Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
Lake Lucerne
and Lake Garda
were to be the two main destinations aboard the GSA replacement - a K1600 GTL.
Laking about in the Alps
- Thread starter Deleted account Cooperman
- Start date
Lake Lucerne
and Lake Garda
were to be the two main destinations aboard the GSA replacement - a K1600 GTL.
newboy
mechanical buffoon
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 2,740
- Reaction score
- 1
How tall are you to open that top Lomo bag 
Must be 6' off the ground!
Must be 6' off the ground!
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
How tall are you to open that top Lomo bag
Must be 6' off the ground!
BMW fold away step ladders
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
Baden Baden
This years route was going to be more relaxed with more time spent to explore each destination.
From Rotterdam we headed down to the Ardennes and dropped into the Mosel/Moselle valley. First stop Vianden. It's a lovely place and consequently very tourist. There are loads to other places to call in all the way down the valley.
A bit of autobahn gets us to the French/German border and another stop at Wissembourg, where the locals perform ice cream karaoke
There are loads of alternatives to stay in the Black Forest, and I like the variety Baden Baden offers.
As well as traditional eateries.
Traditional cars.
Traditional cooking.
And local drinking rules.
Baden Baden has a great area providing live music as well as a variety of food and ale.
The entertainment starts with some afternoon Brass.
Then Phil Collins turned up (drum routine in progress).
Finished with the Swinging Sixties.
This years route was going to be more relaxed with more time spent to explore each destination.
From Rotterdam we headed down to the Ardennes and dropped into the Mosel/Moselle valley. First stop Vianden. It's a lovely place and consequently very tourist. There are loads to other places to call in all the way down the valley.
A bit of autobahn gets us to the French/German border and another stop at Wissembourg, where the locals perform ice cream karaoke
There are loads of alternatives to stay in the Black Forest, and I like the variety Baden Baden offers.
As well as traditional eateries.
Traditional cars.
Traditional cooking.
And local drinking rules.
Baden Baden has a great area providing live music as well as a variety of food and ale.
The entertainment starts with some afternoon Brass.
Then Phil Collins turned up (drum routine in progress).
Finished with the Swinging Sixties.
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
Lake Lucerne
After a good night it was fortunate the B500 was empty as we set off on monday morning down through the Black Forest.
An early refreshment stop at Wolfach.
We passed Titisee then calling in at Lake Schluchsee which acts as the top level of a hydropower station, emptying into the mighty Rhein.
Across the border, into Switzerland and down to the Lake at Weggis. An immediate aroma of lots of CHF's.
Nice view from the bike/room.
Time for an alternative form of transport to visit the city of Lucerne.
Well worth a visit 
Well worth a visit
This place has been visited by the famous from around the world and has a collection of Sheffield silver
Lucerne's dying Lion.
Mount Rigi is a local highpoint accessible by cable car/train or walking.
You should have a great view across the lake and back up to the Black Forest when the weather is clear
Lucerne is a restful part of the world
But as with the rest of Switzerland be prepared for cost
After a good night it was fortunate the B500 was empty as we set off on monday morning down through the Black Forest.
An early refreshment stop at Wolfach.
We passed Titisee then calling in at Lake Schluchsee which acts as the top level of a hydropower station, emptying into the mighty Rhein.
Across the border, into Switzerland and down to the Lake at Weggis. An immediate aroma of lots of CHF's.
Nice view from the bike/room.
Time for an alternative form of transport to visit the city of Lucerne.
Well worth a visit
This place has been visited by the famous from around the world and has a collection of Sheffield silver
Lucerne's dying Lion.
Mount Rigi is a local highpoint accessible by cable car/train or walking.
You should have a great view across the lake and back up to the Black Forest when the weather is clear
Lucerne is a restful part of the world
But as with the rest of Switzerland be prepared for cost
Great piccies, thanks for posting....
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
Tirano
With Switzerland having kicked the backside out of our budget it was time to head back into Euroland heading south down the Swiss finger into Italy in Tirano.
The route ended up looking like this in elevation.
Leaving the Lake we headed towards Andermatt through a few tunnels.
This is also the route to the Gotthard tunnel/pass and the traffic was bad, being held and then let go in pulses.
It was a relief to sneak off to Andermatt and get on with the Oberalp pass.
We were heading towards Chur, but on a Tosser recomendation came off at Ilanz for a scenic detour around a pseudo gorge area.
