I want one!

[Phil1]

Good Morning chaps.

Newbie here...

I've been riding for about 10 years now and all of it's been on my trusty 2004 Suzuki SV650s which has been a superb bike and I still love it to bits.

I've done a mix of longer rides and a fair bit of commuting also, but in the position where I have a car as well, so the bike is essentially a toy.

The only problem I have with it is that it's a bit on the small side for me (I'm 6'2") and it's increasingly putting me off longer rides as my wrists, back, knees all start aching after a couple of hours. I'm not old as such (turning 40 this year), but a sports bike isn't enjoyable for me for longer rides.

So... Here I am and even though I've never really even sat on one, I've kind of got my heart set on a GS.

I'd ideally like a R1250gs TE, somewhere between £9-11k which seems to be the sweet spot from what I've seen.

Ideally it'll be used for a mixture of commuting and longer journeys around the dales, north Yorkshire and the east coast with the occasional trip to west coast also. Once I've got the hang of it, I'll hopefully do some longer trips such as the NC500 and maybe Europe. The OH hasn't expressed any interest up until now about coming with, but said she'd like it try it at some point.

Anyway, has anyone else gone from a small (ish) sports bike, right up to a bigger adventure bike in one step, and how did you find the transition etc?

I'm led to believe while it'll be a lot heavier, they are fairly forgiving once moving due to the weight being quite low down.

I don't find the SV in the slightest bit heavy, although it can be a bit awkward to push it backwards up the slope into my driveway/garage which might be more of a test with the GS. Probably doesn't help that the SV doesn't have anything meaningful to grab onto other than the seat.

Anyway, be gentle with me, I'm new

 

[Gee-]

Good Morning Phil1
Honestly You wont regret this move from 650cc - 1250cc instead enjoy that extra power delivery increase that will instantly become noticeable.

The upright riding position will suit your body size, with both feet planted on the floor when required, these bikes are designed to be agile in every possible way, and riding them is far by no means strenuous.

Pushing that size of bike up a gradient of any kind is doable, get someone to assist until you feel comfortable, pushing it backwards from the front handlebars. Or do what I have done, ride bike uphill close to garage, get yourself a turntable plate for use inside or outside your lockup, so you can drive back out.
Have fun and get out as often as you can.

 

[Santa-2512]

Welcome aboard

Be aware, running a GS come with a few caveats

They need regular servicing with genuine parts & good quality oil , and 100K + mileages are easily achievable

Most maintence jobs are doable if your a compitant spanners person , however some jobs are engine out, which is no mean feat (alternator ) (very rare on later models)

The 1250 is one of the later models so liquid cooled and relies heavily on ""tech" to make the magic happen

So a good code reader is a must (your generic car OBD reader wont work )

Suspension is only warranted to 30k after that a rebuild from a good indie on here will keep you going for years

other than that consumables - Tyres 6-7K a set , brake pads (linked brakes) ,

Oh and farkles lots of farkles

And parts are not cheap ,

 

[littleade]

At 6'2" you'll be absolutely fine. The 1200/1250 GS' have a seat height of 850mm with the GSA being IIRC an extra 40/50mm taller, but you can get the factory lowered versions if you want, where from memory with the lowered seat that reduces either by 50mm or around half that if yiu have the factory lowered suspension with a standard seat. There's various bar risers available too so you should be able to find a combo that you find comfortable.

Have a look at you local BMW dealers website to see if they have any used in you can go and see, they should be able to arrange a no obligation test ride for you. The telelever front suspension might feel a bit strange to begin with as it doesn't dive under braking (which is great for pillions) but stick with it. They're a great all rounder, easy to ride and very comfortable. If it's too tall also look at the 1200/1250 RT or RS.

 

[Phil1]

Cheers, I'm a maintenance engineer by trade and have always serviced the SV myself, oil, filters, spark plugs, brakes. Even stripped and reset the clutch on it before.

I suspect a GS would have the added element of more electronics (and with that more to go wrong). As said it's not my main mode of transport so I'm not exclusively reliant on it either.

I do have a BMW stealership not too far from me (I live near Leeds) in Shipley, so I'd be able to get parts or repair work I can't carry out myself. But I do plan on doing the general servicing myself as I often find it's a far higher standard than most dealers could ever manage.

The height of the bike I don't particularly worry with too much as even though I'm 6'2", I have a 34-36 inseam (daddy long legs) so I might even need the seat at its maximum height setting anyway. Yes I do look a bit odd on the SV before anyone says so . The vtwin on it is an absolute peach though.

I may even keep the SV (as well) as I love it to bits.

 

[Santa-2512]

1200 GS's came in several varients

Hexhead (V1) single cam Air oil cooled -dry clutch
Twincam (V2) twincam Air oil cooled - dry clutch
LC (V3) Twincam Liquid cooled - wet clutch
LC (V4) increase to 1250cc same as LC V3 essentially
1300 (V5) Totally new bike from the ground up

Many will say the Twincam V2 is the best of the bunch - i cant disagree, ive had V1-3 and went back to V2

But try them all

 

[Barnoe]

I went from this 2012 CBR 600 straight to a GS and still on it.
Sold the CBR in 2017 it was a superb ride

I'm 6'4" and my GS is standard in that its the normal seat and no bar risers.

You will be fine.
I've done a lot of miles across many countries on my GS its been perfect.



For UKGSers this photos was taken around 2015 on the back road leading to the campsite at Dent.