Early thoughts..

[FastFred]

Had my 09 GS12 about three weeks now and covered only 400 miles ish. Took ma bitch on the back yesterday (first time for over a decade; part of the deal of me buying something sensible and getting rid of the jap bikes). She enjoyed it although getting on and off was amusing. Bike felt more rough and unrefined than solo and I was a little unsure of my bike choice as 'a keeper' returning home.

Today had a great ride solo. Keep above 3000rpm and it's a different bike; below it's a dog. Handling is great and it's growing on me on the whole. Think you need to ride them a bit aggressively and not too smooth it seems. Suspension is very compliant and one can motor along on B roads much quicker than the sportsters.

It's a bike as opposed to a showpiece. That's why I have ridden the GS more times in the last few weeks than I probably rode my Tuono all last year. I returned home today and didn't wash the bike...

Looking forward to some touring this year and Manx in August

 

[C-J]

Today had a great ride solo. Keep above 3000rpm and it's a different bike; below it's a dog. Handling is great and it's growing on me on the whole.

Had my 09 for nearly 2 months.. had the same thoughts as you re the engines behavior below 3000rpm... I ended up running in second gear round town just to make thiings smoother.....


However i refer you to this... http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210687

it solved my problems.. much nicer at lower revs now...

 

[FastFred]

Yes I saw that thread. Should I fit one? I couldn't be bothered wading thro the umpteen pages and couln't find the promised dyno test?

 

[chipsonfriday]

Yes I saw that thread. Should I fit one? I couldn't be bothered wading thro the umpteen pages and couln't find the promised dyno test?

Yes, yes and um yes. Cheapest and most effective mod you will ever make.

 

[claw]

....Suspension is very compliant and one can motor along on B roads much quicker than the sportsters....

Last year when i went for a ride out with my mates mates round the scottish borders, they actually said to him behind my back that that thing (my GSA) was going to hold them up for the rideout
They were on blades.

They were very quiet at the first tea and cake stop an hour later

I think those types who only read superberks magazine and little else are usually pretty shocked to see a GS/GSA move along in the twisty bits.

 

[C-J]

Yes I saw that thread. Should I fit one? I couldn't be bothered wading thro the umpteen pages and couln't find the promised dyno test?

Dunno if it increases horse power... not really bothered... but makes the engine smoother at low revs...

 

[elefantman]

hi octane petrol vpower/ultimate does much the same thing without fucking up your warranty

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

hi octane petrol vpower/ultimate does much the same thing without fucking up your warranty

No it doesn't, high octane fuel will do nothing for a pre 2010 bike as it doesn't need it, in fact it could actually reduce power as its harder to burn.

 

[snerkler]

Had my 09 for nearly 2 months.. had the same thoughts as you re the engines behavior below 3000rpm... I ended up running in second gear round town just to make thiings smoother.....


However i refer you to this... http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210687

it solved my problems.. much nicer at lower revs now...

Bike engines are meant to be be revved aren't they? So what are you doing riding under 3000rpm anyway

 

[FastFred]

Good idea Snerkler. I'll change the GS12 tomorrow for an R6 Yamaha. Then I can rev it to 18000rpm. Thanks for your valuable contribution to the thread

 

[Yonkyo]

Hey, Fastfred
Go and buy a Accelerator wire, now.
Take some time and read through the thread. Warranty is not an issue (see thread). This is the single most effective and inexpensive improvement you can make to way the GS runs.

 

[humfreybumfy]

Last year when i went for a ride out with my mates mates round the scottish borders, they actually said to him behind my back that that thing (my GSA) was going to hold them up for the rideout
They were on blades.

They were very quiet at the first tea and cake stop an hour later

I think those types who only read superberks magazine and little else are usually pretty shocked to see a GS/GSA move along in the twisty bits.

Some sportsbike riders..... "ATGNI"

All The Gear No Idea

 

[FastFred]

Cheers Yonkyo, bought one other night after your advice. Being posted today! Can't wait forn the extra 30HP

 

[snerkler]

Good idea Snerkler. I'll change the GS12 tomorrow for an R6 Yamaha. Then I can rev it to 18000rpm. Thanks for your valuable contribution to the thread

You're welcome

Seriously though I always have mine ticking over at 3000rpm or just a touch lower when around town etc and found that this is natural for my GSA, it almost does it by itself, as though this is where she's happiest. Am I the only one

 

[(RIP) Miff]

She enjoyed it although getting on and off was amusing.

I leave mine on the side stand (with me on the riders seat) when my missus gets on. Otherwise, I'd never hold it up. Same with getting off the bike.

Last year when i went for a ride out with my mates mates round the scottish borders, they actually said to him behind my back that that thing (my GSA) was going to hold them up for the rideout

Same happened with me. Leaving the layby on the back wheel, changing up into 3rd soon shut the feckers up. I later told them "You're going to have to slow down a bit, when we get to 110mph I have to turn my ipod up".... LOL

 

[London Mole]

Simples!

+1 RE: all above comments about the "Magic Black Wire"!!!

 

[FastFred]

Seriously though I always have mine ticking over at 3000rpm or just a touch lower when around town etc and found that this is natural for my GSA, it almost does it by itself, as though this is where she's happiest. Am I the only one

Piss takes always start with 'Seriously though...'

 

[C-J]

You're welcome

Seriously though I always have mine ticking over at 3000rpm or just a touch lower when around town etc and found that this is natural for my GSA, it almost does it by itself, as though this is where she's happiest. Am I the only one

Fit one of these accelerator cable thingies and it'll be happy around 2000rpm... bit more relaxing...

 

[sven]

I leave mine on the side stand (with me on the riders seat) when my missus gets on. Otherwise, I'd never hold it up. Same with getting off the bike.



Same happened with me. Leaving the layby on the back wheel, changing up into 3rd soon shut the feckers up. I later told them "You're going to have to slow down a bit, when we get to 110mph I have to turn my ipod up".... LOL

Trudi finds the GS harder to get onto than the K1200S and impossible if it's leaning over on the side stand. Luckily she's a horserider, so has soon got into the habit of standing on the footpeg and swinging her leg over Haven't tried it with a top box yet though...

As nice as the handling on my GS is, my K1200S was far more planted on bumpy backroads and gave me much more confidence to go faster than the GS. I prefer the feedback from the Paralever front end to the K's Duolever though on wet/slippery roads.

 

[theop]

I returned home today and didn't wash the bike...

if you keep on not washing it, it won't last till August mate. 1200s dissolve faster than aspirin...


good bikes though.... usable and fun and you will enjoy the fact they are so lardy and slow (in comparison with anything over 400cc from Japan that is) that you can use 10/10 of the capabilities rather than killing yourself trying to ride your R1 at 7/10ths...

I kept mine for 3+ years until December last year and was the bike I have owned longest, rode furthest and enjoyed most out of a choice of 20.

I have now got a 1300 Honda Pan that I ve ridden twice this year for a total of 110miles, my daily scooter and was looking to buy a new VFR1200 which I ve just test ridden. Or I may flog the Hondas altogether again and get a 1150GSA for a third of the cost...