Do NOT test ride a GS

[KazmaxGS]

No test ride

I wholeheartedly agree with Old Rascal, however, being a short statured woman, inside leg of a mere 28 inches, I am vertically challenged so have to at least sit on the bikes to ensure I can touch the ground and need to try lowered versions. The dealer is able to provide a lowered R1200GS for me to try, however, being small I am not sure I have the physical capabilities to handle it so am considering the F800GS. However, this is a taller framed bike and not sure that even lowered, I would be able to touch the ground sufficiently. The dealer is unable to get hold of a lowered F800GS for me to try so do not know what to do.

If there is anyone out there, Midlands area, with a lowered F800GS that would be willing to let me sit on it - not ride, just sit, I would be eternally grateful as I would then know whether I would be able to get one.

I have done a tour of Europe on my Yamaha XJ6, which was great, with with intended touring mileage of much much more and a trip to Morocco next year a GS is the way to go.

Help please

 

[Dazzle]

Get the 650 (800 engine) they do a low version and they are lower to start with just as good as 800 if you don't want to do any extreme off road

 

[GSConvert]

Oh how easily suckered we are! I went in the showroom last month to prove my legs were too short to ride such a beast...... Now the Ninja's key is hung up and pride of place in the garage is a fully kitted 10 plate Gs adventure.

 

[Bryn]

Oh how easily suckered we are! I went in the showroom last month to prove my legs were too short to ride such a beast...... Now the Ninja's key is hung up and pride of place in the garage is a fully kitted 10 plate Gs adventure.

Welcome to the site !

 

[Bendy toy]

I wholeheartedly agree with Old Rascal, however, being a short statured woman, inside leg of a mere 28 inches, I am vertically challenged so have to at least sit on the bikes to ensure I can touch the ground and need to try lowered versions. The dealer is able to provide a lowered R1200GS for me to try, however, being small I am not sure I have the physical capabilities to handle it so am considering the F800GS. However, this is a taller framed bike and not sure that even lowered, I would be able to touch the ground sufficiently. The dealer is unable to get hold of a lowered F800GS for me to try so do not know what to do.

Seat height is only part of the story. A low(er) but wide seat could need longer legs than a tall narrow seat. I also find it easier to just use my right foot and keep the left on the footpeg. In the UK, there is less risk of putting my foot into a dropped drain cover or gutter and I actually feel more secure with only one leg dangling as I stop.

 

[Delboy777]

Yup, that's right, if you have never ridden a GS before, whatever happens, do NOT test ride a GS.

Now I know that this advice goes totally contrary to what fellow Tossers advise and, for that matter, goes against common sense as well. I mean what sort of blithering idiot buys a bloody expensive bit of kit like a GS without first reassuring themselves that they like and enjoy the experience.

Well this blithering idiot for one. Here is why.

I have ridden motorbikes for over 30 years, each one getting faster, lairier and more manic than the last...........actually, the last was a 2008 GTX1300Hayabusa..........more manic than that wee beastie is hard to find, I am sure you all agree.

But creeping senility, arthritis and general can't-be-fagged to scream around the national road system made me consider changing.

Now like everyone, I saw and enjoyed Euan and Charlie's escapades and it got me a thinkin' and a wonderin'.

So I sloped off to have a look around a new GSA at the dealership and liked what I saw. I also have to admit to being well suited to the GSA in particular because I am 6ft 3in and have a 34in inside leg. But there is no question that anyone can ride a GS if not the GSA, even if your femur is on the stunted side.

Of course the dealer offered me a test ride and I turned it down. You see I knew that I was not going to enjoy the experience comong from the sports bike world. The two worlds are just totally different, so much so that you have to use other criteria when judging whether or not to buy.

There was no way that I could appreciate the subtleties the GS experience without days of hands-on riding, and there was no way that was on offer from the dealer.

So it became an intellectual excercise and the choice was made.

And I am just so delighted that I took my own advice because when I picked up the GSA and rode it the 40 miles back home, I just disliked it and the whole experience left me cold. How could I compare this strange sit-up-and-beg riding experience and the asthmatic engine with the Hayabuse and still say that I had made the right choice.

Well one month later and I am besotted with the bloody thing. I consistently ride on routes that used to take me longer on the Suzuki and I am relaxed, comfortable and HAVING FUN. I don't need to dress like a power-ranger and nobody cares if I just bimble along enjoying the MP3 tunes being piped to my helmet.

