My first biking "season" coming to a close...

[The Marching Onion]

Hi all, resident newbie here!

I first posted back in April about taking on the daunting task of owning a 1250 GS as my first bike. Well, 4,500 miles later, here’s where I’m at.

The bike is still my favourite thing I own. Every time I look at her, I’m in awe—not just at the engineering marvel or her incredible looks, but at the adventures that lie ahead. This week, the oil low warning came on so will get that sorted and the tyres are beginning to square off, so they’ll be replaced over winter. I’m slowly adding accessories to make her truly ours—next up are bar risers, upper crash bars, extra luggage and pannier brackets for touring, aux lights, and new rear indicators.

As for my own riding, I’ve come a long way. I have zero anxiety now about her weight, size, or power. In fact, I sat on a friend’s 650 recently and it felt like a toy! My confidence in all situations has grown massively, maybe a little too much at times, but either the bike or the world quickly reminds me to keep it in check. There are still a few skills to polish, but after just six months on two wheels, that’s to be expected.

Mrs. Onion is now fully hooked too! I can browse bike gear without a single complaint . After a few test rides earlier this year with borrowed gear, she’s now got her own and absolutely loves life on the back. Getting a full luggage setup was a win for her. Riding two-up has made me a smoother, calmer rider, and we’ve built a great foundation to keep improving together.

We’re already planning some great adventures for next spring. As a Forces veteran, taking part in Ride to the Wall for the first time was definitely a highlight of the year.

All in all, it’s been an amazing spring and summer. I’m planning to keep riding through the colder months, avoiding dangerous conditions, of course, but I still want to get out there, even just to keep developing my skills. I’ve mostly ridden solo (or with the pillion), so I’d love to start joining group rides soon now that I’m more experienced. It’d be great to share the road with some like-minded riders.

Some advanced riding courses would probably benefit me now.

Thanks for letting me ramble on—just wanted to share a good news story this time instead of asking for advice!

Thanks all.

 

[leadfarmer]

Mrs. Onion is now fully hooked too! I can browse bike gear without a single complaint . After a few test rides earlier this year with borrowed gear, she’s now got her own and absolutely loves life on the back. Getting a full luggage setup was a win for her. Riding two-up has made me a smoother, calmer rider, and we’ve built a great foundation to keep improving together.

You’re a lucky man

Not everyone has the chance to have a partner who enjoys bikes but I’m blessed to have my pillion in a million

For me riding and especially touring 2 up is the best thing about biking

Keep going as you are

 

[dub 24]

Happy days delighted for you and your missus.

 

[Posh Pete]

Some advanced riding courses would probably benefit me now.

Lots of choice out there: IAM, RoSPA, Rapid (one of their employees authored a lot of useful stuff on here. Check out the Thin Black Line threads.)

 

[mw3230]

One thought - no need for your riding season to be coming to a close. There are some fantastic rides to be had in the winter as long as it’s not icy. Ask Santa Claus for some heated clothing - fantastic

 

[Bravo]

One thought - no need for your riding season to be coming to a close. There are some fantastic rides to be had in the winter as long as it’s not icy. Ask Santa Claus for some heated clothing - fantastic

^This^

 

[Davey B]

Hi all, resident newbie here!

I first posted back in April about taking on the daunting task of owning a 1250 GS as my first bike. Well, 4,500 miles later, here’s where I’m at..........

I’m planning to keep riding through the colder months, avoiding dangerous conditions, of course, but I still want to get out there, even just to keep developing my skills.

Well done. Good on yer for continuing thru the colder months, a fair few SORN their bikes and IMHO miss out on some great days out. You may have twigged byt now that riding in the wet means you have to be smoother and be more aware of road furniture/other road users etc...you get more wet days in Winter (Just make sure you remember to fully rinse any salt of the bike !) Enjoy the ongoing learning process....it never stops.

 

[APHezzer]

Sounds like a great start and carrying on through the winter months, in some form, has massive benefits .. your skills stay fresh, you learn new ones, you become a more resilient rider and best of all .. you really appreciate spring summer and autumn riding!

As for advanced courses, you could look at a basic off road course, like those offered by BMW Offroad Skills .. you'll gain enormous confidence in bike handling, especially when grip is an issue, and it gives you an extra string to your bow which will open up even more routes both in the UK and further afield.

 

[DorsetRider]

Hi all, resident newbie here!

I first posted back in April about taking on the daunting task of owning a 1250 GS as my first bike. Well, 4,500 miles later, here’s where I’m at.

