New and I don't even have a licence

[wytco0]

During the late 1970s I had a Honda XL250S and loved it, in those days you didn't need a full bike licence to ride a 250 so I never got one.

Now I want to take up biking again, I have done my CBT and Theory and about to start some proper lessons on a 600cc bike.

The problem is that when I get my full licence I really want a 1200GSA, I know its not a normal first bike but I am wondering if its really any harder to become proficient on a 1200 than it is on a 600? I love the riding position and the effortless power and I want to go on long cross Europe trips to see family.

So is this completely crazy? has anyone else done anything similar?

 

[andrewh]

Done exactly that, last bike I had was a Suzuki GP100 in 1984 aged 17, took my test 4 years ago, I had an 06 GSA waiting for me in the garage.

Seemed enormous at first but soon got used to it, take it easy and you will be fine.

Good luck with the lessons and the test.

 

[Nutty]

I'd never ridden a motorbike until I was in my early thirties, then 3 months after passing my test bought a new 12GS. You'll take to it like a duck to water.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

As said, plenty do it and fair do's. Is there a specific reason why you want such a big bike or do you just fancy one?

Personally, I'd be in no hurry to go big, a smaller bike will teach you more about the subtleties of bike control and lay the groundwork for years of riding to come. Who knows you may even find the desire to go bigger goes when you find out how much fun a smaller bike is - performance is never going to be an issue, obviously, as a sports 600 will outperform a GS and any mid sized trailie is more than powerful enough for UK roads. If you want to do big miles then there are still smaller bikes that are more than capable............

Andres

 

[wytco0]

As said, plenty do it and fair do's. Is there a specific reason why you want such a big bike or do you just fancy one?


Andres

Good Question, although I haven't ridden for a long while I did ride for a few years and I was surprised at how much I had remembered, obliviously I need some proper lessons and to pass my test but I think after that I will be OK with the basics.

I haven't ridden any of the Big BMs but I have sat on them and been taken for a spin on the 1200, I actually found the 1200 more comfortable and better suited to my height (short) that the 650 and the 800. Its early days and I may not get a 1200 (or even a BM) but I am getting on a bit and I want something soonish. I like big under-stressed engines with a lot of power, I don't need speed although its nice every now and then.

 

[Gossy]

During the late 1970s I had a Honda XL250S and loved it, in those days you didn't need a full bike licence to ride a 250 so I never got one.

Now I want to take up biking again, I have done my CBT and Theory and about to start some proper lessons on a 600cc bike.

The problem is that when I get my full licence I really want a 1200GSA, I know its not a normal first bike but I am wondering if its really any harder to become proficient on a 1200 than it is on a 600? I love the riding position and the effortless power and I want to go on long cross Europe trips to see family.

So is this completely crazy? has anyone else done anything similar?

Did pretty much the same mid to late 70's Yamaha 200, DT175. - 2008 DAS , CB 500 for 6 months over winter then GS then GSA.

CB 500 .... was fun re- learned riding on wet slippery winter roads, just wanted to keep riding but wouldn't have bothered if my test was in spring.
Couldn't believe dealer let me take a GS out for half day test, knew I wanted one within half an hour, the U turn I hated on my test was a cinch with the wide bars on the GS, easier all round.
But are you mad?........yes to a degree but life's boring with out challenges, everything is possible.

Hope the test goes well, there's a wealth of information on this site, pay the subs it's well worth it, then book your ferry

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

I hadn't ridden properly for 10+ years, but recently I suddenly found myself needing a motorbike due to my employer suddenly banning us from parking our cars in the work car park. Being a big bloke I didn't want a small bike and the GSA appealed to me.

A few days ago I purchased one and I'm enjoying it. I ride very cautiously and until I get back to having full road confidence I'm happy to just stay behind the car in front, with no desire to overtake everyone or get anywhere quick. Im planning to get a few refresher lessons and undertake a police Bikesafe course. The GSA feels a big heavy beast when manoeuvring it around by hand on my driveway, but as soon as I set off it feels like any other bike as far as weight is concerned.

