Who changed from a GS

Came from a 1200GSA. Things I left behind in the move to the Ducati:

A bit of weather protection
A fair chunk of tank range
Not much happening when you open the throttle at motorway speeds
Running out of brakes
Breakdowns
An exhaust note like a flatulent duck

 

I had 9 years of gs adventures, the last being an 11 plate which had numerous warranty repairs, and thin paint / corrosion,
One test ride and i bought an abs multi last july,,,give one a try its a great package,
the chain isnt much of an issue , the 14 t front sprocket made a difference to town riding as 1st is tall just like the gs was,
my only gripe is the scorpion front tyre went to 1.2 mm in 3700 miles with 4mm left on the back which is apparently cured by swapping to another brand so i just fitted michelin pr3 so jurys out on tyres,
Fuel economy is the same,,but performance thats another story, overtakes are effortless ,,
i ride all weathers except when the gritters are in season and have the exhaust and cylinder head guards and rad and oil cooler guards just like many gs have to stop the grit taking the paint off,
I do fancy the new gs adventure but water pump failiures , clutch issues and a standard steering damper are not swaying me,,
Forest,

 

I'm trading a GS1200, the water-cooled for a MTS PP. I haven't had issues with the GS at all, the latest is quick, with Akrapovic sounds good and does everything well. It is not a bike to inspire me though and life is too short to put up with that.

I am not too bothered about losing the shaft drive, the lack of maintenance is cool but in reality, oiling a chain is not exactly a deal breaker. Having looked at the specs for things like the panniers, the MTS should be fine for the needs I have, I'm not able to shoot off around the world when I'm looking after three kids so my adventures are less grand in scope right now.

The GS is great though when it comes to confident riding in inclement conditions, I am wondering if the MTS will feel as sure in the wet, windy rain we have so much of right now. I am used to riding the GS in lousy weather and being confident on poor surfaces with bad traction; I've also ridden rutted tracks around Exmoor and places without any concern - not real off road but not road bike territory either. I think the MTS with the road biased tyres will take some time to give me the same confidence, I'm already thinking the first tyre change might be to PR4s now they are out as they seem to have the vote for lousy conditions in the PR3 guise.

 

I went from a GS to FJR1300 to MTS1200. Still have the FJR for shity conditions. I really enjoyed my GS but I got fed up with rear wheel bearings failing. Got through 3 bearings in 18000 miles. So bought the FJR mainly because its old school and I can work on it myself making it cheap to run. However its not exciting if you know what I mean. So end of last year bought the Mutley. I have only done 2000 miles on her so far and have not really ridden on anything you would call warm dry tarmac. So I have limited experience of the bike BUT what a bloody hoot it is to ride. FUN even in the wet weather. I cannot wait for the Summer. The Ducati is very different to the GS. Its a sports bike in a more comfortable package. Guess which bike I'm taking to Germany this year, yup the Mutley. My advice is go to a nice friendly dealer, talk to them and ask to take one out for an extended test ride.

 

MTS is fine in the wet, put on Dunlop sportsmarts or the Pirelli 3 tyres, ride mine almost everyday to and from work. once the tyres and engine are warmed up it's one the best confidence inspiring bikes to ride in the wet, partly I think to do with the little weight and great chassis and electronics (I have set one of the riding modes specifically for rain (high dts, softer suspension, low throttle, etc..)). often when I get to work I can see steam coming off the tyres when locking up - after a normal commuting ride in. bugs

 

Just a tip for those muddy broken up lanes (of which there are many in the South East at the moment) switch to Urban mode, softer Suspension, more TC and 100hp. the Mutley will then go anywhere a GS will go with ease. I am running PR3's at the moment and will go for the PR4's soon. current bike is a 2013 touring S with 13k on the clock, only issue is that I am now on my 3rd set of heated grips, other than that it has been and still is perfect.
One complaint it is a b***** to clean after muddy rides

 

Have just changed from a 2010 GS TC, which was very good in almost all conditions, with only a few problems during the almost 4 years I had it. Have exchanged for a 2013 MS tourer with non-existant mileage. From first observations the MS isn't perfect but it wouldn't take much to improve enormously. The engine is brilliant and the bike is sooo much lighter than the GS.
Can't wait for the weather to improve.

 

I sold my GS when it reached 80K miles, and got the MTS1200S. In the days when I needed a bike for commuting and long business trips all year round, the BMW was the best choice. But when I wanted a bike for fun, handling, power, looks, lightness, exhaust note ... it had to be a Ducati, no comparison.

 

Well ~ had one of them recently for a long test ride back in Oz for 22 days (rental bike / 10000k's), the GS did everything in a very boring and soulless way....

 

yuk

ugly pile of shit :Bag:. Too many angles and nooks and cranies. its a mess. But I guess once you are riding it you dont have to look at it. :Wideyed:

 

Rode a GSA 1200 LC and the normal GS LC a few days ago. The GSA was too big. Liked the standard GS though.

