Rode my brother's 2014 1200gs

Sierra1

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I'm pretty sure just about every thing is VVT nowadays. They might call it something else, but that's what it amounts to.
 
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ballisticexchris

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I'm pretty sure just about every thing is VVT nowadays. They might call it something else, but that's what it amount to.
And some of the manufacturers are getting it right with seamless integration. BMW is struggling with it. Other manufacturers are using direct injection to meet emissions and performance at the same time.
 

gunslinger_006

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And some of the manufacturers are getting it right with seamless integration. BMW is struggling with it. Other manufacturers are using direct injection to meet emissions and performance at the same time.
Ford stumbled with the DI in the ecoboost motors, with the valve fouling issue, but they got that worked out now iiuc.


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RonH

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Do the BMW's go into a "limp mode" with a check engine light if anything is wrong like the new cars? This I can live without real easy. On my wife's 2014 Jeep Wrangler one day went into "limp mode" speed more or less fricked up to 30mph top speed because of camshaft sensor bank 2 sensor 1 or something along that line error code. I fixed a chopped off wire on the sensor plug. I hate this new crap.
 

JTS603

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Most people say that the Super Tenere is a huge bike. My mechanic told me I wouldn’t like it because it was too big and to get the 700. It is a tall bike and I’m 6’2 210lbs and I have to stretch to get on it but I fell in love with my ST when I sat on it. I find the ST to be small, light and really nimble. I’m a Harley guy btw. This thing blows every HD I’ve ever ridden away. Is it strange that I perceive the ST as a small bike?


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Jlq1969

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I'm pretty sure just about every thing is VVT nowadays. They might call it something else, but that's what it amounts to.
Yes, today the vast majority of vehicle engines have VVT ... I'm not sure, but it seems to me that "VVT" is a registered trademark of Toyota, because somewhere on their cars there is an inscription VVT or VVTi .. . same as HEMI ... the S10 is Hemi, but they can't put it because it must be registered by Dodge. TWINCAM, has it Suzuki, EcoBoost and FlexFuel has it Ford, “GTI” or “TSI” Volkswagen...”M1-M2-M3-M4-M5-M6” Bmw...etc
 

Longdog Cymru

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And some of the manufacturers are getting it right with seamless integration. BMW is struggling with it. Other manufacturers are using direct injection to meet emissions and performance at the same time.
It would be interesting if you explained precisely how and why BMW are struggling? It would be good to name your source(s). When Honda introduced VVT on their VFR800, it was widely criticised due to the sudden way the second pair of valves came in. BMWs method appears to be virtually seamless in the way Honda never really managed to.

I have owned and enjoyed BMWs in the past but I am not smitten by BMW. However, I ride with a few BMW owners, two who own Shift-Cam R1250GS machines and each of them is delighted with their bikes. I have ridden a 2018 R1200GS and I was impressed with it. Would I buy one? Probably not because I think they are over-priced, but it doesn’t stop me from liking it. When the Yamaha Super Tenere was launched, just about everyone said that it was over-priced and I thought it was too. However, because of this, pre-owned prices dropped which is how I came to buy mine.
 

Jlq1969

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Let's also agree that the VVT system of the gs 1250 is not the traditional one of most engines, where the cam is delayed or advanced a little ... the gs has 2 cams for each valve, one for low and one for high . The time between the change of the cams is centesimal and it has to coincide when the valve is closed ... If I had wanted to invent it myself, I would probably have bent all the valves and split a piston:)
similar to Honda's VTEC system
 
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lund

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I believe the price should always reflect the motorcycle not just in its technology but in its reliability. BMW and KTM have failed at this, plus several other over price motorcycle manufactures. The premium price you pay for it has never reflected the quality of the product. This appeal is driven by consumers willing to pay a premium for a BADGE only based on hype of video's and Utube.
Seriously, where would BMW be today in 2020 if it wasn't for Charley Boorman and Ewan Mcgregor? After that every John Doe jumped on the bandwagon to feed the BMW manufacturing beast on adventure bikes. Today the attitude is, you want this elitist badge, bring on the $$$ for the rest of the ownership.
This is what appeals to me about Yamaha, they build a product with a price tag to reflect the tech put into it and with a humble attitude and pride of Japan reliability and consumer owner ship after the sell is of an upmost important.
That is not the case with many European models, VVT or not at the end of an adventure ride i know i can count on a Yamaha to get it done without taking a second line of credit and insurance.
Sorry, i'm not a frills or badge guy, but base my ownership on long term proven reputation. Owned and earned only by Japanese bikes, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and so on. IMO
 

Boris

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I think you underestimate the motorcycle buying public. I accept and agree that there are buyers out there that have been influenced by Boringman and McGregor, but just like on here, a lot of GS owners are highly likely to be, older, very well experienced and long term motorcyclists, making their own minds up, through there own experiences and research. I have numerous, long term mates with GS’s, who do more miles than most, including regular long distance tours, I don’t recall any horror stories from any of them. I think it’s rude and insulting to suggest GS owners are just jumping on a bandwagon.

Me, if I ride 1500 miles to the south of Spain, I’m very confident that any Japanese bike will get me back home again, without any issues. I currently wouldn’t have that confidence with a lot of other bikes.

I think BMW should advertise the GS range with something like................ GS - The Bike Non owners Obsess Over.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Bikes are a very personal choice. I purchase strictly based on affordability, reliability, practicality, ergonomics and comfort. The fun for me comes from knowing I can ride or race on a reliable machine that will not let me down. I avoid making motorcycle purchases based on emotion. I have been down that road with a KTM and it ended up being a money pit.

