General topics » Prospective new owner...

Hi all,

New member and first post so please take pity...

I'm returning to bile after a number years off and have decided on a BMW as non of the other manufactures seem to offer what I'm after. At the ripe old age of 51 a fancy a reasonably sensible and capable bike for weekend blasts and possibly longish tours. I've narrowed my selection down to a new RS or GS both of which I've ridden and loved. Being short the RS probably suits me better and there are some good deals around at the moment with a likely replacement on the horizon; the GS is so expensive and doesn't seem to offer anything more than the RS, well perhaps a better dash and screen.

So, I'm wondering if any of you learned people could offer some thoughts and experience before I take the plunge?

Cheers,

Andy

Welcome Andy!

Key question - how much off road riding are you planning to do? If none, then RS. The GS series of bikes are off road beasts. I've always admired the GS, it's a great bike, but I just would not do the amount of off road riding to justify it. The car analogy is between a 4 wheel drive truck (GS) and a sports sedan (RS).

And welcome Andy!

When I was 16, I took and passed my MC operators test. From that day forward, I didn't have ride on trails, in fields and dirt roads. I could be like the people called adults and ride on pavement I bought a road bike and have stayed with that for 40, or so years.

Besides, my knees seem to work quite well. When I get old and stiff, perhaps a GS with barndoor aerodynamics will be necessary.

I guess I am shallow. I bought the RS because it looked "right". Not quirky (like my R1100S). Not ugly (like my XV1000RH Yamaha).
I liked the previous ST EXCEPT when viewed from the front, and even though I had worked out a way to park it so I would never have to approach it from the front, it did not separate my money from my wallet.
The RS did. Almost immediately.
Thankfully it is a brilliant motorcycle, as I have noted many times, the best I have had in 50 years of daily riding.
There are more farkles for the GS, and the GS is so large it intimidates old women, small children and dogs. BMW sell bucket loads of them in comparison with any other bike in their range. In short, the GS just can't be bad.
But it is ugly. Butt ugly.

GS and RS are Apples to Oranges in my book. I rode a friends GS for a period while following my very own RS. When he finally stopped, he was grinning ear to ear, I was not.

RS and RT more in comparison. I put it as such, I am not old enough to need an RT, I am still young enough to enjoy the RS. RS all the way!

The RS just does, electronic gadgets to the moon (that work), amenities riders want, in a package that will run with the 1L rides.

I did a 12hr ride, straight through, most fuel stops never got off, plug in card fuel and go. With a bad back and all, rode comfortable, and confident the whole time and was able to walk when reaching my destination. All while mostly on 75mph on the cruise control.

My RS is a very close second to my Wife.

Hope this helps.

Thanks all for your kind responses.

Yes I thought asking the question on an RS forum would result in slightly biased opinions...

I've had my eye on a R1200GS Rally with the reduced height suspension and it's very nice indeed. I've also ridden a standard bike with the lower seat and enjoyed it, though the slightly lower bike would help. I've also ridden the RS for few hours and again really enjoyed that too.

Usage would be a real mix of highway and likely whole days in the saddle.

I think my dilemma is the TFT screen, LED lights etc. of the GS over the RS (really not keen on the dash). The idea a new RS with TFT etc. may just be around the corner makes me question whether to buy now or wait. Buying an RS now would mean saving £4000 over the cost of a GS, now that's a lot of extra money for something which isn't going to offer much more if at all. If I wait for a new model RS that difference would likely reduce to £2000. I just wish BMW would announce their plans very soon...

A real first world problem ehh!

You're really leaning against an open door asking about RS v GS on here mate,we're slightly biased towards the RS. I had a GS as a loaner while my beloved RS was in for a service,I can see the appeal of the GS,the riding position makes it seem that you can see up the road for miles,it wasn't long though before I felt the urge to ride up a dirt track to seek out Ewan and Charlie at their camp and form a daisy chain with them...... Most disturbing. If that's your thing then buy the GS but if you want a bike that will do 500+ miles a day,will run with sportsbikes on the twisties,will commute etc then buy the RS. At the end of the day it's your money.

I am 53 and the RS is the first BMW I have owned.... although I rode R80RT company bikes back in the 1980's.. I never wanted a GS because its so common.. i think it takes away the 'special' feeling of being on a different bike. I've had people coming over to look at my bike when I'm parked and all the responses have been very positive.
I also chose based on comfort, and a little bit of performance... as my knees are worn out and I'm not on the throttle stops all day long... a 2000 mile european tour last year was comfortable 99% of the time. I had a GS as a loan bike when mine was being services , and it was nearly new... but felt old and rattley... the view from the seat of the controls was also underwhelming.. and the upright riding position comfort was ruined by windblast... I'm tall so seat height is never an issue.. but the RS was for me a far more comfortable special feeling bike.... easiest way to decide... go to a dealer.. and ride them back to back... then parkm them next to each other... and if you are in possession of the facts...personal experience..and good eyesight... you will join the RS fold...

Hi Andy and welcome.
As for RS vs GS, the GS doesn't speak to me at all. Ive tried a couple and for my type of riding (100% tarmac) I realy can't see any point of having a GS. In my book, compared to RS the GS are: expensive, ugly, worse seat position for longhaul touring and you don't look as cool riding one. Did I mension ugly??
AND when parked by the petrol station at the foot of Stelvio pass you will have hell finding yours as theres tons of them...
With the right screen you can get just (or nearly) as good wind protection on the RS.

I love my 2016 RS and would only trade it for another RS. ( or a Kawa H2 SX, but that supercharged monster would kill me, so I stay with Beemer.)

Zitat von Bacaruda im Beitrag #12

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Hi Andy and welcome.
As for RS vs GS, the GS doesn't speak to me at all. Ive tried a couple and for my type of riding (100% tarmac) I realy can't see any point of having a GS. In my book, compared to RS the GS are: expensive, ugly, worse seat position for longhaul touring and you don't look as cool riding one. Did I mension ugly??
AND when parked by the petrol station at the foot of Stelvio pass you will have hell finding yours as theres tons of them...
With the right screen you can get just (or nearly) as good wind protection on the RS.

I love my 2016 RS and would only trade it for another RS. ( or a Kawa H2 SX, but that supercharged monster would kill me, so I stay with Beemer.)

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Zitat von AndyR im Beitrag #1

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I've narrowed my selection down to a new RS or GS both of which I've ridden and loved. Being short the RS probably suits me better and there are some good deals around at the moment with a likely replacement on the horizon; the GS is so expensive and doesn't seem to offer anything more than the RS, well perhaps a better dash and screen.

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Zitat von Bravo im Beitrag #10

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...it wasn't long though before I felt the urge to ride up a dirt track to seek out Ewan and Charlie at their camp and form a daisy chain with them...... Most disturbing.

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