The bike is still my favourite thing I own. Every time I look at her, I’m in awe—not just at the engineering marvel or her incredible looks, but at the adventures that lie ahead. This week, the oil low warning came on so will get that sorted and the tyres are beginning to square off, so they’ll be replaced over winter. I’m slowly adding accessories to make her truly ours—next up are bar risers, upper crash bars, extra luggage and pannier brackets for touring, aux lights, and new rear indicators.

As for my own riding, I’ve come a long way. I have zero anxiety now about her weight, size, or power. In fact, I sat on a friend’s 650 recently and it felt like a toy! My confidence in all situations has grown massively, maybe a little too much at times, but either the bike or the world quickly reminds me to keep it in check. There are still a few skills to polish, but after just six months on two wheels, that’s to be expected.

Mrs. Onion is now fully hooked too! I can browse bike gear without a single complaint . After a few test rides earlier this year with borrowed gear, she’s now got her own and absolutely loves life on the back. Getting a full luggage setup was a win for her. Riding two-up has made me a smoother, calmer rider, and we’ve built a great foundation to keep improving together.

We’re already planning some great adventures for next spring. As a Forces veteran, taking part in Ride to the Wall for the first time was definitely a highlight of the year.

All in all, it’s been an amazing spring and summer. I’m planning to keep riding through the colder months, avoiding dangerous conditions, of course, but I still want to get out there, even just to keep developing my skills. I’ve mostly ridden solo (or with the pillion), so I’d love to start joining group rides soon now that I’m more experienced. It’d be great to share the road with some like-minded riders.

Some advanced riding courses would probably benefit me now.

Thanks for letting me ramble on—just wanted to share a good news story this time instead of asking for advice!

Thanks all.

I enjoyed reading this Mr Onion. Not least because I'm in a very similar boat. Against all good advice I cannot resist the temptation to enter the world of GS or GSA as my first real bike. I am starting my Advanced Rider course in a few weeks and already have a the NC500 tour booked with some GS buddies next May. I bought an F800GT for that purpose but already feel I should've followed my heart. The only thing stopping me was confidence and listening to what appeared to be sound advice to start smaller from all but my instructor who told me to jump straight onto a big bike. That's where I'm at now. I'm 5'11" with around 30" inseam so was afraid of these big bikes but having sat on a few I'm now sure I can cope.

I will ride with my father-in-law who has recently passed his Masters and is likely becoming Observer, as well as my local advanced riding club in Dorset. The only thing I want more than a GS(A) is to ensure I'm as safe and competent as I can make myself.

Have fun.

 

[glenn2926]

I enjoyed reading this Mr Onion. Not least because I'm in a very similar boat. Against all good advice I cannot resist the temptation to enter the world of GS or GSA as my first real bike. I am starting my Advanced Rider course in a few weeks and already have a the NC500 tour booked with some GS buddies next May. I bought an F800GT for that purpose but already feel I should've followed my heart. The only thing stopping me was confidence and listening to what appeared to be sound advice to start smaller from all but my instructor who told me to jump straight onto a big bike. That's where I'm at now. I'm 5'11" with around 30" inseam so was afraid of these big bikes but having sat on a few I'm now sure I can cope.

I will ride with my father-in-law who has recently passed his Masters and is likely becoming Observer, as well as my local advanced riding club in Dorset. The only thing I want more than a GS(A) is to ensure I'm as safe and competent as I can make myself.

Have fun.

You’re 3” taller than me at 5’8” with a 30” inside leg. I ride a R1250GSA. I do have the ESA set to min and dynamic. I can just flat foot it. Further training will always be worthwhile but some do seem to try to push the speed a bit. I haven’t done any further specific motorcycle training but did have to requal my EFAD (emergency fire appliance driving) every three years which was a pretty advanced blue light course. It was the second best course in the job after my white water rescue course.

 

[DorsetRider]

You’re 3” taller than me at 5’8” with a 30” inside leg. I ride a R1250GSA. I do have the ESA set to min and dynamic. I can just flat foot it. Further training will always be worthwhile but some do seem to try to push the speed a bit. I haven’t done any further specific motorcycle training but did have to requal my EFAD (emergency fire appliance driving) every three years which was a pretty advanced blue light course. It was the second best course in the job after my white water rescue course.

Reassuring to know that my relatively short legs shouldn't be an issue on either ride. I sat on examples of both and felt quite comfortable.