1150 GSA - a good first bike?

[HOGDAWG]

Hi Captain, well done on passing your test and getting a licence to play! Your dilema is straight forward enough... my first bike was a Harley (stop laughing guys!) A heavy bike but if you want it enough you'll get used to it. Try them both and see which 'fits' the best, oh and don't forget the 1200, it's a great bike, more agile and a lot lighter than the 1150A. You do need to ask yourself if you actually 'need' the Adventure tag.. as the standard bike will do most everything you want from it and more; except for running on yak's p*ss!

As they say, if the bike fits.. ride it!

Best of luck to a fun, safe and long riding life.

Cheers

 

[jonogs]

My first bike was a knackered GPZ500, a dog, but it got me going. I didn't learn to ride properly until I bought my smallest bike yet, a VFR400.

There is no way I could ride my GS the way I do now without two things; firstly, the years on the little Honda and secondly taking the GS to the Pyrennes last summer.

The VFR taught me how to ride, the mountains taught me how to ride the GS.

Horses for courses though....

Why not buy a cheap bike to begin with, you will crash it! whilst saving for a 1200 after all the prob's have been fixed.

 

[Den]

Why not do the sensible thing and get a small bike .
Learn to ride a motorbike properly instead of concentrating on your image.
Its little wonder that there are motorcyclists getting themselves killed all over the country when they do stupid things like this.

Now .... be off with you !!

 

[thecaptain]

A big thank you!

Hey all,

I'd like to thank you all for your input. It's been interesting to read everyone's views. I'm getting the feeling that i'm gonna have to try one out and see how i get on with it. If it feels too big, get the smaller bike and then just ride it to get the miles in and take in as much advice and if i can addition courses.

Den - I know exactly what you are saying. When you say smaller bike, i assume you mean physical size as it's easier to handle at slower speeds? As StooL pointed out, the Fazer that i've seen is a smaller bike in cc and size, but is a faster bike. Which i'm sure is the same with a lot of the smaller cc'd bikes out there. Hmmmmmm, This is gonna be a tough decision.

I'm gonna stop by my nearst dealer SPC and get a test ride. I spoke to them yesterday and they were fine with the fact that i've just passed my test. They told me that someone else had done the same eariler that week. I'm not sure if that was just a line they use. I did get the impression that they are a good dealership tho, and having dealt with one of their car dealerships i wouldn't expect anything less.

They also told me that they have had to bring down their prices as they are getting so many GS's in. Not sure if they are PX's for 1200's?

Anyways, will let you know how i get on!

Thanks again!

Alan

 

[Tomm]

Hi ,, after I passed my test .. ummm .. 20yrs ago .. my first bike was a 1100cc air cooled suzuki. Had never owned a bike before then ,, merely hiring out a 125cc up til then. I loved that bike and still carry fond memories.

Basically 'small' bikes get less respect on the road, have to be revved higher, are generally more skittish. You will only ever be working your way up to a bigger bike so if you have the confidence then go for it.

But then that is just my personal experience and we will all be different.


Take any extra training you can get and book into a track day .. enjoy.

 

[Pukmeister]

Hi Captain, congrats on the test.

I was in SPC yesterday and they have a good range of GS models to choose from. I would strongly recommend you try the standard 1150/1200 before the Adventures as they are so different. I think you will love the 1200, but then again I would say that wouldn't I.

As a first bike, the only disadvantage is the sheer size/bulk of the bike. When filtering through traffic (and you will eventually) you need to be so careful on a GS.

Good advice about further training, but also avoid going out for a Sunday blast with mates for the first month as you will be tempted to keep up, with serious consequences. Try to get as many confidence building miles under your belt as possible between now and winter, and watch out for low sun in the morning/evening and the SMIDSY brigade.

Best of luck with the test ride.

 

[Butler]

Prepare to drop it a few times....and don't strain your back as it goes!
If you're happy with that.....do it!

 

[phooey]

Hi Alan,
I bought my first BMW - an 1150Adv from SPC 18 months ago. I was a commited 'sportsbike' fan for 27yrs, and had a 'bird at the time. I had a go on one out of sheer curiosity and wasn't convinced after 90 minutes playtime. I handed it back and thought " Just doesn't quite do it for me".

8 months later I was back for another go.
This time it was the 'bird I dumped and the GSA that took me home.

As a 'first bike' ?
I'd say no.

Why ?

