Steady Eddie
Registered user
The ALPS
Keith Chapman said:
and me
went to croatia on mine ,2 up loads of luggage
the bike is the one to have, don't buy the adventure though,I'm 5'10 and my 1150adv is too tall for me,plus the adv seat is crap
choice depends on budget,in my opinion it's better to have an older one with no finance than a new one with debt,purely because you can spend the extra money riding it
I've had my adv since march and done 10000 miles without any commuting,previously I used to do about 3000,you just can't keep off them and that's after riding for 20 years (you know what I mean)
to get a test ride you need to ask the dealer for an extended test ride,get there early and have it for the day
it's not like a jap bike it's totally different but in a good way,don't expect to be the fastest thing on the road and adjust your riding to suit the bike and you will love it
best bike I've owned and I've had a lot to choose from(my slab side GSXR1100H still comes a very close second)
hope that helps
Rob
went to croatia on mine ,2 up loads of luggage
the bike is the one to have, don't buy the adventure though,I'm 5'10 and my 1150adv is too tall for me,plus the adv seat is crap
choice depends on budget,in my opinion it's better to have an older one with no finance than a new one with debt,purely because you can spend the extra money riding it
I've had my adv since march and done 10000 miles without any commuting,previously I used to do about 3000,you just can't keep off them and that's after riding for 20 years (you know what I mean)
to get a test ride you need to ask the dealer for an extended test ride,get there early and have it for the day
it's not like a jap bike it's totally different but in a good way,don't expect to be the fastest thing on the road and adjust your riding to suit the bike and you will love it
best bike I've owned and I've had a lot to choose from(my slab side GSXR1100H still comes a very close second)
hope that helps
Rob
roger06
Guest
Deeley said:Welcome roger06
It does appear a little negative whilst having constructive and helpful responses to the biking and touring questions etc. you seem convinced to keep the car with your responses.
Hi Deeley
Not meant to come across that way! I hate cars and only have one as a necessary evil. I enjoyed 5 years without one until we moved a few years ago.
I am really excited about the idea of touring on a GS - and am really appreciating the feedback here. Thing is, there are certain impracticalities that come with a bike and so I'm genuinely interested in how people over come or put up with these. The last thing I'd want is to go unprepared and have the Mrs hate it and never want to do it again.
I reckon if I do take the wife I'd certainly stick on a plane to Lyon or Geneva and pick her up there.
Anyway - she better like it - I've given up taking her on sailing holidays as she pukes the whole time so she can have the bike instead!
Of course if she had her way it would be 2 weeks on a beach zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Eyup
T`wife and I have toured Europe/ Alps etc on the GS1150 every summer for the past 4 years. We have camped and slept in B & Bs and have had the best holidays ever. The GS pillion (and riders) seat is really comfy. If she didnt like it she wouldnt have suggested going to Barcelona on it next year.
Regards
Hodge
T`wife and I have toured Europe/ Alps etc on the GS1150 every summer for the past 4 years. We have camped and slept in B & Bs and have had the best holidays ever. The GS pillion (and riders) seat is really comfy. If she didnt like it she wouldnt have suggested going to Barcelona on it next year.
Regards
Hodge
roger06 said:
You're right, this is a great site with lots of good people on here, so come on and jump into the money pit with the rest of us!!! It also helps if you have the skin of a rhino!!!!
1. No, a GS wouldn't be too large for you, it's very well balanced and there are height options for the seat. (Probably best to steer clear of the Adventure though).
2. Yes!!!!! And it will still handle!!!! Go do it!!!
You'll find there are quite few of us ex-Fazer 600 owners on here and none of us have looked back
this is why i ride a GS
Ride to luxembourg, 600 Km.
Keep bike in Luxembourg with scenery like this for 6 months
No maintenance, never washed, never missed a beat.
Rode it back to the UK 600 km
Just does what it says on the side of the tin.
Ride to luxembourg, 600 Km.
Keep bike in Luxembourg with scenery like this for 6 months
No maintenance, never washed, never missed a beat.
Rode it back to the UK 600 km
Just does what it says on the side of the tin.
Hi roger
I do know what you are going through, went through the same situation, wasn't until I'd packed the other's suitcase that she changed her mind
THUMP, didn't know she was standing behind me!
But, I went with the bike, and the small tours, and it's fantastic, should have done it years ago.
