First test ride on the WC

[Deleted account 181015003]

Test rode the WC for the first time today the bike was in blue and had TE spec and looked very nice.

Coming from a TC adventure the bike felt small light and easy to ride around town much easier than the adventure almost like a supermoto.

Sitting on the bike looking down the cylinders look massive compared to the adventure but this could be the lack of the width of the adventure tank give this impression.

The engine and what a motor turbine smooth quiet and smooth with a lot more go than the old TC. The engine has lost some character of the old engine and is like all the other bikes now, is this good or bad or just progress?

The throttle fly by wire works fine no problems at all smooth and easy to control, I have rode a lot worse Kawasaki take note.

Engine modes I dont see the point I have been fitted with hand coordination mk1 and can operate a throttle without any computer help I tried them all and decided on dynamic.

The suspension did not ride the potholed riddled roads around Rotherham and Sheffield as well as my adventure it could be the extra travel or just me it seemed to transfer more of the bump to the rider and be knocked of line where my adventure would not be effected the adventure just feels more planted.

The seat is a big improvement on the standard adventure seat which is classed as a torture device but when cruising at about 70mph a bad vibration could be felt through it this might be just this bike?

The screen I like the adjustment on the fly but it causes buffeting on my helmet at the highest setting so I set it low.

The dreaded gearbox and neutral, no problem as at all any owners with problems must have a faulty bike as this one was fins all the time clunked a bit when going in to first but no worse than other bikes inc jap ones.

The side stand is S**t the bike nearly rolled forward off the stand on a very slight slope I had to put it in gear to hold it other bikes parked at the same place were fine this might just be a one off no doubt if it is a problem other people will have had similar problems.

The sum up I liked the bike but not enough to change when the adventure come out who knows.

 

[dave hendy]

Surely if you were on a slope you should have left the bike in gear? I would whether it was my BMW or my Honda!

Can't comment on some of your statements as I have never ridden a GSA but I probably agree my older 1200GS did cope with bad/bumpy roads better than the new bike.

Hope the new GSA is better for you.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

The slope was so slight it was not noticeable until the bike started to roll off the stand I had just climbed off and still had hold of the bike and the stand just tucked the bike only moves a couple of inches in gear it can move this much no real problem this time but I thought I would mention it in case its a known problem or a one off it might same someone's bike ending up on its side.

 

[Nutty]

When I test rode one before getting mine, I noticed the seat vibration, but mine hasn't done it. Maybe the seat was loose on the demo, but I've had mine on and off several times, and no vibes.

Not heard of the side stand issue before, but as said, leave it in gear if on the slightest of slopes.

 

[david a hall]

When I test rode one before getting mine, I noticed the seat vibration, but mine hasn't done it. Maybe the seat was loose on the demo, but I've had mine on and off several times, and no vibes.

Not heard of the side stand issue before, but as said, leave it in gear if on the slightest of slopes.

Sound advice there Nutty.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

The stand issue I think is more to do with the angle of the stand when down it does not go far enough past vertical so the bike only had to move a couple of inches before it had gone back enough to tuck here is a pic of the internet to shown what I am trying to explain.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

Not heard of the side stand issue before, but as said, leave it in gear if on the slightest of slopes.

This might be why some bikes wont go in neutral its a safety feature not a fault

 

[Bails]

Couple of thoughts re your test ride.

You selected Dynamic mode which puts the suspension on hard, I ride dynamic with the suspension set to normal. I noticed when my bike was new suspension was quite rigid and this is due to the fact that shocks break in like other components. I have ridden a GSA for many miles and I think it was one of the reasons that I wanted a GS , the GSA was softer , bigger and heavier but wind protection and ride sense was very good.

 

[bellyboy]

side stand............

saw one topple off the stand at a dealer when it was placed on what appeared to be a flat surface,,???

its made me wary of mine and now I double check.. thought it was one off,,,

so tried to see how stable my bike was.. placed on flat ish surface I got a mate to just nudge gently the rear (of the bike) and it continued to move forward the momentum suddenly increasing once it was in line with the side stand..and then it lurched forward to roll off and had we not been ready ,,

so yes see it as a point and now I leave in gear,,, which I have never had to do on a bike unless on an incline..

,

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

Tried all the settings and settled on dynamic I think the extra travel is the difference I run the gsa in rider with luggage and sport setting for road as rider only is too soft

Ride quality and handling are always a compromise I think the new bike is more a road setup and the gsa more for gravel etc is more a personal thing.

I will be trying the GSA LC when it comes out strange thing is I did not like the old GS as much as the GSA.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

side stand............

saw one topple off the stand at a dealer when it was placed on what appeared to be a flat surface,,???

its made me wary of mine and now I double check.. thought it was one off,,,

so tried to see how stable my bike was.. placed on flat ish surface I got a mate to just nudge gently the rear (of the bike) and it continued to move forward the momentum suddenly increasing once it was in line with the side stand..and then it lurched forward to roll off and had we not been ready ,,

so yes see it as a point and now I leave in gear,,, which I have never had to do on a bike unless on an incline..

,

not just me then if pointing this out saves someone's bike

 

[Jumblemo]

Engine modes I dont see the point I have been fitted with hand coordination mk1 and can operate a throttle without any computer help I tried them all and decided on dynamic.

The point about the modes is not merely that they adjust the fuel mapping in a way that you can simply emulate through manual throttle control, but that they allow you to change throttle, suspension, abs and traction control settings with the press of a single button.

Though you can manually do this, and may even prefer to do so, this is a nice rider convenience feature that allow you to instantly configure the bike for conditions and desired riding style.

So ignore the modes if that suits, but personally I like their facility.

 

[krytengs]

The stand issue I think is more to do with the angle of the stand when down it does not go far enough past vertical so the bike only had to move a couple of inches before it had gone back enough to tuck here is a pic of the internet to shown what I am trying to explain.

Looking at that picture, I'm sure my stand has more of an angle...I'll have to check that tonight
I always park with the front of the bike pointing up hill with the stand on the camber sloping down away from the bike - never had any problems

You should take a look at the ZX6R - that stand puts the bike in an almost vertical position....very scary

 

[Nutty]

My stand looks about the same, but maybe at slightly more of an angle.

But have the stand extender, so maybe that's what makes the difference! It's not been an issue up until now, but I'll keep an eye on this.

 

[Jumblemo]

Are you scrubbing the blueing off the exhaust? Or have you just not ridden it yet?

 

[Frisky]

Garage wall needs a spot of paint Nutty

 

[Nutty]

Are you scrubbing the blueing off the exhaust? Or have you just not ridden it yet?

4000 miles on the clock, some blue more than others I guess

Garage wall needs a spot of paint Nutty

I'll get my wife onto that little job

 

[biggeorge]

side stand

HI Steve K , I had the same happen to me at the TT , just arrived with fully laden bike ,slope not noticeable stood along side and fell over , never had this on any other bike over the years ,Now always stop in gear when using the side stand, would advise any person to do same .

 

[DING-DONG]

You all must have dodgy side stands because i certainly not had any issue and i only have a side stand (removed my centre stand)

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

You all must have dodgy side stands because i certainly not had any issue and i only have a side stand (removed my centre stand)

Do you have a stand toe on your bike if so that could be the difference or maybe it because you cant get neutral