I despair
. I am beginning to wonder why some people buy these bikes at all. I am 5'9". Our off-road instructor, Tamsin Jones (riding a GSA), was about 5'5". 
I despair
. I am beginning to wonder why some people buy these bikes at all. I am 5'9". Our off-road instructor, Tamsin Jones (riding a GSA), was about 5'5". 
"Clearly I need some crash bars or better still to learn not to drop it. Is this a common occurence and a weak area or does this bike have a fault? Something that is marketed as suitable for off roading needs to be fairly robust."
Welcome to the forum mate! And no worries on the bike - it can be repaired and it won't show! I would not call it a weak area as such, but GSs are heavy bikes and strictly speaking not really suitable for off roading. Rather "more suitable" than other purely street/sportsbikes and other heavy tourers, but that does not make them 100% suitable off roaders at all...
Truth is, if you need an offroader to muck about in sand, paths and rocks you need a single cylinder 400 enduro (even 600 XT etc) weighing no more than 120kg.. Heavy bikes are a no go really... The reality is though that overall across every competence(touring, road riding, comfort, pace, and possibility of off road) there are very few things out there that can reach a GS...
Get some head protectors and do a 1000 miles on it... In a weeks time you ll be entirely comfortable!
Welcome to the forum mate! And no worries on the bike - it can be repaired and it won't show! I would not call it a weak area as such, but GSs are heavy bikes and strictly speaking not really suitable for off roading. Rather "more suitable" than other purely street/sportsbikes and other heavy tourers, but that does not make them 100% suitable off roaders at all...
Truth is, if you need an offroader to muck about in sand, paths and rocks you need a single cylinder 400 enduro (even 600 XT etc) weighing no more than 120kg.. Heavy bikes are a no go really... The reality is though that overall across every competence(touring, road riding, comfort, pace, and possibility of off road) there are very few things out there that can reach a GS...
Get some head protectors and do a 1000 miles on it... In a weeks time you ll be entirely comfortable!
BuGsBuNnY
Guest
I despair
mrsroynie,
Unless I am doing something wrong, I am 1.82cm(6 feet)/short legs, and I can't flatfoot the GSA. Not the most confidence inspiring feeling in the world. Yes, I can handle it fine (tempting fate here), and yes, I have dropped it in the past (...and nearly cried. I am better now thanks). I would not enjoy my legs dangling at 5.5feet and looking for a tall pavement every time I hit a set of traffic lights.
A general observation...
Please dont suggest an offroad course to everyone that has dropped their GS; A mighty fine course it may be, but slipping / not having enough leverage / momentary lapse of concentration, will not be helped by any course. Shit happens. And even the most anal of pedantic of riders get over it. I know all about this...
I didn't say that Tamsin could 'flatfoot' her GSA and, I admit, she is a truly exceptional rider. I simply wished to point out that you didn't need to be 6'4" to handle a GS well off-road.
Philmet clearly has off-road aspirations, as he took his GS into the sand. He might well enjoy the course. My comment was not addressed to "everyone that has dropped their GS". Please don't presume to tell me what I should and should not suggest.
Personally speaking, I would recommend an off-road course/experience to any rider, drop or no drop. It does wonders for your confidence, bike balance, reduces panic in situations that would otherwise cause an underwear change... (like the rear or even front wheel locking up) and is generally a whole bunch of fun.
It will most likely reduce the number of drops too
BuGsBuNnY
Guest
You don't have to, but it sure as hell helps!
I wasn't reffering to you, my apologies. I would never presume to tell you anything.
As I said, just
Mav, I wholeheartidly agree. It's a shed load of fun, although my weapon of choice would not be the GSA. A hell of a lot more fun can be had with a lovely two stroke screamer that weighs next to nothing.
Your point being.....
Why did I buy this bike? certainly not to go seriously off piste - thats why I have road tyres on mine.
I find it offensive that you suggest that the GS SHOULD have to be ridden off road or that owners are lesser riders because they haven't done an 'off -road' course on theirs.
As an intermediate competition trials rider I am MORE than capable off road thank you, and its not necassary for me to do an 'off road skills course' to get the best out of my GS.
I happen to know the OP very well and have been away with him too, my suggestion was realistic for Phil and anyone of a shorter stature that feels the GS could be 'half way house'. Big trailie inspired road bike it is - nimble trail bike it is not.
I despair
Why did I buy this bike? certainly not to go seriously off piste - thats why I have road tyres on mine.
I find it offensive that you suggest that the GS SHOULD have to be ridden off road or that owners are lesser riders because they haven't done an 'off -road' course on theirs.
As an intermediate competition trials rider I am MORE than capable off road thank you, and its not necassary for me to do an 'off road skills course' to get the best out of my GS.
I happen to know the OP very well and have been away with him too, my suggestion was realistic for Phil and anyone of a shorter stature that feels the GS could be 'half way house'. Big trailie inspired road bike it is - nimble trail bike it is not.
coughan
Guest
Hi Phil. On a wee trip around the west of Scotland last weekend my GS and I parted company at about 50 odd mph on a road near applecross. First time in 20 yrs. Anyway, I went over handlebars and bike rolled and slid down an embankment and into a field and came to rest upside down. After realising I was ok (3 busted ribs and foot) we uprighted the bike. No indicators or rhs pannier. A few scuffs on the cylinder head - no crash bars or other protection. Rode bike 300 miles to the ferry home.
After the crash my mates assumed the bike would be totalled but not at all - it is in fact a very sturdy machine. I am taking it to motorad for fixing and dont anticipate a huge bill - although crash bars are going on.
After the crash my mates assumed the bike would be totalled but not at all - it is in fact a very sturdy machine. I am taking it to motorad for fixing and dont anticipate a huge bill - although crash bars are going on.
