MyBB Motorcycle Owners Thread

[xrapidx]

Quick question - do you have to go book your license yourself, or is there a service that can do it for you?

Don't feel like trekking out to Somerset West three times.

 

[SauRoNZA]

??

It's not the greatest bike ever that you expect it to be and all reviews seem to claim.

I'm riding an RS instead of an XR now which should say it all.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

It's not the greatest bike ever that you expect it to be and all reviews seem to claim.

I'm riding an RS instead of an XR now which should say it all.

I suppose its up to your individual preference on power delivery, ride comfort, ergonomics etc. The XR I'm guessing is a high revving performer with a similar feel to the GS with its upright ride style, the RS is less upright than the two. The Power delivery on the two bikes though is chalk and cheese. The 93kw boxer in my opinion is awesome, low grunt torque that pulls linearly all the way to the redline is very intoxicating (You will find yourself short shifting regularly as there's almost no need to redline). In the right hands these chunky boxers will get you 0-100 in under 5 seconds very easily. I'm going to presume the 4 cylinder banger on the XR (which is the 1000R motor), needs much more finesse in the lower range, but once going is a screamer. I'm sure it will put a smile on your dial! The new RS doesn't have the GS style Telelever front suspension any more so it will behave & feel much more normal to the average biker. But I'll just put it here, the GS has better suspension ...

One of the most astounding characteristics of the boxer engine bikes is the balance, you can crawl at the slowest speeds at robots without having to touch the ground ... the low centre of gravity makes this a great perk!! Another thing and I'm sure @SauRoNZA will agree with me, even though these are big heavy bikes, once those wheels are rolling, it carves the corners so effortlessly. It's mind boggling how light it actually does feel...

In all the XR looks great, and goes like a bat out of hell, but not much out there would sway my appreciation of the Boxer rumble... So If I were to just road... RS would be my choice too.

 

[Archer]

It's mind boggling how light it actually does feel...

Mine feels lighter than a G650GS which in reality is ±60kg lighter than the 1200...

 

[reactor_sa]

I suppose its up to your individual preference on power delivery, ride comfort, ergonomics etc. The XR I'm guessing is a high revving performer with a similar feel to the GS with its upright ride style, the RS is less upright than the two. The Power delivery on the two bikes though is chalk and cheese. The 93kw boxer in my opinion is awesome, low grunt torque that pulls linearly all the way to the redline is very intoxicating (You will find yourself short shifting regularly as there's almost no need to redline). In the right hands these chunky boxers will get you 0-100 in under 5 seconds very easily. I'm going to presume the 4 cylinder banger on the XR (which is the 1000R motor), needs much more finesse in the lower range, but once going is a screamer. I'm sure it will put a smile on your dial! The new RS doesn't have the GS style Telelever front suspension any more so it will behave & feel much more normal to the average biker. But I'll just put it here, the GS has better suspension ...

One of the most astounding characteristics of the boxer engine bikes is the balance, you can crawl at the slowest speeds at robots without having to touch the ground ... the low centre of gravity makes this a great perk!! Another thing and I'm sure @SauRoNZA will agree with me, even though these are big heavy bikes, once those wheels are rolling, it carves the corners so effortlessly. It's mind boggling how light it actually does feel...

In all the XR looks great, and goes like a bat out of hell, but not much out there would sway my appreciation of the Boxer rumble... So If I were to just road... RS would be my choice too.

Perfect summary, thanks.
Maybe it's because my roots are naked road sport bikes, that I like the XR so much though.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I suppose its up to your individual preference on power delivery, ride comfort, ergonomics etc. The XR I'm guessing is a high revving performer with a similar feel to the GS with its upright ride style, the RS is less upright than the two. The Power delivery on the two bikes though is chalk and cheese. The 93kw boxer in my opinion is awesome, low grunt torque that pulls linearly all the way to the redline is very intoxicating (You will find yourself short shifting regularly as there's almost no need to redline). In the right hands these chunky boxers will get you 0-100 in under 5 seconds very easily. I'm going to presume the 4 cylinder banger on the XR (which is the 1000R motor), needs much more finesse in the lower range, but once going is a screamer. I'm sure it will put a smile on your dial! The new RS doesn't have the GS style Telelever front suspension any more so it will behave & feel much more normal to the average biker. But I'll just put it here, the GS has better suspension ...

One of the most astounding characteristics of the boxer engine bikes is the balance, you can crawl at the slowest speeds at robots without having to touch the ground ... the low centre of gravity makes this a great perk!! Another thing and I'm sure @SauRoNZA will agree with me, even though these are big heavy bikes, once those wheels are rolling, it carves the corners so effortlessly. It's mind boggling how light it actually does feel...

In all the XR looks great, and goes like a bat out of hell, but not much out there would sway my appreciation of the Boxer rumble... So If I were to just road... RS would be my choice too.

You are mostly on the money in that my opinion is that the XR has the wrong engine in the wrong frame.

