I've done it!!

[Slimie]

I've been lurking around here for a few weeks now trying to decide whether the GS is the bike for me or not. I guess I've made my mind up 'cos I've just left a deposit at Wollaston for a "Y" reg Graphitan 1150.

There is a staggering amount of really useful information on this site, and I want to say thanks to all of you whose posts I have read and who have steered me in the right direction. Oh, and Bob Southgate, it's all your fault, if you hadn't had that red 1100 when you taught me how to ride a 'bike I wouldn't be here now!!

Thanks folks, keep up the good work. I hope to bump into some of you as I get acquainted with the 'bike.

Simon

 

[Slimie]

PS

Me 10 quid's on the way!!

 

[MasterDabber]

Welcome and hope you enjoy it (I'm sure you will). I see you picked the best colour.

 

[Steptoe]

Feck me all this welcoming, i'm going start recommending goldwings to everyone. yeeeeeeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaa

 

[Madmountainman]

Welcome! Now get your arse down to some of the finest events soon, Belgium, Lands End, Kelso, Princetown, Wales, Andover.... etc, etc.
Enjoy and we'll see you there!

 

[Eunuch]

Good man Si. You know it makese sense.

Enjoy ...

Daz

 

[Slimie]

Looking at a few of the other posts, it seems quite a few of us came frome VFR's to the GS, I've just moved on ( up? ) from a 1996 vfr750. D'you think there's a common theme here, or just chance?

 

[Eunuch]

Yep

Its just what I've done Slime. Had 2 VFR's, and very good bikes they are too. Looking at the VFR forum it looks like a few people chopping in right now.

The VFR in VTEC form was a tad too quick to enjoy at legalish speeds. I get the kicks (and grins) on the way to 100 rather than beyond it. The GS is such a fabby bike. Being brought up on trailies and doing a fair bit of off-road its kinda all come together. Did I mention I'm chuffed to bits with my new GS ?

Daz

 

[Slimie]

Yeah, I picked mine up this morning and you're right. I grew up with trailies and it seems so "right". Bleedin heavy tho', I have to plan parking manouvres to the inch, accounting for camber, wind speed and so on. And I'm over six feet tall and growing (wider) by the day!! I'm sure you get used to the height AND weight combo, but it's a shock at first. Here's to another 150 miles tomorrow!! Hurrah!

 

[BBB61]

Hi Simon,

Welcome to the nuthouse! You do realise that now you have joined us, there is no turning back!!!

Regards,

Bob

 

[Slimie]

Hey Bob, how're you doing? Are you still out in Mill Hill every Sunday morning?

 

[Gecko]

Hi Simon,

Welcome to the nuthouse! You do realise that now you have joined us, there is no turning back!!!

Regards,

Bob

It's easier to get your soul back from the Devil :grndevil

 

[banana]

Simon,

As you are ‘fresh’ with a VFR, what do you notice on moving ‘up’ to the GS?

I had a ride last summer but almost any bike feels different and a little odd on first acquaintance. How long did you get to ride the GS before making a decision?

I have been looking with ‘interest’ at the new 1200GS but I haven’t ruled out the 1150 (but not going to consider an Adventure).

BTW I may not trade in the VFR, might just keep it as a second bike.

Kind regards,
Banana

 

[Slimie]

Banana,

First of all I bought the VFR by mistake! I went down to Chiswick Honda because they had a couple of used Fazers in stock, but when I got there I found the VFR irresistable! Before I'd always owned trailie type bikes and I traded an Aprilia Pegoslow for the VFR so the VFR was out of character really.

First impressions are of a very tall, very heavy and sort of agricultural bike, it makes odd noises, the gear change needs a firm foot and I find "paddling" it around hard work. Having said all that I picked it up on Saturday morning and came the long way home and when I got off I felt like I'd really enjoyed the 150 miles I'd just ridden. Despite the cold I had no aches or cramps, which wasn't true after the 60 mile ride to the dealer on the VFR. I felt much more confident on the GS, sitting up high suits me, and the power delivery is very relaxed, and low speed balance is great despite the weight, it feels slower but a glance at the speedo usually changes that. Oh, and the brakes (I have ABS, but no servos) are amazing.

I miss the amazing noise of the VFR, (I was beginning to get addicted to it tho'!) and of course the acceleration never failed to make me smile. But I think that's about all I really miss, it's probably too soon to tell.

Before I bought one I'd rode three others at three different dealers, each for over an hour and a half, both on A and B roads and one time through London, so apart from M-ways I covered most of the types of road I use. I found dealers offering a test ride almost as soon as I'd told them what bike I was interested in, no pressure and no hard sell, just "would you like to try one, sir?" and then "have you ridden a BMUU before?" without any prebooking or appointments.

Early days yet, but the GS feel "right" for me, it kinda fits, if you know what I mean.

Hope that's some help, go out and ride some, but keep an open mind 'cos they aren't like most Japanese multis.

Good luck!!

Simon

 

[BBB61]

Hi Simon,

Yes, I am still down there at the weekend, mainly on Saturdays now. Still a decent demand for our services so we are plodding along nicely

Bob

 

[Slimie]

Bob,

Glad to hear that the scheme's still running, is it still a BMF / Barnet thing? I hope you recommend your students to try the Bikesafe course after they've passed their tests, I did it last September and reckon it's the best £25 I've spent on any bike!

Hope you're keeping well,

Simon

 

[BBB61]

Simon,

I did Bikesafe myself just over a week ago, so its something I will be recommending to the guys and gals who pass through the doors.

The course is still run by the BMF, but the council don't have as much involvement now thanks to "political" reasons (more the interference of one particular councillor in fact). But we are still here and we'll put up a damn good fight if need be!!

And yes, I'm alive and well too

Bob