Yup, as I said, whatever you do, DON'T TEST RIDE A GS. Just go for it.......you will never regret it for one minute and will revel in its versatility and sheer fun.

Well i have taken your advice albeit that i hadnt read this post before id done it. Traveled some 120 miles too the dealer sat on a factory lowered GS with the option of either a low seat or a standard one. Suits me fine and i have short legs too. Havent ridden it yet but im looking forward to doing that on Saturday when i pick it up. Incidentally id be happy with a standard GS with a low seat just as much as a factory lowered version with the standard seat (for future ref) Bye bye street triple R

 

[Nutty]

Incidentally id be happy with a standard GS with a low seat just as much as a factory lowered version with the standard seat (for future ref) Bye bye street triple R

In that case, go for a standard bike with a low seat; it'll be worth more and easier to sell when you chop it in next time round.

 

[Delboy777]

In that case, go for a standard bike with a low seat; it'll be worth more and easier to sell when you chop it in next time round.

The deal is done now and the lowered bike is the only twin cam that they had in the second hand dept. I intend keeping this bike so it wont matter re chop in value. My manager wont let me buy a new one anyway

 

[Bendy toy]

I didn't even bother with a test ride. I had already sat on a 1200GSA to be sure I could reach the floor. The bike I found was close to perfect so we did the deal and I'm now the proud owner of an 08 GSA MU. It's magnesium colour complete with all the new bike options (including ESA) full BMW luggage quite a few farkles and a large Givi Trecker topcase for when the alloy case is too fiddly small.

Ive just ridden it 150 miles home and the biggest hassle was working out the switchgear which took all of a few miles to get sussed.

Am I one happy camper? Oh yes!

 

[FBMartin]

opps...first post 'n'all...I'll get there in the end

 

[FBMartin]

I too came from the sports bike fold but went one step further, I had never sat on a GS before I bought one and had the bike delivered from the dealers and couldn't ride it for two days because of work so it sat next to my blade looking rather large and cumbersome. Now five years on my only regret is that I didn’t get one sooner and I should have got the GSA. The blade hasn’t even been started since that fateful day and I still have that 04 GS which I have done 68,000 miles on, a 06 GSA which I added 26,000 miles to the clock and a 56 plate GSA with a total 728 miles on it…Just get one...or two, or three but keep the blade just incase you don't like the GS

This is my first post by the way

 

[Bugbear]

The OP post certainly rang a few bells with me too. I bought mine (1150GS) without a test ride (my first BMW after a lifetime of Triumphs). Paid for it and set off only to so very nearly dropping it at the first road junction after stalling it.
rode it 60 miles home and have loved it ever since.
The only thing that needs attention is when stopping - get that foot well planted as, unless you're built like a gorilla, a gravel/foot slip invariably leads to tears.

 

[Bryn]

opps...first post 'n'all...I'll get there in the end

Welcome to the site

 

[chad]

I too came from the sports bike fold but went one step further, I had never sat on a GS before I bought one and had the bike delivered from the dealers and couldn't ride it for two days because of work so it sat next to my blade looking rather large and cumbersome. Now five years on my only regret is that I didn’t get one sooner and I should have got the GSA. The blade hasn’t even been started since that fateful day and I still have that 04 GS which I have done 68,000 miles on, a 06 GSA which I added 26,000 miles to the clock and a 56 plate GSA with a total 728 miles on it…Just get one...or two, or three but keep the blade just incase you don't like the GS

This is my first post by the way

Good proper first post

 

[sanensafe]

Well, I didn't read this post prior to making the change but had been admiring GSs from afar for some time. I always said I wouldn't get one as they are so common. I always thought my next bike would be orange ;-)
My 900 hornet has done me good service but the lack of any weather protection has been a problem in the last 12 months.
Having looked at the paltry equipment on the Swiss alternative I opted for a test ride on a GSA as after sitting on them in the dealer's they have the leg room I need and as a gadget loving male it has enough OE kit to satisfy me for a while. I was always going to test an XTZ Super10 too to make sure I had chosen the right bike.
Went to Rainbow in Rotherham and Ian sorted me a test ride. After 2 miles I could have turned round dumped it and run off. An hour later I was smitten and sacked all the other test rides and started trawling the inter Web.
I have put a deposit on a 2011 GSA and the Hornet goes this weekend, and I now understand why they are everywhere, what an amazing bike.
Now how do I make Nippy Norman a rich man.

