r1200gs tft display review quotation

I have got my USED TFT KOMBI in my hands last Saturday and my first goal was to check if really used TFT cannot be properly coded. Definitely this is NOT a problem: for my test I used an F850GS factory equipped with 6AB connectivity.

I swapped the original TFT on F850 with the used part (it was from a crashed 2018 R1200GS Rallye), and it showed the data of the donor motorcycle (mileage, settings, vehicle image and next service date), the kilometers are less than the GS850 and displayed in red due to anti tamper settings.

At this point I tried doing KOMBI mileage alignment, but ISTA+ refused the service plan because the TFT was exchanged without following the ISTA procedure.

So I choose Vehicle Management - Control Unit Replacement - After Replacement procedure for KOMBI3 and followed all the steps, finally the new VIN and data of F850GS were perfectly stored into the used TFT, and it has become an exact clone of the original one (I was able to exchange the two TFT without any errors in ISTA). Also the ABS error was solved after the procedure.

This was only an experiment, my goal will be to install TFT in 2017 R1200GS following the same procedure used above, but first need the connector to do the cable conversion as wrote before, the part is not more available from BMW and the China one from the above link has not the correct shape.

BMW, on the other hand, has taken an early-adopter approach to technology. Fuel injection and ABS were offered on the GS in the early ’90s. Traction control (known as ASC) and Enduro ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) were offered in 2008. Five years later, the GS got throttle-by-wire, riding modes, a Multi-Controller wheel for navigating settings and menus, multiple ABS modes, and Dynamic ESA that adapted the suspension to riding conditions. In 2019, the GS got the ShiftCam variable-valve timing system, a 5.7-inch TFT color display, and infotainment via Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone. And the latest GS has a 6-axis IMU, which provides input for cornering ABS, lean-angle-sensitive traction control, and semi-active suspension, all of which have different settings for each riding mode. A new option on the 2024 model will supposedly do your taxes, but don’t quote me on that.

I found the engine surprising as I was expecting it to be massively refined, but instead it feels quite the opposite, it strangely reminds me of the single cylinder KTM 690 LC4 engine, that pulsing clattering character coupled with massive torque and, to my surprise significant vibration. It seems, in my experience, that all twin cylinder engines vibrate in a characteristic high amplitude/low frequency way that is in my personal opinion far more noticeable than on an i4, which typically display a high frequency low amplitude buzz.

As the miles increased, I became more and more comfortable with the bike. I started sitting back in the seat more with my posture bolt upright which made the riding position way more comfortable, I started riding in the sweet spot of the engines rev-range and everything started to click. With regards to the handling, the lack of feeling I explained at the start of this review, whilst it never went away, I found that as you press on and start riding based on “experience” rather than on feel, the bike really came alive so to speak. As you carry more and more lean through the corners that spongy suspension felt like it would suck down to the ground, as if the bike was getting more planted the more you pushed it. It was a really satisfying feeling that encourages you to push the bike further and further. I throughly enjoyed the dynamics of the bike at speed, though it is on a different planet to a sport bike or any performance bike for that matter.

2021’s R1250RT is all about the electronics. Radar-assisted cruise control turns out to be bigger news than anyone thought on a bike and the new 10.25-inch TFT screen and connectivity with the BMW app makes expensive motorcycle sat-navs (almost) redundant.

The standard R1250RT costs £15,820 and the higher-spec LE model tested here is £19,105 on the road (plus an additional £500 for the gorgeous blue paint and cheesy ‘Sports’ stickers). The base model is competitive for a machine that rides this well with most of the kit that most of us would want including the new 10.25-inch TFT screen with smart phone connectivity, panniers, rear luggage rack, cornering ABS, switchable riding modes, LED headlights and old-school cruise control.

BMW’s Boxer twins share a similar architecture. There are two frames – front and back – that mount to the engine. So, in essence the R1200GS is the same platform as the R1200RT. Big conventional touring bikes share the same handling problems as big conventional adventure bikes. They need soft suspension to soak up bumps, but they also have a lot of weight at the front, usually quite high up, which means they need substantial springs. When you brake, all that weight goes crashing downwards, using all the suspension travel very quickly, giving your lazy tourer the temporary steering geometry of a sports bike. As you release the brake it all springs back up again and your geometry resembles a chopper right at the point you want to start steering.

The big news is that, while the RT is last bike in the range to get BMW’s TFT display, it makes up for it by getting the dashboard equivalent of your mate Dave’s 83-inch flat-screen home cinema. The R1250RT’s 10.25 inches is a lot of inches for pretty-much any purpose, and it allows some really useful options about what information is displayed and how. Everything from resetting the trip meter to setting up your phone and navigation is controlled via the menu button and spinny-wheel and, mostly it’s straightforward and intuitive. New for this year are four pre-set buttons so you can get to the things you need most (like the seat and grip heater controls) quickly.

BMW’s TFT displays are designed to work with their ‘Connected’ app. The app has two main functions; it monitors the status of your bike and reminds you of things like service requirements and it plans routes and measures data on your rides, which is the really interesting bit.

The new 10.25-in TFT screen is clear with the main information all there. Rev counter, speed, adaptive cruise indicator along with some comfort features like the heat setting of your grips and seat. You can also see how much charge is in your phone while it’s being wirelessly charged in its own compartment.

