Ot - 2014 gsw

Bob Hancock · 06:45 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fWSa719VCGg

How's that for an intro? This guy is obviously a good rider but it's fun to see a big ole dorky dual sport bike run on the track. Anyway, so far I have posted the following on another thread where Kevin asked how I liked it and I said:
"Incrementally better in every way. Not night and day, but everyway better, especially the handling, transitioning from left to right, and totally neutral if braking is needed mid-corner. The power is noticeably better especially below 5000 rpm. Has great use any gear kind of torque. Tranny is almost snick snick but with a bit of crunch on 1st engagement. This may be the best motorcycle I've ever ridden. Certainly not explosive like the Multistrada but totally useful for a rider of average talent such as me. At 1000 miles I'm really liking it Kevin.

Oh....and the fuel injection is spot on. No off-idle snatchiness or need to be "fixed" by an aftermarket anything. Of course the computer and the way it talks to the GPS is pretty phenomenal but I'll need a 19 year old to explain all that. At this point I am enjoying it as a motorcycle. Oh....and the cruise control. Never had a bike with cruise and this works great and I use it more than I thought I would.

Oh yeah...forgot about the muffler. Sounds great without being obnoxious. I think the aftermarket muffler makers will not like this too much."

And then: "Oh yeah. A good word for it is refined. Very light on the controls without being too much. Evidently BMW thought it needed a steering damper as the '14's have it but the '13's don't. Don't do a test ride if you don't have the funds."

And finally: "The prayer wheel and the Motorrad V GPS. Worth the extra juice but I need to learn it better before expounding. And it has Michelin tires made in Thailand!"

Bob Hancock · 04-23-2014, 06:04 AM

So...I got to thinkin' maybe I'll have other things to say about this new bike or maybe others will as well, so rather than mega rob the other thread, I'll start my own. And I do miss my R12S so how's that for forum content?

I don't have this one anymore but it sure is sleek and racy ain't it?

But I have this one here and it sure is Big and Dorky, ain't it?

And it has 50 more lbs of that road hugging weight so it has that going for it.

throttlemeister · throttlemeister's Garage

I really like that new GS. I have a particular soft spot for the even bigger, heavier and uglier Adventure, but that's just me.

Everyone I talk to about the new GS seems to echo your sentiments in that it is just better in every way than the previous version. BMW seems to have raised the bar for the competition yet again.

throttlemeister · throttlemeister's Garage

By the way, when I saw gsw in the topic title my first thought was 'gunshot wound'. Don't know why or what that says about me....

nail24fac · 04-23-2014, 06:23 AM

Interesting to see him smoke a HP2S. Be careful on that beast, Robert.

Bob Hancock · 04-23-2014, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by throttlemeister

By the way, when I saw gsw in the topic title my first thought was 'gunshot wound'. Don't know why or what that says about me....

I don't really know what the proper nomenclature for this bike is, TM, but the dealer calls them GSW's.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

I stopped by Hermys in PA to see the Wasser Kooler in the flesh, and they had both GS and Adventure versions on the floor. They also had a demo that I will find some time to give a try. With that said, it's gonna have to walk on water to be better than my HP1258S for me. I had it out for the season opener a few weeks back,and that thing is damn near perfect. As a lifelong cyclist the crouched riding position is not only familiar it's comfortable, also the low weight and CG and high HP make it an absolute dream to ride. I will try the water boxer at some point though, just to see what all the fuss is about!

Rock on brothers!

PFFOG · 04-23-2014, 07:05 AM

After riding a GS for the first time, I said if I had done so prior to purchasing the BCR, I would never have owned the BCR. The GS's are so easy to ride fast in the twisties it is criminal.

SergioK · 04-23-2014, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFFOG

The GS's are so easy to ride fast in the twisties it is criminal.

Yep. The new GS even more so. Have they come out with the LC RTP yet?

Bob Hancock · 04-23-2014, 04:29 PM

Deans BMW · 04-24-2014, 04:42 AM

Bob, seeing your new ride at Two Wheels of Suches the other day, nice would be an understatement.

Following you, the Beemer sounded great.

Bob Hancock · 04-24-2014, 04:53 AM

Dean I can't imagine what the aftermarket can provide in the exhaust/ECU/suspension departments that actually improve the running/riding of this thing. BMW might have figured this out. But we shall see whether the honeymoon ends or goes on.

Deans BMW · 04-24-2014, 04:58 AM

The later Beemers don't improve very much from an exhaust change other than weight or sound preference.

Bob Hancock · 04-24-2014, 05:01 AM

Yep....I don't know about weight, but the sound is perfect. Sounds like a big engine motorcycle so nothing to improve on there unless you like obnoxious.

1100s nut · 04-24-2014, 05:23 AM

Agree on the oem exhaust, they sound great...the only reason I changed out the slip-on on my 2013 oil cooled was the size...I just thought it was too big. Gad you are loving the bike Bob, looking forward to riding one.

Bob Hancock · 04-24-2014, 05:27 AM

I weighed the Vario-cases. 16 lbs each.

Nothing new there, though. But the latching mechanism is better than on previous models.

Bob Hancock · 04-24-2014, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100s nut

Agree on the oem exhaust, they sound great...the only reason I changed out the slip-on on my 2013 oil cooled was the size...I just thought it was too big. Gad you are loving the bike Bob, looking forward to riding one.

Lane did you also eliminate the CAT and the exhaust flapper thing? How much weight did you save and did you have to make ECU adjustments for it? Just curious as I considered doing the same on my 2010. Never did....loved the stock sound.

1100s nut · 04-24-2014, 05:50 AM

You know, I meant to weight both and forgot. I am sure a little lighter...I bought the GPR out of Italy...very nicely made. It left the flapper and cat. The cat. on these newer bikes are so small now, and also, it would further reduce back pressure and did not want to make ecu adjustments.

SergioK · 04-24-2014, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

Dean I can't imagine what the aftermarket can provide in the exhaust/ECU/suspension departments that actually improve the running/riding of this thing.

It's interesting that BMW has ignored this segment of the market for so long. I know they make OEM 'upgrades' for the S1000RR (not sure if those sales numbers surpass the GS). But, for their bread and butter 3-series they've come out with a slew of upgrades, which, you can now order direct from the factory pretty much cutting out the aftermarket guys. And yes, they are so good it gives very little room for aftermarket companies to improve upon. I wonder if they'll come out with oem upgrades for the exhaust (easy enough to bolt on). They have 'power kits' for ECU's already (cage side). The cage version of ESA is so good I won't mess with my car's suspension. There's just no need.

signit98 · 04-24-2014, 07:05 AM

Let alone the fact that since 01/13 it is highly illegal to install an aftermarket exhaust... at least in CA... only a matter of time until this is going to be enforced.

It is actually kinda refreshing to see the newer Harleys and liter bikes of all origin, come along at a reasonable noise level.

Going Cat-less and exchanging the exhaust on my '05 GS saved 11 pounds... that's significant.