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Nice to read a well-balanced review.
I was well into the idea of buying a GS until I spoke to a Tiger-owning mate of mine. ended up being swayed to try a Steamer for a year and loved it.
In May this year I decided to consolidate my bikes into one newer bike to do 'everything' and I was still keen on a GS or R1100S. Despite being met with Neaderthal man at the BMW dealer, I went for a test ride on the S and expected it to be the bike of my dreams.
Every single bike I have taken out for a spin, including 125s and agrigultural MZs, has brought me back with a Cheshire Cat grin. Basically, I love riding bikes, enjoying their character and accepting their intended purpos regardless of their market. For this reason I was utterly deflated when I brought back the BM from a 45 minute blast and was NOT smiling. I really wanted to enjoy it but it failed to live up to my expectations.
Why? Well, I was lucky enough to have wet and dry plus fast and slow riding conditions on my test ride. Riding at medium to high speed, the S was great (took her up to 140mph - on a private road of course) but on slow speed roundabouts the drive was very snatchy and the handling a bit choppy....mainly when on & off the throttle which is usual for busy town work - and it ruined it for me. I also felt that the lock-up point when hard braking on the front was difficult to judge which made the bike feel a little remote., These are probably characteristicts which BMW owners would say I'd get used to in time but I have had shaft drive/injected twin bikes in the past and they've not been this bad. In other respects the bike was very comfortable, confidence-inspiring, well finished and good-looking.
Although the S is a different bike from the GS (which I have also ridden) I can't see how the character of the engine and chassis under these conditions would be that different. The dealer suggested I took it out for a longer ride (which I was very keen to do as I wanted to like the bike) but he never bothered to get in touch again..
You may have worked out by now that I ended up with an 06 Tiger instead, after never having test ridden one!....but I loved my steamer so I knew it would be good.
Jon
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