Another newbie, Help!

[SRT]

Hi all,
I have just joined with a view to finding a replacement for my K1100RS and would appreciate any help and advice established GSer's may be able to pass on. I am 5'6" and have no problem getting my feet down on the K11 but I'm worried about a GS. I have ridden a 1200, that's okay, but what about an 1150 or GSA? Are there any 1150/GSA riders out there who are also "short in the leg department". What modifications have you made to overcome the problem? As I said, I would appreciate any tips you may be able to pass on, Cheers, Steve.

 

[AdyJ]

John Wayne is big leggee....

I had the same concerns, and although I haven't bought a GSA yet, I have test ridden one with a low seat and find it's okay. I'm 5ft 8 inches tall, but am currently riding a ZX12R (big bike but fairly low). I found that the GSA felt quite well balanced, but then again I didn't get my feet down on a massively off camber road to test the 'off-balance' weight.

Why don't you book a test ride at a BMW dealer. It's the only sure way of finding out. If they are helpful, I'm sure they'd fit a low seat to the beastie before you take it out?

Despite any reservations (and the only ones are about weight really), I still intend to go for one after I come back following the TT!

 

[SRT]

Test rides for the vertically challenged!

Thanks Adyj,
I know that at the end of the day a test ride is the only real answer, I had heard that one mod was to fit shocks from an 1150 to a GSA but wondered just how much difference this made and was it worth bothering with? Different shocks, a lo
w seat, a pair of clogs........ might just do the trick !!!!
Thanks again, Steve.

 

[Possu]

At 5'6" I'd avoid the GSA.

My 5'4" girlfriend has just bought an 1150GS, rides it with no problems although we may remove 1/2" of seat foam to be on the safe side.

 

[SRT]

At 5'6" I'd avoid the GSA.

My 5'4" girlfriend has just bought an 1150GS, rides it with no problems although we may remove 1/2" of seat foam to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the reply Steve, at this point this thread has had 138 hits, I thought folk might have come up with a few more alternatives, hey ho!

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Get your self a nice late 1100 and get the rear shock lower mounting re-drilled 18mm higher up. This lowers the seat height by 75mm (3”)

See an old thread here

 

[Banjaxed]

Not being rude but...

It's yer inside leg measurement that counts. For long-bodied/short legged people, the GSA is a helluva stretch and there's no advantage over the stock GS. Changing the shocks means changing the stands too...

 

[Rich]

As an all round smaller person I found the GSA a little large, and hence the 12 suited.
However, there shorter GSA riders than me, so its a personal thing.
Im just under 5'8' but I have short legs. Im pretty used to not flatfooting it, Im on toes normally and if you slide a cheek off the seat a little it helps it you really want to stabilise. I dont have a low seat btw, just the seat on the lower setting.

But Ive had a few scares where the camber is just that bit dippy, or on a single track when you realise your foots going in the gutter....

Whatever you buy get some crashbars as you will drop it, even just walking it around in the drive or something. But they save the day and all is well. I'd rather risk dropping this bike a bit than not dropping a compromise.

One thing that bothers me tho is if I ever take a pillion. I will feel less than stable. Maybe just another learning hurdle to overcome, dont know.

 

[kyle]

Thanks for the reply Steve, at this point this thread has had 138 hits, I thought folk might have come up with a few more alternatives, hey ho!

test ride is your best bet..also as paulf said its the inside leg that counts im 5'11 but only 30" inside leg . i ride gs with seat in high position . i can either get toes down on both sides or flat foot on one side which is what i do just need to decide which is best and practice as for andyj saying about' off balance weight ' you will see that c of g is low for tall bike it can lean a good bit before getting too heavy, if it does go beyond that you will have trouble holding it up . i dropped mine once , in reality i set it down gently but could not have stopped it going over . not a mark on it with just head protectors .now have h + b crash bars

dont be put off get your test drive bet you never look back

good luck

 

[Gecko]

Thanks for the reply Steve, at this point this thread has had 138 hits, I thought folk might have come up with a few more alternatives, hey ho!

Hey ho ... if the thread title was a bit more explicit people with no opinion on the subject and normal legs may not bother viewing it would they

 

[Rich]

Hey ho ... if the thread title was a bit more explicit people with no opinion on the subject and normal legs may not bother viewing it would they

Not sure about that. Its probably lots of other newbs and considerers seeing what advice the learned have dispensed.

 

[SRT]

Get your self a nice late 1100 and get the rear shock lower mounting re-drilled 18mm higher up. This lowers the seat height by 75mm (3”)

See an old thread here

Thanks Paul, this is just the kind of stuff I was looking for! seeing Chris on the bike is a perfect example for me, Thank you very much, Steve

 

[SRT]

Hey ho ... if the thread title was a bit more explicit people with no opinion on the subject and normal legs may not bother viewing it would they

It was my first post ! you have over 3000! I'm just learning

 

[Gecko]

No excuses ! ....just get yerself longer legs

 

[Minustide]

I ride an 1150GS and had probs with getting my feet on the ground as I have a 29" inseam. I took my seat to a custom seat fitter and he was able to get me on the balls of my feet on both sides. I can easily place one foot on the ground on either side with little effort. I have to be very carefull where I stop to make sure I have the correct clearance for my short legs to touch down. I have the rear shock adjusted to the lightest setting for myself. I set it just two clicks heavier for my wife and the machine sits low enuf for my feet to sit flat on the ground with the two of us. This is good as loaded with two people the control issues at a stop become more difficult.
For short folks (like me) it is a delicate balancing act at a stop but not insurmountable. The next thing I'm looking at is replacing the stock shocks as they wear out with shorter Oehlins.