Harley vs. 1200GS

[revkev]

Hello folks,

I have a 2008 1200GS that I will pick up at the dealer in a couple of weeks. A friend of mine has invited me to go "riding" with him and another friend, both Harley riders. They are doing a couple of week rides, once, I believe is to Dakota. My simple question is this, how would the 1200GS stack up against many of the Harley type bikes. Quicker for the BMW? Higher top speed for the BMW? I know there are many Harley bikes and the only ones I can recall are Sportster and Fat Boy but in the comparison I am speaking of a comparison with the more "traditional" type Harleys that I believe they both have. They don't have the "hotter" crotch-rocket types.

I don't plan to race them...those days are over. I am more mature now, hopefully.

Thanks...

[bikerfish1100]

As the end of the day approaches, they will give out long before you are needing to call it quits. The GS is a better ride on all measures- comfort, power, acceleration, braking, handling, tank range, etc. than pretty much any model H-D they might be running.
i just can't ride at the typical Harley pace- my mind wanders, i get bored and sleepy, i start doing silly things to stay awake, etc. YMMV. who knows, maybe by the end of the trip 3 people will be riding BMWs, and the H-Ds will be up for sale :thumb

[SNC1923]

What Bikerfish said.

All things being equal, you'll be more comfortable, more nimble in the twisties, may have a greater range (depending on model). . . . You may even be able to pack more.

You've got nothing to worry about except perhaps going slower than you'd like or maybe stopping sooner/more often than you want to.

[rinty]

The real issue here is how these guys ride their machines, not what they're on. The main issues for compatibility in group rides for me, are:

1. what speeds do they ride at
2. how many hours each day do they want to stay in the saddle
3. are they safe.

If you don't have compatibility on the first two, you may not have much fun on your ride. And you don't want to be around if one of them crashes.

I've ridden for years with a guy who has a hot rodded Road King, and he can keep up to just about anybody. In the twisties, my oiler RS is a lot quicker, but he catches up when we're through them.

Rinty

[Mongo]

Don't worry about it. Have fun and enjoy the company. Chances are the limits will be set by the riders and not the bikes anyways.

[Polarbear]

Is the stock seats are not too good, but this is nothing new. You may find your new '08 needs a new custom seat. I'm riding a '07 GSA1200 and seat shopping is on my agenda. All else said, HD vs. GSBMW. Not much of a comparison, as HD makes nothing to compare. The two bikes are lightyears different, but both are very capable road bikes and riding together should create little issues for either, if the riders are compatible. If I have my wife along, following the HD's is forbidden, because she has sensitive ears and dislikes the loud pipes. I have little issue with it. Happy Trails, Randy13233:thumb :usa

[106533]

Well it depends. Are they going to ride the harleys or trailer them ??? If they trailer them they will be able to keep up just fine.:laugh

[afhrnfa1]

Well I speak from experience. I own both a Harley Road King and a R 1200 GS.
Both are comfortable for the long haul, yes I have riden my HD for 500 miles with out complaints. Heated grips, windshield all help.

The GS is a well a GS!:usa :german Enjoy being in the wind with your friend and have a great time.

[rangepig]

Is the stock seats are not too good, but this is nothing new. You may find your new '08 needs a new custom seat. I'm riding a '07 GSA1200 and seat shopping is on my agenda. All else said, HD vs. GSBMW. Not much of a comparison, as HD makes nothing to compare. The two bikes are lightyears different, but both are very capable road bikes and riding together should create little issues for either, if the riders are compatible. If I have my wife along, following the HD's is forbidden, because she has sensitive ears and dislikes the loud pipes. I have little issue with it. Happy Trails, Randy13233:thumb :usa

I too hated the stock seat on my '07 GSA and was planning on getting a new one. But then I bought some LD Comfort underwear and I've been fine...even did a Saddlesore 1000 on the stock seat, no problem. I think it's a combination of the right clothing and giving the seat time to break in.

As far as Harley and BMW GS together, I did the aforementioned SS1000 with a guy on a custom Ultraglide and the only problem was stopping more frequently because his tank was half the capacity of my GSA tank.

[screwtop]

I went on an extended trip with a good friend of mine up into Vermont a couple of years ago. He rode his Ultra Classic HD and I rode my R1150GS. Your 1200GS will outperform those Harleys hands-down, but depending upon the riding ability(s) of your buddies, those HOGs can be surprisingly nimble (and maintain a brisk clip in the twisties). My buddy (an excellent rider) was able to stay on my 6 most of the time without too much difficulty.

