1200gs lowered suspension riders only

[viffer]

Could do with a little feedback on the 1200gs lowered suspension
Handling,comfort, scraping pegs any problems found riding the bike any thing different.

Thanks.

 

[EggChaser]

Hi there I own one of the earliest factory lowered R1200GS models (April/May 08) and done over 42,000 miles on it.

Not sure exactly how the handling compares as although I have ridden the standard height model a few times obviously I have not really put huge miles on a standard one. Other than a slight leg reach issue when stopping, don't really notice much difference when borrowing the standard ones , although I have not borrowed any with the newer engine specification.
For my riding I find the lowered one does handle really well, as it does easily feel OK fully loaded with luggage whilst still being really good fun with the cases left at home on a Sunday afternoon. You can still lean it a long way, although I have caught my toes a couple of times. Never caught the pegs, however I have caught the center stand on the floor when fully loaded and hard cornering on a slightly ripply surface and that might have been a bounce against the spring rather than a hard grounding. I gather from other threads on here that standard height models often do something similar.

BTW whilst I ride the lowered bike I usually use a standard height (adjustable seat) that I have had modified with a gel insert and slightly lowered in the process. The lowered seat that comes with the lowered option is a little on the firm side.

What I would say is that If I was after a GS just for day to day riding and a bit of weekend fun I would not get the lowered one, but would probably go for the ESA fitted standard one instead. It's when it is fully loaded with luggage and parked on a slope that I am reminded that lowered option was a good choice, as in some situations I don't think I would have got the standard model off the side stand (i.e. parked on Hardknott pass for a photo shoot was one of those moments)

As a height comparison I am 5' 8.5"

For info to lower the bike they change
- Front and Rear Shock (so factory lowered bike cannot have the ESA option)
- Side stand
- Center Stand
Everything else is same as standard bike

I can just about paddle the low one around when sitting astride it and for safety if it is on the center stand I tend to site astride the bike and rock it off ( I don't drive off) Reason for this is when I owned an R1100S I almost dropped it getting it off center stand from the side as the bike tried to fall away from me, ever since then I have sat on the the R1100S and then the R1200GS just out of habit.

 

[Billywhizz]

Hi, I've had a lowered 2009 one since new. The only thing I didn't realise is that it comes with the low seat as standard which is crap - get the dealer to let you try one with the standard seat as well. It doesn't work out quite as low but it's much more comfortable.
No problems with scraping apart from on bumps in the road on corners, and as the bike is lower, it gives you the option of stiffening up the suspension and still being able to touch the ground if you want to.
I test rode a standard one, and whilst I could touch the ground I wasn't confident about paddling around on it. Now I've ridden one for a few years and have got the feel of the bike, I reckon I could have managed it. But as the lowered one does everything just as well, and I'm less likely to drop it, I'll stick with this one.
I think the sidestand is shorter than the standard one - it's a pig to lift up fully loaded as it leans over so far, and the aftermarket sidestand extenders don't fit the profile of the foot. I ended up bolting an ice hockey puck to the foot and it's fine now (not my idea - loads of threads about it here...).

Hope this helps.

 

[EggChaser]

I think the sidestand is shorter than the standard one - it's a pig to lift up fully loaded as it leans over so far,

Hmm I did wonder if it leant more than standard as it does lean a long way on the side stand.

 

[Kiwi66]

I can concur

I too had an 09 factory lowered bike, and as I was new to biking and a little "vertically challenged" I opted for the lowered version for exactly the reasons stated above.
Yes the side stand and centre stand have been modified due to the revised ride height but I had no problem with ride height. The only time I scraped was fully loaded (without pillion) having some fun in the Pyrenees.
I did have one problem in my 25k miles. The rear suspension seals went. When I spoke to the mechanic about this issue he said that the lowered bike has slightly softer suspension setup than the standard. To be perfectly honest I just had a niggling feeling that all the R&D including suspension setups were done on the standard and then someone from the marketing department realized we weren’t all of the arian race !!
I have now moved on "up" with the lowered seat option of course. The difference especially with the ESA is worth all the agro over touching terra firma. I've now had this bike for 6 months and haven't really had any issues - you just adapt.
And I wouldn't go back.

