www.BurgmanUSA.com

by **GoldBurg** » Thu May 31, 2012 6:26 06

I've been accused of being the dog on the side of the road chasing after BMWs but not wanting to really catch one - and sure not knowing what to do when I did! :lol:

Well, I caught one yesterday...I put down a deposit on a 2007 BMW R1200GS. I'm really excited about it. I've been looking at R1200Rs, GS, etc. for several months. I let one get away in Maryland, so when this one in minnesota became available I couldn't resist. Low suspension, GSA seat and beak...
I'll hang on to the Burgman unless my friend who just moved back to the US decides he wants it.
Insurance the same as the Burgman? That was a little weird... :thumbup:

by **NormanB** » Thu May 31, 2012 8:04 08

Well insurance is a risk based business so the premiums reflect the risk.

by **insp03** » Thu May 31, 2012 8:08 08

Let us know your views....good for you. :thumbup:

by **farqhuarforever** » Thu May 31, 2012 8:40 08

Does it come with optional step ladder, or do you have to purchase that separately? :wink:

by **Scootereno** » Thu May 31, 2012 9:42 09

Congratulations on the new ride! Those BMW's are sweet rides. Are you having it shipped or going to ride it home?

by **paulcbrowne** » Thu May 31, 2012 11:17 11

The R1200GS has a pretty low accident loss rate, not surprised at a rate similar to a Burgman. My son had one that he bought at Iron Horse in Tucson when he was doing his 49 state tour in 2005. The 2007 has the advantage of non-servo-assisted ABS. It is really a nice ride. Just beware that it has an urge to go up the Alcan and the haul road to Prudoe Bay! Once you get going, it's hard to stop and you'll really enjoy it. When my son sold his, I almost bought it; that was a really good bike that I missed when he got rid of it. Of course, he collects fewer tickets on his Harley.

One bit of advice: learn to do your own maintenance. Without all of the tupperware, it's pretty easy. You can get the service manual on CD and it's a worthwhile investment. Its only weak point is the rear hub. Just keep an eye on it.

by **mikeyMarine** » Thu May 31, 2012 15:44 15

and , um be careful of those 4 hour rides that lead to 2 year "stickshifts"

by **GoldBurg** » Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:37 06

farqhuarforever wrote:Does it come with optional step ladder, or do you have to purchase that separately?

That is a legitimate question. This one has a lowered suspension or I would need 'sheetrocker stilts' at all my stops.

The guy I bought it from has a full stable of bikes that he does maintenance on. He just upgraded the clutch and did all the shaft maintenance on it. I watched a video on doing the valve adjustments last night. I think I can handle that. No tupperware = happy owner. I'l be missing the tupperware in the rain, though...
We're meeting in Roanoke, VA. He's picking up a full dresser there and will either trailer or ride it down there. I get to ride it in the mountains first day! Then I'll head home - or Alaska. I'll ask the bike... :cheers:

by **GoldBurg** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 18:47 18

I met Ken in Radford, Va Thursday night and took ownership of the 1200gs! We headed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for my first ride on her Friday morning! I had to work on my shifting, but it was all figured out that morning.
Then I got my 16 year old daughter out of bed at the hotel and she followed my the 4 1/2 hour ride back home. I picked some really twisty roads up in the mountains and then we made the long stretch on 58 back home. I decided i really like the bike but I needed to work on my low speed shifting and manuvering, so that's what I did this weekend.

My observations after a weekend:

- Suspension is plush compared to the Burgman. No real surprise there.
- The GS is SOOO much easier to move around that the Burgman. I expected to struggle with getting it in and out of the garage, but the Burgman transmission fights so much more than I realized.
- I think the range on a tank is about the same. That's disappointing...
-The ergos are so adjustable. The bike has a lowered suspension and risers on the bars to bring them back. I've got a GSA seat on it and it worked for the entire 7 hours i was on the bike Friday.
- I suck at the shifting. I'm getting better. The low speed shifts are the ones i'm working on. The bike has a new Touratech clutch which I consider 'grabby'. Yeah, that's the issue... :oops:

by **Ralph M** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:47 08

Strange stuff BMW gearboxes, the smother you try to be the worse they get, just relax and ride the thing
and suddenly the shifts are smooth, I put synthetic oil in the box on mine and it did help a bit.
Depending on how low the suspenders are it may be worth fitting the head protectors as you can deck
them out or depending on how you sit rub the toes of your boots on bendy bits.