Whats the difference in technology and gadgets between the 1150 and 1200????Also what if i bought a 1200 without abs and traction control etc...can you do that just so theirs less to go wrong...

You seem to be buying this for road use in Europe--I think it would be a bad idea to go without ABS just because it might break someday. The ABS on the 1200s is pretty reliable and IMHO is a very desirable safety feature for on-road riding.

have you test ridden one yet ? things might all change if you just don't get on with it (the ergonomic indicators for example), or if you really love how it feels.

It would be interesting to know if anyone has had final drive failures on '09 or 2010 1200's. Surely they've sorted out the problems now. I bought a 1050 Tiger when they were "new" in '07. I had a few teething problems but I'm sure now the model is a few years old they'll be fine. But wait, they've just fitted the new GS with a 4 valve head, Welcome to BMW Beta testing! Ha ha.

I guess the trick is to buy a model a few years into the run. Then get used to working on it before you do any big trips. There's a lot to be said for riding the bike you've got.

Not quite ! The engine comes from the HP2 Sport. The DOHC has been around for a while. While the valve-train is of a really cool design, I don't like the fact that now it takes spheres, i.e. shims to adjust valves. The other thing I dislike is the back-pressure flap "doohickey" in the exhaust to provide more low-end torque and help reduce emission further. So, in all fairness, its not a complete Beta version. But, IMO, no real improvement either...

That is actually the reason, why I bought an '09 GS in addition to my '07 GS. The '07 will be auctioned off as soon as I get back from Alaska. They are just outstanding, rock-solid, reliable-as-deadbolt bikes...

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Thomas

"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"

Thomas, it's always good to hear from someone who has actually got some experience of these bikes instead of just " what they've read" Thanks.

I saved up to buy a 1200 when they were a brand new model but as it happened I turned my car into a banana in an accident so had to use the funds for 4 wheels! When I test rode one though I really didn't have the legs for it, it was too tall for me. And that whining brake servo would have drove me nuts.

My choices since have been a Tiger 1050 and now a Guzzi 1200 sport. Both great bikes. I tend to alter my riding style slightly to fit each bike. At the end of the day it matters not what you ride but how it makes you feel. Of course for serious riding I have my XT250 Serow, now there's a bike!!

You hit the nail on the head BTW, love both bikes, the Tiger and the Guzzi. I owned one of the Italian mistresses a few years back....

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Thomas

"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"

Out off interest.......after reading all the responces and a few have given their opinions on bikes that they prefer etc....Why has the 800GS not been mentioned???? As it doesnt look as loaded gadgets and shaft wise as the bigger bikes and looks pretty good and is cheaper to run,,lighter,and more chuckable looking???

Cuz he asked about the 1200 GS.

Personally if all he's doing is tarmac riding then he'd be better off with the R1200RT.

Was me that asked about the 1200gs and the 800gs just out off interest.....
I wont be just riding tarmac...ill be riding the tracks in Italy/france too(Which i apologise for not adding in the first post).... not massivley demanding but you wouldnt want to do it on a normal road bike...remember one year a guy came to the Alps with us on a BMW 1100 something or other road bike....and he spent a few days with stalling...clutch slip...and whatever else was stressing him out....He gave up in the end and went home....

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In which case I highly endorse the F800GS! I prefer it to the 1200 for several reasons, including weight, size and economy.

I'd vote for a Multistrada too as they look fab!

Personally, I prefer shaft-drive. I don't want to mess with chains and sprockets anymore.

Also, I did test-ride the F800. Coming from the big GS, I was not overly impressed with the power to weight ratio (riding it) of the F. Again, just my $0.02 and opinion .

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Thomas

"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"

I bought my GS last year as I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I do a fair bit of mid to long distance riding as I use my bike most of the time for work. I am back up to St Andrews on it tomorrow in fact. I never buy new bikes due to the big depreciation. I tend to look for well cared for older bikes and by and large I have been very lucky. I bought my R1100GS for £2400. It had 67K on it but had been very well looked after. I have added 5K since last August (doesn`t sound much, but I use my old XTZ660 for commuting and shorter runs) and my opinion on it has changed a fair bit during that time.
My first ride home from puchase was about 50 miles. I thought it was like a tractor....big, solid and felt like it would go for ever, but I didn`t understand where the `buzz` was going to come from.
Having done some long runs and also two up riding I am totally sold on the thing. I have owned an ST1100 Pan which stll is regarded by many as the best long distance bike ever, but I would take the GS any day. Like the Pan, the extra weight of passenger and luggage goes almost unnoticed, but the ergonomics of the GS are spot on for me.
The road presence is immense and cars pull aside noticeable earlier than when I am on my other bikes.
Thumbs up from me for the GS range

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This old world keeps spinning round, it`s a wonder tall trees ain`t laying down.

I am now on my second GS. Ist one did 210k. This one now on 38k Both bikes have done extensive milage in Southern Africa with no major problems. 60% dirt roads and tracks and 40% hard surface.

but, kidding yourself about the reasons for buying is a sure way to be disappointed. I think this is more so in the case of BMW. Some people seem to buy to them because they are 'overlander cool', and they like the image. I think BMW sell more lifestyle products/accessories than anyone else (except maybe KTM).

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engjacques
09 R1200GS. 06 Royal Star Tour Deluxe