 

…this bike should have all it takes to match or best the Multistrada—and the rest of the ADV competition—in any acceleration contest. ...
http://blogs.motorcyclistonline.com/spied-bmw-s1000-adv-41553.html

***hope they solve the horrible loud gear-box I had on my test "rental" bike***

 

Had a 59 plate 1200 gs adventure .......worst bike ive ever owned ...............antiquated ,tractor like ,rear diff whining ,clattering, clanking pile of caligenous junk , did loads of miles with it ................ mostly on a recovery truck ..
Some owners are great .......alot are Ewan and thingy wanabees..... dealer......... " this is the best bike ever because of the bmw service back up" (you'll need it )some owners are brain washed zombies .......the bikes are plagued with all kinds of faults (yes so are other marques) but at ......what are they now 13k ?14k ? who are they kiding , Bmw get away with it because .......well its Bmw and they make great cars ..........WOOPEEEDOOO

So there rant over
Sits and waits for the backlash .................... the diffs have yards of backlash also .

 

I have had 3 x 1200 GS's an 06 plate GS, an 09 plate GSA and have still got an 11 plate GS.

I have not really had any issues to speak of in terms of reliability and tend to move them on at around 20k miles (the current one has 15k). I have used BMW for servicing in warranty but also done it myself as well (apart from engine oil and filter as that would be a waste)

My only issue has been front brake discs on the first one, i think i had 3 sets before i sold it all under warranty, other than that they have been good. As for the final drive, this was a worry so i have changed the FD oil at 300miles and then every couple of thousand since on all 3, so far no issues and after 3 or 4 changes the oil eventually comes out clean rather than the stinking black gunk that used to be oil.

I am just about to take delivery of my multi and the reason i didn't go for a water-cooled GS? well its simple, i wanted something with a bit more go, something lighter and I have had 3 GS's so thought about a change. Although I am keeping the last GS for the moment as I might use it for work to keep the Multi special (because it is)

For me, I was always getting a pikes peak, well at least since i saw it in the flesh at the Sachsenring MotoGP last year, my friends will tell you that I couldn't walk past it without having a drool over it.

I road tested it (& loved it), found it quick if i wanted but also very civilised even in full power mode, I also found it an improvement over the GS (with a GSA screen and winglets) in terms of buffeting and believe me when i say that the day I had it was probably one of the windiest days of the year. I also found that it just fell into corners and whilst the GS can be quick through the bends it has to be pushed whereas the Multi seemed relaxed.

Just my opinion of course.

 

I think GS is the best bike in the world

(fed up with everyone buying mts's, so trying to make people buy something else )

All bikes have their issues and the GS is no different. Changed loads of Alternator belts and 2 clutches on GSs now (mates bikes)
I have not owned one but ridden a few, ride with guys who have them - 1150 GSA, 1200, 1200lc. A mate works for a BMW dealers too, and he won't ride an mts because he knows he would then want one

 

Just been on a weekend away with 2 GSA's, 1air/1 water cooled.

The air cooled one does nothing for me whatsoever, even though it has a Power Commander fitted, however, the water cooled one now has some get up and go when on the move - I also think it looks a bit better than the old one and the new satnav/iPhone/Bluetooth/canbus interfacing is all very nice?

My mates water cooled now has 1,500 miles on and is experiencing some 1/2nd gear issues, possibly clutch drag related?

The real problem for me with the BM's is that when you get to the twisties, on the MS you really may as well be on a sports bike, but the GS's are very lazy to turn in (maybe the oil tanker fuel load up high?) and don't inspire much cornering confidence to me?

A PITA when travelling with them, is the difference in fuel mileage and trying to coordinate the stops! Who needs 350 mile range on a motorbike - my 'Arris certainly doesn't?

When parked up though, all the attention is around the BM's with hardly anyone showing any interest in the Mutley - Northern Europeans are weird, perhaps we should go to Italy next time!

 

had 2gs a 2004 gs and a2007 gsa went to a gen 1 multi mousse reliable bike ive ever owned. Just clicked over 16000 in 2 years been all over on it Austria Germany Holland italy slovenia. In almost daily use in awful weather's lives outside under a cover use as a daily rider and for fun and touring not much stayed with me in the dolomites last year.
I find it very comfy much better off the bottom end than the bm great suspension and front brake backs a joke.
Mines standing upto the abuse quite well some engine flaking but it is ridden all year round.
Problems in my ownership 3amp fuse replaced standard mirrors replaced antenna ring removed alarm and normal serving not cheap to service but on a par with the bmw.
Wide has a2005gs but I just find it a bit soulless a bit heavy and a bit slow. Ace in sh.t weather

 

Had 2 GS's till 2010 when test rode the Multi- loved it- and bought it. After a period of adjustment ( mainly about missing the easy low down torque of the boxer engine in traffic) have never looked back or would go back. Had a ride last summer on the naked R1220R- a very competent bike but staid and found it a bit boring. I so missed the acceleration of the Mullti.
Missed some good friends made at my BM dealer- Balderstones in Peterborough-but soon made new ones.

 

I sold my GS when the rear shock (ESA) leaked and it took 9 weeks for them to get a replacement , I can't fault BMW they paid me loads in taxis while it was repaired but it was just too long. So I scratched an itch and got a fire blade, that was stolen twice and now nobody will insure me for theft in london :-( even though they caught the people who did it , cheers british justice for the 6months suspended and £150 fine , great deterrent for 5+ bikes a week being stolen!. Got the MTS and its great fun totally different bike , feels so much lighter , more powerful and fun, but if i am honest finish after 20k miles and 2 winters is shit, paint peeling off sides of engines and radiator , new cylinder heads under warranty , steering lock doesn't work , exhaust replaced due to corrosion . But apart from all that , I'm not rushing to change it , it brings a smile when i ride it . So in car terms the BMW is more Landrover discovery, the MTS more BMW X5 4.0 M sport