Advice for a Bjornagain

Be it middle age crisis, a desire to re-find youth or whatever I have decided to return to biking after an absence of thirty years. Should I go for it - or give up now?

Not wishing to terminate things just yet I have done some re-training on a Suzuki 500 and a Harley (just for the experience). My last bike was a 650SS Norton and prior to that Venom Thruxton and BSA Gold Star. I am looking around for a bike for Sundays, weekends away and a week or two in the summer. I want a big sit-up bike and like the GS, V-strom, Varadero and TDM900 and wonder whether you guys would consider any of these a suitable vehicle or should I have a year on something smaller such as the Transalp first.

Is there any rule of thumb for second hand prices? I have looked at several GS ads and they seem to depreciate about £1,000 in first year and £500 in subsequent years. Is this about right? How does mileage and extras (ABS, panniers etc) effect prices?

What is the best kit? Leather is nicer but textile probably more practical and suited to the GS. Any advice appreciated. Trouble is I have to buy the kit so that I can test ride the bikes.

Finally I have always used an open face helmet simply because full face did not exist when I last had a bike. I don't feel comfortable in a full face so is there a major disadvantage in continuing to do so for my relaxed type of riding?

Sorry mate but a GS may be wasted for your needs, best let them go to good homes where they'll be abused. Get something smaller and lighter, good as these bikes are they will bite back.

Just an honest answear.
Tim

bjornagain said:

Be it middle age crisis, a desire to re-find youth or whatever I have decided to return to biking after an absence of thirty years. Should I go for it - or give up now?

Go for it by all means, but factor in some time/money for some significant refresher training - insurance companies don't load 'born-agains' for no reason - they're an endangered species.

Not wishing to terminate things just yet I have done some re-training on a Suzuki 500 and a Harley (just for the experience). My last bike was a 650SS Norton and prior to that Venom Thruxton and BSA Gold Star. I am looking around for a bike for Sundays, weekends away and a week or two in the summer.

Sounds like the same type of bike would suit you now - why not pick up a Commando or some other brit classic? Your previous experience would be far more relevant to that choice of bike, IMO.

Finally I have always used an open face helmet simply because full face did not exist when I last had a bike. I don't feel comfortable in a full face so is there a major disadvantage in continuing to do so for my relaxed type of riding?

Your relaxed style of riding is not going to be a defence against many unavoidable incidents. Going face first down the tarmac at 30mph is probably not the ideal time to decide 'mmm, perhaps a full-face would've been a better choice.....'

Click to expand...

Mike

Oh I dunno! I find mine one the easiest bikes to get used to. The trouble starts when I start moving between bikes, and I expect them all the behave like a GS, which is to say impecable. I'm actually selling my ZZR 'cause I keep nearly having an accident 'cause it won't do what I automatically want it to do.

My only concern would be size... if you're not used to bikes (of late), the sheer size may be a bit daunting. What height are you? Someone who can throw his leg over a GS no problem? I'm only an average height, but with jumping on and off bikes everyday for the last 10 years, haven't any problem with the height of a GS..... but the first time! Phew! I didn't like it AT all, 'cause I couldn't touch the ground (Pythag's yellow beast being set to the heighest settings on everything... then again he is about a foot taller then me!).

Baring the size issue... it's an extremely competent bike... maybe you'd consider the 650 version as a starter?

I brought my 1100GS in 99 after a 7 year break from Two wheels and had no problems with getting used to it... just take the beast by the bars and go for it. I must admit when I took one out for a demo the size was a bit daunting..... for the first 10 mile
'If it feels good, do it'

Took my direct access end May 2001, brought a 650GS Dakar in early June six weeks later brought an 1150GS... If it's what you really fancy Buy one it'll be fine

Bjorn,
I would like to chip in about kit.
I started riding in 97 after passing my test in 71 on the Lambretta, then going straight onto cars.
When I started in 97, I wondered if it would be a long term thing, so I bought relatively cheap kit.
5 Jackets down the line, I have finally purchased the one I should have done in the first place, a Rukka from J&S £200.
I had Frank Thomas, Buffalo, Revitt, Appache, & Alpinestars before that.
I had a Novak helmet, then Shark and now Arai.
Try to get the best you can afford & make sure the helmet is a good fit. The first one I bought, went on, so as far as I was concerned it fitted, but the chin bar was touching my chin and in the event of a prang, my chin may have been vulnerable.
Same goes for trousers & gloves.


