11-22-2018, 01:25 PM
As other's have said, no big deal if you lay it over. I owned a 1200GS I bought used and it had some nice little valve cover covers. When I went to check my valves on that bike, I pulled the covers off the valve covers and found some nice little scratches hiding under there. The rest of the bike, assuming no parts had been replaced, were unscathed. It was obviously a very low or no speed tip, so likely no other damage was done. There in lies an advantage of the boxer design. It often protects the rest of the bike from further damage since those cylinder heads allow the bike to rest and something close to a 45 degree angle. This also makes it much easier to pick back up.
This orientation also lowers the COG of the bike making it handle better and easier to ride at slow speeds.
One disadvantage, to my ear anyway, is the exhaust note. I always thought it sounded a bit "flatulant" and agricultural. Some find it quirky and enjoyable in it's own way. They aren't wrong. I've always admired the sound of a nice, prominent fart!
This orientation also lowers the COG of the bike making it handle better and easier to ride at slow speeds.
One disadvantage, to my ear anyway, is the exhaust note. I always thought it sounded a bit "flatulant" and agricultural. Some find it quirky and enjoyable in it's own way. They aren't wrong. I've always admired the sound of a nice, prominent fart!