Its a LOT of bike, not in the same way as a Gixxer K6 or a Blade, but its formidable none the less.
I have done a lot of riding in 27 yrs and more training than you can shake a stick at, but despite this I still found the transition from a 'normal' sized bike to this behemoth fairly challenging. Even 6 months on it was still a big bike physically and requires a good sense of balance at U turn speeds if you don't fancy back strain or scuffed engine bars.

Do an E-Stop on this and not be in perfect control and you WILL be eating tarmac.

I guess you have 'road sense' from car driving ? which is a help for anyone new to 2 wheels, but its no substitute for bike miles and how they react when you either make an error or have to react to someone else's.

I'd say do 12 months on something which does'nt intimidate you - and if the GS doesn't then I'd be mildly surprised - then see how you feel on one.
If its a bit of a step up for you will know, and if your head tells you so then LISTEN !
Don't struggle with something you are'nt confident and comfortable on - 2 wheels is NOT the environment in which to take leaps of faith.

That said...they are IMHO the best bike I have had the pleasure of owning.

Ride Safe and good luck.

 

[thecaptain]

Evenin'

Today has been a day of lots of thinking. Went up to SPC and spoke to one of the sales guys as well as many GS owners who were up there. Every one of them saying that they are amazing bikes and i should go for it.

After the rain stopped i went out for about half an hour on a 1150 GS. After the initial "Oh no what am i doing" slow moving moment, i was amazed at how it rode and how the feeling of riding a monster soon disappeared. Granted i didn't really have to do much slow movement riding other than pulling away from the dealer and at a traffic light, so it's difficult to really judge what it was like. I did love the way it was happy to just cruise along rather than the need to be pushed all the time. I had another chat with another of the salesguys who had more experience with bikes and he was saying that a standard GS would more that fill my needs. The adventure still looked great tho. I had a sit on one and was able to plant both feet flat on the ground, not sure what it'd be like with a full tank of fuel tho.

On the way back i stopped by a local Yamaha garage just to have another look at the Fazer i was thinking about and they had a brand new one with £700 knocked off the price.

So my dilema now is, do go for the smaller/cheaper Fazer and just ride it for a while then maybe upgrade in 12/18 months or go for the more bigger/expensive beamer. I must admit i like having more presence on the road with the beamer, i think it'd be easier to spot on the road. My head is still telling me the yamaha is the better option and maybe get a trail bike to do the off road stuff for now. But part of me is asking me "Why have 2 bikes when you could have one?"

Gonna be a restless nights sleep tonight i think

 

[DavidHale]

"Why have 2 bikes when you could have one?"

No no no no no

The question is 'why have one bike when you can have two?'

The other question is how much off-roading are you seriously going to do in the near future? If it is just some green lanes then the GS is fine; if it's a bit more serious then get down to the gym and do some weight-lifting!

he was saying that a standard GS would more that fill my needs

Well, a Honda CB250 would probably more than fill MY needs, but bugger that! You wanted an ADV, you like the look of an ADV, an ADV is what inspired you to take up motorcycling so get a bloody ADV and stop tarting around!

 

[thecaptain]

Decision made

Hi there,

I'm sure i'm going to get some mixed replies from what i'm about to say. I'm unhappy to say that i've just got myself my first bike and it's not the GS Adventure. Thanks to a third time unlucky for my car on ebay i've not been able to sell my car, which as a result means unsufficient funding to buy the beamer. I had my hopes all high thinking that it would sell and i could get it.

As a result i've gone for, what some were saying (and my head), the more sensible route and ordered a FZ6 so that i can crack on with the riding and get some miles and more importantly experience under my belt. Then when the car finally sells i can trade up for the GSA.

I'd like thank everyone for their input, it was all taken on board! I hope to be back soon properly equipped!!!

Thanks,

Alan

 

[phooey]

Right move

 

[StooL]

You won't be too disappointed when you get the new bike. I loved my wee Fazer (year 2000 model) and was gutted when it got T-boned. You'll learn loads without a worry and when the time is right and if you still fancy a GS, I'm sure there'll be plenty around for a while yet.

She's a quick wee beastie mind, so don't go daft trying to keep up with more experienced mates.

All the best

 

[hcmiller92]

Hi Alan,
I bought my first BMW - an 1150Adv from SPC 18 months ago. I was a commited 'sportsbike' fan for 27yrs, and had a 'bird at the time. I had a go on one out of sheer curiosity and wasn't convinced after 90 minutes playtime. I handed it back and thought " Just doesn't quite do it for me".

