Any short arses ride a 1200GS?

[vRSG60]

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?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Don't use both feet just use one. You will be much more stable and less prone to the "oh shit there is a hollow there" crash!

 

[Colin]

short arse

I am 5'6" with 29 inside leg. 13 st. I have a F700GS, with factory low suspension.
and low seat, I also have a bmw touring seat, which I use most of the time. feet flat on the floor.
I had a 2003 R850R. before and 2 R100 rs/rt.
I have sat on a 1200GS, factory lowered but on the balls of my feet, I didn't feel confident enough to ride it, it felt top heavy. high centre of gravity. and I would have needed risers to bring the bars closer. It's not the weight that bothers me I have 2 Harleys which are heavier but low. the problem would be if I had to stop and the ground was uneven I might not be able to get my feet down.

 

[Wicker]

A bit taller and heavier than you but similar inside leg measurement. I have fitted a Touratech low seat but also use a Airhawk which means the seat height is some where around a BMW low seat height; bike has just turned 55K miles in 5 years of my ownership so you could say we get on okay.

GS is a tall bike but is fine on the move. You do need to be careful where you park camber wise as it is a big push to get if off the side stand if you are short in the leg - a side stand extension (height) helps. Also found that my leg kept catching the rear seat when getting off - removed the rear seat as it was a PITA and I don't carry passengers anyway. If you use the ESA settings for off-road the bike is even taller which is fine when you are rolling but can be interesting when you try and put a foot down when stopping.

BMW do a lowered suspension version of the GS - try this if you can find one in a dealers (noticed that Motorrad Central in Dalkieth (Edinburgh) happens to have used one in stock at the moment). Noticeably lower and feet firmly planted.

If you do not intend to off-road try the R1200R - same engine and running gear, lower, and just a good all-round proposition as the GS if you stick to tarmac. I would have another GS but am smitten with the RS .....

 

[NigelM]

I'm a short arse, not quite so much as a short arse as you admittedly, but still a short arse. 5'8" and 30" inside leg.

2012 R1200GSA. Std seat in low position more than manageable with balls of feet on the floor. As soon as you get going it's not an issue at all. Got a bit pissed off with the std seat comfort and invested in a Sargent seat, deciding to go for the low seat option. Found the low/low position was actually too low for me, but the high/low is just perfect, and much more comfortable than the standard version. Good investment.

Dither no longer, just go buy one. And us short arses also have the benefit that the protection from the std screen is fantastic so we don't have the same issues as the big buggers needing to buy aftermarket screens or extensions or whining about buffeting.

 

[Joe narvey]

If you ever get to see footage of jenny at the bmw off road school you will see how someone shorter can throw the bike around..

 

[Bungy]

I'm 5'7" and 29" inside leg. I ride a GSA which is taller than a GS and manage fine. One leg down when starting/stopping and manoeuvre Off of the bike rather than trying to paddle it around. I do feel like a tick on a sheep sometimes.

 

[Roymondo]

https://youtu.be/kRFyw57o_Ic

 

[mrtee43]

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.

 

[MikeS]

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.

What he said.

 

[Mr Anderson]

I'm 5ft 7" with 30" inseam close the 31" with boots on! I weigh 10st 6.

Managed a 2010 GSA ok with standard seat on my own, but tippy toes if both feet down. Any camber and it was difficult to get off the side stand but manageable to some extent.

Then I fitted the TT x low seat (balls of my feet down) a lot better and could now use ESA modes etc.. Touring was good! Just respect where you stop and avoid u turns fully loaded.

 

[UturnTony]

5'7" here and done thousands of miles on GS12's and yes, have fell over with them a few times but, you learn to live with it.

 

[vRSG60]

Thanks all.

 

[OBY1]

Similar to you. I'm 5'7", about 30" inseam and 70kg. I dithered over a F800 and a R1200GS for ages. I've had a VFR for years and always regarded it as my 'limit' for what I could comfortably handle, especially on off camber junctions and kerbs.

I booked a test ride of the 2 back to back to make my mind up, choosing the F800 first thinking it would be the easier. I found it a perch to climb onto and, although light on the move, had a 'moment' at 1 junction which made me decline to even try the R1200. 2 years later I finally bought an R1200 and never looked back. Hard to describe but it is just so easy to handle, both stationary and on the move. Easier than the VFR by far. I think the big wide bars are something to do with it.

Just do it, you won't look back.

 

[JerseyNeil]

I'm a fraction over 29 inside leg and have had my GS1200 for 3 years. Standard ESA suspension and standard seat on the low setting. I borrowed a low seat off a mate after a week of riding it and although it was obviously lower I felt like a race horse jockey hunched up when riding so removed it after a 5 mile ride. I have never looked back.

Are you sure the 1200 you sat on was on the low seat setting?

Again as others have said best control, no mater how tall you are, is one foot down other on the peg. I do this always and have a perfectly flat foot and a solid stance. I tried a GSA prior to the GS and was not happy with the height but have ridden a few since and wondered what I was worried about. A lot of it is in the mind. Obviously you need to be aware where you stop and put your foot down but this should be a consideration no matter how tall you are.

If you fancy one go for it. Your a long time dead.


Neil

 

[haditlowered]

5'6" factory lowered and low seat 1200GS, 29 inside leg, 12 stone. No issues after you've gained confidence, watch where you stop.. occasionally if the front and rear wheel are on a crown, that extra inch or so to the road seem a long way when you put your foot down, but the bike is all low down weight and a doddle really and i find it easier to ride than my 748!! which has a wide seat. If i was buying again i'd be very tempted with a full height ESA and low seat now i have confidence on it.

 

[APE]

I'm 5' 6" and a bit lighter than you and have owned a standard 1150GS and now 2 1200GS's - always with standard seat and higher than standard (they sag less) Ohlins. Regularly ride 2 up with luggage in Europe. Height isn't an issue put one foot down when you stop. Use your body weight when lifting the bike off the stand (lean against it). Mount the bike when it's upright (don't get on it first). Get off to wheel it backwards.

Maybe fit some crashbars if you are worried ....avoid a lowered GSA you will look like a knob.

 

[Hoff]

5`8", 30" inside leg. factory lowered GS (TC) with Touratech low seat. Both feet flat on ground, just watch out for camber and holes in ground otherwise no problems.

 

[Sandman]

Another shorty here, 5'6" and 29" inside leg.

I'm now on my second GS. First was a 2006 with Hyperpro lowered springs and low BMW seat, then bought a low Sargent seat and just collected a 2012 GS Triple Black from Williams which is standard height with ESA.

I still have my Sargent low seat on the TB and the ESA is set on Norm, one rider. I get one foot down flat whilst the other is sat firmly on the opposite peg, exactly where it should be.

I have done two BMW GS courses down in Wales and learnt a lot about riding the bike, handling it at low speed and manhandling it when off the bike. You rarely need two feet flat on the floor and it is all about technique. I'd recommend the BMW courses to anyone, Simon Pavey and his team are excellent.

As has been said by previous posters, you will not be disappointed with a standard height bike with a low seat. You'll quickly gain confidence riding it and coming to a stop will be a fear of the past. You can even ditch the low seat if you get confident enough to go to a standard seat. Getting a factory lowered bike would mean changing the whole bike, not just the seat.

Go for it!!! I did and there isn't another bike out there at the moment to get me off my R1200GS

 

[Wicker]

Met someone short you rode a GSA. His solution to the bike height issue was to have 'platform' soles added to his motorcycle boots. Sidi sports boots with a raised sole just looked stupid and a bit