The All New LIQUID COOLED R1200GS threadfest

They didn't have to add water cooling, but were forced to. I still like my 83,000 miles 2007 GS 1200 without it better, it's a simpler bike and more robust in case of a fall. The dry clutch is still working as new, though I never abused, nor babied it.
It may overheat in stationary traffic but that hasn't happened even on 4th July "parade" exiting NYC and then Chicago.
I do like the CAN BUS, allot less wires overall, and having a GS 911 makes troubleshooting and maintenance a breeze using the app on the phone or a laptop.
As far as suspension, I like my custom sprang, manually adjustable Hyperpro shocks and don't think I need someone else to program preset settings that are a compromise. Plus the original shocks were shot - front after only 6k miles leaked and was replaced in warranty.
Since ABS and Traction Control can be turned off, I think it's the best of both worlds. A skilled and always aware rider may never need either, but it's not me, so it's nice to know they're there when I have a brain fart.
Being that we are a consumer driven society we are convinced the right thing to do is throw away old stuff and buy new one as soon as possible.
I'd rather have more time to ride than work more to get more money to buy a new motorcycle, but that's just my .002 cents.
If someone has both the funds and time to enjoy the new machine, they deserve it.

Bet you own a harley, don't you.

I had a 1200 GS I owned 6 years ...

For now, I only own a KTM 690 2011 (which has a whole lot of electrical problems ) I work around even though I'm ignorant, that I'm both mechanical and electrical engineer (power electric, control panels, programmable controlers and CNC and servo drives), I'm also It specialist and stone cutter ... The last being the most important since its the main reason why i'm working in an incredibly dirty environment.

I know more then the average what's happening when electronic get close to water.

Paul Jr 8

Not 205, or if it is then I missed the original. Thanks for posting. Good read.

A tidbit that may answer a a question I have seen a few ask:

"There’s no doubt the BMW R1200GS has set the standard in adventure touring. It is the benchmark by which all other adventure bikes are measured, and the bar has just been raised (it may be raised further with the planned release of the Adventure version in the fall)."

I understand the mood over there would have been affected greatly by the death of Kevin Ash, but nevertheless I have got a peculiar sense from all the launch pieces online so far that the journos were a bit underwhelmed.

They give plenty of compliments, but it feels like their hearts aren't in it. Is that just the circumstances? Just me?

It is as though from the changes on paper they were expecting the new bike to feel more like a Ducati or KTM, while retaining traditional GS virtues. But when riding it, it was same old traditional GS virtues but with the volume turned up.

Not just you, I got the same feeling.

Speaking of Ash, BMW's ongoing silence over the details of the accident after nearly a week is getting a bit strange.

I have had the opposite feeling. Most of the online reviews so far have been overwhelmingly positive, probably too much so. I mean I want the bike to be fantastic, but I want the low-down on what things they didn't really like as well. For a person looking to get a new GS, most of the reviews so far saying it is like the old GS but better in every way is a pretty big endorsement IMO.

Agree, with this. It's possible they want to wait for the Police report and it's likely to be a small department that is well aware the world is watching so they want to be sure they have it right before making a statement.

Regarding reviews...they seem quite positive to me, but of course most new bike roll out reviews do....so the question is, reading between the lines...is the bike great or merely just improved some? You almost have to be very familiar with the writing style of the author to know and of course there is the tragedy hanging over them which can't help but dampen enthusiasm to some extent I would think.

I guess we tend to find the words that support for our own opinions.

To me, Shawn Thomas from RawHyde sounds far from underwhelmed or that his heart isn't in it when he writes:

"As my work continues, I find myself reflecting on what made the event so memorable. Of course, the new water-cooled BMW R 1200 GS—a machine I have eagerly awaited for a very long time—was a shining jewel of the experience. The improvements are countless; the opportunities for further enhancement are miniscule. Never have I ridden its equal."

And in his time he has ridden quite a few bikes at their limits

Yes, wasn't alluding to that as he is yet to post his review. Looking forward to it.

On the Ash tragedy, this link that EJ posted over at the Road Warriors tribute thread suggests the possibility of criminal charges. Bad to worse. If it's accurate, it likely explains the absence of comment.

Culpable Homicide?

Unfortunately, I'm beginning to think this could be the case....we know that there was another rider involved and injured and yet I've only read one account that mentioned that person's name and now that link seems to have disappeared. So it seems likely that there was a collision between two riders in some fashion. From what I've been able to piece together there was a group of four riders in this group with the lead rider being a BMW guide. Other groups of the 20 total of the event were both ahead and behind this group. Kevin and the other downed rider were riding 3rd and 4th position in this group supposedly. They had recently left a paved road and onto a straight, smooth gravel road with quite a bit of dust but were riding at 100kmh which was referred to as a safe speed for this road. It is possible that the only witness is the injured rider which of course could delay the reporting of the facts. I have no inside information on any of this and all of the above is from reports that have been posted here and elsewhere on the web as well as my speculation. Even though I didn't know Kevin, I visited his website often and just can't stop thinking about this. So tragic and let's hope it's not even more so with the possibility of another rider at fault.

Oh, god. Say anything bad at all and it's picked to pieces like the bike is a piece of sh*t. Love the bike and say nothing bad, obviously they're not telling us something, so we cant trust any reviews. What is wrong with this place?

Keeping it in mind that even if someone were charged, they would be presumed innocent.

The thread seems to be drifting off topic. Perhaps we can wait for official comment.

haha, aren't you the one that raised the issue of criminal charges? Yes, of course he would be presumed innocent, at least in the US legal system...no clue in South Africa.

edit: In the South African Constitution, section 35(3)(h) of the Bill of Rights states: "Every accused person has a right to a fair trial, which includes the right to be presumed innocent, to remain silent, and not to testify during the proceedings."

South Africa
Culpable Homicide has been defined simply[3] as "the unlawful negligent killing of a human being".

Sorry, quoted you not to take you to task but to make a general point. Apologies if it looked otherwise.

No worries....can't stop thinking and wondering about this tragedy...

Curious as to the location of the crash, I looked up what was described in this article: http://www.georgeherald.com/news.aspx?id=43916

I believe it is quite close to here:

http://goo.gl/maps/zKEAs

RIP Kevin Ash

updated location based on this info. http://www.oudtshoorncourant.com/news.aspx?id=44044&h=BMW-launch-cancelled-after-death

I'd say Ash case deserves its own thread.
Both because of its importance and not to spoil this thread.

BTW I doubt the investigation is over, but even then, it has been said that the family doesn't want the details release publicly at this time.

I also doubt BMW themselves don't want this clear. It's bad publicity ESPECIALLY with the (minute) possibility that the new bike is at fault.

As for the reviews published. With the exception of Costa's own maybe (very detailed with 2 days on the bike), most are really limited. Probably because the actual tests were cut in half by the disaster. I find most, if not all the reviews rather positive, but the shadow of Kevin's death is unavoidable (and understandable of course).

The only NEGATIVE thing that has been pointed (esp. by Costa), was the shake of the front fork in some successive bumps. I think the thinner front fork has a role on this.
I don't like that, I like everything else.

If Greece wasn't in crisis I would probably have arranged to trade mine already.

Given that the crash took place on a gravel road, that the investigation is continuing nearly a week after the accidents, and that BMW clammed up from the get-go suggests this may not be such a minute possibility.

Costa's quote:

On a dual purpose bike this is not a minor flaw imho, especially given that for many buyers gunning it down a gravel road will be the closest they come to adv riding.