Just a few thoughts on my experiences.

 

[Mark Hooton]

I have both

I`ve a standard full fat GS and a lowered GSA with a lowered sergeant seat.

Everything said is right and very good valid opinions and I agree with it all.

I would add that, for me, I had to get the GSA lowered as it was simply too huge (yeah I know, why did I buy it ) and it was the best thing i ever did as I love it even more now.

Another biggie is get the stand sorted - you can find shorter ones but you just have to do some digging.

 

[neil 23]

I`ve a standard full fat GS and a lowered GSA with a lowered sergeant seat.

Everything said is right and very good valid opinions and I agree with it all.

I would add that, for me, I had to get the GSA lowered as it was simply too huge (yeah I know, why did I buy it ) and it was the best thing i ever did as I love it even more now.

Another biggie is get the stand sorted - you can find shorter ones but you just have to do some digging.

Or get Vern to do it !

 

[rocky burns]

I have a set of showa lowered shocks. they were fitted to my gs adventure when i bought it. Only done 4k miles. For sale if there any good to someone as i put mine back to standard.
As far as handling goes, there wasnt realy alot of difference apart from catching my toes on the floor in the twistys when i was flat out.
Appologies for hakking the thread

 

[viffer]

:

I`ve a standard full fat GS and a lowered GSA with a lowered sergeant seat.

Everything said is right and very good valid opinions and I agree with it all.

I would add that, for me, I had to get the GSA lowered as it was simply too huge (yeah I know, why did I buy it ) and it was the best thing i ever did as I love it even more now.

Another biggie is get the stand sorted - you can find shorter ones but you just have to do some digging.

Hi ya Mark,do you have ESA fitted to your GS if so when you change from one setting to another do`s the bike rise and fall?
the mentioned Sergeant is that lower than the bmw oem.

 

[Pukmeister]

I've just fitted 40mm lowering springs to my GSA to accommodate my stumpy legs. They are progressively wound hyperpro items and the jury's still out. The ride feels more bouncy and choppy than standard, yet it doesn't squat as much under power and feels quicker, however I don't like the turn-in feel when cornering hard. I love getting both feet almost flat in traffic. I reckon linear wound springs to suit my weight/ style with a 30mm drop would be perfect. Bike is a 2008 GSA with ESA suspension.

 

[Mark Hooton]

:

Hi ya Mark,do you have ESA fitted to your GS if so when you change from one setting to another do`s the bike rise and fall?
the mentioned Sergeant is that lower than the bmw oem.

Soz mate - I don`t enjoy the luxury of ESA!

I also have a lowered BMW OEM seat and IMHO the Sergeant seat is quite possibly, and only by a fraction, a little higher than the BMW OEM lowered seat. The Sergeant seat, when compared to the BMW OEM `standard` seat is significantly lower and has a better `arse` surround (there`s technical for you boyo ).

Hope I haven`t confused you as much as I`ve confused myself

Regards,

mark.

 

[viffer]

confused

This is where it all started bike show NEC, one lowered GS with low seat.

Confused give us a break i`ve been married 31 wonderful years.sorry dear 32

 

[The Hobbit]

I have a low model which I purchased this June this year and have only done around 4k on it so far.
I tested at least 3 normal height bikes with both ESA and non ESA and for my riding find very little difference in ride or handling with the low.
I do however find it much easier to paddle around and feel more confident when ridding 2 up with it especially in stopping in bad weather or slippery surfaces.

Regards

Barry

 

[Absturz]

Tried a wide selection of 1200s with various height and seat combos at the dealer.
Some , like the GSA , ruled themselves out pretty quickly (I'm 5' 8" and thighs like tugboats) .
Like Hobbit, I found the extra paddle ability on lowered suspension and lowest seat to be the
decider for me , even though I could tippy toe on the larger models.

So, as an early Crimbo present, a 1200GS in Loopin' Blue is on order.

Steve