| Author | Message | ||
     Laxpol |
I own a 2006 Uly with an 07 seat for comfort and style. I enjoy the bike, but am being romanced by the idea of owning a GS 1200 (not GSA). Am thinking of getting an 08 BMW 1200 GS - but I have NOT yet decided what to do. I know this board is of Uly lovers, SO.... Please give me reasons NOT to get the GS 1200, and reasons FOR getting the GS 1200. I look fwd to your advice! | ||
| Froggy |
You going to be getting rid of the Uly? If not, then go for it. Must be nice to have a fleet of bikes  | ||
| Buellerandy |
Question I have for you is how much are you going to actually venture offroad with the gs? | ||
| Gsron |
Ully, paid for. If not, $11,500otd vs $18,500otd. Roughly Ully, simple maint and fairly inexpensive parts. GS, simple maint, just a lot of it every 6K, fairly expensive parts ($20.00 oil filter) w/ a trip to the dealer for a brain scan every 6K + a pain in the ass to add electrical goodies, the CAN Buss shuts off the acc outlet at 7.5 amps draw. CAN buss is a pain. Ully, a sport bike with gravel road capability. GS, a gravel road bike that does well on the pavement. Ully, 100hp and 425lbs GS, 100hp and 500ish lbs A tie for looks, they're both so ugly they're cute...... | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
It really depends. Are you a prick? If so, go for the BMW! I'm kidding! The main reason I bought a Uly instead of BMW (I had seriously considered one) 1) I have a firebolt and LOVE IT! 2) Ease/cost of maintenance.. I dont want to take the bike in for every service. When I do need dealer service, I dont want to take out a second mortgage to pay for it. 3) I'm not a prick. Kidding! (I really am) | ||
| Laxpol |
How is the BMW 1200 for commuting? Too much bike? | ||
| Laxpol |
I don't plan on riding off road very much at all. The odd dirt road, the odd camp site. | ||
| Danger_dave |
GS doesn't handle badly at all - compared to a Uly it is a BARGE. | ||
| Iugradmark |
On positive for BMWs is if you like group activities, BMW ownership can be a lot of fun. Major clubs in every state, rallies in every state, national rally that rotates around the country with over 5,000 attendees each year, etc. | ||
| Jim_williams |
I sold my 1200 GS because ABS sensor shut down my brakes. In the rain. Doing a Fred Flintstone stop through a red light. I lived to tell. When I told BMW to fix it, they told me the bike did exactly as designed. It appears that if the system senses a fault, OF ANY KIND, in my case, low rear brake pads, it MAY (but, not always), completely shut the system down. As in no brakes whatsoever. BMW and all the BMW kool aid drinkers all over the net will tell you that you still have some brakes. All I know is that I was slamming the foot on the pedal and pulling that lever as hard as I could and nothing was happening. the tech at the dealer had the same thing happen to him on his K1200S. Now, I don't own a Buell, but, will soon. as always, YMMV. cheers, Jim | ||
| Adrian_8 |
I think buying a R1200GS is a great idea...I have two friends that have them..they are happy, I am happy I don't own one....the economy needs your money...The BMW dealer will be your new friend, go for it...and post back and tell us how great it is...oh by the way...The clutch lever/master cylinder for the GS is $295..vs 29.00 for the ULY...enjoy. | ||
| Laxpol |
How often would you need a new master cylinder??? Also, if i get it without ABS, wouldn't that save $ and just make a GS more attractive to me? | ||
| Markog |
i went from a 1200 gs to an 06 uly, the gs was a good bike, but it was kind of like owning an appliance, when it ran good you didn't think about it, when in was screwed up man was it expensive. parts are crazy money, the canbus electrical sucks, the abs sucks, the stock shocks suck. my uly is far from perfect, but it's fun to ride, parts are cheap, and easy to fix. marko | ||
| Rubberdown |
Wow! Glad I didn't get a GS  . My experience has been incredibly good. | ||
| Laxpol |
Markog: how did the ride of the GS compare to the Uly? Uly seems a high-stance sport bike, while gs seems like a cruiser more than anything. Would you have used a gs as a comuter? | ||
| Froggy |
Another thing on the parts prices, I wrecked my Uly about a dozen times. Except for the last one that totaled it (stupid insurance), I never spent more than $50 to repair the damage. Busted turn signal lens, $1 and change, they even kept them in stock for me at the rate I was dropping the thing off road. $50 for a pair of new frame pucks, a few dollars here and there for whatever else I happen to break that day. | ||
| Dr_greg |
