Who's getting an Adventure?

[amarider]

So who's thinking about trading their regular old GS for an Adventure? Looks like many dealers have the new Adventure out on display, I'm curious who's going to put up the big bucks for one?
I see a few accessories off of the big lady, I'd like to have on my GS but I can't see spending the $$$ and added all that weight to trade up.

[TMH]

I picked up my '02 GS-Adv used for a very nice price last November, and she had less than 5500 miles on her! While I hear that the BMW made some nice improvements in R12's, my little 1150 willingly does everything I ask her to do. So now all I have to do is get some decent mileage on her odo!

I also read one thread where a guy who had a deposit on a new ADV road one, and a standard R12GS back to back. While his buddy (who had bought the ADV he test rode) loved the bike, this other guy gave up his space in line, because he decided he liked the standard GS better.

I say keep your GS for now, and if you really ultimately want an R12 ADV, wait a couple of years for bargains to come onto the market. I'm sure that there will be some nicely farkled, pristine, low mileage units which become available, like every other BMW model!

Tom

[coalpines]

I found a dealer that had no deposits hear in Colorado Springs. So I have a deposit down. Im still waiting for it to arrive however. Ill be back in Colorado tomorrow and cant wait to call them to see if it has arrived. Im concerned about the seat hight. If its to tall even with a low seat I will go to a regular GS. Im selling my LT. Know any one with interest?

[ranks]

Ditto

I picked up my '02 GS-Adv used for a very nice price last November, and she had less than 5500 miles on her! While I hear that the BMW made some nice improvements in R12's, my little 1150 willingly does everything I ask her to do. So now all I have to do is get some decent mileage on her odo!

I also read one thread where a guy who had a deposit on a new ADV road one, and a standard R12GS back to back. While his buddy (who had bought the ADV he test rode) loved the bike, this other guy gave up his space in line, because he decided he liked the standard GS better.

I say keep your GS for now, and if you really ultimately want an R12 ADV, wait a couple of years for bargains to come onto the market. I'm sure that there will be some nicely farkled, pristine, low mileage units which become available, like every other BMW model!

Tom

[TMH]

O.K., so I go out on my Saturday ride and it is actually dry today (so far)! Fun remembering how to lean into turns again. Took the route over the pass (Highway 17 to Santa Cruz). Much more fun on my ADV than it was yesterday when I got new tires on the RT-P. 2 out of 3 is not bad (twisty mountain road, rain and BRAND new tires), but 3 out of 3 yesterday afternoon was a little "puckery". But I digress.

So I end up at the local dealer where I bought the LT recently. They have great coffee. And they have 2 new R1200GS-ADV's out front: One with and one without (ABS, that is). The guy who sold me my LT tells me that both "depositors" have not been returning calls now that the bikes are in, and that he could sell the ABS one today for a "cash sale."

Not interested me says, but I do take him up on his recommendation for Pivot Pegs, and buy a set.

But he is in his selling mood, and knows that I don't have much in the way of willpower after test rides. Ultimately, even though I tell him that I am NOT buying, he gets me to take a test ride "just to do him a favor". Well, I never minded doing anyone these kinds of favors...

So I sign the forms, and he fires up the bike (the non-ABS model), and I'm off on a test ride of a R1200GS-ADV with all of 6 miles on the clock.

So what is the verdict? Well, I rode home on my 1150 ADV, just to take away some of the suspense.

When I returned from the 9 mile (mostly highway) ride, I summed up things like this (quietly) to the salesman: Even if I had come down today with the intent of trading my 1150 ADV for a 1200 ADV, I'm not sure that I would actually have done it. My main thoughts after the short ride:

Yes, it does seem lighter. But I don't ride MUCH offroad, so I like the more solid feeling of a heavier bike. The R12ADV, to me, rode more like a V-Strom DL1000 than it did like my 1150 ADV. Got more tossed around on the road.

Windscreen was pretty good, but I still got some buffeting on my chest.

I like the lower 1st gear on my 1150 ADV. I wonder why they didn't also do this on the 1200 ADV?

I felt high up on the bike. Flat footing was no problem for me because I'm tall, but I felt "on top of" the R12, where I feel "within" my R1150.

I didn't like the angle of the dash/gauges on the R12. Nice dash, but with no real cover (shade) above it, it was tough to read with a farily high sun.

I don't know why but my right shin was contacting the right throttle body when I used the rear brake, plus the brake pedal felt too low for my taste. But maybe that's just an adjustment.

Bike definitely did have more power than my 1150, and gearing was different such that it was spinning lower RPM's at highway speed. But I have never felt that my 1150 lacked power, and I'm no lightweight.

My positioning on the R12 was a little less comfortable, but I do have my bars raised on the 1150, so once again that could be an adjustment.

So there you have it, straight from the horse's... mouth, after back-to-back rides on an '02 R1150GS ADV and a brand new R1200GS ADV.