Owning both brands, I can tell you that if I had to have one bike it'd definitely be the GS. But FWIW, I've found most of the sterotypes about Harleys and their performance (or lack therof) to be untrue.

[apopj]

Hello all,

I have had 60 motorcycles, about 20 were Harleys, about 20 were Beemers. All in all, I think the quality were about the same in the later years. Harleys have their problems, but then, as we all know, so do the Beemers.
As far as the ride, I would not hesitate to ride 800 mile days on either one of them. I don't think the motorcycle will be the deciding factor, but the rider. Both will do the speed limit, so speed is not the problem. Both are reliable, so that's a non-issue also. I think the bottom line will be who's butt gives out first. My Harley saddles were much more comfortable than the Beemer's, so, it gets down to who will say uncle first.
Don't worry about the brand, enjoy the ride...

Jeff

[MLS2GO]

Both have stereotypes. You guys just voiced the stereotypes that BMW riders profess for HD riders. Certainly the shoe fits for some. There are more Iron Butt Qualifying rides done on HD's than any other brand. Did you know that? There's more of them? Fair observation. 6 of my HD riding buddies have done certified Iron Butts (both Saddlesores and Bun Burners) on their HD's. I have just shy of 18000 miles on my 07 Ultra, and 5500 on my 07 RT. I only got the RT last August. Personally if you must use a stereotype, stereotype rider types not brands. You see a tremendous amount of low mileage BMW's for sale, as you do HD's. Not everyone rides a lot in either camp.
A HD stereotype of a BMW rider is this: White collar, more interested in image (especially the Ewan McGregor want to be's on the prisitine GSA's outfitted to the max, that stop in front of the toniest coffee shops here in KC.) If the bike is dirty they figure the butler must have the day off. They usually have to leave early because they heard there is a new Pino Noir vintage in at the local exclusive wine shop. You hardly ever see them on Thursday afternoons, because that's men's day at their Country Clubs. You thoguht it was virile tough guys and gals, riding through hurricanes and snowstorms just to prove you can? No, not really.
I know many HD Posers. BMW has theirs too. Good for us, because that makes more three year old bikes with 4000 miles on them for us to buy.
I bought my RT for one thing. To go further on long rides. It does so because of a larger fuel tank and better gas mileage. It is more fun in the twisties, and I love the electric windshield.
I love taking the HD because if something does go wrong, (it seldom does on stock engine bikes) you can swing a dead cat and hit a HD dealer pretty much anywhere in the US. The other thing that is better about the Ultra is riding in a cross wind. Lower COG, and more weight lead to a much much more stable ride.
I love both of them but for different reasons. I am fortunate I can own and appreciate both.
I just don't get why BMW makes fun of HD, who makes fun of Gold Wingers, who makes fun of sport bike riders, who makes fun of dual sport, trials riders, etc. The more of us there are the more great motorcycle gear, bikers rights, places to ride, economic impact etc. is better for all of us.
Every bike is perfect for someone. It doesn't have to be you.

[mjuskiw]

I have an 05 GS and do ride with a few guys who enjoy other bikes frequently. We were just talking about this one yesterday. All bikes have their strengths and weaknesses. The GS has a lot less weaknesses than most. It has never been a limiting factor on any normal ride.

The only show stopper I have ever encountered in a group is gravel or mud.
Ill ride thru puddles or across some gravel or mud and end up either waiting on the others to go around or just coming back. (mainly a belt drive issue I think)

If your buddys are like mine and are way too cool to have enough bag space. I believe it is acceptable to charge them for hauling sweatshirts, rain suits, chrome polish ect. :thumb On the other hand you wont make any friends by showing their passengers how your bags expand and have plenty of room so they should keep shopping.

Friends claim the GS looks smooth crossing things that will knock their fillings out. If Im in the lead I slow down more for stuff, out of courtesy. Im curious if anyone else has heard this one.

If you ride with anyone you give up something.

For me they spend time on a few bumpy twisty back roads and endure the shame and social stigma of being seen with a big unpolished bike and a guy in full ride gear in their group.

For them I do time on the superslab, stay off the gravel, constantly explain that the bike is running even though they cant hear it and try to refrain from splashing the puddles on them.