And the wife thinks the same, so a result
Looking forward to the europe thing next year, and the for the record, the GS appears to do everything it states on the tin
I do know what you are going through, went through the same situation, wasn't until I'd packed the other's suitcase that she changed her mind
THUMP, didn't know she was standing behind me!
But, I went with the bike, and the small tours, and it's fantastic, should have done it years ago.
And the wife thinks the same, so a result
Looking forward to the europe thing next year, and the for the record, the GS appears to do everything it states on the tin
I can safely say done many a miles on the back of the 1150GSA, even fell asleep once was really comfortable. The only time I needed any extra padding was in Morocco at 60 c and put a small thermarest under me bum. I love touring on the back of it with the top box I can lean back and enjoy the scenery.
Although not getting away with being a pillion so much now that he has bought the HP2. Have to actualy ride. (use to use teh excuse the DR650 couldn't do long trips)
If he can handle all 6'4" of me you can handle your Mrs on the back. Such a different experience to any other bike riding or pilion she might even like it.
Good luck getting her on the back but once you do she may find it she likes it.
Although not getting away with being a pillion so much now that he has bought the HP2. Have to actualy ride. (use to use teh excuse the DR650 couldn't do long trips)
If he can handle all 6'4" of me you can handle your Mrs on the back. Such a different experience to any other bike riding or pilion she might even like it.
Good luck getting her on the back but once you do she may find it she likes it.
Two up on a GS
As I live at the top of a 'Montée' ( which is a road similar to the final approaches to a ski resort) I have had plenty of experience of two up with full luggare (even if more often than not the panniers are full of supplies from the market!) The handling of the 1200GS (and the 1150 before it) is excellent under these conditons - but a top box is essential as a back rest for your passenger.
As I live at the top of a 'Montée' ( which is a road similar to the final approaches to a ski resort) I have had plenty of experience of two up with full luggare (even if more often than not the panniers are full of supplies from the market!) The handling of the 1200GS (and the 1150 before it) is excellent under these conditons - but a top box is essential as a back rest for your passenger.
Hello Roger,
I have read the posts and there are some good points. I started out on a R1200GS after only 7 weeks of training. I bit off more than I should have done with the finance (needed to sell the Ginetta roadster) which meant it didn't get a good run like I'd planned too during the summer (plus the servo pump failed right in the middle of my fortnight
).
Having spent some time in the local dealers I can say the R1200GS feels a lot lighter than the R1150GS. Either type of GSA is a bit taller than the standard version. By the way, I'm a bit taller than you, but you'll have seen more meat on a butchers pencil
, but I do have a long inside leg.
Most dealers will quite happily lend you an R1200GS for basically a day if prebooked on a weekday.
The expanding panniers are good as they are reaonably narrow when basically empty, and reasonably large when expanded. The topbox is also very big, but I don't have one myself as I prefer to use an waterproof duffle bag type thing from oxford bungeed over the rear seat and pannier tops, which I keep inside a pacsafe steel wire mesh thingy that looks like chicken wire, it locks shut and can be locked round the frame of the bike.
With panniers, topbox (with optional backrest), tankbag, touratech pannier top expansion bags, and a set of saddlebag fitted to the tankbag, and a pacsafe to lock your helmets in, fastened to a post and one of the wheels or frame of the bike, you should be good to go!
Before long you'll be having touratech and wunderlich on speed-dial
I have read the posts and there are some good points. I started out on a R1200GS after only 7 weeks of training. I bit off more than I should have done with the finance (needed to sell the Ginetta roadster) which meant it didn't get a good run like I'd planned too during the summer (plus the servo pump failed right in the middle of my fortnight
).Having spent some time in the local dealers I can say the R1200GS feels a lot lighter than the R1150GS. Either type of GSA is a bit taller than the standard version. By the way, I'm a bit taller than you, but you'll have seen more meat on a butchers pencil
, but I do have a long inside leg.Most dealers will quite happily lend you an R1200GS for basically a day if prebooked on a weekday.
The expanding panniers are good as they are reaonably narrow when basically empty, and reasonably large when expanded. The topbox is also very big, but I don't have one myself as I prefer to use an waterproof duffle bag type thing from oxford bungeed over the rear seat and pannier tops, which I keep inside a pacsafe steel wire mesh thingy that looks like chicken wire, it locks shut and can be locked round the frame of the bike.
With panniers, topbox (with optional backrest), tankbag, touratech pannier top expansion bags, and a set of saddlebag fitted to the tankbag, and a pacsafe to lock your helmets in, fastened to a post and one of the wheels or frame of the bike, you should be good to go!