You can split the display on the screen to show navigation on one half or choose to have the entire screen as a map, It’s all very intuitive once you get the hang of the rotary wheel control and the menu switch which are more intuitive than, say an Africa Twin and its myriad of buttons. Like most other things in life, it pays to read the manual and have a play before you start trying things on the move.

As we all know,the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen.In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. Forreviews of the best security products, click here.

Themost impossiblejobdescription in motorcycling belongs to theBMW engineerin charge ofdesigningareplacement fortheR1200GS.How’s he/she supposed to make it better?

In case you missed it, theGS isthe most popular bike of the last decade, toppingsales in the UK and Europe since2004.And it wasstillthe best-selling125cc plusmotorcycle in Europe in 2017 –even though its lastproperrevamp was in 2013 (adding water-cooling to an engine and electronics overhaul). Last year,combinedR1200GS and GS Adventure sales were nearly 30,000 units; that’s over six per centof all bikes sold in Europe.One in four of the top ten bikes sold was a GS or GSA.Mostmanufacturerswould becock-a-hoopwith those figures for abrandnewmodel, let alone what is essentially a five year-old bike.

While the new R1250 GS’ engine gets all the attention, the newbike’schassis is... basically the same as the 1200’s.So that’s good, then.SameTeleleverfront end, sameParalevershaft drive, same frame, tank, seat,and samesemi-active suspension options. Weight is up 5kg at a claimed 249kg wet; the increase is the extra cams, actuator and wider central cam drive gear, heavier LED lights and TFT dash as standard, and bigger pistons and longer rods weighing more than the reduction in weight of larger bore diameters.But with the extra increase in power, the 1250 is making 0.54bhp/kg; the 1200 makes 0.50bhp/kg (for reference, the new DucatiMultistrada1260 Enduro makes a claimed 0.62bhp/kg; an Africa Twin Adventure Sports makes 0.39bhp/kg).

The fancyhi-defoptional TFT screen from last year now comes as standard on all1250 GSspecs, even the base model, and hopefully it works this time.With its swirly graphics andvividcolours, it’s easily navigated using a new intuitive interface of up and down clicks and button pushes, and toggling rider modes is a doddle.

There is a worrying trend thieves are now targeting TFT display screens which can be easily removed from unattended motorcycles. Mainly affecting certain BMW models, and costing upwards of £500 to replace, Nippy Normans have produced an anti-theft brace to protect valuable screens from opportunist thieves.

Made from stainless steel, the Anti-Theft Brace fits neatly around the TFT and bolts to stop it from being removed. It attaches to existing mounting points — no fiddly fitting kits or drilling required. It is powder-coated in black to blend in with the machine’s styling and protect against corrosion.

As you would expect, it’s precision cut and shaped so as not to obscure any of the information displayed on the TFT. It also features a built-in sun visor to help make the screen easier to read in bright light — often a problem with shiny, reflective TFTs.

TFT Screen Anti-Theft Brace is available for BMWs F850 Adventure, F900 R/XR, S1000 XR (2020-on), R1200GS LC/Adv and R1250GS/Adv. Included are required fixings. Prices start at just £49 (incl. VAT) and available from www.nippynormans.com

The bike now comes with different riding modes and you can tell the difference. When changing from ‘rain’, to ‘road’, or to ‘dynamic’; the throttle response completely changes. I particularly like this on my R1200GSA when the surface is wet or worn, as I change it to ‘rain’ mode, to ensure the power delivery is smooth and the ABS and traction control kicks in earlier to avoid getting in trouble.

With a good engine you will need a good set of brakes. The BMW F850GS comes with two massive Brembo disks at the front and a smaller one at the back, which will help you control and stop this machine. You can feel the braking power as you can easily slow down from 60mph to 30 when approaching a town or in case of encountering a hazard. I braked hard and the ABS didn’t kick in when using the front brakes. The rear ABS,  however, kicked in a couple of times as the weight moved forward when stopping. The only thing I found is that the front will dive a lot and it can become a bit uncomfortable. This may just be me though, as I am used to the R1200GSA which doesn’t dive at all.

It may sound stupid but I quite like the fact that the heated grips have 3 levels now! I wish BMW had done this for the R1200GS, which with two options, I either don’t feel any heat or burn my hands.

Overall, I am really impressed with this bike. It’s not a R1200GS but it’s not that far from it anymore. The new BMW F850GS now incorporates most of the technology its big sister has, which will make many people like me who ride solo, rethink the bike we ride.

BMW is adding a new colour TFT display as an option in place of the usual instrument cluster on R 1200 GS and Adventure models from the autumn. The 6.5-inch unit has a high-definition display and can show a number of different menu functions according to the rider’s preference.

The BMW Motorrad Connected App can be used to plot a route, and this can then be relayed to the rider via arrow navigation on the TFT display. However, this doesn’t provide as much detailed route information that you would find on a stand-alone sat-nav unit, so if you want to plan a longer journey with waypoints, or look for points of interest along a route, you’ll need to stick with a sat nav. But if you’re just trying to make it to a business meeting this new system should get you there without a fuss. The app can also record your routes and show information and statistics from these.