At the other side of this barrier is a landmark bridge
Lunch was taken on a nice speedy climb out of Chur heading towards the Julier pass.
The Julier pass itself is a hoot. Nice flowing hairpins with plenty of overtaking if required.
Down into St Moritz
Before heading back up the Bernina pass and slipping across the border into Tirano.
We stayed at this B&B/museum.
Having found a home for the bike
It was time to find our room (the yellow room).
It had a spooky 'Scooby Do' feel to it, suits of armour with roving eyes, and the fact that we were the only guests and the bathroom was down a corridor from the room meant that through the night pisses were kept to a minimum
The local WeisseBier was appreciated (and affordable ).
In the morning just the two of us were presented with this feast for breakfast
With Switzerland having kicked the backside out of our budget
it was time to head back into Euroland heading south down the Swiss finger into Italy in Tirano.The route ended up looking like this in elevation.
Leaving the Lake we headed towards Andermatt through a few tunnels.
This is also the route to the Gotthard tunnel/pass and the traffic was bad, being held and then let go in pulses.
It was a relief to sneak off to Andermatt and get on with the Oberalp pass.
We were heading towards Chur, but on a Tosser recomendation came off at Ilanz for a scenic detour around a pseudo gorge area.
At the other side of this barrier is a landmark bridge
Lunch was taken on a nice speedy climb out of Chur heading towards the Julier pass.
The Julier pass itself is a hoot. Nice flowing hairpins with plenty of overtaking if required.
Down into St Moritz
Before heading back up the Bernina pass and slipping across the border into Tirano.
We stayed at this B&B/museum.
Having found a home for the bike
It was time to find our room (the yellow room).
It had a spooky 'Scooby Do' feel to it, suits of armour with roving eyes, and the fact that we were the only guests and the bathroom was down a corridor from the room meant that through the night pisses were kept to a minimum
The local WeisseBier was appreciated (and affordable
).
In the morning just the two of us were presented with this feast for breakfast
Cooperman , following with interest, (not stalking you this year,, the restraining order helps).
Excellent pictures and narrative. Was the Yellow room scooby doo esq place pre-booked or did you happen to find on route. They did you proud on the breakfast front.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
Andrew
).Excellent pictures and narrative. Was the Yellow room scooby doo esq place pre-booked or did you happen to find on route. They did you proud on the breakfast front.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
Andrew
Enjoying this-keep it coming 
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
Cooperman , following with interest, (not stalking you this year,, the restraining order helps
Excellent pictures and narrative. Was the Yellow room scooby doo esq place pre-booked or did you happen to find on route. They did you proud on the breakfast front.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
Andrew
Legal fees well spent
But I think you have a few more important things to do this year
The Scooby Doo B&B was pre booked on the basis of a search for Digs in the town.
Enjoying this
Great pics. 
Have just sold my GS and bought one of them K16 things. Can't wait to take it on a big trip to Europe.
Have just sold my GS and bought one of them K16 things. Can't wait to take it on a big trip to Europe.
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
Riva del Garda
Leaving Tirano we were straight into the action up the Aprica pass. We watched a few workmen doing rock repairs - applying unusual force with the jack hammers
Heading south down the valley towards Lake Iseo we turned east at Breno to go up and over to get to Lake Garda.
Up = the Crocodomini pass, a popular summer biking stop.
Going over the top we discovered they had forgotten to build the other side of the road...
Rolling out past Lake Idro and a few last corners before descending down to Garda.
The 'James Bond' road/tunnels along the west side of Garda.
Hydro-power.
And so the the wonderful place that is Riva del Garda. Yes it's tourist but together with the history it's mainly full of active people sailing/windsurfing/cycling/running/boozing
Riva was hosting a world sailing championship.
As usual the Germans were parked in pole position
We stayed at the Miravalle, a nice spot in easy walking distance of the Old Town
The Champions League winners Bayern Munich had managed to cobble a few Euro's together to stay at this lakeside residence
Riva was also hosting new life:
Box of pups.
Cygnets.
Pup with attitude
My favourite day-time bar alongside the marina and bike parking.
We hired a couple of bikes for the day.
Having recently done a coast to coast I was tempted to create a lake to lake version Slightly better scenery
Meanwhile the bike was behind the palm trees.
