Good Afternoon and Welcome from Northern Nevada,
I went from a K1600 GTL to a 2017 GSA. At the time I switched, I weighed almost as much as you. I did not make any suspension or spring changes. I also noticed that since the bike was 220 lbs lighter than the GTL, the 125 HP was more than adequate. Having personally lost 50 lbs, I am not HP challenged while riding the GSA. What I do miss sometimes is the sound the that in-line six.

Hope this helps with a decision and best of luck to you.

 

The nice thing about the boxer engine is, torque, and torque is more valuable than HP in my opinion especially lower in the rpm range where I ride. I owned a 2018 GS and never felt like my GS was under powered and the GS handles extremely well but I'd check to see what kind of tires are on the Rally and if necessary go with a more street oriented tire. My 2018 GS came with Anakee III's which were a great handling tire on dry, wet and twisty roads but they are noisy. I don't believe you'll have any issues with the suspension so no worries there.

 

Hi 612. I purchased a 2017 GS Exclusive back in April. Having a blast especially with the cooling weather. (Had a Duc Desert Sled, which I miss, just prior but only room for one bike in garage.)

280 is not an issue. The ESA suspension is designed to carry two up plus luggage. Could you respring?...probably but stock will be just fine.

Assuming you have done homework on price and dealer has done all recalls, go for it!

I'm 6-3 and had to add tall screen plus extension but dialing it in for your specifics in certainly doable.

Lots of experience on this site.

All best.

 

Love my 17 Rallye edition, the suspension and engine is wonderful. The GS models put out "real world HP and torque" where the rivals put out wasted HP at the cost of reliability/rideability. My 2017.5 only had 7100 when I bought it a few months back, and the riding experience for me at least is what I have been wanting, this is after owning more than a few motorcycles over the years. There is always a trade off and compromise with motorcycles, but the GS models are second to none for upgrades and parts availability to keep them going for a long time. You can always drop some weight too and make some lifestyle changes, the hardest part is getting started and past those first few months.

 

GS should be a good choice for you. Fitted with the right tires makes a great sport touring rig.

Weight is no issue as others have said, if long legged may want a tall seat or seat in tall position at minimum. On long rides easy to install highway pegs on crash bars to throw your legs on and give your knees and hips a rest. May need a wind deflector or taller screen to address buffeting.

 

GS should be a good choice for you. Fitted with the right tires makes a great sport touring rig.

Weight is no issue as others have said, if long legged may want a tall seat or seat in tall position at minimum. On long rides easy to install highway pegs on crash bars to throw your legs on and give your knees and hips a rest. May need a wind deflector or taller screen to address buffeting.

Buffeting is so subjective, I am finding my GS with the sport screen to be the absolute best wind management I have ever had since owning many motorcycles with aftermarket windscreens and other add on doodads.

 

The R1200 GS and GSA are awesome bikes and will easily handle a 280lb plus guy! They have plenty of power and will get you through streets and offroad consistently. The question is, have you handled a 600lb bike while going slow or stopped? It may take a bit to get used to but it is amazing what these GS's can do. My GSA is a 2008 R1200GS Adventure and it is everything (power, handling, size, etc) that I need! You may want to check out some of the youtube 1200GS/GSA videos of curves, racing and comfort. some favorite videos:

 

Weight will not be a suspension and the bike is great. I really believe if Incould only have one motorcycle, it would be the GSA. It is the best ”all round” motorcycle there is IMHO.

 

Well I have always tried to ride the lightest bikes I can afford which is ironic because I should afford myself losing a few lbs
I recently sold my 2015 KTM 1290 SAT so I have experience on these porky and fun beasts. But yes the weight of the GS is a chunk more.

 

If you can find a 2018 Rallye it will have the TFT screen/dash which is so much more readable than the thin black lettering on dark gray back round of the previous models.

 

Thank you everyone!

 

One more question if anyone knows. I took this bike for a test ride and loved it. I also loved the 2023 KTM 1290 SAS that was just traded in, but that is not the question
This 2017 Rallye is not the 2017.5 I believe because it has grey switch controls and the older style of display.
The only thing that I think I might miss from the 2017.5 and newer is the auto ESA from what I understand. With that feature the bike’s suspension auto adjusts preload and other settings based on rider and potentially passenger weight correct?

