New lowered R1200GS?

[Arby60]

Was at my dealer's today and sat on the factory lowered version 2008 R1200GS. Felt great. The standard is a pretty tall bike. Dealer said that the lowered version was outselling the standards. I just wanted to see if there was any information or opinions on the new model here.

[Stixx]

Lowering them kinda defeats the purpose but for us vertically challenged we don't have much choice. I did not know you can get them lowered only the lower seat. I have tested a lowered suspension on the RT and it was good for me but not sure I'm willing to give up my center stand for it . Again the low seat option makes it squeak by for me but still feels tipsy.

[Ted Shred]

Lowering them kinda defeats the purpose but for us vertically challenged we don't have much choice. I did not know you can get them lowered only the lower seat. I have tested a lowered suspension on the RT and it was good for me but not sure I'm willing to give up my center stand for it . Again the low seat option makes it squeak by for me but still feels tipsy.

There are now lowered factory versions of the GS and the RT. This means that the center stand and side stands are the proper length and work as they should.

[Stixx]

There are now lowered factory versions of the GS and the RT. This means that the center stand and side stands are the proper length and work as they should.
That's good to know . When I was looking at the F 800 ST before I bought the 1150 R , they had a lowered suspension model with lower seat as well and the BMW salesman said on that model it was a choice about the center stand . Low suspension no centerstand, so I just assumed all were that way.
My bad.

One thing I do know . When you go with a lower seat sometimes that cramps you up on the pegs. That was the case with the F800 I rode.

[tmgs]

Lowering them kinda defeats the purpose but for us vertically challenged we don't have much choice. I did not know you can get them lowered only the lower seat. I have tested a lowered suspension on the RT and it was good for me but not sure I'm willing to give up my center stand for it . Again the low seat option makes it squeak by for me but still feels tipsy.


you do not have to give up the center stand to lower one, you can either
a) grunt harder to put it up on the stand -
we never cut the center stand on my wifes RT
or
b) cut the stand down - like we did on the wifes R1200GS,


Which BTW the shocks off her '06 R1200gs are now on the R1200GS Adventure

[BeamerWannabe]

Lowering them kinda defeats the purpose but for us vertically challenged we don't have much choice. I did not know you can get them lowered only the lower seat. I have tested a lowered suspension on the RT and it was good for me but not sure I'm willing to give up my center stand for it . Again the low seat option makes it squeak by for me but still feels tipsy.

This is like Vertically Challenged Anonymous meeting .. Hi my name is Mark and I am vertically challenged .... Hi Mark ... etc

Well, I am. Sigh. Anyway, I would like to know since you seem to have found a mixture that works for you? How tall are you, ... I'm 5'6".

[Tango1]

I have a factory lowered GS, and love it! My inseam is 29" and I have no problem getting it on the center stand. The seat does SUCK big time! It is so scooped out you ride in one spot. High in front, high in back. Very little cushion in the center of the seat. My Russell is being made next week. In the mean time I borrowed a standard GS seat. It is more comfortable than the low version that came on my bike. About time BMW realized not all Americans are 6 ft. tall. :D Tom :)

[Moot]

Lowering them kinda defeats the purpose but for us vertically challenged we don't have much choice. I did not know you can get them lowered only the lower seat. I have tested a lowered suspension on the RT and it was good for me but not sure I'm willing to give up my center stand for it . Again the low seat option makes it squeak by for me but still feels tipsy.

I know several GS riders who are fairly proficient and do give their mounts good workouts but I'm curious, how many people on this site use all of the suspension travel they have such that the lowered version would limit the the way they ride?

[Ted Shred]

I know several GS riders who are fairly proficient and do give their mounts good workouts but I'm curious, how many people on this site use all of the suspension travel they have such that the lowered version would limit the the way they ride?

I have Ohlins on mine that are taller and firmer than stock. I do occasionally scrape the skid plate so I guess I'm using all the travel. Good thing I'm 6' tall I suppose, lower would not work for me.

[tbarstow]

I've been out on a few trails with it and I'm glad that I have the suspension travel AND ground clearance of the GS. If I had a lowered one, I'd be sitting high centered somewhere out in Angeles National Forest.

The SO sat on a lowered 12GS and immediately (the impulse buyer she is) "I have to buy it, it fits." I followed up with "You still can't pick it up, so you can't buy it." (Which actually is the true measure of how big of a bike you can ride.)

[Ted Shred]

... I followed up with "You still can't pick it up, so you can't buy it." (Which actually is the true measure of how big of a bike you can ride.)

By that standard 98% of the people here wouldn't be on an LT:D

[Patric]

I have not ridden one of the new " lowered GS's " , but I sat on a '08 that was . To me It was around the same height as my stock '95 R1100GS . A friend , who is on his fourth GS told me , the GS's have been getting a little taller over the years .

[tmgs]

I know several GS riders who are fairly proficient and do give their mounts good workouts but I'm curious, how many people on this site use all of the suspension travel they have such that the lowered version would limit the the way they ride?

far less than would ever admit, besides lowering doesnt make a huge difference on the street - percentage wise (cornering compared to actual height)

don;t get me wrong it will but not what some would think

we also had a conversation one time with another RT rider that could not touch the ground, we told them about the lowered shocks we had on the wifes RT, their answer was oh that would ruin the handling of the bike,

so when looking at thier tires I see thier "chicken strips" ar twice as wide as Karens and Karen never scraps her bike she rides pretty conservative.

I asked whats wrong with your tires then

<grin>

[BMWRider2008]

Do you happen to know the seat height? And what the seat you sat on in the lowered position?


Thank You,

Eric


Was at my dealer's today and sat on the factory lowered version 2008 R1200GS. Felt great. The standard is a pretty tall bike. Dealer said that the lowered version was outselling the standards. I just wanted to see if there was any information or opinions on the new model here.