 

[PaulAds]

A great bit of advice! I took my bike test last year with the dream of riding an R1200 GS. I was concerned that it would be too much after just passing my test and spoke to my biking friends and instructors and had a mixed bag of opinions. Well my heart ruled and I passed my test on a Tuesday and bought the GS on the Wednesday followed by a 250 mile round trip to collect the bike and ride it home on the Friday! Three months on and I've covered 3k miles on her and love it! For sure at first I was concerned about my choice but the riding position and being seen by others is such a confidence boost.

A trip across the Alps or around Scandinavia is on the cards with luck this summer.

 

[old bm git]

Yup, that's right, if you have never ridden a GS before, whatever happens, do NOT test ride a GS.

Now I know that this advice goes totally contrary to what fellow Tossers advise and, for that matter, goes against common sense as well. I mean what sort of blithering idiot buys a bloody expensive bit of kit like a GS without first reassuring themselves that they like and enjoy the experience.

Well this blithering idiot for one. Here is why.

I have ridden motorbikes for over 30 years, each one getting faster, lairier and more manic than the last...........actually, the last was a 2008 GTX1300Hayabusa..........more manic than that wee beastie is hard to find, I am sure you all agree.

But creeping senility, arthritis and general can't-be-fagged to scream around the national road system made me consider changing.

Now like everyone, I saw and enjoyed Euan and Charlie's escapades and it got me a thinkin' and a wonderin'.

So I sloped off to have a look around a new GSA at the dealership and liked what I saw. I also have to admit to being well suited to the GSA in particular because I am 6ft 3in and have a 34in inside leg. But there is no question that anyone can ride a GS if not the GSA, even if your femur is on the stunted side.

Of course the dealer offered me a test ride and I turned it down. You see I knew that I was not going to enjoy the experience comong from the sports bike world. The two worlds are just totally different, so much so that you have to use other criteria when judging whether or not to buy.

There was no way that I could appreciate the subtleties the GS experience without days of hands-on riding, and there was no way that was on offer from the dealer.

So it became an intellectual excercise and the choice was made.

And I am just so delighted that I took my own advice because when I picked up the GSA and rode it the 40 miles back home, I just disliked it and the whole experience left me cold. How could I compare this strange sit-up-and-beg riding experience and the asthmatic engine with the Hayabuse and still say that I had made the right choice.

Well one month later and I am besotted with the bloody thing. I consistently ride on routes that used to take me longer on the Suzuki and I am relaxed, comfortable and HAVING FUN. I don't need to dress like a power-ranger and nobody cares if I just bimble along enjoying the MP3 tunes being piped to my helmet.

Yup, as I said, whatever you do, DON'T TEST RIDE A GS. Just go for it.......you will never regret it for one minute and will revel in its versatility and sheer fun.

test ride one? i couldnt get on one of the bl***y things not for the want of not trying

 

[beachnut]

So this may sound familiar but here goes:
A Blackbird rider with failing knees who only did 600 miles on it last year tells his wife he is going to sell it and give up biking.
On his way back from getting oil to service the BB before sale he stops in a garage opposite the Oxford BMW dealership.
So what is it about these 1200GS things?
I go in the showroom, they give me a nice coffee and hear me moaning about the BB and my knees...
How much are these GS things anyway - ?
"take a look at this second hand one what do you think"
Seems nice but what are they like to ride?
Curious - what will they give me for my 2004 BB with 10k miles on it?
Came back the next day for a test ride.
NEXT DAY:
Short instruction on the switches and dials - indicators etc.
get on it and press start - - - off we go - wait, where are the foot pegs??
panic - feet down - lets try again - ok, feel like a harley rider - lets pull out and off we go - oooops - how do I steer this thing - just miss the kerb - no one saw me...

Brakes seem OK - lets try her out...
Feel like I should have a white silk scarf or something - am I flying a Sopwith Camel?
why am I smiling - people are waving to me from the roadside do I look stupid or something?
let's take a left here - I remember this road, national speed limit and a few twisties - this thing is fun - vibes but really comfortable, oops how fast did I go around that corner?

...get back to the dealership - smug salesman - we do a deal and I tell my wife what I am doing - she floors me by telling me she will go on the back of this one - I panic - how much is BMW poser gear??
So - done like a kipper - I like riding again, already done 600 miles in less than 3 weeks - now the next problem - I have a 3k limit per year on my insurance from riding the BB and need to change it......

 

[chad]

Nice one beechnut welcome to the madhouse

 

[beachnut]

Thanks Chad, - I like it here, just need to find a reason now to start using the luggage