pie691 said:
clord:
Who exactly asked for a 1000 pound XS?
And who was 'more relaxed' and what did this mean?
Name names
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I note that Clord comes from the north west, like me. I suspect the 1000 pound XS was at Williams, Manchester, and the 'more relaxed' one was Southport Superbikes.
As I've posted before, I passed DAS last June and bought a VFR800FI. It's a lovely bike, with super build qaulity and that high-tech V4 engine is just peachy. However, it's all a bit 'characterless' so I thought I'd investigate the GS. Went to Williams to book a ride, but the 1000 pound XS put me off.
I've since decided to keep the VFR for at least another season (I don't ride in winter) and get more experience on it. It's a cracking-looking bike, and the only thing I don't like about it is that it has a chain. The GS is a bike I quite fancy, but I'd need to be impressed by a test ride before I made the switch. Let's be honest - the GS is technologically way behind the Viffer, and much less powerful. I'm a careful rider and use nothing like the VFR's potential performance; but it's nice once in a while, on a deserted staright, to flick the wrist and feel that bottomless pit of sheer power and rocket-like acceleration.
The GS, with its more upright ridining position and high torque would probably suit my riding style better. But there are 3 things that put me off persuing it for now:
1) High price, even second hand. Can't see all that money in the bike, especially considering it's low tech. You can get a very nice VFR for about 3.5K.
2) Low technology compared to the Honda (especially the engine)
3) Build quality good, but probably not as good as the Honda (second hand ones I've seen show quite a bit of corrosion. There's none on my 4 year old Viffer - it's like new).
4) Lack of power (I'm heavy - 18 stone - so the bike notices)
5) I hate spoked wheels. Why can't the GS be bought with alloys?
And the other side of the coin? Until I ride a GS, I won't really know whwether it's for me. But these are the percieved advantages over the Honda:
1) More relaxed, upright, seating position
2) More torque
3) More character
Assuming I take a test ride and I like the bike, is it worth the (say) 3.5 to 4K it would cost me to change to the GS?? Will the GS eventually come down to a more realistic price once the current 'must have' buying frenzy is over?
Oh, and as for the question of whether to start on a less powerful bike - definatly not. You will soon want to change to the bike you REALLY wanted, and will lose money on the first bike. Get the bike you want right away and take care with that right hand.
Flyer
