy3c4Uj4A

[Hann]

felt rather fat to me. The big wide bars on the 1200 with the huge frontal area made me feel like I was riding a Bull. Great bikes and I can see why they are so popular but just a bit bulky for me.

That`s one of the things i like about the 1250 - the rediculous, cartoon-ish proportions of the things.
Never get tired of these views!

[GrahamW]

Ridden the 1150 GS and both air and water cooled 1200's. Great motors but all felt rather fat to me. The big wide bars on the 1200 with the huge frontal area made me feel like I was riding a Bull. Great bikes and I can see why they are so popular but just a bit bulky for me.

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/hRkzafQvWy3c4Uj4A

It does take a bit of getting used to especially down the single track lanes, but its great for the faster roads.

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Looking good there Hann, what made you decide on the new one did you have any issues with the 04? I steered away from those ones due the the servo brakes and needing a computer to bleed the brakes.