I should probably conclude with some additional perspective. Basically I love my ADV, and the PO put so few miles on it that it is virtually brand new (just turned 5200 miles on my ride today). I have raised the bars, and use a Sargent off-the-shelf saddle and Mich Anakees (the R12 had Tourance's). My ADV does everything I want it to do, and I consider that it does everything well (for me). So maybe I test rode the new ADV, after hearing all of the discussion about it, with a little too high of an expectation. Granted the R12 ADV is a wonderful piece of engineering and an incredible bike. And it did have that "new bike smell." (Mmmm... New bike smell...) But it was just not what I needed, or wanted.

But maybe this will give some folks a little more to think about during their test rides, as all of these things I point out are very person-specific.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Tom

[pjessen]

What Tom said. I see much less difference between the R1200 GS Adv. and my O2 Adv than I do between my 1999 LT and the new ones.

I've been itching to get a new LT, but not because the new one is all that much better...I just want a new one!

With the GS, I'm very happy and comfortable with what i have, so the itch is tolerable...for a while. ;)

[mantan]

I have put a deposit on the Adv this weekend, Alpine White with ABS. I want the
bike in about 3 months or later. There are alos reports now that KTM may bring the
990Adv in US this yr, instead of 07, due to Polaris involvement. If that turns out to
be true than I may get that instead.

[DaveDragon]

I too have an order in for an White Aluminum Metallic Matt 06 GS-Adventure http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
Should be at Miller BMW in Tallahassee and ready for me to ride it away by the 10th of May.
Comes with the saddle bag frame, Computer, Fog Lights, ABS.
I want full size bags (Left and Right) as well as top box.

How do we retrofit an RT CC to the GS? Possible?

[amarider]

How do we retrofit an RT CC to the GS? Possible?

You don't butt..........

This works well
http://209.61.235.222/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/8166145.jpg


Check it out here (http://www.bmwscruz.com/Merchant2/index.html)

[DaveDragon]

A throttle lock is functional but not the same as CC.
I thought I had read about folks fitting CC from RT.

[amarider]

If it's been done, it would be posted on AVDRIDER - I never saw the post or missed it. I don't even want to think about was BMW charges for the system. :eek:

[ranks]

Here are two links on CC's for the 1200GS.
It appears to be quite a bit of work.


http://www.bmwgs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131735
http://www.bmwgs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89893&highlight=cruise+control

[mantan]

CC on a GSAdv! what's next, HDC (Hill Decent Control)...
Is there an option for full size left bag on it? All Adv luggage I have seen has the
left bag cutout for the exhaust. I think the only way to get full size left bag is to put
exhaust lowering kit and aftermarket cases. I'll get the Adv paniers but the new
top box is kind of small so I may get the vario topcase insted, which I think is bigger
when expanded.

[DaveDragon]

CC on a GSAdv! what's next, HDC (Hill Decent Control)...
Is there an option for full size left bag on it? All Adv luggage I have seen has the
left bag cutout for the exhaust. I think the only way to get full size left bag is to put
exhaust lowering kit and aftermarket cases. I'll get the Adv paniers but the new
top box is kind of small so I may get the vario topcase insted, which I think is bigger
when expanded.Heck yeah CC on a GSAdv!
I live in FlatLand and where I want to go ride is a fur piece up da road http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif
I want full size Paniers as well and I hear there is a kit that includes the exhaust lowering kit.http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

[ranks]

Dave,

Here is a pic of my Zega left side. It's still pretty big.
I got the 41LSpecial set.

[DaveDragon]

James, do those Paniers use the BMW Mounts?

[ranks]

Nope, they're from touratech also.
Here is the link to what I ordered

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/show.lasso?SKU=052-0140&-session=touratech:5D1F47F7864D8126D4F30E095B045348

They go on in about 30-45 minutes.

Take the seats off, a couple of bolts under the seat, but the brackets on, button her up.

The hardest part (Because I didn't have the right tool) was drilling out the coin operated lock piece to put in the key operated locks (Sold as an accessary). They do close without locking them. Lock is just for security.

They ARE waterproof. Sturdy Aluminum. Easy on off (But you have to take the top off the case to get to the part to release from the brackets).

The right side is just a big rectangle, without the small cutout for the exhauset.

The left side, has a built in heat shield, and it doesn't get hot like the ones made for the 1150GS does. Also don't need to extend or reroute the exhaust like on the 1150GS, and don't have to reroute the turn signals like on the 1150GS. It is truly just bolt on.

If you're interested, I can get you some closeups of the different parts, etc.

[andy]

What Tom said. I see much less difference between the R1200 GS Adv. and my O2 Adv than I do between my 1999 LT and the new ones.

I've been itching to get a new LT, but not because the new one is all that much better...I just want a new one!

With the GS, I'm very happy and comfortable with what i have, so the itch is tolerable...for a while. ;)

Pete,

regarding that new LT: As someone who has ridden both (2001 and now the 2006) I think I can compare them:

There are two main differences between the two generations as far as I am concerned:

a) the engine is much smoother, has better pickup and the infamous 4500 buzz is not there (or at least not that I can feel it)
b) There are a lot of goodies ready on the new bike. Even though that takes the fun out of farkelizing the bike I really enjoy the new light (MUCH better), The centerstand (very nice coming home and putting the bike effortlessly)

I think you have earned a new LT. ;)

[RonKMiller]

The O ring selection at my local Ace Hardware has the best aftermarket cruise control available. Well... throttle lock. ;)

Select one for the correct "size" whether metric or SAE, insert between the grip and throttle housing and voila - cruise control for 65 cents. When you find the "right" one splurge and buy half a dozen for replacements when the original dessicates and shrinks from oxidation and UV exposure, usually once a year. Keep 'em in a zip lock baggy with a dab of Vaseline to keep 'em fresh over time.