I wouldn't worry about the different bikes as much as joining a week long ride I didnt have any input in planning. I have some really good old friends that I just dont enjoy riding with, I'm glad we learned that one close to home. Id take a couple hundred mile day trip first and see how it goes.

MJuskiw
Akron, Ohio

[revkev]

Thanks for the input folks. I have never driven a HD nor a BMW so it will be all new to me. I got the 1200GS because I want to use it locally for hospital visits, etc. along with locally running. I live in a somewhat rural area so we have some gravels etc. which I don't want to avoid. I am also not a vehicle "waxer/cleaner" and so I want to use it and not admire it so much. That is why I chose the enduro type. In terms of tired butt, my wife and I have done a lot of bicycle riding and have done a 500 mile one week ride with 70-90 mile rides per-day. That is wearing on a person so I think I can handle 100-500 rides on a BMW fairly well. That said, I have heard from others that complain about the BMW GS seat and spend money for upgrades. Perhaps that will happen. To be honest I have never even heard a 1200 GS engine run other than a couple of U-tube things. One of the main reasons I stayed away from HD is that they are too loud for my liking. I plan to do mostly solo, functional driving, with a few longer trips. Perhaps it will be with others, perhaps not. That's the fun.

[tbryant]

you couldn't have picked a better machine for what you will be using it for. And,...the dirtier the better.

[markgoodrich]

Thanks for the input folks. I have never driven a HD nor a BMW so it will be all new to me. I got the 1200GS because I want to use it locally for hospital visits, etc. along with locally running. I live in a somewhat rural area so we have some gravels etc. which I don't want to avoid. I am also not a vehicle "waxer/cleaner" and so I want to use it and not admire it so much. That is why I chose the enduro type. In terms of tired butt, my wife and I have done a lot of bicycle riding and have done a 500 mile one week ride with 70-90 mile rides per-day. That is wearing on a person so I think I can handle 100-500 rides on a BMW fairly well. That said, I have heard from others that complain about the BMW GS seat and spend money for upgrades. Perhaps that will happen. To be honest I have never even heard a 1200 GS engine run other than a couple of U-tube things. One of the main reasons I stayed away from HD is that they are too loud for my liking. I plan to do mostly solo, functional driving, with a few longer trips. Perhaps it will be with others, perhaps not. That's the fun.

Your Worship, before you go spending a whole lot of money on a custom seat, (assuming your hind end requires relief)may I suggest you order an Airhawk cushion from an authorized dealer? You will have 60 days to test it. If it works, you're set, if not, you're out about ten bucks to ship it back to the dealer. Spend the hundreds of dollars you save on the seat to buy high quality protective gear.

What others said about RIDERS' styles and tolerances is correct, and much more germane than which bike they're astride.

[rinty]

Just to summarize, Ken, the 1200 GS is one of the most versatile machines on the market. It is quite smooth for a boxer, and is equally happy tootling along at low velocities, screaming along at high velocities, strafing corners, and riding in the dirt. The engines are very flexible, with a wide power band.

They're quite amazing, really.

Rinty

[RJM2096]

I have both.

I love the HD sound, the forward control pegs, and the comfortable low seat. My wife hates the bitch seat.

I love the BMW lack of sound (exhaust & wind), the shorter wheelbase, and the better handling. My wife loves the broad rear seat. I hate the standard seat and lack of chrome options.

[charleshickman]

I once had a Suzuki GSX1100G that I loved. I was at a stop light (stop and go light for some) along side a couple of guys on Harleys. They had loud exhausts and were looking at me while revving their engines. I left them behind. At the next light one looks over and says "At least we'll look good when we get there."

That says if for me. I had a Harley that looked good when I got there. I prefer my GS, because it is the getting there that is most important to me.

I hope that didn't sound preachy.

[osbornk]

The biggest thing you need to keep in mind as you ride together is stopping. When you're in the lead, be careful when you stop. Harleys don't stop as quickly and they might have difficulty stopping as quickly as you do. When you see the panic in the eyes of Harley riders as they try to get stopped before they hit you, you will understand. It's like a sports car that stops short in front of a tractor trailer. Heavy is harder to stop than light.