If I'm honest with myself then I really didn't need a GSA, or a bike with a 1200cc engine, I don't intend to be nipping to Morocco at weekends or touring the world. But the GSA is certainly scratching an itch I had

 

[Dragon Master]

Got my first bike, a KH250, on 28 March 1978. Passed my test on 17 May '78, got a Z900 on 4 July '78. I know that's not a GS, but a similar step up at the time.

One of the first things I discovered was that the Z9 could be just as docile as the KH, it just depends how you use that throttle...

Good luck with the test, and when you've passed, go for it!


By the way, I also had an XL250S at one stage, brilliant little bike!

 

[Mr K]

This may be controversial, but I think the 1200GS is quite a safe bike:

Less powerful than a sports 600, but relaxed and can be ridden as slow or fast as you want.
Linked ABS braking and magic non-diving forks.
Upright riding position.

And in my personal experience, idiot proof to a large degree.

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

This makes perfect sense to me.
My only word of caution is when wheeling the bike around. So make sure you have suitable crash protection as it's quite likely to go over on you at least once.

All boxers make great novice bikes in my view as they handle well with the low down weight and the suspension is very forgiving of breaking while cornering. Though is still best avoided.

The gs is particularly good for.novices with its wide bars and commanding position it's easy to handle at low speed.

 

[wytco0]

Thanks for all your comments and advice much appreciated. Today I went into the local BMW to have a closer look at the GS series and spent some time looking at and sitting on the GS1200 and the GS700. I am pretty short and I was surprised to find that I felt far more comfortable on the 1200. I was also impressed at the quality of the big bike compared to the 700, the 1200 seems much better built, but then given the price difference it certainly should be.

I am getting ahead of myself a bit as I need to pass the test, I am doing my training on a Yamaha XJ6, so after one of my lessons I will have a look at the Super Tenere although I am pretty sure it will be too tall for me !

 

[davlyn]

There's no substitute for horses, if you want the 1200 just do it. I bought one after a break of a good few years and love it. The best thing about the 1200 is it will potter around if you want it to or it will crack on and make you smile. Brilliant machine wouldn't be without mine.

Dave

 

[Fanum]

A 12 GS would be a perfect bike for a new rider, but I think it's a two edged sword.

It's perfect BECAUSE it's so easy to ride, very forgiving, it's not overpowered, and the various "modes" and ABS etc etc make it into a car that you only have to remember to put your foot down on when you stop.

BUT.......those things could easily catch you out BIG TIME if you ride another bike....you won't have learned the basics, the brake control (because the ABS will have sorted all of that out for you so all you have to do is yank the fuck out of the lever or pedal) the throttle control (because the traction control, 'modes' that take 80% of the common sense from the riding and will forgive you if you wank open that throttle) and a large amount of other important riding skills that you will only get with a far more basic machine.




If you only ever intend to ride a GSA or a following incarnation of it, go for it, but I think there's a lot to be said for starting off on a much more basic bike that doesn't have the gizmos and fancy electronic aids, so that you learn how to ride "properly" rather than how to ride whilst buoyed up artificially with "safety aids"

Hope that makes sense......but good luck whatever you do

 

[wytco0]

If you only ever intend to ride a GSA or a following incarnation of it, go for it, but I think there's a lot to be said for starting off on a much more basic bike that doesn't have the gizmos and fancy electronic aids, so that you learn how to ride "properly" rather than how to ride whilst buoyed up artificially with "safety aids"

Hope that makes sense......but good luck whatever you do

Actually at my age whatever I buy may well be my last bike I take your point about the basics but in a way I did that in the years I rode the XL250S in the 70s, I won't do anything silly and won't fully decide until I have passed my test and got used to riding the Yam 600.