Potential owner looking for advice

[Wrong Way]

Steve,

You have opened a can of worms now!!!

[gsezrider]

<<but are you referring to the R1200GS? If you are, I don't see that as much of a touring bike.>>

I am referring to the R1200GS or any of the GS models for that matter. In my experience I've found them to be great touring bikes. I know they're ugly, to some folks, and not as sleek as a GT but I've found them to be a great long distance mount. I've done my longest day ever on a motorcycle on a 1988 R100GS and one of my longest trips 7000 miles on a 1998 R1100GS. But again, that's just my opinion. You have to decide the type of riding you will be doing the most.

[dixieoutlaw]

Want to reinforce what Ron has said about the GS being a great touring bike (don't get me wrong I'm not saying it is a better sport-touring bike than a RT or GT.) I have a 1500+ mile day on my bike to wrap up an 8000 mile trip. I have a 12,000 round trip to Prudhoe Bay and back, I have a 7000 mile round trip to south of the Panama canal and back, I have a 6000 mile trip around Africa. This is all on the same 1150GS. And just today I threw it on the ground in parking lot (foot slipped in loose gravel.) Just walked around with picked her up (with Gary Williams help) and readjusted the mirrors and she was ready to go. No damage. That ain't gonna happen with all the plastic on the newer bikes (here I include 1200GS's, 1200GT's and RT's. Of course this is about an hour after fixing a flat from a screw going into my week old rear tire. That's why I like the GS, it's just physically tough. Just don't short sell this bike until you try one, the handling and ride will fool you if you have a good after market seat.

Gary