Real good value one sold on here a few weeks ago for £6800. Haven’t heard a bad word about them.
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R1250GS TE to Tracer 9GT?
- Thread starter madasadad
- Start date
Real good value one sold on here a few weeks ago for £6800. Haven’t heard a bad word about them.
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The electronics have been around for quite a while now, and history has shown that there are few issues. Yes I know, people are nagging about it on the internet, but that does not represent the reality. If electronics components fail, it usually fails within the first two years. From there on it's quite stable. If problems occur it is usually related to connectors, sensors and switches. And looking at other brands from later years, electronics are no longer unique to BMW. They all use it. Actually, looking at the quality of the wiring and connectors, very few brands use better quality components and show better workmanship on their wiring.
But all brands have their weak and stronger sides. Pick the bike you want, learn to handle the weak sides, and you will be ok, whatever bike you go for.
Best of luck with your choice
What did your mrs not like about the pillion?
Edmund Kean
Registered user
I haven’t done this transition and although there must be plenty of pleased Tracer 900 owners, I wouldn’t buy one without another test ride. It was about four years ago and since, I know, it has undergone change albeit, euro 5 has subsequently been introduced… probably to the detriment of inherent vibes perhaps. I found the engine radiated vibrations across the bike. Vibes Into the throttle grip were particularly irritating. As a rider who enjoys twisty back roads as well as touring, it’s my tendency to hold lower gears and get the motors spinning on the B roads which reveals an engine’s balance. Can’t say my current 1250 is that good at least not as good as my 2017 GSA for smoothness.
You could consider a V Strom 1000. Heavier than a Tracer but I believe a lower seat than a GS. Quality is excellent as is the suspension. Motor is a peach. The 1050 exhibits more vibes. VS1000 quite easy to get off the centre stand.
Decision made….. staying with the GS, to trade it back in after only a couple of weeks would do it’s abilities an injustice and after the new bike glow of the 9GT faded I’ve a fairly good idea there would be a large dose of coulda woulda shoulda. The GT is very good but I think would be best sampled after I’ve experienced the GS for a good while and have a reason to change, rather than an excuse
Edmund Kean
Registered user
Thanks for letting us know.
Just curious, did the contributions to your opening post help you at all?
It depend if pillion eat 5 vegetables a week, or 5 big pizzas.
Unfortunately it is the latter.
She couldn’t put her hands on the grab rails because her a**e was in the way.
Caviat..this may not apply to all pillions
Yes, great advice from all who contributed, it’s much appreciated
The 9 GT does seem to have much better pillion accommodation than the previous version, as well as better suspension, but I guess most pillions will have been spoilt by the GS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoGRAylaIhs
I don't think you'll be disappointed once yiu get used to it. If you have either engine bars or MachineArt xheads if yiu do drop it you'll likely do no damage other than maybe a minor scrape to a mirror or handguard and as they sit on the cylinder pot they are quite easy to pick up.too
I'm 5'7" and to get mine off it's centre stand I position myself on the left hand side of the bike stood behind the left cylinder with my left foot further away from the bike but also further forward so my right foot is behind it and closer to the bike. I also cover the front brake with my right hand and have the bars so the front wheel is pointing slightly to the right and have the sidestand down as a fail safe. This provides a nice stable base from which to use my body to just the rock the bike off the stand and as the rear wheel hits the ground I apply the front brake. I then have a triangle of support between my legs and both wheels and because I had the front wheel is just slightly off centre the bike leans just enough off vertical towards me to make things very stable if that makes sense?
https://youtu.be/jpD2cuff3u4
I persevered for a while with my 1250 - loved it to ride, but my stubby little 29” legs meant that I always felt it was going to land on top of me at a junction, despite the low chassis & seat (came close a few times). I tried the Tiger 900, which was a great bike but didn’t fit me (shirt arms) and the Tracer 9GT which looked perfect on paper but I hated the engine & ride. Realised I’m a BMW man, and what I really wanted was a smaller GS. Fortunately BMW have got that covered so I tried the 850GS, which is very off-road biased and I ended up with a 750GS, which felt much better on the road. I miss the character of the big boxer engine, but the 853cc twin (the 750, 850 & 900 are all actually the same 853cc motor) has more than enough power and in every other respect it’s as good as the 1250 was.
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