[podsobinski]

Cruiser or adventure touring
100 miles to the bar or 1,000 miles to exotic places.
Looking good with chrome polished, looking good with dirt/dust etc.
Image is more important than riding.
My friend has both, Harley has 2,000 miles and is 3 years old. BMW 04 GS has 45,000 miles.
One of my stickers on my 02 GS with 85,000 says . . .
I Ride too far and too fast to ride a Harley
BMW 100,000 foot ride is 500 plus miles and 10 mountain passes
I did a Harley ride last year that was 250 miles and 5 mountian passes. We had to wait 2 hours for the organizers to get to the last pass for our finish pin and patch.
Do Rag and leathers Full riding gear
Is that enough?


gpodzo

[Mongo]

Cruiser or adventure touring
100 miles to the bar or 1,000 miles to exotic places.
Looking good with chrome polished, looking good with dirt/dust etc.
Image is more important than riding.
My friend has both, Harley has 2,000 miles and is 3 years old. BMW 04 GS has 45,000 miles.
One of my stickers on my 02 GS with 85,000 says . . .
I Ride too far and too fast to ride a Harley
BMW 100,000 foot ride is 500 plus miles and 10 mountain passes
I did a Harley ride last year that was 250 miles and 5 mountian passes. We had to wait 2 hours for the organizers to get to the last pass for our finish pin and patch.
Do Rag and leathers Full riding gear
Is that enough?

gpodzo

And My 04 HD has 60K. What BS!
BTW at 15K for the year I didn't make the top 5 in mileage in my local HOG chapter.

[kbasa]

Don't worry about it. Have fun and enjoy the company. Chances are the limits will be set by the riders and not the bikes anyways.

+ a billion

It's about the people.

[coutel]

Hello folks,

I have a 2008 1200GS that I will pick up at the dealer in a couple of weeks. A friend of mine has invited me to go "riding" with him and another friend, both Harley riders. They are doing a couple of week rides, once, I believe is to Dakota. My simple question is this, how would the 1200GS stack up against many of the Harley type bikes. Quicker for the BMW? Higher top speed for the BMW? I know there are many Harley bikes and the only ones I can recall are Sportster and Fat Boy but in the comparison I am speaking of a comparison with the more "traditional" type Harleys that I believe they both have. They don't have the "hotter" crotch-rocket types.

I don't plan to race them...those days are over. I am more mature now, hopefully.

Thanks...

Have you ever considered that maybe your Harley friends have similar concerns about you and your ride:stick

[Mongo]

The biggest thing you need to keep in mind as you ride together is stopping. When you're in the lead, be careful when you stop. Harleys don't stop as quickly and they might have difficulty stopping as quickly as you do. When you see the panic in the eyes of Harley riders as they try to get stopped before they hit you, you will understand. It's like a sports car that stops short in front of a tractor trailer. Heavy is harder to stop than light.

This I agree with, My fairly heavy 04 HD doesn't have the brakes it should. The 08s have much better brakes.

[knary]

Hello folks,

I have a 2008 1200GS that I will pick up at the dealer in a couple of weeks. A friend of mine has invited me to go "riding" with him and another friend, both Harley riders. They are doing a couple of week rides, once, I believe is to Dakota. My simple question is this, how would the 1200GS stack up against many of the Harley type bikes. Quicker for the BMW? Higher top speed for the BMW? I know there are many Harley bikes and the only ones I can recall are Sportster and Fat Boy but in the comparison I am speaking of a comparison with the more "traditional" type Harleys that I believe they both have. They don't have the "hotter" crotch-rocket types.

I don't plan to race them...those days are over. I am more mature now, hopefully.

Thanks...

I took a friend on a ride out to Glacier NP. I on my 1150GS, he on a hotted up Sportster 1200 that he'd rented (he's got one at home as well). We did spend a little time joking about differences in the bikes, but what really stood out is that we had a great time on a great trip. As to the performance of the bikes, he could out accelerate me, I could easily out corner him, and he *hated* the washboard dirt road. :D

[knary]

p.s. I've ridden with many guys on BMW's. There are only a handful that come to mind that I'd like to take a longer trip with. It's not the bike that determines compatibility.

[kbasa]

p.s. I've ridden with many guys on BMW's. There are only a handful that come to mind that I'd like to take a longer trip with. It's not the bike that determines compatibility.

Scott knows what's up.

[BubbaZanetti]

p.s. I've ridden with many guys on BMW's. There are only a handful that come to mind that I'd like to take a longer trip with. It's not the bike that determines compatibility.

would you take a longer trip with me scott?

[rinty]

I like to do a short ride with folks that I might ride with, before Il go on a longer trip with them. And the "sizing up" works both ways.

I had one guy a few years ago describe my riding as "dangerous". He may be right.:ha

It's all relative.

