sven
Registered user
I had a demo on a GSA TC and had to fit the standard height seat off my GS MU in order to get a toe down (I'm the same height and inseam as you). A GS low seat would've probably been fine.
Do NOT test ride a GS
- Thread starter oldrascal
- Start date
I had a demo on a GSA TC and had to fit the standard height seat off my GS MU in order to get a toe down (I'm the same height and inseam as you). A GS low seat would've probably been fine.
Lukep749
Registered user
Eh up Sven
Thanks for the info, that's what I'll be looking for now.
Thanks for the info, that's what I'll be looking for now.
I agree. I ride one to work every day in London traffic. The electronic suspension allows you to ride like hooligan if need be or waft along like Ali Baba on his magic carpet on the soft suspension setting. The high seating position makes you more visible and able to see over cars. The bike is also capable off road, despite the weight. Try it in wales at BMWs off road training. I have ridden so many bikes that are better in one aspect or another, but none that will make you smile from ear to ear, constantly no matter what the environment or the roads including those that treat us as invisible whilst zombying in their cages. Nothing will absorb pot holes and road nasties that will deck you on most bikes. The handling is superb on hard setting, will even frighten sports bike riders. If you drop it. Pick it up. Mine has been on its side four times. The only scratch is on the engine bars. Try that on most bikes and you will be looking at thousands to put right. The bike has road presence and is very comfortable touring especially for the pillion. The only let down is screen that needs beefing up and Nippy Norman can help with a kit. The seats are pants (shameful BMW) but this can be rectified by an after market purchase from Touratech or Wunderlich.
Ram
Registered user
Just done exactly that, i have bought one and i haven't even seen it in the flesh yet. I come from sport bikes and enduro, so its probably going to feel 'orrible to start with, but its the right bike for me touring and going camping etc, so i hope i will learn to love it!
philhunt88
Registered user
I know this is an old post now, but ive just read it and the man is right, if you own a sports bike and test one you will probably hate it.
However in my case i had always owned the more sit up and beg versions of sports bikes ie Fazer1000, z1000, sv1000, that type of bike. I ended up selling my fazer as i simply wasnt riding it very often. However nine months later i was missing it, i knew i wanted to tour and id had always loved the look of a gsa.
When i went to the dealer i took mine out for an 8 hour test ride, and within an hour i had fallen in love with the bike, again like the chap who started this thread, im 6'3" with long legs, i just thought that this bike was made for me, not cramped up or any thing, slightly odd handling from what i was used to but i liked it.
The bike was purchased and after i collected it i took it for a long weekend up in scotland, i did 1800 miles over 3 days, by the time i got home it was as if the gsa was part of me, no issue of judging speed or braking distance nothing just an extension of me.
Now we are almost 4 years on from that trip to scotland and my bike has taken me nearly 50000 miles around europe. I have no desire to change the bike, i have no desire to look at another bike, i just want to carry on riding my 58 gsa further and further.
Best bike I've ever owned.
However in my case i had always owned the more sit up and beg versions of sports bikes ie Fazer1000, z1000, sv1000, that type of bike. I ended up selling my fazer as i simply wasnt riding it very often. However nine months later i was missing it, i knew i wanted to tour and id had always loved the look of a gsa.
When i went to the dealer i took mine out for an 8 hour test ride, and within an hour i had fallen in love with the bike, again like the chap who started this thread, im 6'3" with long legs, i just thought that this bike was made for me, not cramped up or any thing, slightly odd handling from what i was used to but i liked it.
The bike was purchased and after i collected it i took it for a long weekend up in scotland, i did 1800 miles over 3 days, by the time i got home it was as if the gsa was part of me, no issue of judging speed or braking distance nothing just an extension of me.
Now we are almost 4 years on from that trip to scotland and my bike has taken me nearly 50000 miles around europe. I have no desire to change the bike, i have no desire to look at another bike, i just want to carry on riding my 58 gsa further and further.
Best bike I've ever owned.
conkerman
Registered user
I ordered a brand new one without riding.
Just waiting for the call now
Just waiting for the call now
evoarrow
Registered user
3 bikes, never test rode any.
Me too, 3 bikes bought without test rides.. 
But the last I bought had a duff gearbox and the seller and the owner knew about it. 
But the last I bought had a duff gearbox and the seller and the owner knew about it. 
Likewise I didnt test ride mine R1200gs lc 2013 paid the man and rode it for the first time on my way home. Last bike was an Africa Twin . I dont regret it at all I love the bike
. I dont regret it at all I love the bikegrin factor
Registered user
Only time I didn't test ride a bike was an 03 blade. Rode off and thought buga, made a huge mistake. Eventually got use to it, but thought NEVER again. I enjoy test riding different bikes, recently a KTM 1050 Adventure, Duke hyperstrada, MV stradale, Yam tracer, its good fun and the only way to see if you like a bike or not.
Tries the new R1200R and think its mint, may be my next bike.
Tries the new R1200R and think its mint, may be my next bike.
First post and thought I'd read this thread. I'm used to gsxr's, blackbirds and zz1400's so know the riding experience of a gs will give me a few weeks of "this is different" but I'm determined to make the move.
This thread kind of made more sense to me than individual opinions because they will vary so much. So for now plenty of reading on what to look out for to help me on the deal when I get one but other than that just get on it and ride.
This thread kind of made more sense to me than individual opinions because they will vary so much. So for now plenty of reading on what to look out for to help me on the deal when I get one but other than that just get on it and ride.
Dirtnovice
Registered user
hi guys
I also Saw Charlie boorman, Last year. So now I just sold my zzr1400, (today). Snow and frost in Denmark. Made me sign Up the the gs whitout ever ridning one. My wife Think i am f..... Nuts. ( she rides a bmw k1200s).But i am very harpy to see others in the same situation end Up being happy With the gs.
I also Saw Charlie boorman, Last year. So now I just sold my zzr1400, (today). Snow and frost in Denmark. Made me sign Up the the gs whitout ever ridning one. My wife Think i am f..... Nuts. ( she rides a bmw k1200s).But i am very harpy to see others in the same situation end Up being happy With the gs.
sven
Registered user
I went from a K1200S to a 2009 GS MU and found it too slow and boring two-up, but OK one up. I now have a 2014 GS LC and it's much more fun and just fast enough for me not to pine for the performance of the K1200S. I may buy an S1000XR next though
Reggie P
Guest
Purchasing a bike without a test ride is sheer madness. I'm gobsmacked!
Seems to me like marrying a girl without sleeping with her first. Would you guys do that too?
Seems to me like marrying a girl without sleeping with her first. Would you guys do that too?
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.
I bought My 2014 GS TE as a first proper big bike after riding 125 scooters for 9 years. I love it and don't care what people think of me when i pull up at the ACE CAFE. I LOVE IT!!!
Those of us with loads of money don't care, if we don't like it we just sell it and buy another bike - but if you are a bit short then I guess you have to be more careful.
Well I didn't take this advice, not to test ride. I test rode the GS adventure then the RT and I found the GS more comfortable.So I bought one, traded in My 2013 Goldwing for it . ...
...
That's exactly what I did twice. I just go to the dealership and choose the bike. Never riden before. So scare when ride home but so love it
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