The All New 2013 LIQUID COOLED R1200GS threadfest

[Grants]

A pic of new 2013 R1200GS from EICMA exhibition in Milan; :)


as you can see the lady looks very good as well as the bike though.
But I have to say, that now this is 90% on road bike and only 10% off road bike. I cannot imagine taking such bike for water crossing or exploring some trails. There are too many tiny pieces on this bike which, after first crash, will just fell off. Maybe I`m wrong, but that was the first impression.

[MANXMAN]

Originally Posted by Montauk

Honestly I don't know what's the fuss about wider tires on the GS. I don't think we ought to be concerned too much about the tires.

Well there you have it. Thanks for clearing that up.

[petzi-baer]

Originally Posted by Grants

A pic of new 2013 R1200GS from EICMA exhibition in Milan; :)


as you can see the lady looks very good as well as the bike though.
But I have to say, that now this is 90% on road bike and only 10% off road bike. I cannot imagine taking such bike for water crossing or exploring some trails. There are too many tiny pieces on this bike which, after first crash, will just fell off. Maybe I`m wrong, but that was the first impression.

... and you put this picture up to reinforce the observation an inmate made in an earlier comment, that this bike provides lots of leg...
...room

All new bikes are too pretty to get banged up by an amateur like me, trying to stay upright on some fire road - well a KLR650 might the exception. I wish I was a better rider, but I am not, so I ride slowly and sometimes fall over.

petzi-baer

[marchyman]

Originally Posted by Grants

There are too many tiny pieces on this bike which, after first crash, will just fell off. Maybe I`m wrong, but that was the first impression.

If you are talking about the luggage, then... yeah. But then BMW luggage fell off my '05 GS, too. I wouldn't buy the stock GS luggage. I don't know what other "tiny pieces" you may be talking about. My overall impression is that it is cleaner than my '05 GS. My current GS is quite fond of taking naps and I've yet to lose more than a little bit of brake fluid from the ABS unit overflow vent -- a whizzy brake bike problem. I have had to reposition mirror stalks and handlebars.

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by KMC1

Question,
Why would a narrow tire on a giant piggy like a GSA be better offroad? Wouldn't a wider/larger diameter tire provide better flotation?

My thoughts too. Skinny original Range Rover tires don't cut it in beach sand. Ditto the earlier GS.

[ShaftEd]

The new GS's wider tires have a shorter sidewall. Easier to ding the rim.

[EJ_92606]

Originally Posted by 6USMC6

I can not understand what makes people think the LED lights won't be available in the States?

BMW and Audi (and probably Mercedes and the high end Japanese cars) have had LED lights - at least surrounding the
headlights - for the past two model years. Why would they penalize bikes and prohibit an obvious safety feature?

Arbitrary archaic nonsensical rules, laws, codes, etc. As an example, LED turn signals have been around for awhile in cars, but BMW Motoradd's LED turn signals do not meet DOT specs and thus are not sold here.

[tallguy-09]

"Beauty and the Beast". She looks out of place I'd say, they grey is my favorite color.



I like the looks without any plastic just as much as the "finished" version.

Originally Posted by Grants

A pic of new 2013 R1200GS from EICMA exhibition in Milan; :)


as you can see the lady looks very good as well as the bike though.
But I have to say, that now this is 90% on road bike and only 10% off road bike. I cannot imagine taking such bike for water crossing or exploring some trails. There are too many tiny pieces on this bike which, after first crash, will just fell off. Maybe I`m wrong, but that was the first impression.

[Falcon Rust]

[IMG][/IMG]

[asphaltsurfer1]

I disagree that the distribution will be any different with the new model relative to the split between off and on road. That being said the amount of off road worthiness of a 500 lb motorcycle really comes down to skill, strength and willingness to take scratches and wear on an expensive mount. BMW had one at the Dallas show a couple of weeks ago. I sat on it and looked it over very closely. It is more evolution, even with the major motor redesign, than revolution. The tires are noticeably wider than my 08 GS. The Dallas example had spoke wheels, which are much more Matt finished than mine. The overall look to instruments and engine is far cleaner with fewer wires, injectors and connectors showing. The windscreen is very easy to raise and lower its just funny that its on the right side when you'll want to adjust using your left hand while moving. The slightly slimmer seat and midsection does contribute to a slightly easier reach to the ground, maybe by an inch or less. The overall feel of balance, weight and construction appear to be very similar. Things like the metal clutch and brake slaves probably indicates BMWs intent on the new bike seeing significant off road duty also evident in promotional videos. IMO take is they wanted to close the street- worthiness of the Ducati MS, Triumph and other entries while not disorienting any current owners. I can't wait to actual tests and comparisons once journalists get their hands on these things.

[EJ_92606]

Originally Posted by asphaltsurfer1

I disagree that the distribution will be any different with the new model relative to the split between off and on road. That being said the amount of off road worthiness of a 500 lb motorcycle really comes down to skill, strength and willingness to take scratches and wear on an expensive mount. BMW had one at the Dallas show a couple of weeks ago. I sat on it and looked it over very closely. It is more evolution, even with the major motor redesign, than revolution. The tires are noticeably wider than my 08 GS. The Dallas example had spoke wheels, which are much more Matt finished than mine. The overall look to instruments and engine is far cleaner with fewer wires, injectors and connectors showing. The windscreen is very easy to raise and lower its just funny that its on the right side when you'll want to adjust using your left hand while moving. The slightly slimmer seat and midsection does contribute to a slightly easier reach to the ground, maybe by an inch or less. The overall feel of balance, weight and construction appear to be very similar. Things like the metal clutch and brake slaves probably indicates BMWs intent on the new bike seeing significant off road duty also evident in promotional videos. IMO take is they wanted to close the street- worthiness of the Ducati MS, Triumph and other entries while not disorienting any current owners. I can't wait to actual tests and comparisons once journalists get their hands on these things.

Thanks for your review. Did the GS on display have the LED headlights?

[RichBMW]

I can't wait until Saturday as I'm off to the bike show at the NEC with some mates. I've heard that they're releasing prices in the UK at the show.

[Grants]

[QUOTE=tallguy-09;20081772]"Beauty and the Beast". She looks out of place I'd say, they grey is my favorite color.



I like the looks without any plastic just as much as the "finished" version.

[/QUOTE
I have noticed only now how high are the pipe for air filter... much higher than on old GS.. this could be ultimate water crossing machine :)
Previously I have mentioned "tiny details" which could fell off after some crash: I was referring to wind shield mounting and adjusting mechanism.. sure it is very handy, but didn`t looked so robust and "bullet proof" as it was on previous GS / GSA

[Deans BMW]

Originally Posted by JNRobert

A GT - really?

JN, my mistake, it was another bike, sorry about that.

[marchyman]

Originally Posted by EJ_92606

Thanks for your review. Did the GS on display have the LED headlights?

The one in San Mateo had Halogen lights and did not include the "driving light" option, either.



Note that the parking light bulb is now inside the main headlamp, not separate like it is in the hexheads and camheads.