I want one, but I'm scared

  • Thread starter Thread starter dokotela
  • Start date Start date
5' 9" on an 09' GSA, 9.5 stone weakling.

Get a Kahedo / Touratech low seat and just go for it. You'll be fine.

Just did Spain and Morocco on mine (4,200 miles) and it was awesome. These are amazing bikes and the quicker you get your arse on one and ride it the better :thumb2
 
"My dilemma is the height and weight. I have short legs (32 " inside leg)"

I'm 6ft tall which is above average... 32" inside leg... how is that considered short???? :augie
 
I have a 29-30 inch inside leg, and have no problem at all with the 1200GS, I've covered almost 50,000km in 3.5 years on it. Withe 32 inside leg you'll have no worries, go for it.
 
You're a bloody giant!!

I'm 5'7" with 29 inch leg and I'm begining to think I can't ride a GS. Can't get a test ride at any of the dealers I've spoken too.
Might risk buying a private bike but would atleast like to ride one first!!

Until then I have to just believe you 'orrible lot that its worth it!!
 
I have a 1150GSA (low seat fitted) and 1200GS (standard seat). Inside leg 30".....

So far so good, just careful of the road camber when parking!
 
Dahoum said:
Are they denying you test rides because of your height?
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Yes. Most of them were up front and reckoned the 1200 was too big for me and recommended the 650 (Nice, but no thanks). One of the dealers made a few other very vague excuses, but bottom line was no test ride.

Frustrating really. I guess at some point I'll end up buying a private bike and taking the risk that I actually like the thing without first riding one. Not how I'd like things to be but there you go.

I currently ride an Aprilia Shiver which ok isn't as big a bike but has a 810mm seat height and is fairly top heavy. I've been led to believe (feel free to correct me) that the boxer engine means the centre of gravity is quite low down on the 1200GS (and of course 1100 & 1150s too).
 
GS1150 on here is 5ft 6 and 9 stone and he rides an 1150 (his second bike) which is a fair amount heavier and taller to ride than a 1200.

I ride an 1150 too and I also have a 32 inch inside leg. I've only dropped it once on the road (trail riding doesn't count). That was when I was new to the bike and I mucked up a u-turn on an adverse camber - the sort of low speed drop that can catch you out on almost any bike. Well that's my excuse because my previous drop was a near carbon copy incident but with a VFR :rolleyes:

As others have said, GSs drop well and will mainly result in cheap scuffs to the engine guards and panniers. In comparison, a mate's VFR blew off the side stand and it cost him over £1000 in fairing repairs.

Also, the heads stop them falling over as far as other bikes, so they're easier to pick up, and there is a knack to picking up a dropped bike (turn round lean back on the bike and lift with your legs)

Stop worrying, buy one and get on with the fun :thumb2
 
Temeraire said:
You're a bloody giant!!

I'm 5'7" with 29 inch leg and I'm begining to think I can't ride a GS. Can't get a test ride at any of the dealers I've spoken too.
Might risk buying a private bike but would atleast like to ride one first!!

Until then I have to just believe you 'orrible lot that its worth it!!
Click to expand...

I'm about the same size as you.. When I was last at Rainbow I was hop-ing on and off both their GS and GSA's.. They also had (at the time) a lowered GS with low seat - and on that I could get both feet flat on the floor..

Was talking to Shaun and he was encouraging me to go for a test ride.. suggesting I might be best to start off with a standard GS on a low seat if I am worried about it, and talk it from there.. he was saying that he'd have been happy to do a test day type thing for me.. GS(low seat), GS(standard seat), GSA(GS low seat) GSA(GS standard seat).. and maybe if I was getting on ok GSA (normal GSA seat).. and see which I liked prefered etc..
 
Got 29" inside leg,got a 2009 GSA wiv da ESA,got a low seat on it,got no worries at all .

Done 20,000 miles since last March when I bought it and no probs with the short legs so far !

Like stated previously,just be aware of slippery Petrol Station forecourts,adverse cambers,loose gravel etc.In other words,if you wanna go backwards to park or anything its sometimes better to get off and push it back rather than slip,loose you're footing and end up crying !!!

