BMW R1200GS (2004-current)

6 words sum up this machine the best bike in the world

Mines a 2007GS. 30k miles. Owned from New.Excellent machine. Only one Nark, Its easy to get the front seat off but try re-fitting it on the quick. What a twat!

Can do most things, and so a bike for all seasons. Very comfortable and in the twisties can easily keep up with most sports bikes. Loads of ways of personalising the bike, and support from a well subscribed dedicated web forum. Should have done it years ago. Mine is a 54 plate, in terrific nick.

Ok if you can get around the stigma of either being accused of being old and wearing slippers, or being a Charlie and ewan wannabe, then this is quite a nice bike. it is very comfy and will go for miles and miles without any need to stop, unlike most bikes with a large tank, you can actually ridit for a full tank load. I still hate BMW switch gear though. burns a bit of oil if you park it up on side stand, but then most BMW flat twins do that. Build quality wasn't quite what I would have expected from the hype of BMW, but it wasn't bad.

My 56 plate bike was only a year old with 4500 miles when I purchased it from a main BMW dealer. The Gripes - So far only the original battery needed replacing under warranty. Anyone in the mid 5' range will have trouble putting both feet on the ground. It my opinion this will limit the sales appeal of this great machine. Being 6'1" I found the bike easy to mount/dismount ( with the seat in the lowest position) and both feet are flat on the ground I love the upright riding position which keeps me free from back and neck aches, and is great for long journeys. The boxer engine delivers a huge amount of torque at low and mid range which means if like me you are lazy, there is no need for too many gear changes - just leave it in 6th and open the throttle !.The claimed 100bhp is more than enough for every day use. With the panniers full, and 2 up the trottle response is still startling. With the original screen in the fully forward position, my shoulders and the top of my helmet tended to get plastered with bugs. I have now fitted a Wunderlich screen which is about 6" higher and makes all the difference. I was not that impressed with the dipped beam headlight, so I fitted an HID unit which has completely transformed the night vision. The exposed cylinder heads are very vunerable to damage if the bike falls over, and are veeery expensive to replace. Mine nearly fell off the stand in soft tarmac - so I fitted a set of engine bars just in case. In my opinion the R1200GS is a brilliant bike to ride, own and enjoy + the depreciation is very low compared to most Jap bikes.

Having read all the reviews ownersMCN included and watched Boorman and Mc Gregor I really wanted to like the bike when I took it out fora test ride today. Owning a Blackbird I was well prepared for to make allowances for the difference in performance etc. But although I only rode it for 50 miles I just could not get dialed into it at all. I loved the ability to be able to look at the scenery but the vibes and roughness of it just did not suit me at all.To be fair even though I have been riding for over 40years I did not feel that I had the capability to ride it how it should be ridden and I wonder if I should have been ringing its neck more.Each to their own though so if you do enjoy riding a GS good luck to you as for me I was glad to get back on my Blackbird.

I'm on my third GS from new, one 1150 and two 1200's. The 1200 is a lighter and more agile motorcycle. An off-roader it ain't. Firstly it is too heavy and it gets heavier each time you pick it up! I spent a muddy wet day in the Brecon Beacons with Simon Pavey(BMW Off-Road Skills) and a 1200GS and by lunchtime I was fantasising about small, cute F650's and crying for my Mammy! Secondly its too expensive to be thrashing around the woods. The off-road capability isn't wasted however as the bike is supremely composed on poor road surfaces. It vibrates, this takes a bit of getting used to if you've come from a 4-cylinder. It goes around corners in a way that flatters the average rider. Of the five BMW bikes I've owned, my current GS is the only one to have caused problems - battery failure(a software problem according to the dealer) and a fuel pump sensor/widget(water damage - a common problem on the GS1200 and sorted on later models) The standard screen is a disgrace and vibrates intrusively at all engine speeds. I changed mine for the Adventure screen which is a huge improvement. Other mods are Wilbers shocks giving the bike a more planted feel and Akrapovic exhaust which gives a meatier sound. In Ireland the bike has been a victim of its own success with so many used models about that prices for second-hand bikes have become quite depressed. Overall I love it despite the flaws. If you have never ridden one, take one for a test ride and don't give it back until you have put 100 of the twistiest of your favourite miles on it. If you still don't get it then its not for you.

I've had the GS now for 2 yrs and put over 30K on. It's fast, very comnfortable and complete stable so a good road bike. It's unreliable and left me stranded once with numerous trips to the shop to fix this and that. The seat is crap so factor in a new Corbin or Bill Mayer seat in to the cost of ownership. Also, adding an underseat gas tank [Touratec] is a must to extend the range. Last but not least add an airflow screen. Bliss! Not wind blast at any speed, I can hear my i-Pod no matter how fast I'm going.

The BMW 1200GS is a cracking machine. It's a versitile, capable bike that provides many a nirvana moment. It's also as reliable, well built and potentially as expensive as a crack addict. Bought first bike in December 2004. Suffered multiple gearbox failures, electrical failures, battery failures (etc, etc, etc). Average distance between breakdowns under 1,000 miles. After gearbox number 3 imploded on the M4 less than 300 miles after installation BMW finally appreciated that this might have been a bit of a "friday afternoon" bike and gave me a rather advantageous trade in for another 1200GS The January 06 1200GS is twice as good as the bike it replaced. This one has almost averages 2,000 miles between breakdowns or failures. Things of note: * gearbox / clutch replaced under warranty (both bikes). Replaced more than once too... * fuel pump electrics failed (both bikes) * battery failed (both bikes) - In fact I've never made it through a winter without the bike dying. * Top boxes - three flew off the back of the bike before I got really fed up & BMW refunded my money. Design has since been changed. *ABS failed *gear position indicator failure (so bike won't start) *neutral indicator failure *sudden loss of power under acceleration *speedo / rev counter failure. *steering lock failure *total loss of electrics (no lights, horn, try stopping that bike without servos......) The only area of ownership that is more disappointing than the reliability is the "customer services" After 8 years BMW ownership I won't be getting another one (2 or 4 wheels). Back to Honda. Maybe they aren't as much fun or as trendy but they do appear to work!

My R1200GS was bought second hand and its been superb. However, looking back through the service manual it has had a few things replaced but for me it is awesome. I've done thousands of miles on it and I don't use my car any more. I have a full set of luggage and it lugs everything with ease. It is the first bike I have had that I want to lavish attention on. I keep it clean and service it on time. I love it.