Commuting in the smog on a GS

[Russ]

Firstly, Hello

Secondly;

Currently have a VTEC which has been very good for my daily trudge in and out of London from Herts, i was wondering whether the GS (1150 or 12) be a better bet?

I do around 30 miles each way (M25, M1, A41) and am getting a mediocre 30mpg (with race cans, Powercommander etc...) although i don't ride slowly! and i get through a rear in around 5.5k miles and have the 4K mile service periods.

Now obviously the GS has a 6K service period, and i'm guessing better tyre wear? But i would really like to know from you guys what its like...

Squeezing through gaps?
Fuel Consumption (for fast in town riding)?
Is it good on the M-way (i.e. Stable? Fast?)?
Tyre life (especially when commuting)?
What is it like in the p***ing rain (is it easy to slide or confidence inspiring - obviously riding style dependant in certain respects!)?
What is it like during the winter months (anyone ridden one in the snow!)?

Questions, questions!

Thanks for your help

 

[newman7096]

Squeezing through gaps?
Fuel Consumption (for fast in town riding)?
Is it good on the M-way (i.e. Stable? Fast?)?
Tyre life (especially when commuting)?
What is it like in the p***ing rain (is it easy to slide or confidence inspiring - obviously riding style dependant in certain respects!)?
What is it like during the winter months (anyone ridden one in the snow!)?

Squeezing through gaps

Superb!

Fuel consumption

Great!

Motorway

Very stable upto 120mph!

Tyre life

Between 5000 and 9000 depending on tyre(rear)

Rain

Simply the best!

Ice

Ice is slippery whatever you ride!

You will not be disapointed with a GS!

I used to have a VFR and would not go back!

Take a test ride soon minimum 2hrs!

 

[turbine_2]

Squeezing through gaps?
Fuel Consumption (for fast in town riding)?
Is it good on the M-way (i.e. Stable? Fast?)?
Tyre life (especially when commuting)?
What is it like in the p***ing rain (is it easy to slide or confidence inspiring - obviously riding style dependant in certain respects!)?
What is it like during the winter months (anyone ridden one in the snow!)?

Questions, questions!

Thanks for your help

My route is M3, A316, A205 for comparison.

Squeezes through gaps that my blackbird would although the mirrors occasionally meet transit van mirrors.

Fuel consumption if you're mostly plodding will be around 35-40mpg. I do about 50 miles each way and the first 30 are motorway which gets me around 45 mpg

Fine on the motorway (cruises happily between 75 and 95) although the wind buffet can be a bit harsh for some.

Tyre life is excellent on tourances. The ones that were fitted with mine have lasted well (front still going strong at 18k miles, rear going well at 10k but was replaced due to a puncture orginally)

Not had any problems in the wet although the rear wheel does lock relatively easily on hard applicatino of the brakes (no ABS here). Not tried her in the snow but I ride in all weathers and she feels stable enough to me.

hope that helps.

David

 

[Russ]

Thanks for the feedback so far guys

Also what are the 020s like on the GS and what options are there for 'ear-bleedingly loud' race cans?

Ta

 

[mikeh501]

Haven't had my Adventure for long, but one thing which will be of major benefit is that you sit way higher and have far better vision on the GS than on a VFR. Put it this way, I can see over the top of most 4x4 efforts.

I had a Aprilia Futura (similar to a VFR) before this and I ride faster on the GS on 90% of roads than on the Aprilia. This is simply down to vision and road manners. I simply do not worry about road surface any more, which has given me loads more confidence to just chuck it in and gas it!

 

[Keyframe]

Simply the best !

I commute through the east-west across town every day with side boxes on no problem.

The two obvious advantages in town just as mikeh says

Seat height and riding postion give superb forward visibility therefore extra anticipation and planning. The upright riding position makes those safety checks into the blindspot and over the shoulder a doddle, even in the winter when you're wearing a bulky jacket. (mirrors are pretty good too)

Surfaces in town can be pretty ropey so the strong wheels and suspension will earn their keep. Don't spend too long up on the pegs though, gets you noticed...

We anticipate your arrival on the dark side.

 

[Twotter]

I commute up along the A14 to Cambridge most days and the GS is very good at being noticed by car drivers

 

[Sherringford Hovis]

Hello,

Squeezing through gaps? Have no problems and I travel in up the A2 through the Blackwall Tunnel. Occasionally have a mirror/mirror interface situation with Transits if they are over to one side of the lane.

Fuel Consumption (for fast in town riding)? I get about 45mpg on mixed motorway and townie plugging. It's 74 mikles each way of which 62 is motorway/fast dual carriageway, 3 lanes and the rest dragging up through the tunnel and round the city and into Islington.

Is it good on the M-way (i.e. Stable? Fast?)? Yes. I cruise at 70 (cough) all the way and then make progress in traffic.

Tyre life (especially when commuting)? 8500 on a pair of Tourances and now onto BT020's to see if it gets better.

What is it like in the p***ing rain (is it easy to slide or confidence inspiring - obviously riding style dependant in certain respects!)? I don't think I'll be giving Valentino any sliding lessons, but I have no problems in the wet, despite the pouffes in the magazines whinging about weight, the 1150 is pretty well balanced on the move!

What is it like during the winter months (anyone ridden one in the snow!)? In Winter it's like summer, only colder and you turn on the grips, slow down a bit on the wet stuff and the leaves if yuo have a country commute. Only done one snow ride on the GS and my wallet said stop before tyou f*ck the bike and can't pay for it!

 

[The_Pilot]

I have a 1200. I had the 1150 and agree with the comments so...

Squeezing through gaps? Fine, no probs, but I had no probs on a ST1300!!.
Fuel Consumption (for fast in town riding)? My overall is 53mpg so far, 6m of fast town, 15 mway@85+ and 5 of a road blat with plenty of right hand

Is it good on the M-way (i.e. Stable? Fast?)? Yes, more like a jap spotster than the 1150/ Some 1150 riders have said its twitchy, I disagree, I would say responsive. Fast? Fast enough to be fun without constantly checking the mirrors (Which you can now see out of at 90!!)

Tyre life (especially when commuting)? Dunno yet, only done 2000mls no signs of wear (Tourances)

What is it like in the p***ing rain (is it easy to slide or confidence inspiring - obviously riding style dependant in certain respects!)?
Confidence inspiring, although being light you have to get used to it as sometimes it'feels' like there's no grip. I think BT020s would help in this regard having a bigger contact patch and more gradual profile.

What is it like during the winter months (anyone ridden one in the snow!)?
Don't ride in the snow, frost, v cold yes, Snow...NO.