Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

When I first rode a boxer, while still commuting on my Funduro 650, I was gobsmacked to realize how agile the bike (Shrek - 1100) was. It commutes just as well as the 650 ito lane-splitting and flickability, with the added grunt and presence thrown in. Turns out, the boxer is more flickable than the dakar/650 because the crank runs along the bike, not across it (gyroscopic effect of the spinning crank does not try to keep the boxer upright). Don't believe me - take a 650 and a boxer over Bains at speed. The boxer flicks into the S-bends more easily. And for off-road, the boxer pots prevent your indicators from breaking every time you fall. But why a 1200GS? Get an 1150 at a good price and experience true robustness.

Probably going to get a dozen different opinions! Heres mine: I have a 650 (not BM) and 1150 GS and commute an average of 50-60 km/day- there is no doubt in my mind that the 650 is a better commuter in heavy traffic- lighter, nimbler and better economy. However I love the big bikes touring ability and I agree that much better on passes. Recent extreme trip on mud and clay reminded me that a 650 handles these technical bits much better than 1150. Then again the 1200 is a little lighter and more manageable than the 1150. My advice- have both!

Hi Peter, I had a Dakar and it was a lovely bike. I think ion extreme offroad conditions the 650 would be easier to handle, but that is where it stops. The power of the 1200 can get you through and out of a lot of life threatening situations. I think my Adventure handles as good as the Dakar in traffic. It just take some time to get used to the width of the 1200. As Charles said the pods does save some of the cosmetics in a small down, but even better than that.....it protects your legs much more than any other bike can do. Just get the bike..... You will love it. "If you can't amaze people With your intelligence.... ...Confuse them with your bullsh!t"

Hi there, I recently made the change from a Dakar to 1200GS. I did test ride a 1100GS, 1150GS and 1150GSA. In my opinion the less weight of the 1200GS makes a huge difference. Remember much of the weight of the Dakar is in the exhaust(cat converter) and cylinder, which lifts the COG of the Dakar. Did Matroosberg this week-end and the 1200 feels much more stable in dirt - no floating of the front wheel as on the Dakar at speed. Feel free to contact me... Regards

Just DO IT PETER! Stop thinking about it :-) It will cost you more running it but who cares ;-) I'm envious, oh well maybe I will be able to buy a 1250GS in Aus ;-) he he Corné Kloppers http://www.bikepics.com/members/pantsula/07f650gs/ 0849130391 ckloppers@gmail.com

Pete, I jumped from a 650GS to a R1200GSA and has NEVER LOOKED BACK - you know where to get hold of me should you want to discuss. Johan de Jager "It's all about the ride, nothing else"

I'd only consider 'upgrading' to a 1200 if I did a lot of touring - and only then if the touring did not consist of too many technical sections. If you enjoy the 'off-road' part of riding i still think the Dakar can't be beat. The perfect compromise, however, appears to be the 800GS.

You'll miss the 21 inch front wheel in the offroad stuff. I never thought about it before, until I hit some really slippery terrain near Niewoudville. Buddy Out there where we all belong.

PeterO.... I too am looking and contemplating the change but you know what, if you are not going to have pillion... why all the extra power... Keep the dakar is my vote?

Also, just thought. Going from the Dakar to a 1200 is not really an upgrade. Its a totally different bike. Once again if you're looking for the Dakar 'feel' but with more power - the 800 is what you want.

yup i changed from a dakar to the 1200 adventure and will never look back!! :thumbsup: only time i miss the dakar is when you are in a really tight spot where weight is an issue. having said that, the more you ride your bike the easier it becomes.i see there are some old diehards trying to punt those heavy dated 1150 gsa's don't listen to them the 1200 is waaay more capable and durable}:) }:-) :evil: :P :-P :tongue: cheers mark i only work to support my hobbies!!

And the one major benefit that everyone is missing is that you to will be able to have a dig at all the 650 riders at the next club meeting. Seriously though as both Leon and Lourens say the bike is not heavy when moving - its all about balance - but you know this anyway. Happy decision making!!!!

Well I bet more than 50% of ALL 1200 riders cant' `really` ride their bikes... On the other hand I suppose the 1200 is a good image-status to have :P Corné Kloppers http://www.bikepics.com/members/pantsula/07f650gs/ 0849130391 ckloppers@gmail.com

Corné are you leaving for Oz tomorrow?:-)

Okay let me start over.... Upgrading to a 1200 generally coincides with the upgrade around the waist :P Weight does become a problem on the 650 however the 1200 has more than enough power to compensate :-) Okay I will stop now... I don't want to be known as the RUDE Saffa-Aussie ;-) Peter just get a 1200! YOU KNOW YOU WILL ENJOY THE BIKE! Corné Kloppers http://www.bikepics.com/members/pantsula/07f650gs/ 0849130391 ckloppers@gmail.com

Corne let me get this right ... I should get a 1200 because of my waist measurement or my head measurement???!!! Thanks for all the advice guys. Difficult decision. I rode the demo bike for a day, loved it. Got back on my Dakar, loved it - aaaaggghhhh! Anyone got good tips for lottery numbers so I can have both? I'll probably make a couple of calls before I commit. ''If you can dream it you can do it!''