No Vaseline jokes please. :eek:

WARNING: If you fall down and go "boom" often this may not be for you. :cool:

[ranks]

May be the cheapest, but mine look the classiest (IMHO) ;)

If you look at the pic a few posts up, I've got throttlemeisters on mine.

Here are some pics of my (Dirty) Zegas.

[pjessen]

Please see the conversation on bags at http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7390
Adventure riders have used these with good results. The best system is to lower the exhaust to get rid of the heat, smoke stains, and to maximize the room on the left side. Caution: The volume in the GS bags regardless of system is much greater than the LT. Filling them will make a bit of a pig out of your new GS, but at least you'll be able to get all essentials along under lock and key.

We have helen2wheels bags (3per side) to help organize the Jesse bags. They help. I understand that now upak JO, Kathy's and Cee Baileys either have or will make custom bags for the same purpose...it can be a loooong way to the bottom of those boxes!

[DaveDragon]

With the Happy-Trail Exhaust lowering kit and bags on the GS, how difficult is it to remove the rear wheel?

[KEPASA]

I too have an order in for an White Aluminum Metallic Matt 06 GS-Adventure http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
Should be at Miller BMW in Tallahassee and ready for me to ride it away by the 10th of May.
Comes with the saddle bag frame, Computer, Fog Lights, ABS.
I want full size bags (Left and Right) as well as top box.

How do we retrofit an RT CC to the GS? Possible?

Are the full sized bags the BMW bags? I did not see different sizes offered. Appreciate the input

[DaveDragon]

Dusty Miller called me at 08:00am to tell me the GS-A had cleared customs and is in route to Tallahassee http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif
Chomping on the Bit down here in FlatLand.

[DaveDragon]

You don't butt..........

This works well
http://209.61.235.222/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/8166145.jpg


Check it out here (http://www.bmwscruz.com/Merchant2/index.html)

Thanks John, I just ordered one and the spark plug tool as well from BMW Santa Cruz.

[KEPASA]

I picked up my 1200GSA a week ago. had 0 miles om odometer, DEALER OFFERED TO FILL UP, i WAS IN A HURRY SO did it myself. It was a first that I spent in excess of $25.00 on fillup of motorcycleTook 8.35 gallons. The bik handles really nicely, great acceleration and plenty of torque. I rode it over to eastern okla on business, 300 miles of interstate and 25 plus miles of muddy MuDDY, gravel roads, bermuda pasture. It handled reasonably well in the mud and slop w/ the cross terrain tires. But I believe one needs the Dirt ( knobbies) in the slop. I am not sure how much of a compromise the knobbies will have on handling characteristics on a relatively heavy bike on the tarmac.

really torn about selling my 05 LT, I enjoy the LT so much and the two bikes are totally different. Distinctly different missions. I believe the GSA would do a lot of what the LT does without the ultra comfort. I never ride two up..

Your opinions on the knobbies on a GS or GSA please

[ranks]

Your opinions on the knobbies on a GS or GSA please

Try reading around this site:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3

The tourances are ok for hardpack, but anything soft, and TKC-80's are the tire of choice. If 100% Off road, Metzler Karoo's.

Tirelife is way less with knobbies.

I'm still running the stock tourances at 6K miles, so no first hand info hear, but will put some TKC-80's on to checkem out when these wear out.

[danbrew]

04 GS Adv - got 23,000 miles out of the front tire. Probably 15 or so out of the rear tire. I run them at 42/48. Tourances.

Just put on TKC80s - still trying to find optimal pressure. Running 34/36 and seem to run just fine at about 70 mph on the highway. Very pleased with road handling with the TKCs - I'm probably not leaning as aggressively in the turns, but it feels like I could. I do keep the speed to a max of about 70 on these tires. How come? The side of the tire says something along the lines of 90mph max. Figure I shouldn't tempt fate.

[KEPASA]

04 GS Adv - got 23,000 miles out of the front tire. Probably 15 or so out of the rear tire. I run them at 42/48. Tourances.

Just put on TKC80s - still trying to find optimal pressure. Running 34/36 and seem to run just fine at about 70 mph on the highway. Very pleased with road handling with the TKCs - I'm probably not leaning as aggressively in the turns, but it feels like I could. I do keep the speed to a max of about 70 on these tires. How come? The side of the tire says something along the lines of 90mph max. Figure I shouldn't tempt fate.

I looked @ my Continental twinduros and rear is rated @ 100mph w/ 40 psi cold, front rated @ 99 mph w 40 psi cold. I have them on the 1200GSA. I took the bike to track day @ Hallett, Okla. 1.8mile SCCA track. The tires held the corners better than I anticipated