u/IBeTanken

With the way my driveway is, I end up parking my bike facing uphill with a wall about 10ft ahead of me.

To get out of the driveway I need to do a u-turn with essentially zero momentum (turning to the left).

My old bike, I would park with the kickstand downhill and could stand it up no issues (doing a 90 degree back in to my spot).

This bike is so heavy (and tall) that with the kickstand downhill, I cant lift the bike off while on it hence why it is facing up hill.

I dropped the bike once already doing this (crash bars work) and every other time it just feels awkward and not smooth.

U-turns on flat ground with some speed I am moderate at, but with no run up I am having issues.

Any tips would be appreciated. I have been trying to keep my weight to the outside, but am thinking about trying more weight to the inside, tipping the bike more with more throttle.

I cant do to much speed as I need to stop at the bottom of the driveway to check it is clear of traffic.

So I recently picked up my GSA the other week and have a few questions and would like some confirmations (were only 1,000 miles on the clock when I got it).

This is my first BMW and I have only really ridding 1 other bike before this so I am not that well versed in other models (the BMW dealer is also over 1 hour away, awkward to get to, and is not able to answer all my questions). They did order me a manual, but that wont arrive for a few more weeks.

(1) There does not seem to be a way to show the fuel gauge and the range (or trip meter) at the same time. I see that the range shows up when your tank is low, but is there a way to force this to always be the case with a GS-911 tool? For my commute I run about 5,400rpm in 6th gear to my mileage is around 34mpg which is not amazing. Getting around 250ish miles a tank (4ish days of commuting). If I do more sedate riding it completely throws off my normal range using the trip computer for fill ups and I am used to being able to see both on my old bike.

(2) The dealer says that the 2024 model year is included with the free servicing of the driveshaft at 12k and replacement at 36k miles. But I cannot find any confirmation of this online and I have seen it listed both ways.

(3) Is there supposed to be a headlight indicator to the left of the TFT? (I am in the USA). I see the aux lights and high beams, but no indicator for the headlight even when riding at night. The light itself seems to be on.

(4) Currently I found the seat most comfortable with the low in the back and high in the front. But, it feels like of like the pan of the seat is flexing or "popping" a little bit when going over bumps. It is comfortable, but feels a little odd. Is this normal? (I am about 200lbs).

(5) For the suspension being at min, max or auto, is that only adjusting the preload? Or is something else related to the suspension? ie. can I ride on min for a little less reach to the ground, or could that lead to weird handling from the preload not being setup correctly? Currently I have been leaving it on auto, but being a little closer to the ground would be appreciated when walking the bike around or backing into a parking spot.

(6) When changing gear, if I do a clutchless shift (ie. letting off the throttle, changing gear, getting back on the throttle) like I did on my previous bike, is the quick shifter still trying to do its thing? Or if I am wanting to bypass the quick shifter would I need to use the clutch every time? The change from 1st to 2nd is a bike rough with the quick shifter.

Any help or a little clarification would be appreciated.

I was originally looking for an R1250GS thinking it would be my new commuter bike.

I was at a BMW dealer and my wife convinced me to demo a R1300GS as they did not have a 1250 available and she did not understand the price difference.

Long story short I test drove it and and walked back into the shop with a stupid grin because I enjoyed it so much.

Because of that I was looking around at BMW dealers and found a decent deal on a R1250GS with all the options I would want and the color I like. The price is moderate, nothing special (and the wife gave her blessing).

I have not ridden a 1250gs, but I am hoping it is not that different vs the 1300gs (as the 1300gs is out of my price range). Please keep in mind I am not a connoisseur of bikes and have only ridden 3 models before including the on in the MSF class. I did sit on a 1250 at the dealer, but it was not ready for a test ride and I did not have any issues with the height.

The closest BMW dealer is over an hour away through horrible traffic and the other is about 2.25 hours away but a easier drive.

I am planning on doing all maintenance myself so I am not expecting to many issues there (other than having to get a special code reader or a cheap android phone and the dongle).

Is there anything special I should keep my eyes open for when looking at it?

I am using a large security chain when locking up the bike each day. But overtime I am noticing that the chain is scratching up the subframe and swingarm over time being pulled through (the chain itself has a sleeve, but it does not cover the last few links).

I am looking for some kind of wrap or protection to put around the sub frame and the part of the swing arm the chain goes through.

Other than thick/heavy duty duct/Nashua tape, would there be another option that is more wear resistant? Industrial Roof Waterproof Anti-Corrosive Tape is another I found at Home Depot.

I am thinking a 1" wide thick vinyl that I can wrap around the area would be ideal (kind of like a custom tank slider decal), but I cant really find what I am envisioning.

Any other ideas?