I too have buddies that ride BMW GS's. They also have a lot more zeros in their accounts and can afford to have a tow or dealer work on the bike while they kick back in a 4 star hotel. I need a bike that I know is going to get me home.

I would recommend to anyone thinking of a GS to keep it until the warranty is out then sell it and get a new one and repeat. If I could afford to do that I might consider one.
 

MIKE R

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The endless BMW bashing is getting tiresome. It is always best to limit oneself to subjects with first hand knowledge rather than wild speculation and assumptions.

The purpose of the VVT was to broaden the torque curve across the RPM range which it does successfully. There is NO huge torque loss when the cams shift. It is undetectable which has been reported by EVERYONE that has actually ridden one. At least ONE person would have reported it if your statement had any basis for validity. I have yet to read about a single failure and I am quite sure your simply assuming it is going to be unreliable without a shred of evidence to back it up.

I am sorry to say but it is time for me to hit the ignore button. I should have done it some time ago.
Totally agree with this

As for road noise and the GS I had this problem when 1200s they came with Michelin Anakee 3s tyres as standard fit. As soon as they wore out I replaced them with Bridgestone A40s and the noise almost vanished.

I bought my first 3 GSes (a pre-owned 1100, new 1100 and then new 1150) long before Charley Boorman and Ewan Mcgregor came onto the scene and maybe started the GS boom.

BMW used Boorman and Mcgregor to very successfully promote their product.

Yamaha on the other hand were a promotional disaster. In UK the first S10s were internet purchase only and a initially VERY expensive. But they also had their own globe trotting star in Nick Sanders who has ridden around the globe on motorcycles (and bicycles ) many times often on a Yamaha. Have Yamaha used this in their advertising campaigns.....NO.

A Super Tenere he rode for 50,000 mikes ( I believe it was from Alaska to Patagonia to Alaska to Patagonia to Alaska but I'm not certain) was then stripped down by Alf England motorcycles.

This is what they found:-


Have Yamaha used this information in their advertising.........NO

Some may argue that BMW could learn a lot from Yamaha in how to build a great motorcycle

but what is certain

Yamaha can learn a lot from BMW in how to promote motorcycles. If they had done this we would probably see more S10s on the road

Mike

Ps You might also find this interesting

 
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Dirt_Dad

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Here is the clearest example ... a little more torque ... “and” a little more hp. if the engine didn't have VVT ... they would have had to choose between torque or hp ... or something in between ... but with the VVT, they magnify both
Dang, that looks to pull away like my bike. ;)

I'm no hater. I'm extremely impressed with my wife's little GS I have a grand total of 11 minutes on a GS1250 and I thought it was spectacular. At the time I made my post-Tenere purchase, if the GS1250 had been $8K less expensive, I would have bought it without hesitation.

Knowing what I know now, I'm pleased with the way things worked out.
 

bmac

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Dang, that looks to pull away like my bike. ;)

I'm no hater. I'm extremely impressed with my wife's little GS I have a grand total of 11 minutes on a GS1250 and I thought it was spectacular. At the time I made my post-Tenere purchase, if the GS1250 had been $8K less expensive, I would have bought it without hesitation.

Knowing what I know now, I'm pleased with the way things worked out.
You landed on the right bike, at the right time, for the right price. A perfect trifecta.

I am truly happy for you and have enjoyed reading your updates!
 

Dirt_Dad

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You landed on the right bike, at the right time, for the right price. A perfect trifecta.

I am truly happy for you and have enjoyed reading your updates!
Thank you, and I agreed. It does feel like winning at least a trifecta.

IMHO there is no such thing as the perfect bike. We all have our own interest, requirements, desires, plans and goals. All of those factors can evolve, devolve, shift, or just flat out change for an endless number of reasons. The best we can hope for is there is a bike on the market that meets your current outlook, and you can afford it. I dare say most people reading this thread had the Super Tenere meet most of those factors at some point in their life...I certainly did.

I can also tell you, if your goals or interest change, it's okay. There's nothing to feel bad or guilty about if you change to something else. And definitely don't take to heart any slams or insults about the brand or model you selected. It's just noise. Remember, somewhere in the world there is someone who thinks a Harley xxx is the perfect bike for them. Who am I to tell them that POS shouldn't even be called a motorcycle?
 

bmac

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Thank you, and I agreed. It does feel like winning at least a trifecta.

IMHO there is no such thing as the perfect bike. We all have our own interest, requirements, desires, plans and goals. All of those factors can evolve, devolve, shift, or just flat out change for an endless number of reasons. The best we can hope for is there is a bike on the market that meets your current outlook, and you can afford it. I dare say most people reading this thread had the Super Tenere meet most of those factors at some point in their life...I certainly did.

I can also tell you, if your goals or interest change, it's okay. There's nothing to feel bad or guilty about if you change to something else. And definitely don't take to heart any slams or insults about the brand or model you selected. It's just noise. Remember, somewhere in the world there is someone who thinks a Harley xxx is the perfect bike for them. Who am I to tell them that POS shouldn't even be called a motorcycle?
I don't feel the need to justify my purchase decisions to anyone. My only goal is to educate folks that may be interested in learning something about the bikes I have first hand knowledge. I have learned a lot on forums from actual owners so once in awhile I like to give back.

The frustrating part is folks that have no idea what they are talking about and no actual experience with the bike being discussed yet take every opportunity to profess their expertise because the read or heard something on the internet. Or, in one case in particular, just continue to make up crap. Some of the claims are just laughable.
 
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