pint6x
Guest
Finally made it to SPC for a decent test ride on an 1150GS - did about 120 miles - well, basically I rode it home, successfully managed to get it into my narrow brick shed thing (just had to fold the mirrors in a bit and turn the bars to get it through the door frame - this bike had no handguards on it), then rode it back to SPC to see what laughably small pittance they might give me for my R1100R which I had left with them.
Well, what a difference between the two bikes.
The GS is physically larger of course - initial handling impressions were that it had much slower steering - it felt much larger. It also immediately gave me huge confidence to chuck it into corners - I found myself leaning into bends at surprising angles. It felt unstoppable - like it would just ride over anything in its path. It allows you to maintain surprisingly high speeds on give-and-take roads. I found myself putting it into "E" gear and just letting the lazy torque pull me along between 50 and 80 mph, changing down a couple for more instant oomph when required. It felt a bit ponderous negotiating mini roundabouts and large junctions - like it would prefer to just sail straight over everything.
Didn’t like the seat very much, and felt the riding position was a bit sail-like – you’re hung out to dry by those wide bars, but the screen stops you doing the parachute impression. I think I would like narrower bars, possibly slightly further forward. Anyone got experience of this ?
On the A303 dual carriageway I found it horribly easy to maintain a ton without too much buffetting - no more than I get on my R1100R with BMW screen. The big yellow GS certainly gets cars moving out of the way impressively.
Returning to SPC on the GS I couldn't resist a quick visit to the Bake House to visit Bakerman. Top bloke provided coffee and pastie to hungry biker. If this is roadkill, it tastes good. I've never seen anyone make Danish pastries so quickly either
Anyway, back to SPC - sales staff utterly disinterested in me - I did eventually manage to get the attention of one of them who informed me of the pittance they would allow me for part-ex - he managed to do this in between taking half a dozen phone calls. I wondered around for a while waiting for him to come back, and eventually decided to head home. Nice people, but the part-ex deal was pathetic, and the service less than enthusiastic. Helpful bloke on the parts counter fixed my visor though. If you’re looking at a GS, I guess you have to hope that the sales people will deign to come and help you, and if you’re “really” nice, might sell you a bike.
Getting onto my R1100R again felt like getting onto a moped after the GS, it felt so much smaller, but also much nimbler. I guess the steering geometry is quite different.
So I'm blasting home on the R1100R thinking, "damn, this is a good bike". Having done 120 miles on mine, and 120 on a GS, they’re both top bikes – I was surprised how different they felt to ride. And I’m no nearer necessarily wanting to change. I’m certainly not about to put my bike and another £4k into an 1150GS with a dealer – that’s silly money for an imported V reg bike. Still undecided.
And whom should I see terrorising the neighbourhood on his GS when pulling off the A303 at Andover on my way home on my bike again – clue – he makes bread – stopped and had a quick chat – he gave the R1100R the once over and said “not much wrong with that”. ‘kin right mate.
Comment of the day from my wife who saw the GS and said “What’s that stupid big thing sticking out at the front? It looks weird”. That, my darling, is the beak!
6X
Well, what a difference between the two bikes.
The GS is physically larger of course - initial handling impressions were that it had much slower steering - it felt much larger. It also immediately gave me huge confidence to chuck it into corners - I found myself leaning into bends at surprising angles. It felt unstoppable - like it would just ride over anything in its path. It allows you to maintain surprisingly high speeds on give-and-take roads. I found myself putting it into "E" gear and just letting the lazy torque pull me along between 50 and 80 mph, changing down a couple for more instant oomph when required. It felt a bit ponderous negotiating mini roundabouts and large junctions - like it would prefer to just sail straight over everything.
Didn’t like the seat very much, and felt the riding position was a bit sail-like – you’re hung out to dry by those wide bars, but the screen stops you doing the parachute impression. I think I would like narrower bars, possibly slightly further forward. Anyone got experience of this ?
On the A303 dual carriageway I found it horribly easy to maintain a ton without too much buffetting - no more than I get on my R1100R with BMW screen. The big yellow GS certainly gets cars moving out of the way impressively.
Returning to SPC on the GS I couldn't resist a quick visit to the Bake House to visit Bakerman. Top bloke provided coffee and pastie to hungry biker. If this is roadkill, it tastes good. I've never seen anyone make Danish pastries so quickly either
Anyway, back to SPC - sales staff utterly disinterested in me - I did eventually manage to get the attention of one of them who informed me of the pittance they would allow me for part-ex - he managed to do this in between taking half a dozen phone calls. I wondered around for a while waiting for him to come back, and eventually decided to head home. Nice people, but the part-ex deal was pathetic, and the service less than enthusiastic. Helpful bloke on the parts counter fixed my visor though. If you’re looking at a GS, I guess you have to hope that the sales people will deign to come and help you, and if you’re “really” nice, might sell you a bike.
Getting onto my R1100R again felt like getting onto a moped after the GS, it felt so much smaller, but also much nimbler. I guess the steering geometry is quite different.
So I'm blasting home on the R1100R thinking, "damn, this is a good bike". Having done 120 miles on mine, and 120 on a GS, they’re both top bikes – I was surprised how different they felt to ride. And I’m no nearer necessarily wanting to change. I’m certainly not about to put my bike and another £4k into an 1150GS with a dealer – that’s silly money for an imported V reg bike. Still undecided.
And whom should I see terrorising the neighbourhood on his GS when pulling off the A303 at Andover on my way home on my bike again – clue – he makes bread – stopped and had a quick chat – he gave the R1100R the once over and said “not much wrong with that”. ‘kin right mate.
Comment of the day from my wife who saw the GS and said “What’s that stupid big thing sticking out at the front? It looks weird”. That, my darling, is the beak!
6X
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