Mike h

1100 S

If it Feels Good.............

bjornagain,

The GS is a an easy Bike to get used to, especially if you don't intend going off-road. The wide bars and low-ish C of G make it ideal to potter on whilst getting used to the extra ponies that your previous machines could only dream of.

The Height could be an issue if vertically Challenged, but if you don't try, you'll never know.

Looking at the list of bikes you last rode, I think your main problem is going to be getting used to the fact that the two pedals are doing the opposite jobs now

Get on something small and get that sorted first.

If you get into a situation when you have a panic stop looming, hitting the gearlever and knocking it into a higher gear (if not in top already) will only cause a clunk and a surprised look on your face as you dash towards the object/s of your concern!!

As for clothing, as has been said earlier, go for the best you can justify spending, sure as eggs are bollocks, you will only end up there in the end, and get a FULL FACE. You wouldn't want to ruin your boyish good looks now would you??

Go For It...........slowly at first though !!

CC

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT A V-STROM

... because it is shit

Thank you good people for advice so far. Visited a couple of dealers in Kent last week and expressed an interest in the GS650. They steered me towards 1150 suggesting the 650 was too small and I would need to upgrade in six months. I am over 6ft and 14 stone hence the search for a big (physically big) bike. Maybe I'm cynical but I wondered whose interests they had in mind so I put the suggestion the other way round in my post.

It is interesting that it is not the way the bikes I have ridden so far go but how they stop that I find most impressive.

Perhaps it is because I have not ridden for such a long time but I have not had an issue with the brake/clutch role reversal.

Does anyone know if there is a BMW training facility for BMW similar to Riders Edge for Harley.

I'm in Kent too

Humbug

I used to have an Aprilia Pegaso which is the stillborn bastard brother of the original 650GS. At 6'3" and 16 stone I found it OK for day to day short commutes but I found I had to stop every 50 miles on a long journey to let my backside recover. The R1150GS that I now have is completely different story. So much more comfortable and nowhere near as agricultural as the 650 - although a lot more agricultural than a nice smooth bike like the Vstrom. I was ready to sign the cheque for the Vstrom, I really loved the bike but then I took a step back and test rode a GS. No comparison - the GS is a much better bike.

Mike

Regarding kit

A couple of observations about helmets:
Although it's true that you should always get the best you can afford - the best might not be the most expensive. A good fit is everything. I wear a cheap helmet because it fits really well - I would actually prefer a more expensive with one with a removable lining, but will not compromise on fit.
Riders who ride wearing open face helemts tend to have fewer accidents I believe (althought the data I basing this on was American and collected sometime ago), but they do more damage when they do - in fact riders who wear no helemt have the fewest accidents, but they really do more damage! If you're going to feel uncomfortable in a full face helmet, that discomfort might distract you and negate any 'safety' benefits.
Some amazingly cheap (£50) helmets have done well in MCN & RiDE surveys recently, so you might wnat to try one of these to see how you feel about wearing a fullface and then make your mind up.
Regarding leathers - again I'd agree that you get what you pay for, but you don't want to be paying for style over function. £400 of Hein Gericke kit (jacket + trousers) beat lots of other more expensive stuff in a RiDE survey last month.
Don't be afraid to get stuff in sales either - old stuff is often as good, but just in the 'wrong' colours!
Have fun

DS

BTW I wear a closed face helmet, and 2 year old Frank Thomas leathers that I picked up for £200 and am very happy with both.

Stop procrastinating...

and listen to the little voices.... spend the money, spend it!!!! Buy a GS and enjoy!

Hi there bjorn and hello all (first post for me)

I picked up my R1150GS Adventure on Friday and am loving it !

My requirements are a little different to yours in that my bikes get used for commuting more than pleasure (150 miles a day at present) - but as somebody who grew up on British iron (BSA, Francis Barnett, Matchless, AJS, Norton, Triumph, Panther) before moving on to a string of FJ1200 Yamahas (and a Guzzi V75 we won't mention) I think maybe I've got something to add here from my experience.

1) I tried reliving my youth by buying the bestest commando I could find (all sensible mods, owner was a member of owners club, bike was in a specialists window) and it was a disaster. It didn't live up to my expectations, wasn't keen on running much and wasn't a patch on my (memories of) old 750.
If you want a bike to ride rather than fettle, for which you can get good solid dealer support and one which is unlikely to actually need it in the first place then I'd ignore suggestions to pick up another classic.

