Does size matter...

[hondated]

I am nearly there after months of getting the other half to agree with me buying another new bike. Mind you I was silly and bought a Lotus Elise which I lost a bit of money on so I cannot really blame her for being so reluctant in letting me buy another bike. So it lookks like I have got the sign on to get one but am I too short and what one should I buy.
The first question is because I am 5' 10 inside leg 32" and the model I would like is the Adventurer. I sat on one in SL BMW Coulsdon ( great dealership, friendly) and in my normal shoes I could touch the floor but not flat footed. Can someone tell me how difficult it is to put the side stand down when sitting on the bike.

Now the model I prefer the is the Adventurer but sadly I am probably one of those riders that you all hate but I will say it anyhow the only off road riding I will probably do is in the car park at a race meeting or on a grass verge ( sorry ) so is this the right model to buy. The other thing I like about it is that it seems to be more comfortable than the base model.

I would welcome any views anyone has and because I am so keen to buy one I may even have to buy some cuban heel biking boots .

Cheers

 

[oly]

Buy the adventure - i am 5 ft 10 with inside leg of 29 inches. mine comes this friday. I have got a low seat seat from a standard gs - job sorted.
Dont worry about the off road thing - half the people on here talk the off road talk but never do it. The adventure is a good touring bike - ie wind protection etc.
Hurry up before the wifr changes her mind!!!

 

[hondated]

Cheers Oly. Your right I have got to act quickly Ted

 

[Phil Clarke]

By a standard GS
It has the same layout of controls so will be no less comfortable, is 20mm lower, is 15kgs or so lighter, still does 250 miles on a tankfull, its also a few quid cheaper (which you can spend on bling or petrol). You can fit an adventure screen and h&B tengine / tank bars if you want the adventure look.
Oh and it will still beat an adventure off road because of the lower seat height and weight!

Plus you look less like a wanabee Ewan-alike as well!

 

[hondated]

By a standard GS
It has the same layout of controls so will be no less comfortable, is 20mm lower, is 15kgs or so lighter, still does 250 miles on a tankfull, its also a few quid cheaper (which you can spend on bling or petrol). You can fit an adventure screen and h&B tengine / tank bars if you want the adventure look.
Oh and it will still beat an adventure off road because of the lower seat height and weight!

Plus you look less like a wanabee Ewan-alike as well!

Phil

Thanks for replying I now seem to be getting paranoid about the problems you can get even if you buy new. Can you tell me of your experiences. Cheers Ted

 

[Packer]

It's possible as said above to get a lower seat but you can also lower the suspension. Road orientated Tourance tyres are an option and if you're not going off road make a lot of sense.

If you like the ruffty tuffty off road adventure image buy it as you'll spend more money upgrading a standard GS otherwise.

The adventure will be likely to have a higher resale value as well.

 

[Phil Clarke]

Ted
Mine was bought new in 2005 - non ABS as I couldn't stretch to another 800 quid and I don't think I need it. I've had one final drive, a right hand rocker cover and a front engine cover replaced under warranty. The battery was getting a little tired after 2 years so I bought a new one before it croaked completely. Other than that no bother in 18k. Do a search on this site and you'll find endless tales of woe about 1200's. My advice is go buy one. BM are very good at sorting probs under warranty and even after the warranty has expired.

 

[Captain GSA]

NO CHOICE REALLY TO B MADE........

An ADVENTURE every time... the price difference is way less than the sum of it's parts......

You'll end up wanting a bigger screen, winglets, tank, beak extension, spoked wheels, longer travel.......

And it looks so much better than a standard GS.

Then there is the kudos of ownership..........

You'll end up wanting an Adventure the very first time you go out on a ride with someone who has got one.....

You see a lot of Adventure clones from standard GS's about-don't be one of them.......

AS FAR AS PROBLEMS, I HAVE HAD MY ONE SINCE '06 NEW- ONE REAR SHOCK and a BATTERY FAILURE, Warranty- I have done over 18k and play every day with it....

Your choice at the end of the day and the above is IMHO.

 

[stubox]

Get the Adventure , de cat it and thats it. No need to add anymore shiny toys and bits*.
Otherwise you'll be like Freelander owners always looking up at Disco's and Range Rovers and wishing 'that could be me'.

Stu

* this is obviously totally untrue.

 

[TheStig]

Go with what your heart tells you !! end of storey !!

 

[Captain GSA]

Get the Adventure , de cat it and thats it. No need to add anymore shiny toys and bits*.
Otherwise you'll be like Freelander owners always looking up at Disco's and Range Rovers and wishing 'that could be me'.

Stu

* this is obviously totally untrue.

Toys are for boys...... and I'm one of the biggest!

I have a full headers/remus system on a 12 GSA but with far too many toys bolted on

 

[Captain GSA]

Go with what your heart tells you !! end of storey !!

Cold..........so cold-

























































but so true..........

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

It's possible as said above to get a lower seat but you can also lower the suspension. Road orientated Tourance tyres are an option and if you're not going off road make a lot of sense.

If you like the ruffty tuffty off road adventure image buy it as you'll spend more money upgrading a standard GS otherwise.

The adventure will be likely to have a higher resale value as well.

Yes you can but don't confuse this fella