2005 BMW R1200 GS

May 2005: Another bike diet

factory photo: R1200GS in blue

I test rode the R1200GS on May 31, 2005. It's about 120 pounds lighter than my current ride, an R1150RT. It's damn near K bike smooth when riding around town at 25-40 MPH. I just had to think about turning to have the bike follow my desire. After 50 miles of a combination of city streets, bay area twisties, and a few freeway miles I decided that it had to be mine. An order was placed. My bike should look something like that pictured right.

R1200GS Links

(1/400) f/11.0 f(35)=138mm

June 18, 2005: My new ride

I picked up the bike this afternoon and put about 75 miles on the odometer getting it home. Very, very nice. Now it's time to accessorize and ride!

Why a GS?

Enough friends have asked "why a GS?" that I've had to formulate an answer. It goes something like this:

Somewhere along the line I started believing the motorcycle industry marketing folks, always a dangerous thing to do. To those folks "touring" means riding a Wing, an LT, or a Harley dresser down the interstate. I don't think so. My touring is done on back roads, sometimes going 100 miles out of my way to avoid 100 miles of freeway. I ride when it is wet and foolishly tackle mountain passes in the spring when the weather is iffy. For me, a touring bike is one that will take me on those roads, without having to worry about the cost of replacing plastic should I drop the bike when looking for a place to turn around in the snow. I think the GS is a perfect touring bike. It's a great bike for Sunday morning rides, too.

Accessories

It's hard to keep track of the things I've added/changed on this bike; more items than on any other three bikes I've owned, combined. The following list in more-or-less alphabetical order is what I've done to the bike that I can remember. Touratech and Wunderlich are well represented!

packed cover
Cover on bike, no sidecases
Cover on bike w/sidecases

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