I bought the 2006 Uly (S/N 044) on October 1, 2005...as of today I have 42,045 miles on it. I absolutely LOVE it, and I can't imagine EVER getting rid of it. It has been virtually troublefree. However... About a year ago I got to thinking...what about the legendary BMW R1200GS. Since I like this "adventure" bike thing so much, why not check out the bike that started it all? There is a pretty good BMW dealer nearby, so I called and yes, they had a demo R1200GS available, and I was welcome to take it out for as long as I wanted (just like when I bought the Uly). Cool! (By the way, the Uly is the first HD-derived product I've ever owned...I come from a sportbike/dirtbike background) OK, so I rode down to the BMW dealer, got the briefing on the bike, and took off. My first reaction: this thing is HUGE! There was a bunch of GS sticking out in front of me, and a bunch of GS sticking out behind me... And (I was on the interstate by now) boy the suspension is stiff...I can feel every tar strip! OK, I'm only 150 lb, and probably I could adjust the damping/preload to smooth that out. And yikes but the seat is hard (they put on the "low" seat for me) and skinny! OK, I'm used to the plush seat on the '06 Uly...there are probably aftermarket seats for the GS...or the "standard" seat may be better. Let's see, what else...roll on the throttle, and yeah it begins to accelerate, but it didn't feel like anything special. This particular GS had a "blooey" pipe on it, so it was noisy (which I don't like)...that can be "fixed" as well. In all fairness, I didn't get off pavement, where the GS is supposed to surpass the Uly. But without adjusting the suspension, I sure didn't want to get off-pavement. There was turbulence from the windscreen (I have a Laminar Lip on the Uly, which is perfect for my 5-9 frame). Well, was there anything I liked about the legendary BMW R1200GS? Umm, well, I do think it looks really nice (kind of what an "adventure" bike should look like), but that's subjective. And I can't see it while riding. When I returned the GS the salesman said he'd give me $5K for the Uly on trade. Sheesh. Remounting the Uly and riding away felt absolutely like regaining a long lost loved one who understood every aspect of my personality and just wanted to please me. Yeah, you're mine, baby, and I'm yours. Lovely! Motorcycles are subjective (like food)...I don't like to call bikes "good" or "bad" but rather say that I "like" this bike or "don't like" that bike. The GS must please many people, since they sell well. But I sure didn't like it. I cannot imagine a bike that meets my needs as perfectly as the Ulysses. Every time I ride it is better than the last. But your mileage may vary, as they say... P.S. At the ADVrider.com "WestFest07" rally I saw firsthand what happens to a newish GS when the rider stops, switches off the engine, then tries to switch it on again. Immobilizer locks it up and they have to haul it out 30 miles of fire road to a dealer. No, thanks. | ||
| Markog |
laxpol: my gs in stock trim was pure crap as far as ride goes, 1200 bucks worth of ohlins and it was like a new bike. i used the gs as well as the uly for a 100 mile rnd trip every day. i wouldn't say one was better than the other for commuting, the uly is a little better on fuel 40 vs 44 mpg. my biggest bitch is the parts and service prices they command. and just so it's known, i've been a bmw guy for almost 40 years. mark | ||
| Firstbatch |
I'm with the Dr on this one too....own a '06 Uly and simply could never imagine getting rid of it! My best riding buddy has a GS1200 and we have swapped many times. Just this past weekend when we got a warm spell here during the Virginia winter he rode my Uly . He must have said 3 times during the day after that how much fun the Uly is and how much character it has....and how ultra fun it is to twist the wick on the Uly coming out of a turn or away from stop. I really did not have much to say at all about the GS, except...hey give me back the Uly I want to pop a wheel! GS is competent and stout, yet you have to have an affinity for a boxer motor.....thats the great divide between the two. I have owned boxers and currently have a vintage boxer in the stable, but there is just something special about a 45 v twin that just tugs at your soul....and then take a very nicely tuned version in the Buell and it is heaven on two wheels. Best of luck in your choice, sounds like you may have to own them both at some point. | ||
| Markog |
btw: my uly was 9000 otd so a lot of xtra cash to play with, i did the 08 triple tree upgrade, as well as the spring upgrade,and i still feel like i'm ahead. don't get me wrong the gs is a good bike, but keep your options open, the bmw legend isn't what it used to be imho. mark | ||
| Court |
The GS and the Ulysses are both tall mounts providing excellent visibility in traffic. The Ulysses gets my my vote hands down for handling, price and maneuverability. CAVEAT: This is based on what I have read, I have never ridden a Ulysses. My seat time on a GS was courtesy of BMW North America. The GS, and this surprised me for some reason, pulls like a frickin' freight train and shifts slick as snot. It's also, no secret if you look at it, bulky and heavy and made for, as has been pointed out, more of a touring roll. My decision, and it's strictly personal would be driven by the official and non-official support and tribal knowledge. There is a wealth of information and experience surrounding the GS. The BOK for the Ulysses, in a far shorter life span, is equally as vast and I really like the folks who deliver it. I'd suggest you ride both. BMW, following Buell's lead in 1996, is pretty liberal about providing meaningful test rides. I'll provide a bit of a personal glimpse and suggest that as soon as your get done riding . . . the decision will be more, not less, elusive. You'll be a new initiate into the recently departed John Wyckof's wisdom . . . "since Sears quit making the Allstate there are no more bad motorcycles". I compare it to shopping for a wife at the Playboy Club . . . you ain't finding any of them that are "better looking" so find something you love, ride it and cherish it . . . . | ||