2) When you've ridden old British stuff then there are few motorcycles out there that are genuinely difficult / dangerous to ride (maybe those weird car engined things brazilians and americans persist in making).
I've tried all sorts including R1s and Blackbirds in wet and dry - I even owned a ZX9R til I got bored with it. Modern engines / tyres / brakes may need a little mental recalibration but thats all.

3) My GS is my 4th new BM - I still have my s-reg R1100RT, I've owned a K1200RS as well and have just traded my R1100S for the GS. I've also ridden various 'old-style' F650s as 'loan-bikes' while mine were being serviced.
I found the F650 fun for a day but I don't think I could live with the buzziness at high speed and the snatchiness at low speed for a prolonged period.
My initial impressions of the GS are that it is a bit more of a handful to manhandle in the garage than my RT but in the 240 miles so far I've become acustomed to handling it on the move with no problems - in fact it's turning out to be great fun.

4) the GS isn't perfect, I think it could benefit from some alterations in exhaust and fuelling (my R1100S was transformed by a Vanderlinde pipe and chip) but I'll forgive it because like each of my boxers it has real character (no I don't mean vibration) and presence. That I think is the reason I'm hooked and that character plus their genuine usability (and a top dealer - BVM Moto) is what makes other machines (for me) pale in comparison.

Sorry for the long post but I hope some of the above may be of help.

Cheers

oldfart

I'd be interested to hear how the GS and K12RS compare in your experience.

Cheers

DS

K12RS had of course that lovely big smooth torquey motor (reminded me of my old FJ12) but for some reason I could never quite get comfortable on it.

I ended up with footrests in highest position and the low bars plus comfort seat - that was the best for me but still a compromise.

Worst problem was the chassis just seemed to be splaying my feet out - I reckon the chassis was designed for the LT and then somebody decided to stick some different clothes on it for a laugh.

Weather protection also not brilliant - in fact i think my R1100S was better for keeping wind and rain off body and hands - of course the new K12GT could be a different proposition.

All in all I felt it was a great bike but I just couldn't make it quite fit me - I definitely think it's one that needs an extended test ride for anybody considering it, just to be sure on the comfort issue.

I can't really make a direct comparison between the K12 and GS - I've had 3 years on the S in between but to give you an idea how smooth a beast it was I found myself a couple of times wondering what was wrong with the bike only to notice that I was 2 gears lower than I'd thought I was and bouncing off the rev limiter!

Recommended to all those that fit and like big dollops of smooth creamy 4 cylinder horsepower.

Thanks OG

That's really interesting.
I haven't got a GS at the moment , I'm checking various lists to get opinions on my shortlist.
I'm considering a GS, RS or K12RS.
My riding is 40% A/B road blasts, 20% solo urban, 20% A/B road with pillion and 20% Ms with pillion - so it's got to be a 'bike for all seasons'
I intend to test ride with and without pilion, but it's 'living with it' that I'm interested in.
If the new GS isn't going to be that late in arriving, I'm tempted to hang onto my old K for a bit longer.
Decisions, decisions...

DS

if you're looking to do much pillion work and keep said pillion happy to boot then the extra smoothness of a K12 over a boxer would be a plus point

I love the boxers - great motors with bags of character that make me smile - BUT - I do 99.9% of my miles solo (my 8 year old got her first pillion ride last week). I've often wondered if the vibes that I put up with during high speed cruising would put off a pillion.

If my wife were still interested in bikes I reckon I'd save the pennies and put a K12RS or K12LT in the garage.

My experience of the GS ADV with nearly 600 miles on and in standard trim is that up to 80 its nice and smooth and that bigger screen makes for great easy comfortable cruising. Going on to 90 or so the motor does vibe a fair bit more tho - the screens still doing a good job tho.

On the K12 at 90 or so you'd have a choice of which gear to play with and it'd still be smooth as cream (or rather the motor would be vibrating like buggery but you'd not feel it through that massive chassis and ruber mounts). Can't remember how effective the screen was at those speeds tho.

Of course for touring the tank on the K12 aint that big and you only get a cut down pannier on the exhaust side - with the GS it's still a cut down pannier (unless I go for a low exhaust) but at least I have the optional 30 litre tank.

Go for it.

bjornagain,

Go for it, I have just started riding at 54, did my DAS in November, purchased a R1150R, would have liked a GS, but short in legs could not reach ground with feet, arms were ok, have had it for 10 weeks now have done 7500 miles and loved every minute of it. You only live once.