As someone afflicted with Vehicular ADD I’ve bought and sold more cars and motorcycles than I remember. Many I regret selling, others were let go at fire sale prices. This is a bike I’ll miss however some wonderful life changes encourage the sale of this bike. It’s a goer, that’s for sure.
I purchased this bike in January of 2019. BMW had just updated the Boxer motor with shift cam technology which produces more power. BMW was also touting improvements to the electronics, specifically the ride modes and ABS.
I visited the store I opened and served as the GM (Max BMW Motorcycles of South Windsor) for a few years and they had one of the first released on the floor. I was taken by the colors and I asked when they might have a demo. Steve in sales smiled and told me I was looking at the Demo. Being December I didn’t have enough gear with me so I booked an appointment for the next day.
My ride was fantastic. All the gripes I had with the original water cooled 1200’s were addressed. I wasn’t sure how I’d bond with the TFT screen but the motor, transmission and everything about riding the bike was so wonderful I tossed my concerns aside and bought one they had in stock that afternoon.
I have since completely bonded with the TFT screen.
I rode it 200 or so miles right away, then put it on a truck to Las Vegas. When I arrived my first afternoon was spent doing a 250 mile loop as BMW wants to see at least 400 miles on the bike before the first service. The next morning I took it into the local BMW dealer for the first service which is an oil change, check for updates and not much more.
After this I was off; down to Baja and back to Las Vegas a few weeks later to ship the bike home. That was 22 months ago and I haven’t stopped. I rode it back to California last fall, did one long weekend out west before the virus and then rode it back (link) this spring. Without even realizing it or trying I put just over 27,000 miles on this bike in the 22 months I’ve owned it. It’s a fantastic motorcycle. It’s the easiest bike to ride I’ve ever had. The twitch of the first generation fly by wire throttle is gone; the suspension is fantastic and the ride modes along with the ability to switch on the fly at any speed is wonderful. I’ve always been a high mileage rider and this is the first bike I’ve owned where I look at the odometer and wonder “how did that happen.” Even on the stock seat if I had to guess I would have said 10k, it’s that easy.
One thing I enjoy doing with my bikes is setting them up for how I will use them. I’ve built bikes for endurance rallies such as the Iron Butt Rally as well as extended backcountry trips.
With this bike I had no intentions of boldly taking it places no GS should go. I’ve done that and have the x-rays to show for it. Having said this the BDR’s and other published routes are perfect for this bike and the proper parts can make these rides safer, easier and more fun. Plus it’s fun to farkle.
First and foremost is lighting. While I have reduced the amount of riding I do at night when I do having wicked bright lights is a must. Clearwater leads the way in auxiliary lighting in both quality and price. This bike has a set of their Erica lights. With their can-bus controller these lights are turned on or off by pressing and holding the turn signal cancel switch. They are set to half power with the low beam and full power with the high; they also flash when the horn is activated. On the back I have Clearwater’s Billie brake light.
Clearwater Ericas. Yellow lens is removable cover
In my opinion it would be foolish to venture on a BDR route without taking a look at the bike, identifying the most vulnerable areas and adding some protection or at least having a plan if your sidestand switch takes a rock on the ride. If you watch the NorthEast Back Road Discover movie you’ll see a rider have a minor mishap that resulted in a hole in the valve cover. Had she not been with a group with mad JB weld skills she’d still be there.
This bike has some Touratech parts such as the sidestand switch protector, Headlight screen and fog light screens along with one or two others I’ll leave it to you to find in the photos. On a lark along with the knowledge of what front end parts cost I purchased and installed TT’s Bull Bar XL.
It also has the engine guards from Richochet. Had that NEBDR rider had these her minor mishap would have been a non-event.
Ricochet Engine protection. NB the piece from the backend of the crashbar to the frame. That is the Wunderlich engine guard extension.
I have also installed the Wunderlich ADV Engine Guard Extension. In my opinion this is a must have item as a minor drop can push the engine bars into the cylinder head. Not a trip ending event but on top of being a cosmetic issue a valve check will be difficult in the future. Also from Wunderlich is their screen reinforcement set. In their effort to save weight the engineers at BMW decided that a tremendous amount of movement of the windscreen is acceptable. This revolves this and makes time at highway speeds much more tolerable, if not even enjoyable.
On the bottom is an Alt Rider Bash plate and to protect the radiators a set of Tourtech protectors have been fitted.
I’ve also installed a pig tail (SAE) connector directly to the battery for direct charging and a coax connector for heated gear. Stock BMW Aluminum panniers in black are included as is a second key fob.
Most of my riding has been on pavement. This generation of GS is an amazing bike on the road which is how I wound up with so many miles in such a short amount of time. Yes the bike has been off road, first in Baja and a bunch here in New England, however I have avoided the nasty single tracks, rock gardens and mudholes; I’ve still got my 1200 for such shenanigans.
Yeah, I went to Deals Gap.
I expect the fist question I’ll get is “why are you selling?” and of course there are many answers. First if you don’t know me I am a “youthful” guy who is approaching sixty. Like the odometer on this bike I look at this and wonder how the hell did that happen, however for the bike it’s no shock. After 30 years of BMW ownership, a bunch of Iron Butt Rallies and more cross country trips than I can remember my riding is becoming much more local and much more woods orientated. I have smaller bikes I am riding more and my big cross country trips or Iron Butt Rally days are over. The simple truth is if I was 10 years younger I’d be putting another 50k on this bike in the next 36 months.
For service I am and always have been very particular about who works on my bikes. Other than the first service every service on this bike has been performed not only by the same dealer, but by the same technician. It has never been in for anything other than scheduled maintenance and to get the Clearwater lights wired up.
The bike will be delivered with the 24k service completed and the buyers choice of tires; either the TKC 80’s currently mounted or a very lightly used set of Anakee Adventures. Bike is located in CT, approximately 10 miles from Bradley Airport (BDL). Delivery via enclosed Sprinter van is available at an additional cost, seller’s shipper will be accommodated. Mosko gear in photos not included.
The price for the bike with everything shown is $17,500 fob South Windsor, Ct. with a 4 year unlimited mileage aftermarket warranty. Will not separate.
Gallery of photos
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