| Karlsbad |
Court tell me it isn't so ! You have never actually ridden a Ulysses? Do you spice your food before you taste it as well? You need to ride one then your opinion will hold much more weight. I have owned both a GS and currently own a 08 Uly. I have ridden my GS places I would never dream of taking my Ulysses. But at the end of the day if I have to pick a bike to ride all day long in the twisty stuff IMHO the Uly is hands down the funnest bike I have EVER owned. Different than the GS but similar at the same time. Laxpol if you say you may not ride the dirt the choice is easy Uly all the way, you may never find a better all around ride. Don't take any ones word for it, ride one and see for yourself. | ||
| Towjam |
I think the 1200GS is arguably the best "jack of all trades, master of none" bike on the market. I've owned two - an '06 and an '07. I had an '08 on order but canceled it the same day I saw the announcement of the new Uly XT. There's a lot to like about the GS but as has already been pointed out, it's not as low maintenance as a Buell, the dealer network may actually be weaker than Buell's (if you can believe that) and in my opinion, the Uly is a better handling bike on the street due to it's lower center of gravity, sport rubber and low end torque. On the other hand, there's a whole after-market GS farkle industry so you'll have no problem customizing the GS to fit your style and environment of riding. And make no mistake, the GS can take a licking - as Charley and Ewan proved! If the GS and Uly were equally priced, I'd probably stay with the GS - if for nothing else, I'm a techno-geek and I like the uber technology built into the bike. But given the price difference and the fact that I'm strictly a pavement princess, the decision to move to the XT was a no brainer. In any event, you'd probably be happy with either bike if your planning on staying primarily on pavement. Me with my (then) new '07 GS:  | ||
| Towjam |
On a less positive note regarding the GS... The only bike that has ever left me stranded was my '06 GS. I was on my way to the dealership to have the initial 600 mile service done and stopped to fuel up. When I went to fire the GS back up, nothing. Nada. Zilch. The dealer had to trailer the bike back - turns out the starter was shot. Fixed under warranty but aggravating. I've also had some minor fit & finish issues with all 5 of my BMWs - nothing serious but nothing I've ever encountered with my Buells, Harleys or Hondas. | ||
| Madduck |
Regarding BMW's, I've owned five different models since 1998. Each generation of ABS gets more treacherous. There is no feeling like finding your $20,000 motorcycle has decided not to stop when the levers are pulled. Pucker moment like no other. Frustation of the the security system just locking up the bike due to an antena failure which the manufacturer fixes once its failed altho they do know the affected units but choose to save money on their part by waiting till yours fails in front of your harley riding friends. I owuld never recommend any of the new BMWs to anyone that plans on riding away from the dealer. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The GS is a nice bike, I have taken TWO of them in on trade for the ULY. Previous riders voted with their pocket books after 1 demo ride. I think that speaks volumes on what the ULY is and the ride that it has. | ||
| Bigkuri |
Something not mentioned is that my 01 and 05 GS were horrible at motorway speeds with vibes. The Uly shakes and rattles like a paint mixer, but at normal motorway speeds, for me, its very smooth (80mph & 4k RPM). The GS's had this horrible vibe at 75 through 85 which annoyed the hell out of me, and ended up hurting my hands. It got even worse when the valves needed adjusting. Also, as mentioned above, the GS has good long maintenance cycles, but the maintenance itself was a bit painful. ABS was lethal (subjective comment - not meaning to start one of those ABS threads). Mileage was worse. Handled like a boat compared with the Uly. GS was strangely boring for me - nice, jack of all trades, but dull as dishwater. | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
I came from an '02 R1150GS without ABS to my Uly I loved my GS, but when I rode the GS, it brought the fun back into biking. The Uly is more comfortable than the GS, with less wind protection, but the Uly is quieter and has no buffeting for me at least. The Uly rides as well, if not better than the GS and has far better pillion comfort too. BMW servicing costs are horrendously expensive too!!! | ||
| Crusty |
Laxpol; Take a BMW for a test ride, then make your decision. No one bike is perfect for anybody. For that matter, no one bike is perfect for me (that's why I make changes to the bike). I really like my Uly, but you probably have different priorities from mine. A test ride lets you get a taste of what the bike will feel like. | ||
| Court |
>>>BMW servicing costs are horrendously expensive too!!! I just paid $1,534 to have an F650 serviced. But, it had been sitting and $750 of that (working from memory - I can post receipt) was rebuilding the carb due to the thing sitting. |