 

Hey, that looks like my bike! Mine is a November 2017 version. The crash bars look like Altrider bars (the best). From the many reviews I’ve read of the BMW vs. the Katooms and Ducs and others, the GS‘s strong suit is on the road — you should be happy 👍🏼

As you can see in my sig line, I’ve had the original oil head, the hex head, and the 2017 LC. The '17 is the unquestionable super champ, it’s a dream beast. In the first week of ownership, I took a freeway exit ramp turn at a stop light at >50mph and fully drifted the bike as I rolled on the throttle and settled things straight into the proper line like Rossi. I giggled on that one! 🤪

I also have a set of Conti TKC-80’s that I swap on when I have technical dirt riding, and the bike does great for the 500# beast that it is. I have done some good single-track blue labeled trails and believe the bike could easily handle easier black labeled single tracks. The bike’s innate characteristics coupled with the Pro-mode electronics yield a very capable bike.

Go have a blast and report back — we want to hear about your fun! 💪🏼💪🏼

 

Looks like mine, and mine has auto ESA and not the TFT display. Also.....KTM is a bigger ownership risk than a BMW, but sometimes folks need to figure that out for themselves. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

I have a 2017 GS as well. No TFT. Except for the tach, the Nav6 compliments the analog gauges really well.

 

I just read about the cam failure that some of the liquid cooled boxers had. Is this something that I should be concerned about if I am buying from a BMW dealer? I didn’t hear anything wrong with the motor.

 

Yes. Dealer should confirm all is well on both top ends.

 

Wondering if the preload on my 2017 GS with Dynamic ESA is working? The bike has 5,000 miles and just feels soft in the suspension department. I have it set to Dynamic and I set the preload to Max. I believe the preload motor is just running but not actually doing anything. If I power on the bike's electronics but do not start the bike (bike is on center stand) I can hear it making a noise and it just never seems to complete it's preload.

 

Given you recently got it I’d see if the BMW dealer would run a diagnostic test on it for you for free. If the shocks are shot/broken (which is possible), aftermarket replacements are the most common route. Ted Porters Beemershop is a great resource.

 

Nice bike, I have a 17.5 1200GS. Really nice.
I couldn't tell you about the suspension. Other than say it's really comfortable. It just automatically does all this stuff. Mine has about 60000 miles with no issues.
Take it in to BMW dealer you got it from.
BMW supposedly check all this stuff is fine and dandy before they sell it. Ask them to check, they also provide a warranty.

 

Greetings,
Hope it's okay to pose a question to the group here after just joining.
A local BMW dealership just took in a 2017 Rallye with 4,500 miles. This would be my first BMW motorcycle experience. I'm on the tall and not skinny side and so it kind of comes down to Multistrada (still have an aircooled one), KTM SA (owned a 2015 and really liked it), and a couple of BMW models.
I know this bike comes with Dynamic suspension from the crude photo that was sent today, but wondering if the stock suspension and springs will need to be modified for a rider that is in the 280lb range?
I should say my favorite type of riding is paved twisty roads and this bike would probably spend 95% of it's time on pavement. Again, because of size, adventure bikes really present ideal fitment.
I know the 1200 platform doesn't make crazy power, but I really don't think I need 160 HP any longer. I want comfort, reliability and something that handles well on curvy roads.

Suspension, I modified my suspension when I got my 2017 Rallye, more for performance biases than my height or weight. I’m 5’7” about 160lbs. I got custom tuned shocks from Ted Porter The Beemer Shop. The TracTive ex- PERIENCE setup that I purchased was day an night difference from stock. Especially off road. You can reach out to Ted and see what he can do for you. My original felt a bit splashy at my weight, I figure for your size it probably will be bottoming out.

 

I find the 1200 has just enough grunt to be fun. It's a cushy ride and feels so stable and planted. Really enjoying mine . Cheers

 

Yup more than enough, and I have owned some pretty quick bikes, I actually can ride the same roads faster and more smoothly on my GS than anything I have owned previously.

 

Good price, GREAT BIKE! I'm 6'0 260 and rode a 17 GS for a bit before I got my '18 GSA. Essentially the '18 is the same bike with a TFT display. Loved it. Would have rode it until I coul not ride anymore, but a cager decided his phone was more important than watching the road.