First impressions on my 2005 R1200GS

[LANGeek]

I picked up my 2005 R1200GS from Bob's last Friday. As a refresher, it was a used bike with only 2500 miles on it. I had them install Ohlins 1" lower shocks and a Centech AP-1 fuse box installed. I also got a Touratech LDC X-Low seat.

After picking it up at lunch I took it on a 45 minute test loop. All seemed well. Then back to work. I sat at my desk with little white GS bikes zooming around my head.

Then I took the long way home. I did some stop light to stop light, stop-n-go, open highway, and some twisty back roads. Yesterday I commuted to and from work starting in fog and rain then returning at night in the rain.

My first impressions, the bike is big. I am about 5'6" with a 29" inseam. With lower shocks and x-low seat I still can only just get the balls of my feet down or one foot flat. The weight seems low in the bike making manageable but I am still a bit nervous when moving it under foot power or coming a stop on ground that is a weird angle. Hopefully as I get more accustom to it I'll also get more comfortable with that long reach. In comparison, the stock shocks and BMW low seat (borrowed from Bob's BMW) was a little taller. Then I had to stab the ground with my toes only, like a ballerina. So, this is definitely an improvement. Was it worth the money? In my opinion yes but that would have to be a personal choice.

The ride, feet up, is very smooth. It accelerates quickly and effortlessly. There is always power available when twisting the throttle. The bike is steady and stable at low stop-n-go speeds and 80+ mph. The previous owner installed a Cee Bailey’s windscreen. It provided a nice pocket of still air to hide behind. In the rain yesterday I stayed dry wearing my First Gear leather jacket (10 years old with 70k+ miles in the wind) and some newer First Gear overpants (textile). The bike handled brilliantly in the rain. It remained controllable and the airflow helped keep my helmet faceshield somewhat clear.

The gauges are clear night and day. I do miss the additional functions on the 2008 F800ST I traded. But that’s what I get for going back 3 years. I will be adding a thermometer very soon as winter sets in. And as with the F800 I will add a voltmeter.

The Touratech x-low LDC seat felt hard at first. But later I realized it was quite comfortable. The long way home was a 2 hour ride. During that time I didn't feel any pressure and nothing got bunched, if you know what I mean.

The previous owner installed J-pegs. I will probably use them on long runs just to stretch out but not regularly. They are very wide. As a man I don’t go to GYNs but I felt like I was on GYN's table.

Overall, very happy so far. I just need to get use to the height at low speeds and stopping.

The bike now has 2760 miles on it.