Kevin
Very revealing observations. As one who is actively seeking a GTS at the
moment, you're confirming the sentiments I wanted to hear.
The FJR is easily available here now in the UK. However there are some
serious misgivings. Firstly, the pillion seating position is poor. The
upswept exhausts mean that the pillion footrests are too high and rearward
to be comfortable for anyone more that 5'6" max. The pillion's legs being
bent back quite sharply. My wife is 5'9" and wouldn't entertain it. BTW,
none of the footrest mountings are rubber, they all bolt directly to the
frame !
Secondly, there are some serious vibration issues coming from those early
owners. The Yahoo FJR Club
( http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/yamahafjr1300club ) yes I know I started it
:>( , has already posts from owners complaining of vibration and are
resorting to 'Harley' techniques to quell the vibe !
These are serious failing in my view and started me looking and arriving
thus far at the GTS.
I wanted to like the FJR, I wanted to own one. I believe somewhere along the
line it is slightly misdirected, perhaps wanting to cover the 'sports' in
'sports tourer' too much.
No I'll keep my FJ1200 and the Thunderace and continue looking for a GTS I
think !
Barry Edwards
----- Original Message -----
From: Kevin Hawkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 3:12 PM
Subject: GTS & K1200RS smackdown, verdict is......
> Not even close really.......GTS1000!
>
> Long analysis follows!!
>
> As you all know I've been thinking about replacing my beloved GTS1000 with
> a K1200RS lately. We've had a new BMW dealership open right down the road
> from where I work, so I've been kicking tires and bench racing with their
> folks for a few weeks. I've always admired the looks of the K1200RS and
> thought it might be the bike for me. This past weekend I had the
> opportunity to ride a K12 and my GTS on a 3 day trip to Snow Shoe, WV.
Here
> are my conclusions:
>
> Engine: The K1200RS's inline four is awesome! Fabulous torque and good top
> end too! A little more vibration than the GTS, but not a problem. The
> GTS1000 is smoother and really doesn't give up much to the larger 1200.
The
> GTS has always had impressive 60-80 MPH roll-on numbers and it STILL
> impresses me! Give the nod to the BMW, but both are fabulous engines!
>
> Drivetrain: It takes some time to get used to the single plate dry clutch
> of the BMW. There also seems to be some driveline lash. Is that possible
> with a shafty? All I can tell you is that going from engine braking, back
> to throttle caused some lash. It wasn't too bad and could probably be
> elliminated with more practice, but it was there. The Getrag 6 speed is
> much better than the magazines give it credit. The GTS drivetrain is
simply
> better, smoother. Shifting requires less effort and the wet clutch
> engagement is spot-on.
>
> Brakes: Forget about it! The GTS1000 is king! Not that the BMW's are bad.
> In fact, they are excellent. But the front brake on the GTS is just
> incredible! Both bikes offer ABS and both systems work well.
>
> Suspension: My friend's K12 was equipped with Ohlins front and rear and
you
> could tell. Very well sorted and VERY comfortable with the comfort seat!
> The GTS felt harsh after riding the BMW. My bad! I had the rear set to MAX
> preload and the front only one click from max. You see, I've gone from 193
> lbs. to 160 lbs. in the past 4 months and I've simply never readjusted the
> suspension after my weight loss. After moving the preload down a few
clicks
> and softening the compression dampening, the GTS was MUCH better than
> before. Personally, I prefer the RADD front suspension over the telelever.
> It's hard to explain, but after 8 years on the GTS it just seems superior
> in handling road imperfections. It's a magic carpet ride.
>
> Comfort: The GTS offers better protection from the elements. I had the
> Yamaha Euro-only sport screen on the bike, so it wasn't like I was riding
> behind a barn door, but the GTS does offer better wind protection. Setting
> the windscreen on the K12 to it's higher position doesn't help things and
> only creates buffeting. The comfort seat on the K12 is raised up a couple
> inches from stock in order to give more leg room. This places the rider
> higher on the bike than on the GTS. On the K12, I felt like a camel
jockey.
> With my Corbin seat and Heli bars I felt like I was ONE with the GTS! I
was
> seated into the bike and not on top! On both bikes though, I could ride
all
> day and come back for more! The heated hand grips on the K12 are "To Die
> for"!! On a slightly cold day, they are a wonderful addition! Nod to the
> GTS.
>
> Luggage: The K12 is superior! BMW simply offers the best and most
> integrated hard bags in the industry. The GTS's are nice, don't get me
> wrong! But the 47 L bags make it look like I'm being chased by an
> elephant! My buddy Garrett was on this trip with his GTS and 34 L bags,
> which are MUCH more attractive. Anyone want to trade?!?!?? Oh, please!
>
> Appearance: Let's face it, this plays a big part in our motorcycling
> passion! I intentionally parked my GTS1000 next to the K12 every chance I
> got to see which bike spoke to my heart! I've been goo-gooing over the K12
> for the past 4 weeks in pictures and on the showroom. Side by side, it's
> amazing! The GTS, after 8 years, still looks more modern than any other
> sport tourer on the market. It's beautiful, but that's a subjective
> judgement isn't it? You may feel differently! Again, the nod goes to the
> GTS! One reason for this is the incredible cosmetic and mechanical
> condition that I keep my GTS. Remember the GTS that was displayed at the
> Guggenheim museum? IT WAS DIRTY, compared to my GTS!! :^)
>
> Value: My GTS is worth about $6K right now, while a new K12 goes for
> $16,800. The Mandarin/Grey K12 I was looking at retails at
$17,300......but
> I did get an incredible price of just $14,200 at a dealership 1 hr. away!
> I'm not sure I could justify the ANY difference in price, much less $8K +
> !!
>
> Intangibles: The K12 is a BMW. That, in itself offers a lot! It is an
> excellently engineered motorcycle that offers wonderful performance and
> immediate membership into a fanatical bunch of motorcyclist! If I were
> buying today and the GTS was not available, the K12 would be MY BIKE!! I'm
> sure I could customize it to eliminate some of the dislikes listed above
> and my riding style would soon adapt to what it offers. The GTS is ageless
> and unique! It is STILL the main draw in ANY parking lot where a bunch of
> motorcycles have gathered. I guess that's what happens when Yamaha built a
> bike that was years ahead of it's time.
>
> Conclusion: There are many aspects of sport touring and each of us places
> different emphasis on those areas. For me, and I repeat "FOR ME", the GTS
> offers the perfect blend. The ST1100 offers more tour. The K12 offers more
> sport. The GTS offers a perfect blend that matches my personal riding
style
> and it better executes more aspects of sport touring than the other bikes
> I've ridden. That being said, I'm still a motoslut! I simply like to ride
> and experience different motorcycles! Hell, I always enjoyed riding my
> wife's old '80 CM400T!! A K12 might still be in my future, but probably
not
> soon. 2002 should be an exciting year for sport touring if Kawasaki
> produces it's new 1200 based sport tourer and Yamaha brings in the
FJR1300!
> Be still my heart........
>
> Kevin Hawkins // Greensboro, NC
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> http://www.livin4.com/raddboy/
> Y2K Kawasaki ZRX1100 file://'93 Yamaha GTS1000 file://'85 FZ750
>