You misunderstand me. Firstly, I couldn't give a fig if you ride your GS on road or off, but I am rather inclined to think less of a biker who feels that they need to be able to put both feet flat on the ground in order to feel secure. Perhaps a trike would be a safer bet. Secondly, I believe there are many people here who would disagree with your continued assertations that the GS is not a big trailie and therefore not a capable off-road bike.
BuGsBuNnY
Guest
Exactly, that's why:
1) Every human is 5 foot tall. Long legs are overrated. In fact, I am running a free service that will chop your legs down and provide an offroad course to compensate.
2) Dangling a 300kg+ bike inc rider on tiptoes is so much fun. Whoever thinks its not fun, is a lesser being.
3) Every offroad path and trail is full of GSs. No KTM, no Suzuki, no Honda, no Yamaha, and no Kawasakis. Nothing less that 1197cc and 300kg+
Exactly, that's why:
1) Every human is 5 foot tall. Long legs are overrated. In fact, I am running a free service that will chop your legs down and provide an offroad course to compensate.
2) Dangling a 300kg+ bike inc rider on tiptoes is so much fun. Whoever thinks its not fun, is a lesser being.
3) Every offroad path and trail is full of GSs. No KTM, no Suzuki, no Honda, no Yamaha, and no Kawasakis. Nothing less that 1197cc and 300kg+
Enough! I give up!
Tell me, do those knitting needles provide extra stability at speed, or just at the bar?
Sarcasm, the lowest form of wit
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but generally recognised as the cleverest!
Seriously though:-
Tuesday = track day, rained in the afternoon but still great fun
Wednesday = commuting & observing with the IAM.
Thursday = commuting and filtering through Glasgow.
Friday = attach and load panniers + camping gear and ride half he length of the country, unpack, pitch tent, have meal, go simple off- roading until after dark and then back to camp for dinner, laughs and chat and a few drinks.
Saturday morning prepare for a day off roading followed by dinner, laughs and chat and a few drinks. Fell asleep at 22:00hrs, knackered from unaccustomed exercise.
Sunday morning strike camp, load bike and ride half the length of the country cruising in comfort at 80mph in time for dinner at home. (Dinner for me is an evening meal)
How many bikes?
Just one, BMW 1150GS! It could have been an 1100 or a 1200 and maybe even a tuned airhead but not much else would do the lot.
Not equal to dedicated off road bikes but the best all rounders by far The above was my timetable last September including the East Midlands do.
Ride it, enjoy it, fix it when you need to.
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but generally recognised as the cleverest!
Seriously though:-
Tuesday = track day, rained in the afternoon but still great fun
Wednesday = commuting & observing with the IAM.
Thursday = commuting and filtering through Glasgow.
Friday = attach and load panniers + camping gear and ride half he length of the country, unpack, pitch tent, have meal, go simple off- roading until after dark and then back to camp for dinner, laughs and chat and a few drinks.
Saturday morning prepare for a day off roading followed by dinner, laughs and chat and a few drinks. Fell asleep at 22:00hrs, knackered from unaccustomed exercise.
Sunday morning strike camp, load bike and ride half the length of the country cruising in comfort at 80mph in time for dinner at home. (Dinner for me is an evening meal)
How many bikes?
Just one, BMW 1150GS! It could have been an 1100 or a 1200 and maybe even a tuned airhead but not much else would do the lot.
Not equal to dedicated off road bikes but the best all rounders by far
The above was my timetable last September including the East Midlands do.Ride it, enjoy it, fix it when you need to.
philmet
Guest
Ain't friends great. I seem to recall you playing dominoes with your 1200 and a Suzuki scrapper.
philmet
Guest
OldCroc!!! I believe we know each other Geoff. I will pay the twelve quid but not until I've settled the bill with Rainbow. That gentle drop has cracked the head cover round the spark plug hole and also cracked the plug itself.
New cover £120, plus plug plus labour. I'm having Ityjoe's old crash bars until I have saved up a few more pennies for some new ones.
At least I get rid of the scuffed cover.
philmet
Guest
Hi Bob. Bike should be fettled tomorrow. I toppled over in sand that should not have been where is was, rather the wind and the north sea had deposited it on the concrete road that runs the length of Spurn Point. I would not normally take a brand new bike off roading but found myself beyond the point of no return.
I will fit bars however and endeavour to keep my off's to below 10 mph.
Croacia next year?
I will fit bars however and endeavour to keep my off's to below 10 mph.
Croacia next year?
BuGsBuNnY
Guest
Enough! I give up!
Tell me, do those knitting needles provide extra stability at speed, or just at the bar?
This post contains no sarcasm. *
No, its my hobby.
Yesterday I used them to prop me at the bar. After that I have used them as missiles to shoot down an annoying seagull, while I caught a fly Jackie Chan style straight after.
Today I used them as chop sticks for my noodles, and then fenced my way to the quarter finals of 'fencing for dummies'.
I intend to let them have a day of rest tomorrow, with a polish and sharpening session.
btw, here is something I made earlier:
*Can I get any lower?
No, its my hobby.
btw, here is something I made earlier:
Wow! That's quite a gift you have there. And quite rare among Tossers, I would think.
P.S. Phil, I am sorry that your thread has got hijacked with all this silliness. I never imagined my original comment suggesting that you might enjoy an off-road course, on someone else's bike, would bring about such negative reactions. I was genuinely only trying to be helpful.
It's a funny old world ...
It's a funny old world ...
BuGsBuNnY
Guest
Apologies from me too. Got carried away a bit, but all in good humour I hope.
Apologies from me too. Got carried away a bit, but all in good humour I hope.
No problem.
Errr ... you probably weren't apologising to me. But no offense taken anyway.
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