My first ride on a 1200GS

[Slartibartfast]

I have been thinking about getting a GS for years ... (long before they were uber-cool ) but the high price tag of new and used ones put me off .... and my trusty VFR was doing everything I needed it to do ...very well and reliably.

My reference points are my VFR750 FV I've had for over 8 years through all-year commuting duties, a large percentage of pillion work and a couple of European trips.

I also had an Aprillia Caponord for a while which I thought might replace my VFR until I finally gave in to the fact I didn't like it at all. I latterly swapped it for an Aprillia Falco which I do like (in an "oh my god" , selfish , good surface, solo way).

Anyway back to the GS. It was cool but dry day. I took it from Dundee to Perth, out the Crieff road, through the Sma Glen and back to Dundee. The two hour test ride flew by and it brought back all of the memories of why I didn't like the Caponord.

The GS didn't pogo at the front as a result of powerful brakes teamed up with under- sprung , under-damped forks. It didn't boing around at the back on an under-damped , under-preloaded rear. It didn't have to be revved and have the gearbox stirred to make it move. It didn't ground the centre stand when I was sauntering along consciously taking it easy or in town. It felt a lot smaller than the Caponord.

Now all that might sound a bit negative but for me I think that's what will make it a great bike. It seemed to do everything well, in a capable, controlled, undramatic way which is what I am looking for in my two-up bike I intend to put miles on. I suspect getting to love it and then being impressed with it's more subtle capabilities will come with familiarity and miles.

Two hours just isn't a long enough test ride on a GS ... but it's long enough to reel me in

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Welcome to the fold.

Paul

 

[Tartan Terror]

Deposit down?

 

[Eastriding2002]

As the previous owner of a Caponord I'd pick you up on a couple of points.

Powerful brakes: Had the original Capo brakes been replaced?

Grinding centre stands pogoing etc: Did you not adjust the suspension? I never had my Capo behave like that in the time I owned it.

You also forget to mention that the Capo is 4 grand cheaper at least which to some people is a major factor in deciding on a bike.

Mind you, I still swapped to a 1200GS myself!

 

[Slartibartfast]

"Deposit down ?" Yes !

"Capononord Powerful brakes ?" .... yes .. remember my reference point was a VFR750 which had been winter commuted for years. Everything is relative

"Capo Preload ?" ... No I deflated the tyres and set the rear as low as possible ..... scrub that, yes I adjusted the suspension . What little adjustment there was was relatively ineffectual. Believe my I am not a hard rider so that always worried me. The centre stand was not original equipment but an Aprilia accessory. Maybe me and the wife are just too fat The grounding was always two-up

"Price difference ?". Yes .. which is why I didn't buy a GS years ago ... but all good things come to he who waits

 

[Slartibartfast]

And I just remembered the other interesting "feature" of the Capo was the inconsistent tick-over. Mildly irritating on one hand when you stopped and it ticked over at 2.5K rpm ..... somewhat more irritating when you you close the throttle and the thing doesn't slow down for a corner .. or takes a while thinking about it. That may have been a contributory factor to me grabbing a handful of brake when I didn't expect to

From the forums, some seemed to do it some didn't.

The GS didn't do that