Go for it and enjoy ! :D:D
 
Jaysus, how big are your mates:eek::D

I also have a 32" inside leg and have never considered myself as a short arse.. I ride an 1150 GSA and have never dropped it at a set of lights or when coming to a stop.... That's not to say I have never dropped it:augie It's been over a few times and like others have stated they fall over very well:D You'd have to look very carefully to see any evidence of a drop on my bike....

Now, picking them up is another matter:blast

With a 32" inside leg you'll have no problem, It's probably cause you've been used to riding a Triumph over the years and have got used to the size... I was the same after coming from an R1, within a few days of riding the GSA i didn't even think about it.....

Go for it, it's the best thing you could do:thumb2

Ride safe:thumb
 
L'Escargot said:
Got 29" inside leg,got a 2009 GSA wiv da ESA,got a low seat on it,got no worries at all .

Done 20,000 miles since last March when I bought it and no probs with the short legs so far !

Like stated previously,just be aware of slippery Petrol Station forecourts,adverse cambers,loose gravel etc.In other words,if you wanna go backwards to park or anything its sometimes better to get off and push it back rather than slip,loose you're footing and end up crying !!!

Go for it and enjoy ! :D:D
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..and when riding with your mates and being "choosy" about where you will rest the bike on its side stand etc. when you stop somewhere, take your time and don't pay attention to them saying "what are you doing, it will be fine there, just leave it". If it feels like you may lose it, DON'T risk it. Find a better spot to put it on its side stand. Take your time and you will reduce the risk of a drop.
 
I had the same dilema as you. 5'8, 13.5 stone with 29' inside leg. Tried both the low suspension version and the regular one with the low seat. Ended up getting the regular suspension with the low seat and it is fine. I ride in London with the setting on comfort. I ended up getting a big foot for the side stand. And have quickly got out of the bad habit of not putting the side stand down BEFORE getting off the bike. My foot got caught on the back seat and the bike fell over but engine protector did its job. Would also suggest getting a Tourtech rear bung in case it goes over the other way. When I am on the bike I feel like I am back on my 250 scooter. Love it.
 
Like NorthLondonCookie I live in North London, my friends call me Cookie, I'm 5ft 8 with a 29 inch inside leg, weigh 13.5 stone and commute around London. But there our lives couldn't be any more different because I have a standard seat and not a low seat.

I use boots with a thick sole to make up the difference. They are Harley Davidson Fury (yes Fury grrrr...) Boots. they look a bit :ymca but give me lots of confidence when I'm paddling around.
 
oblertone said:
... get dropped at some point; the upside being that it does very little harm, picking it up agian fully laden is another matter but it's amazing what adrenalin can achieve :augie
...
Click to expand...

:rolleyes:
yeah,
a feckin broken L3 vertabrae. :blast
 
SteveJohnson said:
5'6" with 29" inside leg.

Steve
Click to expand...

4'11", 7st, no idea inside leg :)

Joking apart these threads do make me smile. Must get round to posting a photo in newbies, touch toe, one side only at any one time.....arms don't really reach the bars to manouvre anywhere. Good balance/slow control is the key to enjoying your own juggernaut most of the time.

(Juggernaut being relative of course, mine's a 650) :)
 
Andrew C said:
Like NorthLondonCookie I live in North London, my friends call me Cookie, I'm 5ft 8 with a 29 inch inside leg, weigh 13.5 stone and commute around London. But there our lives couldn't be any more different because I have a standard seat and not a low seat.
Click to expand...

Worlds apart... :thumb
 
Temeraire said:
I'm 5'7" with 29 inch leg and I'm begining to think I can't ride a GS. Can't get a test ride at any of the dealers I've spoken too.
Click to expand...

Try Alan Jeffries BMW Shipley.

My wife ( Beth ) sat on an F650gs in the showroom and despite only being tippy toes and less than 2 years riding they were happy for her to take it out.

Might be a trek but, well, you know you want one really ;)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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