HeyHo Peter, Have a look in the latest Top Bike Mag, it will tell you all you want to know. But why sell the Dakar? Ignore opinions, heed facts. Feet on the pegs, always.

Rene you are not helping! I'm trying to stay married remember! ''If you can dream it you can do it!''

pete just remember that sea rescue does it on a 1200!!come on keep the flag flying.come visit us here in gordon's bay on a new 1200 and we might just let you loose on the new phoenix class heh heh i only work to support my hobbies!!

Peter, When should I send to the application forn to join that elite club of Married Bachelors, you'd qualify comfortably. Ignore opinions, heed facts. Feet on the pegs, always.

mmmm... not one of those... I would rather say your wallet measurement :-) Running a 1200 for daily commute will cost you a lot more compared to your Dakar... Corné Kloppers http://www.bikepics.com/members/pantsula/07f650gs/ 0849130391 ckloppers@gmail.com

Just win one?

So I take it then that IF you ride a 650GS then the weight ratio between the bike and rider will be closer/less (whatever you want to call it) due to the 650GS not weighing as mush as say a 1200GS or 1200GSA; this meaning that it is easier to ride a 650GS than a 1200GS/A.....now let me think; ......what a load of stories. It's all about weight distribution of the rider, everything the 650 can do the 1200 can do BUT can the 650 do everything the 1200 can? I have seen guys who is the same size and weighs more or less the same as our loved Jane do amazing things on the 1200 GS/A ..... Like my "signature" says....It's all about the ride I have driven most off road BMW bikes currently on the market and streets, and love them ALL. Johan de Jager "It's all about the ride, nothing else"

Gents we are all missing the obvious facts here, Corne says it about the measurement of the wallet in comparison to the cc of the bike, Okay so Corne rides a 650, therefore his wallet is thicker right??? So first round of Drinks is on Corne at the end of the mystery tour as his wallet needs to be put on a diet. Peter, my options and I am considerably smaller than yourself, go with the 1200. Why? simple its all about riding style, long distance will be easier, and learning to ride the bike off road will be a whole lot more fun being that it is a new experience. And as Johan says they are 2 completely different bikes, so you will be learning from scratch again. I honestly like the look of the 1200 in comparison to the Dakar. It just looks so much nicer, Keep your feet on the pegs, and your hat on - Safe riding to all

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134935 This about says it all for me :-) "Unless you ride over 90mph a lot, ride two up, or carry a ton of shite, keep the F650." Corné Kloppers http://www.bikepics.com/members/pantsula/07f650gs/ 0849130391 ckloppers@gmail.com

Corne, Please leave now. Go away... :-) Peter.....Buy the Adventure. It will suit you much better than the normal GS. It is actually an easier bike to handle than the normal GS. :-) If you look at the price of the extras on the Adventure and compare that to the price difference between the two, you must get the Adventure. I also was worried about the Finance department at home, but I now have three bikes. They will never quit their yakking. Just go for it. They will eventually love it. "If you can't amaze people With your intelligence.... ...Confuse them with your bullsh!t"

After the first month I had my Adventure I wished that I rather have kept the Dakar than buying the Adventure, two months later I wished I could have kept the Dakar and have the Adventure, but it wasnt long and I would not trade my Adventure for any other bike. Corne, I'll take my Adventure anywhere you want to go with your bike - I might not stay on top but that would not be the Adventure's fault! Peter, once you're used to the different bike (its not an upgrade, its a different bike) you wont regret it.

Pete, The 1200GS will NOT cost you a heap more to run than the 650GS. It isn't even a factor to consider. The services on the 1200 are actually cheaper than the 650 and the fuel consumption can be very similar. The 1200 may well cost you a few bucks extra in insurance, hey ho! Now, consider you want to go and ride the R339 (That's Knysna to Uniondale). Get there in a weekend, do the ride and come home via the Outeniqua pass and possibly Swartberg. That's big mileage and to do it on a Dakkie is just a bit too much in too little time. So, if you're going to be doing some dirt touring, get the 1200. If it's slow technical stuff and the odd distance ride, stick with the Dakkie. Personally, my Dakkie was going to be replaced with a 1200. Lawrence Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safetly in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadsides, loudly proclaiming WOW, What a RIDE!

I agree with Cloudgazer.Get a 800GS. We are planning to upgrade early next year and did a back to back test ride on the 800GS and 1200GS, as I love the boxer engine and was thinking of getting a 1200GS. After the test ride I knew the 1200GS is not for me. As we prefer offroad touring, with the odd sand stretch included - in the Kalahari that's unavoidable - the 800GS has everything that I love and miss on the Dakar. The 800GS has the extra power the Dakar needs and is much smoother, but still retains the nimbler handling and is lighter in the sand(and probably mud too).It will tour as easy as the 1200GS and still have the offroad advantage of the 21" front wheel.