KMalo wrote:An observation and a question for you folks with GS and R experience.
The observation is the the pictures I've seen of GSs have windshields that resemble those used on the Rs in size, shape, and attitude angle. In addition, the windshields seem to be set farther forward than on the Rs.
The question is do the GSs have buffeting and noise problems like the Rs? More? Less? Different?
Just wondering . . .
Thanks,
Chuck
I am 6'2" and for me the stock windshield on the GS was bad. Lots of noise and buffeting no matter the position. The buffeting on the R was less with the sport windshield, but the wind noise was the same.
I put a new model Cee Baileys on the R for my wife and at her height 5' 8" and build, the noise and buffeting are gone. I still get some on it but it is much improved even for me.
I put a Wunderlich adjustable screen on the GS and it transformed the bike. Minimal noise and the buffeting is gone.
One thing about the GS\A that is better than the R in that there are a TON of options available for the GS\A that the R simply doesn't have.
KMalo wrote:An observation and a question for you folks with GS and R experience.
The observation is the the pictures I've seen of GSs have windshields that resemble those used on the Rs in size, shape, and attitude angle. In addition, the windshields seem to be set farther forward than on the Rs.
The question is do the GSs have buffeting and noise problems like the Rs? More? Less? Different?
Just wondering . . .
Thanks,
Chuck
I am 6'2" and for me the stock windshield on the GS was bad. Lots of noise and buffeting no matter the position. The buffeting on the R was less with the sport windshield, but the wind noise was the same.
I put a new model Cee Baileys on the R for my wife and at her height 5' 8" and build, the noise and buffeting are gone. I still get some on it but it is much improved even for me.
I put a Wunderlich adjustable screen on the GS and it transformed the bike. Minimal noise and the buffeting is gone.
One thing about the GS\A that is better than the R in that there are a TON of options available for the GS\A that the R simply doesn't have.
Also the GSA has a taller stock windscreen than the GS. At 6' 4" on a GSA, I need another 2-3 inches of screen to eliminate buffeting. I believe the GSA stock screen is about 3-4 inches taller than a GS. The GSA also has small screens on the side that block lower wind, but they can be added to a regular GS.
Current bikes: 2012 R1200GSA, 2007 R1200R
Past bikes: 1997 F650, 1998 R1100GS, 2000 K1200RS
Agree the the GSA screen would have been much better with the additional height.
My 5' 8" wife thought the stock GS screen was fine.
I will be picking up the "winglet" things for my bike tonight. I am not entirely sure I need them after putting the new windscreen on, but they are fairly cheap and an easy do it yourself install so what the heck?
All of Dan's comments are spot on; I just bought an additional bike [MMPD, Multiple Motorcycle Personality Disorder]. I bought the road version of the Triumph 800 as opposed to the GS like version called the Triumph XC. This pointed me to one of the big differences. The road 800 has non spoke wheels and a 19 inch front the XC has 21 inch front and spoked wheels.
Same relative thing going on between the R and GS. Last week I did 1500 miles with the local San Diego BMW club. Or the ten plus riders, about half were GS's, a few more RT's, some K's, an R1200S and my R1200R. I am just coming up the learning curve on my riding skills but my R12 could more than keep up; in the curves the group loves, they would sometimes have to wait one to three minutes for me to catch up, but that was me and not the bike.
The GS guys on this trip have their bikes set up like tanks with metal cases and they all really do go off road. I never have don't want to; in fact one rider on this trip on a K1300LT dumped his bike crossing a small stream and caused a lot of damage to his cosmetic parts.
I rode my Triumph 800 as soon as I got home and found it taller by comparison, and very glad I did not have the XC version which would have been taller still.
I think, for me, that the GS is just too much of a tank. I don't frankly get it as I would think a lighter bike would be better in the dirt; but a lot of BMW types have partaken of the GS cool aide and they certainly ride the wheels off of their bikes.
In terms of comfort my XL Cal Sci Screen with Don C' block provided all the comfort I needed up to and including triple digit speeds. Certainly as comfortable as I assume the GS to be; and only thing more comfortable would be an RT or an LT.
But, if you are a tall rider, the GS is more comfortable and many prefer the way the bike turns due to different handle bars and suspension.
I'm staying with the R12, but I am going to have suspension work done, front and rear.
I would also recommend new or near new rubber before going off on one of these week long adventures. I had near new PR3's and they were flawless.
Back in San Diego, the regular Sunday riders are about evenly divided between the R12 and the GS types.
Bottom line: I dig my R12 more than ever. I discovered that wide open throttle in 4th is a near religious experience, and, if not that, certainly an extra legal experience.
I just test rode a 2012 r1200gs with abs and esa
I own a 2007 r 1200r with abs
The earlier list of differences is pretty much spot on.
The gs has better wind protection ( which is why i wanted to try it), but the r felt a lot lighter, more nimble, smoother, quicker and had better gearing.
I loved my old r1150gs, and really wanted to fall for the r1200 gs rallye special edition, but it didn't quite push my buttons - for road riding, the r is much nicer.
So i am taking a 2012 r1200r with abs and esa out for a try, as i really liked the ability to quickly switch between comfort and sport. Also, will try a bigger screen.
Year for year - ie - 2007 R12R vs 2007 R12GS - the R12R is faster. Was riding with a friend, and not riding hard at all. When we chatted in the bar (Morton's Spring Fling - where was everyone?), he said he had problems with me pulling away from him, and his bike not keeping up.
Might be gearing, might be weight, might be the R12R is just a better bike..
Don Eilenberger - NJ Shore
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
I recently rode a 2010 cam head GS for a hundred or so miles and recently rode a R1200R 2012 cam head as a loaner a 150 or so miles. I took the R bike up in my local mountains for a 75 mile run on the crest.
I found the R bike to be fun in both the city and the canyons, yet it was a bit cramped. The bike I had was fitted with the low seat, and it felt pretty low, but even though I am only 5'10" I am pretty used to tall bikes from my 2007 GSA, on which I am on my toes. The R had me flat footed with knees bent.
The GS was the nicest bike I have ever riden. A sportier bike than my GSA, and the new engine has lots of power. 140mph came up pretty quickly. It railed on sweepers, had spot on perfect ergos, very smooth shifting, and I can't really think of a bad thing to say about it. I guess from years on my GSA I am more at home on a tall bike which gives a more commanding view of the road, especially in traffic.
The R bike was indeed light, and definitely comes up to speed quickly. I can't say I felt faster in the canyons on it than on the GS. Both bikes are noticeably faster than my GSA
If I had to choose only one bike, I would get the GS. A great combo ownership would be an R bike and a GSA.
New member here, but have had a K bike, an RT, a GS (2007) and a new 2012 R1200R Classic over the last 12 years. I am happiest with the R1200R. I agree with many of the previous comments. Philosphically, the 1200R is the simple, honest successor to the airheads. To me, the R1200R is a friendly bike; the GS is a cold, extremely competent, germanic tool. As I get older, I find the simpler bike suits me better. And there are plenty of add-ons ,should you feel inadequate around the GS crowd.