I love big power bikes but the XR is as you say a chore to ride at low revs and too extreme at high revs unless you have the roads to yourself.

Also because of its geometry it's downright unstable, some would consider that fun and I don't.

The Multistrada is a better bike in every way, although locally it's stupidly priced so doesn't win out there. And even then I still didn't find it refined enough.

The suspension though you would be wrong, because the RS and XR have semi-active suspension which the GS does not. It's a contentious issue because GS okes for some reason consider even a little fork dive to be the end of the world, but anyone used to it and now with dynamic damping makes for a great bike.

But the XR was really hard work in town. And even with the upright position it wasn't what I would call comfortable as the power tries to throw you off every time you dare to use it, so you end up clenching the whole time.

As for the balance factor the Boxer is great but it's partly to do with the more upright position as well. The Multistrada is the easiest bike to move around at slow speed that I've ever ridden.

As for the RS riding position, that was my biggest surprise as it's supremely comfortable when you don't expect it to be.

Ultimately my thing with the XR came down to if you want the power then buy a different S1000. If you want the comfort buy the GS.

If you can't stand the looks of the GS or never plan to do off-road...buy an RS and get the best of everything.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Perfect summary, thanks.
Maybe it's because my roots are naked road sport bikes, that I like the XR so much though.

Have you ridden it?

My roots are also baked sports bikes. And that's probably why I feel the power and revvy engine just doesn't match.

How about the S1000RR? Or my still very naked RS or even the regular R.

Either way I would test-ride them all before defaulting to the XR.

And don't forget the RnineT if you don't need luggage and practicality. The most fun bike of the entire BMW stable.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

Took me a while to adjust to the telelever front suspension to be honest. Even now when you grab a lot of brake in an emergency, its a little unsettling not feeling the fork dive... But in the twisties, I love the ride. As for the look of a GS ... It has always appealed to me, yes I know it looks like a duck bill... but I love it!

Edit: Just a note, our local Motorrad has not moved many XR's. They don't seem to be very popular in KZN.

2nd Note: Would I buy another GSA over the normal GS. With the changes coming on the 2017 models, the answer is probably no. The big tank is really not necessary for anyone not going to cross continents.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I would have liked a liter or two more.

They could really have done a 20l tank on the RS instead of the 18l.

Then I'd probably only fill up once a week.

 

[Archer]

2nd Note: Would I buy another GSA over the normal GS. With the changes coming on the 2017 models, the answer is probably no. The big tank is really not necessary for anyone not going to cross continents.

What is the price difference once you kit them the same?

 

[SirFooK'nG]

What is the price difference once you kit them the same?

That the thing, it gets close ....

GSA is about R230K now and the GS is about R180K, The crash bars will probably set you back about R10K? The Pannier brackets maybe the same... so you still 20K+ cheaper getting the GS.

EDIT;

Wow, I stand corrected ... GS is R209K :wtf: , GSA is R232K

 

[Archer]

That the thing, it gets close ....

GSA is about R230K now and the GS is about R180K, The crash bars will probably set you back about R10K? The Pannier brackets maybe the same... so you still 20K+ cheaper getting the GS.

GS is R209... According to the website at least

 

[SirFooK'nG]

GS is R209... According to the website at least

I had recalled the cheaper GS model that was released on a special for Motorrad days....

If you take the GS and add what's missing; Spot lights (R1.8K ea), Crash Bars (R12K) & Pannier brackets (R3K from Motoradical). Then looks like the GSA is worth it price wise.

But honestly ... I'll never buy brand new, just not worth it.

 

[skeptic_SA]

Bike deliverd to new owner...

/exits thread

 

[spiderz]

Bike deliverd to new owner...

/exits thread

Time to get a scooter!

 

[Hamster]

Bike deliverd to new owner...

/exits thread

/observes moment of silence

 

[xrapidx]

LOL - asked my insurance for a quote on a HD 883.
Monthly bike premium: R 826.05

 

[Hamster]

Time to get a scooter!

Grom or Z125.... tsek with that scooter nonsense!

 

[reactor_sa]

Have you ridden it?

My roots are also baked sports bikes. And that's probably why I feel the power and revvy engine just doesn't match.

How about the S1000RR? Or my still very naked RS or even the regular R.

Either way I would test-ride them all before defaulting to the XR.

And don't forget the RnineT if you don't need luggage and practicality. The most fun bike of the entire BMW stable.

I haven't yet no, but it is supposed to be the same engine and setup as the S1000R?
I love the look of road bikes, and the practicality of the dual purpose, so on paper the XR ticks more boxes than any other. Guess I'll have to give it a go and see for myself.

The 1200GS, 1000R, 1000RR, 1000XR are all seriously good bikes, the 800GS too.

 

[SirFooK'nG]

Eish, one of our club members was on route to Malawi (solo) hit thick sand in Limpopo, came off. Lucky, only broke his wrist, but his GS is stuffed.