8 months later I was back for another go.
This time it was the 'bird I dumped and the GSA that took me home.

As a 'first bike' ?
I'd say no.

Why ?

Its a LOT of bike, not in the same way as a Gixxer K6 or a Blade, but its formidable none the less.
I have done a lot of riding in 27 yrs and more training than you can shake a stick at, but despite this I still found the transition from a 'normal' sized bike to this behemoth fairly challenging. Even 6 months on it was still a big bike physically and requires a good sense of balance at U turn speeds if you don't fancy back strain or scuffed engine bars.

Do an E-Stop on this and not be in perfect control and you WILL be eating tarmac.

I guess you have 'road sense' from car driving ? which is a help for anyone new to 2 wheels, but its no substitute for bike miles and how they react when you either make an error or have to react to someone else's.

I'd say do 12 months on something which does'nt intimidate you - and if the GS doesn't then I'd be mildly surprised - then see how you feel on one.
If its a bit of a step up for you will know, and if your head tells you so then LISTEN !
Don't struggle with something you are'nt confident and comfortable on - 2 wheels is NOT the environment in which to take leaps of faith.

That said...they are IMHO the best bike I have had the pleasure of owning.

Ride Safe and good luck.

This is sage advice. I started riding 16 months ago, putting 14,000 miles on the first year. This June I bought a new '06 1150GS Adv., for many of the same reasons you've cited. I LOVE the bike...even chose it over the 1200. First bike? Forget it. My skills are pretty good for the time I've been in the saddle, but the 1150GS Adv. (and the 1200GS Adv.) are tall, topheavy bikes. I hadn't dropped my other 4 bikes for quite awhile and had gotten over any real concern for doing it again...until this behemoth. If you have a panic stop, a stop on uneven side slope, you are going down.

We just took delivery of an '06 650GS for my wife. It's the nicest bike and a great start on a DS. I'd be happy to have one myself. Can do 80 percent of what my 1150 can do and dropping isn't a concern.

BTW, I'm 6'3" and 240 pounds (I don't know how many stones that equals.

Do yourself (and your bones) a favor. Get a 650 and enjoy the hell out of it for a year. A 30 percent loss to trade in a year will set you back only half as much as an 1150.

Curt in Massachusetts

 

[Captain Pugwash]

Good luck with the Fazer.

Why 'thecaptain" ?


What is you the captain of ?


Or is your missus called Tennille ?

 

[Sea Lion]

GS as a first bike.....

You really could do with a bit of experience first or there is a chance it could all end in tears

I'm quite surprised that other members and your training school have encouraged you. Quite frankly they should have more sense.

Put your 'Long Way Round' video away and get some miles under your belt first.


(Here come the 'well I did it and never broke my neck' rants........)

 

[camel_landy]

I'm thinking of getting it as a replacement for the car for just now to commute to work on (about 30 miles a day)...

You could always jump on a peddle bike instead? I do more than that each day on mine, it's even cheaper & it certainly helps keep me fit too.

M

 

[Bob1150GS]

A little late but only just spotted this thread

Just turned my hat around to the Motorcycle Instructor position CBT thru to Advanced (Test Ready I A M or ROSPA)

You have made the right decision, You have just passed a DSA test on a 500cc Twin or a 600cc comuter style bike. My advice would be get on your Fazer enjoy for a month or so of DAILY riding then go and find a Training school that offer a Rider improvement and familiarisation course, discuss in detail with the instructor what you have found and then let him advise and correct your problems (YES you will have some) then ride some more on a bike that you know. Then after a peiod of time (only you will know how long) as your riding skills improve all round, See if the Fazer is still not what you want. My money says the bike will still be more capable than you. Now when you feel the other way i.e. this bike no longer meets my needs is the time to look at other makes and models. This is a very good peice of advice, DONT buy on looks. I have had more bikes than most on this site have had birthdays and have held a full licence for 39 years and was riding off road for 4 years before that. So based on that I still think you have made the correct choice.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

First bike

I have only just discovered this thread and am really amazed that anyone could consider an 1150GS (or a Fazer for that matter) as a suitable bike for a complete novice. Both bikes have an enormous power weight ratio relative to any car and will reach the speed limit in about a third of the time. Well, it is too late now because you have bought your Fazer (95 h.p. isn't it?) Be very careful how you use it. Remember that if a Battle of Britain pilot survived the first week of conflict he often went on to become an ace - but sadly half of them didn't.