Rinty

[jdmetzger]

p.s. I've ridden with many guys on BMW's. There are only a handful that come to mind that I'd like to take a longer trip with. It's not the bike that determines compatibility.

I've ridden with guys on BMW's very frequently. Some are a lot of fun to ride with (we ride around the same speed and stop equally as frequently, or infrequently). Of course, some are great people, but we just ride different; faster or slower, stopping more, whatever.

One of my trips this summer may be with a Canadian I met (and rode with briefly) last year. He isn't on a BMW, but I'm sure the ride will be good based on the short distance we traveled together already, and the fact that I know he likes to cover the miles like I do.

So, I agree with what others have said; it's more the rider than the bike. Well, assuming the rider isn't on a Vespa or something; that might slow you down a bit. :ha

[MrGrocer]

let's compare apples and kumquats...

Now me, I'm takin the GS every time, but that's just me. All bikes are different. I pick stout performance, swiss Army versatility, and good performance on different types of road surface. Harley Davidson makes good looking cruisers at, well, BMW prices. Its all good in the end but it would be difficult to compare.

I mean compare the GS and the Hayabusa... Hmmmmm

I think I'll take one of each, barring economic restraint.

[knary]

would you take a longer trip with me scott?

There is no good answer to this question.

http://knary.smugmug.com/photos/173426192_xh5Jn-L.jpg

[wezul]

:ha
Instant classic.

[Mongo]

Awesome pic! :laugh

[knary]

To clarify, I'm not the dorky guy in that picture. :whistle

[r11rs94]

:dunno I knary tell you guys apart. :whistle

[knary]

:dunno I knary tell you guys apart. :whistle

I know us under-40 guys all look the same to some of y'all. :D

Whenever I'm looking for some friend at a BMW rally, I find myself saying to someone "Have you seen X? He's a guy in his late 50's, balding, gray hair, with a beard... oh, wait. That's 1/2 the guys here." :ha

[tessler]

There is no good answer to this question.

http://knary.smugmug.com/photos/173426192_xh5Jn-L.jpg

Photoshop contest... comin' up.

:thumb

[Retarded Jarhead]

Younger guys all look the same...


...in the mirrors!


Just had to say it!

[knary]

Younger guys all look the same...


...in the mirrors!


Just had to say it!

It's about membership number, not birth date. :evil

Oh, wait, that makes me kind of slow at #82950. :ha

[kgadley01]

I also own both. did 6055 miles last summer on the Harley out west. this summer pretty much same trip on the BMW. the harley is more comfortable w/ Diamond seat. ( 800.00 ) but I just put a Sargent seat on the RT and bought an Airhawk. so we'll see how it goes.

[dancogan]

Cruiser or adventure touring
100 miles to the bar or 1,000 miles to exotic places.
Looking good with chrome polished, looking good with dirt/dust etc.
Image is more important than riding.
My friend has both, Harley has 2,000 miles and is 3 years old. BMW 04 GS has 45,000 miles.
One of my stickers on my 02 GS with 85,000 says . . .
I Ride too far and too fast to ride a Harley
BMW 100,000 foot ride is 500 plus miles and 10 mountain passes
I did a Harley ride last year that was 250 miles and 5 mountian passes. We had to wait 2 hours for the organizers to get to the last pass for our finish pin and patch.
Do Rag and leathers Full riding gear
Is that enough?


gpodzo

Good lord! I thought we were beyond this kind of thing. "I ride too far and too fast to ride a Harley" ? :bluduh

[knary]

Good lord! I thought we were beyond this kind of thing. "I ride too far and too fast to ride a Harley" ? :bluduh

I sorta know a guy that's ridden his old sportster to the Panama and back more than a few times. I also have known some BMW riders that have all the perfectly crisp BMW branded gear and ride teutonic garage ornaments encrusted with every LD gadget that only see a few thousand miles per year. :dunno

Motorcycles are fun. The rest is just BS.

Besides I don't need my bike to tell me that I'm better than most of you. Some things I just know. :evil

:ha

[dancogan]

...Motorcycles are fun. The rest is just BS....

:thumb

[Retarded Jarhead]

A little ribbing aside (sometimes gentle - sometimes not) when push comes to shove I do believe that most people who straddle a bike will get along.

I had a great conversation the other day with a kid (22 yo) riding a 1981 Vespa. It fit his needs perfectly as a student - and my ride does fit my needs!:buds :buds