Leaving Tirano we were straight into the action up the Aprica pass. We watched a few workmen doing rock repairs - applying unusual force with the jack hammers
Heading south down the valley towards Lake Iseo we turned east at Breno to go up and over to get to Lake Garda.
Up = the Crocodomini pass, a popular summer biking stop.
Going over the top we discovered they had forgotten to build the other side of the road...
Rolling out past Lake Idro and a few last corners before descending down to Garda.
The 'James Bond' road/tunnels along the west side of Garda.
Hydro-power.
And so the the wonderful place that is Riva del Garda. Yes it's tourist but together with the history it's mainly full of active people sailing/windsurfing/cycling/running/boozing
Riva was hosting a world sailing championship.
As usual the Germans were parked in pole position
We stayed at the Miravalle, a nice spot in easy walking distance of the Old Town
The Champions League winners Bayern Munich had managed to cobble a few Euro's together to stay at this lakeside residence
Riva was also hosting new life:
Box of pups.
Cygnets.
Pup with attitude
My favourite day-time bar alongside the marina and bike parking.
We hired a couple of bikes for the day.
Having recently done a coast to coast I was tempted to create a lake to lake version
Slightly better scenery
Meanwhile the bike was
behind the palm trees.
Lake garda
Thanks for posting such a nice blog, you have really captured the magic of the area. I have travelled there a lot and you make me feel like going again sometime soon.
Byron
Thanks for posting such a nice blog, you have really captured the magic of the area. I have travelled there a lot and you make me feel like going again sometime soon.
Byron
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
Fantastic pictures, thanks for sharing. We did some of those passes in May.
Have you been washing the bike; it looks very clean
Great write up and great pics.
GS.Jack
Registered user
Nice one.
Hi Cooperman.
Great photos and looks like a fantastic trip. I'm going to leave the thread open on the puppy / cygnet photo. The Mrs will scroll through see the photos, realise you don't have to live in a tent, the hotels look the dogs, and hopefully next Year we can do a similar / same route. Nice one. cheers. ATB Jack
Hi Cooperman.
Great photos and looks like a fantastic trip. I'm going to leave the thread open on the puppy / cygnet photo. The Mrs will scroll through see the photos, realise you don't have to live in a tent, the hotels look the dogs, and hopefully next Year we can do a similar / same route. Nice one.
cheers. ATB Jack
Deleted account Cooperman
Registered user
GSA comparison with GTL
OK - maybe time for me to reflect on the two bikes.
This is mainly on the basis of 2 up touring.
My 2008 fully loaded (in both senses )GSA was a great bike. Over 4 years of ownership our touring 'rig' evolved to be the 3 panniers plus big tank bag plus pannier top bag. This allowed us to tour comfortably and I have posted quite a few very enjoyable trip reports on here.
The GSA felt loaded (although it never complained ). At 5'8'' the GSA is always a challenge but when you put the ESA into 2 person plus luggage mode it does have a really jacked up feel (I needed to remember to change the setting if I ever did anything solo - petrol stations being a good example ).
We only fell off once which was my fault on an extreme off camber junction. Fortunately Mrs C's leg protected the pannier
Performance was sufficient, more throttle required to get the load moving. I did suffer from throttle hand numbness, particularly on long motorway runs.
Protection was excellent
Fuel range was a real plus with the 330 mile range.
Comfort for me was never a problem. Mrs C did complain on some long runs which did result in one very quiet ferry crossing going back home
So the GTL (again fully loaded):
I was in a 5 year finance deal on the GSA and had no real plans to change - but - I had an inquisitive test ride on the GT/GTL.
My first impression was awful. As some others have said 'I did not get it'.
It's a big beast and I think in truth I was initially overwhelmed. I think the turning point was getting the chance to open up the engine and then the tables are turned. Now I was coming back down from WOW
After a morning of riding solo I picked up Mrs C. The pillion position is palatial with a seating position allowing visibility over the rider, nice wide heated seat, fully padded backrest and big grab bars. The ice on the cake was the speaker system which does work allowing us to listen to tunes on the move.
Doing a deal which was a bike swap for a similar ongoing monthly payment made the swap happen
So how did the GTL do on tour?
Luggage-wise the panniers and top box are insufficient for our touring needs. You cannot get a tank bag for this bike as due to the sweep of the bars there is a risk the bag and kill switch could connect (H&S risk).
I did explore fitting a rack on the top box but this is not recommended so our solution was to lash a bag (Lomo) to the top box.