Before long you'll be having touratech and wunderlich on speed-dial
roger06
Guest
Thanks all for wonderful advice and inspiration!
I'm sold - and am going to sort out a test ride sometime soon. From what I've read I reckon the 1200 is the better bet but I don't think my budget will stretch that far so am probably looking at something like an '03 1150 / 1100.
I guess winter is a good time to drive a hard bargain...
I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks again for the warm welcome and kind advice.
Roger
I'm sold - and am going to sort out a test ride sometime soon. From what I've read I reckon the 1200 is the better bet but I don't think my budget will stretch that far so am probably looking at something like an '03 1150 / 1100.
I guess winter is a good time to drive a hard bargain...
I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks again for the warm welcome and kind advice.
Roger
wannafazer
Guest
You can tour on a Fazer you know ? With all your camping gear.
But a GS has got to be loads better for a pillion.
But a GS has got to be loads better for a pillion.
roger06
Guest
wannafazer said:
You've hit the nail on the head there mate re: the pillion!
If it was just me I'd keep the Fazer (shhhhhhhh), but Devon (from Sussex) is as far as the Mrs will tolerate - although she does enjoy it. :sunshine
1150
you won't regret buying the 1150 , my adv is grrrrrrrrreat
becareful to avoid the for sale section though, so many addons to buy
any gs is a good gs
test ride the one you like and then buy one off the site
Rob
you won't regret buying the 1150 , my adv is grrrrrrrrreat
becareful to avoid the for sale section though, so many addons to buy
any gs is a good gs
test ride the one you like and then buy one off the site
Rob
Hi Roger,
Just a note of caution regarding the height 'thing' .............
You will probably want to increase the rear suspension pre-load when travelling 2-up. Obviously, this means the height of the bike will be raised when solo - which is what you'll be until your missus steps on the back. In other words, you'll be standing on tippy-toes just when someone is climbing aboard. Moreover, you'll be loaded (top-heavy) and your passenger will have to manoeuvre around the luggage when getting on/off.
Something to consider or, better still, try at the dealers before you committ.
Good luck.
Just a note of caution regarding the height 'thing' .............
You will probably want to increase the rear suspension pre-load when travelling 2-up. Obviously, this means the height of the bike will be raised when solo - which is what you'll be until your missus steps on the back. In other words, you'll be standing on tippy-toes just when someone is climbing aboard. Moreover, you'll be loaded (top-heavy) and your passenger will have to manoeuvre around the luggage when getting on/off.
Something to consider or, better still, try at the dealers before you committ.
Good luck.
ozzy
Registered user
I have just got the R1200 Gs adventure and love it .A convert from a Varadrero , I did the alps on it brill took the campervan this year with misses and the dog late in the year and it was pap ,nothing like riding your bike. go in july aug you love it cheers ozz
roger06
Guest
ozzy said:I have just got the R1200 Gs adventure and love it .A convert from a Varadrero , I did the alps on it brill took the campervan this year with misses and the dog late in the year and it was pap ,nothing like riding your bike. go in july aug you love it cheers ozz
Did you camp ? (so to speak...)
chasr said:
Top advice chasr, and my advice for taking pillions (apologies if this is teaching you to suck eggs, it's just what works as a pillion on a tall GS style bike):
When riding a GS with a pillion/luggage, try to pull up close to a high kerb for them to mount/dismount;
When your pillion mounts the bike for the first time, explain to them the best method as follows BEFORE they try to get onboard:
Tell them to place one hand on your shoulder (their left hand on your left shoulder if mounting from the left side of the bike and vice-versa) , you brace arms and legs in anticipation, then they step vertically upwards and over the centreline of the bike in one smooth quick movement and get both feet on the pillion pegs without worrying about anything else. They can then sit down and fidget into a comfy position at a slower pace. With this method all you feel is a momentary tug on the bars as they transfer their weight up onto the first footpeg when straddling the bike.
Theres little worse than your pillion struggling to clumsily mount the bike whilst you heave and strain your groin trying to keep the thing upright as they have all their body weight acting off-centre. It sounds obvious but if your pillion has only ever thrown his/her leg over a lower bike like a Fazer, they can accidentally topple you over quite easily due to the extra leverage exerted.
Another top tip: Fit crash bars.
Good luck with the GS, you'll love it.
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