GS or GSA for pillion passenger posterior?

[mspenz]

Ok, I personally want a GSA, why, because they just look so damn good But, I also have to take into account the small pert behind of my partner, will the GSA be a bit too uncomfortable for her on the back?
I'm just under 6' so I would imagine that it will be fine for my reach and everyone raves about how comfortable they are, my main issue is that I need the distance between seat and footpeg as my knee can't cope with being bent below a certain angle (I had a tall seat upholstered for my GS650).

Opinions and suggestions please

Thanks, Mike.

 

[DrAlf]

In my experience you sit on a GSA and 'in' a GS. Standard GS seats are more comfortable for both rider and pillion.

6' is about right for handling a GSA as standard but plenty of options for lowering if required. I'm sure some 5'4" midget will pipe up saying a GSA is fine - they're wrong

Middle ground would be a GSA fitted with GS front and rear seats - loads of threads on here detailing the process.

Good luck with your hunt - the 1150 is a cracking bike and perfect for real world riding. Just don't test ride a WC.....

 

[luke scott]

I'm 6'1 and the Adventure is perfect. You will be fine so dont worry. I've had four Adventures and have two in the garage now.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just get the Adventure otherwise you'll regret it and always wish you had

The Adv gearing is better too

If you're worried about the seating, you can always fit a GS rack, toolbox and twin GS seats, to your Adv

 

[mspenz]

That's exactly what I wanted to hear so the decision is made, GSA it is!

I've been reading about the GS-GSA seat swap so that's definitely an option but does anyone have any comments to add from a GSA pillion perspective?

My partner is just 5' tall so I may have to rig up some sort of system to help her get the leg over....so to speak

 

[DrAlf]

Excellent. Your Mrs will be fine getting on and off - standard pillion mounting procedure. Alternatively TT do a collapsible titanium pillion mounting step which could be worth investigating. Plenty of threads on here about it.

Good luck and welcome

 

[mspenz]

Fantastic, thanks everyone.

 

[Jamieboy]

I've got the GSA with standard seat, the wife is perfectly happy on the back. She's 5'11 so your lady will probably find it roomier.

 

[MattW]

Although perceived wisdom says the pillion should never use the peg as a 'step' when getting on, there's no way my 5'2" missus can get on without it (especially with panniers / top box fitted). I've never had a problem due to this, but I did buy a used left hand peg hanger years ago (the cast alloy bit that would break if anything was going to) as a 'just in case' for trips.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Welcome Matt - plenty there to chew over!

Here's a bit more...

I, as have others, converted the original Adventure seat set-up to Corbins which requires you sourcing the racking from a standard 1150 - easily done as indicated in Dr Alf's post (Steptoe may be able to assist in sourcing these bits BTW) and yes, the Mrs wouldn't have it any other way - in fact it was the only way she agreed on getting the bike in the first place!

I also use the Jesse Oddysey pannier system which provides a lower foot-peg set-up for the Mrs.

The lad I ride with has a GSA with the original seat still in place and as it is fine for him, it isn't for his Mrs - she found the footpegs too high and became very uncomfortable on long rides which made him source the lowering kit option...she still struggles with the seat shape but bites her tongue and gets on with it which is bloody hard work.

Another point to bear in mind for you - a Corbin type conversion will 'splay' your legs thereby adding an inch or two to your feet touching terra firma. (I'm 5'9" and had to actually lower the suspension to get 'touch-down').

There's always an answer

 

[tallchris99]

Although perceived wisdom says the pillion should never use the peg as a 'step' when getting on, there's no way my 5'2" missus can get on without it (especially with panniers / top box fitted). I've never had a problem due to this, but I did buy a used left hand peg hanger years ago (the cast alloy bit that would break if anything was going to) as a 'just in case' for trips.

Is this perceived wisdom correct? I get my GF to stand up and on the pillion peg to get on and off. Is it a weak spot?

 

[MattW]

Is this perceived wisdom correct? I get my GF to stand up and on the pillion peg to get on and off. Is it a weak spot?

Lots of people 'say' it can break the alloy foot peg hanger. I've never see it myself although I've heard of it happening and people having to get it welded (hence my spare hanger for big trips - I sawed off the extension bit that locates the system pannier so it's a pretty small thing to take). I honestly don't think there's any other way for a pillion to get onto a GS unless they have amazingly long legs

 

[mspenz]

Lots of people 'say' it can break the alloy foot peg hanger. I've never see it myself although I've heard of it happening and people having to get it welded (hence my spare hanger for big trips - I sawed off the extension bit that locates the system pannier so it's a pretty small thing to take). I honestly don't think there's any other way for a pillion to get onto a GS unless they have amazingly long legs

A pillion with amazingly long legs, let me just linger on that thought for a moment.....

 

[Fanum]

Rosie and I far prefer the GSA single seat to the GS twin seat......it gives us both room to shift around a bit more., stretch the legs etc.

It's also essential for two up off-roading, so you can get the balance shifted backwards or forwards a LOT (for steep climbs or descents)

You can get the Touratech extended pillion seat (at some stupid price) but I had one and wouldn't get one again, good as it was for her comfort, because the fekker was a sponge that just soaked up any water.....Rosie would sit down and there'd be a squirt of water running down her legs from the fekking squab (that's what she blamed it on anyway )

If you do get one (or make one, dead simple) then make sure you re-cover it and waterproof the seams.

 

[Littledumptruck]

Is this perceived wisdom correct? I get my GF to stand up and on the pillion peg to get on and off. Is it a weak spot?

Sounds odd to me too. Can't quite see how any pillion can get on any bike without standing on the peg!! Piss poor manufacturing if the peg can't cope with even above average pillion weight. My guess would be that any broken peg had already suffered some kind of fatigue long before a pillion broke it, or the GS pegs are just a piss poor design.

 

[MattW]

Sounds odd to me too. Can't quite see how any pillion can get on any bike without standing on the peg!! Piss poor manufacturing if the peg can't cope with even above average pillion weight. My guess would be that any broken peg had already suffered some kind of fatigue long before a pillion broke it, or the GS pegs are just a piss poor design.

Dunno just what I've been told.

Ask Vern - I believe he's welded a few...

 

[Baggers1]

Dunno just what I've been told.

Ask Vern - I believe he's welded a few...

Vern can also make a pair of brackets that pivot the pillion footrests to lower and/or move forwards their location. Ideal for the longer legged pillion and also provides more footroom when some 'box' style panniers, eg H&B Alu, are fitted.