happy
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Hello dear friends,
Here is my notes after 4 hours (and about 100km in the hillside roads) on the 2009 BMW 1200GS Adventure today (with a pillion passenger, so it is not a really good control comparison). However I did say (and I still say), I'd surely buy a GS only if I do more 2-up riding.
I have concluded a verdict for MYSELF regarding this bike. (bear with me)
Read on...
Torque comparison (in real life)
BMW 1200GS (2009) = 115Nm / 256kg + 160kg (2 people) = 0.27Nm per kg
Honda NC700X (2012) = 60Nm / 218kg + 80kg (single rider) = 0.20Nm per kg
Difference is 0.07/0.20 = 35% More torque
Winner: BMW (but honestly it did not feel more torquey than the NCX).
If we load up the BMW with luggage, the torque ratio drops even more.
Fun comparison (manuverability)
BMW 1200GS (2009) = big and heavy, good on the highway and stupidly clumsy under 30kmh.
Honda NC700X (2012) = light and floaty, not good on highway but much more nimble at slow speeds (traffic jams)
Winner: Honda
Prestige and presence (feel-good factor)
Winner: BMW
Why? Because it is a BMW and the quality is really visually better overall. Shaft-driven, electronics suspensions, big windshielding, heated grips included, more Onboard computers, etc.
Price comparison:
BMW 1200GS (2009) = 24'000chf (demo bike) with side panniers
Honda NC700X (2012) = 8'500chf (brand new with Honda topcase, centerstand and Honda TourShield)
Winner: Honda
My personal Verdict:
BMW 1200GS Adventure is a monster.
It is way too big for city traffic.
It is way too big for me to even do a turnaround on leveled roads.
It is just TOO BIG!
It is very comfortable at speeds above 30kmh, even at the twisties I could open the throttle up without fear.
It does not feel as "powerful" or as torquey as the specs says on paper.
It cannot go offroad, no matter who tells you, unless you are Arnie Schwarznegger or 6 "10.
(PS: No offence intended to all those big guys riding this bike, it is probably I am too small for it)
Honda NC700X is still way more manageable and more bang for the buck. (for me)
It is still the RIGHT CHOICE.
I will still ride and review the NEW 2013 1200GS (not the Adventure series) soon.
Not now, but soon (I hope).
Here is my notes after 4 hours (and about 100km in the hillside roads) on the 2009 BMW 1200GS Adventure today (with a pillion passenger, so it is not a really good control comparison). However I did say (and I still say), I'd surely buy a GS only if I do more 2-up riding.
I have concluded a verdict for MYSELF regarding this bike. (bear with me)
Read on...
Torque comparison (in real life)
BMW 1200GS (2009) = 115Nm / 256kg + 160kg (2 people) = 0.27Nm per kg
Honda NC700X (2012) = 60Nm / 218kg + 80kg (single rider) = 0.20Nm per kg
Difference is 0.07/0.20 = 35% More torque
Winner: BMW (but honestly it did not feel more torquey than the NCX).
If we load up the BMW with luggage, the torque ratio drops even more.
Fun comparison (manuverability)
BMW 1200GS (2009) = big and heavy, good on the highway and stupidly clumsy under 30kmh.
Honda NC700X (2012) = light and floaty, not good on highway but much more nimble at slow speeds (traffic jams)
Winner: Honda
Prestige and presence (feel-good factor)
Winner: BMW
Why? Because it is a BMW and the quality is really visually better overall. Shaft-driven, electronics suspensions, big windshielding, heated grips included, more Onboard computers, etc.
Price comparison:
BMW 1200GS (2009) = 24'000chf (demo bike) with side panniers
Honda NC700X (2012) = 8'500chf (brand new with Honda topcase, centerstand and Honda TourShield)
Winner: Honda
My personal Verdict:
BMW 1200GS Adventure is a monster.
It is way too big for city traffic.
It is way too big for me to even do a turnaround on leveled roads.
It is just TOO BIG!
It is very comfortable at speeds above 30kmh, even at the twisties I could open the throttle up without fear.
It does not feel as "powerful" or as torquey as the specs says on paper.
It cannot go offroad, no matter who tells you, unless you are Arnie Schwarznegger or 6 "10.
(PS: No offence intended to all those big guys riding this bike, it is probably I am too small for it)
Honda NC700X is still way more manageable and more bang for the buck. (for me)
It is still the RIGHT CHOICE.
I will still ride and review the NEW 2013 1200GS (not the Adventure series) soon.
Not now, but soon (I hope).