I can flat foot on both sides which for me is needed as the bike is a real weight. Getting back on a GSA it feels really nimble in comparison. I have stopped coming to a standstill using the rear brake and now use the linked front brake to ensure both feet are out (maybe I am also aware I have no crash bars fitted ).
The ESA does not have the same jacked up feel as on the GSA.
Performance is awesome. It does not recognise being fully loaded and in Dynamic mode around alpine bends you have as much power as you want to play with. Excellent fun
The lack of bar vibration is good and I did use the cruise control on long runs which does give the opportunity of a rest.
Fuel range is less but OK (250 miles) and I was getting 45 mpg so similar to the GSA.
Protection is good, but at higher speeds when you put the screen up you do get some back-draft, you get used to it. A good feature are the fairing vents which you can push out and direct air towards your torso. This does work really well
The bike is very comfortable. We came back to the ferry in one 9 hour 850km run and Mrs C was still talking to me on the ferry (should I get the GSA back
).
So - as I said to begin with this comparison is related to 2 up touring, and in summary the change has been a positive move for us
PS - I managed to save this blurb before the site went down for the last hour
OK - maybe time for me to reflect on the two bikes.
This is mainly on the basis of 2 up touring.
My 2008 fully loaded (in both senses
)GSA was a great bike. Over 4 years of ownership our touring 'rig' evolved to be the 3 panniers plus big tank bag plus pannier top bag. This allowed us to tour comfortably and I have posted quite a few very enjoyable trip reports on here.The GSA felt loaded (although it never complained
). At 5'8'' the GSA is always a challenge but when you put the ESA into 2 person plus luggage mode it does have a really jacked up feel (I needed to remember to change the setting if I ever did anything solo - petrol stations being a good example ).We only fell off once which was my fault on an extreme off camber junction. Fortunately Mrs C's leg protected the pannier
Performance was sufficient, more throttle required to get the load moving. I did suffer from throttle hand numbness, particularly on long motorway runs.
Protection was excellent
Fuel range was a real plus with the 330 mile range.
Comfort for me was never a problem. Mrs C did complain on some long runs which did result in one very quiet ferry crossing going back home
So the GTL (again fully loaded):
I was in a 5 year finance deal on the GSA and had no real plans to change - but - I had an inquisitive test ride on the GT/GTL.
My first impression was awful. As some others have said 'I did not get it'.
It's a big beast and I think in truth I was initially overwhelmed. I think the turning point was getting the chance to open up the engine and then the tables are turned. Now I was coming back down from WOW
After a morning of riding solo I picked up Mrs C. The pillion position is palatial with a seating position allowing visibility over the rider, nice wide heated seat, fully padded backrest and big grab bars. The ice on the cake was the speaker system which does work allowing us to listen to tunes on the move.
Doing a deal which was a bike swap for a similar ongoing monthly payment made the swap happen
So how did the GTL do on tour?
Luggage-wise the panniers and top box are insufficient for our touring needs. You cannot get a tank bag for this bike as due to the sweep of the bars there is a risk the bag and kill switch could connect (H&S risk
).I did explore fitting a rack on the top box but this is not recommended so our solution was to lash a bag (Lomo
) to the top box.I can flat foot on both sides which for me is needed as the bike is a real weight. Getting back on a GSA it feels really nimble in comparison. I have stopped coming to a standstill using the rear brake and now use the linked front brake to ensure both feet are out (maybe I am also aware I have no crash bars fitted
).The ESA does not have the same jacked up feel as on the GSA.
Performance is awesome. It does not recognise being fully loaded and in Dynamic mode around alpine bends you have as much power as you want to play with. Excellent fun
The lack of bar vibration is good and I did use the cruise control on long runs which does give the opportunity of a rest.
Fuel range is less but OK (250 miles) and I was getting 45 mpg so similar to the GSA.
Protection is good, but at higher speeds when you put the screen up you do get some back-draft, you get used to it. A good feature are the fairing vents which you can push out and direct air towards your torso. This does work really well
The bike is very comfortable. We came back to the ferry in one 9 hour 850km run and Mrs C was still talking to me on the ferry (should I get the GSA back
).So - as I said to begin with this comparison is related to 2 up touring, and in summary the change has been a positive move for us
PS - I managed to save this blurb before the site went down for the last hour
Last edited:
Similar threads
