Any short arses ride a 1200GS?

[earthmover]

I'm not exactly tall, 5'7", but have ridden bikes where I couldn't get my foot flat down all my life so its not an issue. The standard seat in the front high/rear low position is the most comfortable riding position for me, so it just means I have to either slide my arse to one side, or put my right foot down, depending on camber. Its more about your confidence than the height of the bike.
Mark

 

[Jonno58]

I paid a visit to Williams in Manchester today and tried out a few different models, size/height wise
I'm only 5'-6" short with a 29" inside leg & 10 stone wet through.
F700GS with a low seat - feet flat on the floor.
F700GS standard seat - balls of the feet on the floor
F800GS with a standard seat - hard to get off the side stand it leans over that far and struggling to touch the floor.
R1200GS with a low seat - balls of the feet on the floor and easier than the 800 to lift off the side stand.

I've always wanted a 1200GS but the weight and height has always put me off. Now I've tried one, even if it was just sitting on it, some of the trepidation has gone away. I've heard the are easy enough when on the move. But it's coming to a stop that has always bothered me.
Food for though now though.

Any other shorties gone to a 1200GS?

Hi vRSG60, I'm 5' 8" with 29" Inside Leg, 10 Stone multiplied by 1.3. I bought a 1200 GSA with Factory Lowered Seat Height Reduction to 840mm, didn't need the Low Seat 820mm option, can get both feet flat on floor on level surface, 'paddle' backwards ok when need to. I've learnt that when completing a stop to release the brakes just prior to planting feet and the suspension 'drops' the bike lower. Only time I need to be careful is if stopping with a nearside camber it can be tricky getting the bike level to set off again. You're not a million miles away, I'm happy to meet up somewhere if it helps you assess.

 

[vRSG60]

Hi vRSG60, I'm 5' 8" with 29" Inside Leg, 10 Stone multiplied by 1.3. I bought a 1200 GSA with Factory Lowered Seat Height Reduction to 840mm, didn't need the Low Seat 820mm option, can get both feet flat on floor on level surface, 'paddle' backwards ok when need to. I've learnt that when completing a stop to release the brakes just prior to planting feet and the suspension 'drops' the bike lower. Only time I need to be careful is if stopping with a nearside camber it can be tricky getting the bike level to set off again. You're not a million miles away, I'm happy to meet up somewhere if it helps you assess.

Thanks Jonno

 

[Guigsy]

170cm (5'7") and 65kg (10st3lb?) and I ride a standard GS. Note that if you have an ESA bike, it'll be a slightly different height when it's running to when it's off. I don't notice when I start it, but it definitely relaxes when you key it off. I'm not that confident wheeling it about. Getting it off the centre stand can be a bit hairy, but I think that's lack of practice. I can paddle it about reasonably well. Not dropped it yet.

The only issue I've had was when I was touring around Scotland and it was fully loaded. I parked it on the side stand in a gravelly layby towards the end of the day and failed to spot how much of a slant it was on, especially when the stand dug-in. I was tired and it took a lot of swearing and several attempts to lift it. As an afterthought, had I dropped the suspension back from the 'plus luggage' setting, it probably would have made it easier as it would have relaxed the angle.

Oh, and don't underestimate how long and wide they are. GSs may be nimble and easy to balance once you're rolling at a granny's shuffling pace, but if the gap is too small, you aren't going to fit. You've got very wide bars with large hand guards, wide mirrors and engine heads poking out which means you can't do the snick between car mirrors like other bikes can. Commuting through Birmingham is very frustrating compared to the smaller bikes I've had in the past.

 

[Millmax]

Just get a factory lowered GS and the problem is no more and it will handle better on the road anyway which is where most riding is done.

Correct, I have just bought a factory low after having a standard GS both LC models, the factory low is a totally different bike. I'm pretty much the same size as you, although a tad heaver

 

[Bendy toy]

I can't get both feet flat on the floor from my GSA with standard seat but it's really not an issue. Right foot is comfortably flat when left is on foot peg with no obvious arse shuffling and vice-versa.
Road cambers and drain covers can be an issue with left foot down but that's the case with anything other than a low riding cruiser/Harley. So I habitually use right foot in traffic.
I never paddle it backwards (1) it's a heavy bike and I value my leg bones. (2) it makes me look a twonk.
Get off drop the side stand and push it backwards.
If it's a downhill I'll consider paddling but still prefer to leave it in gear and get off the bike. Clutch works as a brake so it can't roll away.
Get caught out needing to reverse on a narrow seriously cambered Devon lane and you will have problems. But I defy all but six footers to be happy in such situations.

 

[Delboy777]

Im 5" 8 in with 29 in in-seam and I have an Adventure !!

 

[moby299]

5'7" & 29" inside leg. Did the same, went to dealer, sat on one, thought "these don't seem that bad actually" and bought one. Changes your riding style a bit but you soon get your eye in. Buy one. I'm glad I did and now i'm looking for a GSA. Agree with earlier comment..... "your a long time dead..."

 

[Paul C]

Just under 5'6". 29" inside leg. 12 stone. 1200 GSA with a Sargent low seat. 54,000 miles so far. No problems.

 

[ianran]

I can get both feet down on a GSA, 29" inside leg. Mind I spent a tidy sum putting 4" lower Wilbers on it. Excellent handling and firmly supported bike when my wife gets on, absolutely essential as she is an amputee.

 

[agent2494]

Yep short arse here 29 leg 6ft tall no problems with 50,000 miles under my belt


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