The New R1200GS TripleBlack a first impression – A motorcycle guided tour preparation – By Eytan Magen
A Motorcycle guided tour preparation!
It was a delightful surprise when our Parisien friends Myriam and Jean-Louis offered us to join them for a weekend in Normandy on a brand new 2016 R1200Gs Triple Black. It would be a great opportunity to put in some panning for a motorcycle guided tour as well as try out the brand new 2016 BMW R1200GS TripleBlack. Later that month, we met the bike and Jean Louis in Paris in a dark underground parking late at night. At first site in low light it is a “regular” GS but once you get closer the minor visual differences are apparent.
R1200GSLe Arc du TriumphWe threw our gear on and went for an introduction ride through Paris at night. Paris on a warm summer Friday night is magical and riding was easy as we were following our host and could focus on the view and getting acquainted to this new bike.
The second part trivial. if you’ve ridden a GS in your life, and if you’ve ridden many like I have, getting used to a new GS is easy. You feel right at home in minutes, not taking into account the new cockpit and endless features of the on board computer, those can take a couple of hours of ridding to master, or as we like to say RTFM (Read The F***ing Manual) instead. The first part is the harder one to get used too. There have been more time than I can count that I have returned to Paris and it always is new refreshing and all so beautiful, you never get used to it.
Day 1 – Giverny -Rouen – Heunfleur – Etretat – Deauville.
Next morning we are off to Normandy. We meet Jean Louis at his home in the 17th Arr., with warm Croissant he is all ready with his K1600GLT, a short coffee and we are off west towards Rouen (The place of Jean d’Arc). On the way we will stop at the “Fundation de Claude Monet” to see the famous gardens he cultivated and then drew in numerous pictures.
A Claude Monet Original – GivernyThe Akrapovitch – great sound and LooksThe A13 out of Paris is a good time to get a feel of the on board computer. Tamar my wife, and co-owner of TAMARBIKES, is happy, which is a good sign, the engine is purring in a throaty note through the Akrpovitch that the bike came with and there is a general feeling of comfort and relaxation, yes we can do this all day.
Even after leaving the main road for some country lanes towards Giverny and to Rouen the TripleBlack is as easy as you would expect a GS to be. Once I have figured out the Computer.
Dynamic Electronic Suspension Control
I set the suspension electronically to 2 up as we are heavy with the BMW Luggage full to the rim, handling relaxes a bit and ground clearance is back to its normal, with me holding the bike up on only the front half of my feet heels in the air.
Dynamic ESCEtretat teh famous lime rocks of NormandieAfter Rouen and a visit to The beautiful Heunfleur. After lunch, we leave our hosts to rest while we dash to the Cliffs of Etretat. This amazing spectacle is on the top 10 list of Normandy in most books. The GPS says 55 minutes when we leave and we hit the town in 30. Roads are good and dry, weather is perfect and the TripleBlack fires away down the highway with the cruise control set just a tad above the formal speed limit. We park the bike on the oceanfront hike to the top of the cliffs and just manage to get back over the Normandy
bridge to Deauville for diner and a good nights rest. Tach says over 300km, body says, ‘can’t be’ too easy.
The Impressive Normandy BridgeDay 2 – Deauville – Caburg – Bayeux – Omaha Beach – Mont St. Michelle
The New Quick-shifterNext day we are riding along the Normandy shores to a small town called Cabourg, A coffee in the bustling main street and we are off to Bayeux home of the Famous tapestry.
The Quick Shifter
Today I am getting acquainted to the Beemers quick-shifter. Even though its a great idea on paper. You shift up or down, and the engine
On the beaches of Normandymanagement system will retard the ignition for a fraction of a second, just enough time for the gearbox to slip into the next gear. All without touching the clutch. The reason I say on paper, is because in low gears and speed and in high revs the transition is not yet perfect. Overtly it is accompanied by a ‘clanck’ and a jolt. This may be due tio the fact the bike is brand new with under 100KM on the clock. However, if you’ve been long enough on motorcycles you know that clutchless shifting is possible with no electronic aid. Consequently either I need to perfect my technique with the bike or the system needs still a little more tweaking.
We part ways with our hosts who need to get back to work Monday morning. while this motorcycle guided tour team heads south to the amazing Mont St. Michel. The road there will ride the coasts of the landing of Normandy.
The beauty and serenity are a contrast to the hell the allies soldiers went through, while landing on these beaches June 6th, 1944, changing the course of history and bringing the second world war to an end on the European front with Germany. The Japanese will surrender only after 2 nuclear bombs will be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Its a meaningful visit and an honor to honor these brave men who impacted all our lives years before we were even born.
A Monument at Omaha Beach for the 1st US Betalion.Key-Less Ignition
Back to the machine. Another toy on the TripleBlack is the key-less ignition. At first I thought this is really over the top. After 3 days use of this gadget, (No not a necessity), its a very nice feature, a luxury. Key holes have a tendency to be cruddy, keys bend or even
The Keyless ignitionbreak. Moreover if you have a lot of keys on the key-chain, just cases and a lock, its a fuss. However this solution is neat clean safe easy and really works so yes I recommend it.
Day 3 – Mont St. Michel – Paris
Next morning we are just out of Mont St. Michel, we park at a special parking zone for bikes. The friendliness to bikers amazes me each time, together with the special bike lanes for toll on the highways. After a short visit to this amazing and unique world heritage site we are off Back to Paris. Later and once back we return the bike and say our goodbyes to Myriam and Jean-Louis our gracious hosts. Later its off to finish our vacation with some shopping for the kids.
Water cooled headsOn the fly customisationThe TripleBlack GS is a painting scheme for the 2016 R1200GS LC. It looks great, it feels great, and I really love this bike. After a 1000KM of hassle free riding, its perfect. You can ride this bike all day, relaxed, effortless riding. You will arrive fresh as if you just got on the road. Moreover your pillion will love you (and the bike) too. No wonder it is the most selling bike in history. Consequently, I still think it is one of the best I have ever ridden of the Adventure-Tourer Genre.
Ride Safe
Eytan
The writer is the manager of the TAMARBIKES boutique motorcycle guide tour company with destinations in South America, Africa and the eastern med. to follow this blog you can goto: www.tamarbikes.com/blog/
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