Extra Low Seat On GSA

[Kobe The Dog]

Greetings all,

Am very seriously considering GSA but seems way too high , even with BMW low seat .Sat on one at dealer this week. Just wondering if anyone in this neck of the woods (Waterford/Cork Area ,S.Ireland) has a GSA with the touratech extra low seat. I came accross a company in Kinsale who do Wilbers shock conversions , but i dont really want to go that far if the extra low seat would do the the job.Any thoughts/opinions appreciated.

 

[Barry]

Kobe,
I had the same problem, but I went ahead and just bought a 1200 Adventure on Thursday last. Out for my first proper spin today and whilst stopped at lights etc, its a case of tippy toes on both sides! Not the end of the world, I could get used to it, but might be a problem if I was fully loaded with fuel/pillion/luggage (or all three!).

I think I will investigate the potential for a low seat. All of which is no use to you at all!! But I'll watch this thread with interest... (i'm 5'10" by the way if thats of any use to you!)
Barry

 

[Kobe The Dog]

Hi Barry.

Thanks for the reply. What seat did you get with your bike ? Is it the stock GSA seat or the low bmw seat. I tried a GS with the low bmw seat last week and this was ok , but as the GSA is 20.0mm higher.Im around 5ft 9" and have a reasonable ammunt of offroad experience , but I have got a few decent falls in the past because of seat height.

 

[Barry]

Its a stock GSA seat on the bike at present. Had a look at the touratech extra low seat on their website - looks like it lowers it by 3-4 cm (?) but its pretty expensive...

Hopefully someone who actually knows what they are talking about will arrive at this thread shortly

 

[de crowe]

low seat

I used the touratech low seat for the 1200 gsa , made by kahedo. I only used the standard bmw adventure seat for the drive from Keary's home. I am 5'10" . you can get used to the standard seat but if , as is likely with the gsa, you travel fully loaded. being able to reach the ground to some reasonable extent, particularly if there is a fall away to one side or other, is , if nothing else re-assuring. The GSA is now gone. The seat is still in the garage with some of the other bling.you are welcome to borrow, borrow borrow, it and try it on a gsa if you wish. I have no doubts kearys will let you try a different seat if they thought you might be a victim for a gsa.
regards.

 

[Barry]

thanks for the info de crowe.
Any idea how much the low seat (Tourateck/Kahedo?) lowered you?

I'd be interested in trying it on my GSA to see what difference it makes. You fancy selling it??

 

[de crowe]

i cant honestly remember off the top of my head. i will try and find out. if it is of any assistance, i was running a standard gs on the bmw factory low seat option before i bought the gsa.

 

[Barry]

Picked up a BMW low seat for a GSA today from a fellow ukGSer (thanks JJH!)

I reckon I'm probably 2 inches / 3-4 cm lower max, still can't get both feet flat on the grouund, but it does make a big difference. Given my relative inexperience in big heavy bikes it does add a bit of confidence and make slow manouvers and stop start traffic a bit easier and more comfortable to manage.

Glad I got it....

 

[nud1e]

GSA / GS

The GSA is taller, heavier and slower than the GS. In theory, if your arse can take it, you can ride about a 100 miles further before needing to refuel. And it has a much more rufty, tufty macho taller in the saddle look instead of the slim effeminate girly GS.

So it's a question of buying a bigger bike, a lower saddle and/or lower shocks to make it fit for purpose or buying a bike that does fit, but won't travel so far on a tank of petrol, but will be easier to pick up when if/when you drop it.

A pair of 30mm lower Hyperpro progessive springs can be fitted to the standard shocks for about £160.

 

[brianmaslen]

There are countless threads on this site about seat height with an equal number of opinions; for what it's worth I am 5'8 ish and have an 09 GSA with a low Sergeant seat and manage just fine, yes still tippy toes but you do get used to it and tend to slide to the side when stopping. It becomes second nature and yes you will have a few "moments" but time and regular use help to allay any worries. The only time i've dropped my GSA is when I forgot to remove the chain from front wheel when moving off! The ESA helps too of course if you have it specd.

 

[Kobe The Dog]

I used the touratech low seat for the 1200 gsa , made by kahedo. I only used the standard bmw adventure seat for the drive from Keary's home. I am 5'10" . you can get used to the standard seat but if , as is likely with the gsa, you travel fully loaded. being able to reach the ground to some reasonable extent, particularly if there is a fall away to one side or other, is , if nothing else re-assuring. The GSA is now gone. The seat is still in the garage with some of the other bling.you are welcome to borrow, borrow borrow, it and try it on a gsa if you wish. I have no doubts kearys will let you try a different seat if they thought you might be a victim for a gsa.
regards.

Would be great to borrow the xlow touratech for a few days if offer is still open.I will be taking a look at a few bikes over the next week or so.It would be good to see all the permutations of seat height available.Who knows , may revert to th stock option eventually.

Many thanks.....

 

[Gerry47]

I have a 07 Adventure. I got the Kahedo extra low seat and it is fine for me at 5'8" or so. I had all the same worries as you and have had a few moments on the bike but your confidence builds and you learn to be happy with one foot flat on the ground and the other covering the brake. I've done 30k so far and dropped the bike once where my foot slipped on gravel and that could have happened on any bike.

If you really want an Adventure go for it you won't regret it.

 

[de crowe]

Would be great to borrow the xlow touratech for a few days if offer is still open.I will be taking a look at a few bikes over the next week or so.It would be good to see all the permutations of seat height available.Who knows , may revert to th stock option eventually.

Many thanks.....

heading to dublin tomorrow for work but heading to west cork at the weekend , races in dunmanway or something, pm if you want me to bring the seat with me. try and hook up sat. might even leave it at keary if that suited, so long a si get it back!

 

[electric_monk]

Surely the inside leg measurement is much more inportant than than your height when it comes to sitting on a bike.

 

[Billythebiker]

I only ever put my left leg down at stops...but saying that the GSA is a perfect fit for me!