New here and new bike (hopefully!)

[browne1230]

Howya lads, new to to site. I've had an 1100 dragstar for the last few years but recently have been thinking about changing it for a more substantial touring bike. I recently took a 2007 BMW GS1200 Adventure for a test run and loved it. Handles well, great on cornering and loads of luggage space, mighty breaks, not to mention a huge petrol tank. The bike has the lower saddle so I can put one foot completely down while stationery or can stand on "tippy-toes" with both feet down.

Thing is im about 5'8 and have a concern about the height, weight, (stoppin on a gradient etc) I can get it at a good price but want to be sure its not "too much of a bike" for a lad my size!

If I was 2 inches taller and 2 stone heavier I wouldnt need to post this!......but any advice would be very much appreciated.

Cheers lads

 

[GerryC]

Firstly welcome.

I'm of "compact" size also & prefer the standard GS (with a low seat but not the standard pain in the butt low seat) over the adventure. With judicious use of the go grip I can coax 400 K out of a tank full - a bit less if wound on, still a reasonable range that leaves me about ready for a break.

 

[john_aero]

think can get lower seat and also lower the suspension. so if its the adv you want then go for it

get used to height though but if not comfortable then standard GS or lowered adv

 

[BOIRCHE]

Tad big for me as im 5ft7" but i ride a GS 1200 with a standard seat no probs, but you need the big fish an chip tank to ride the GSA

 

[frank1200]

i am 5 9" and ride a 09 gsa,before that i had a 06gs both with a kehedo extra low seat,
when i brought the gsa home the first thing my wife said was "quote= at least its a bit lower than the other one"
i dont find the weight a problem at all and i must have a short ass bike because i can get both feet flat on the ground no problem,
when i got the gs first i thought i had made a big mistake with this tall gangly bike but after giving it time and a low seat it was fine
you just have to watch where you park (avoid bad ground dips and off camber areas)and you will be fine.
as bin said to me when i told him i had got the extra low seat "why you are not extra low "
a lot of it is in your head but if you are not comfortable on a bike you will not enjoy it.

hope that makes sence and is not a load of waffle

 

[browne1230]

Thanks for all the help lads, much appreciated. I love the look of the Adventure and think I'll be able to handle her ok. My just lower the suspension a tad, just to be on the safe side!

 

[browne1230]

i am 5 9" and ride a 09 gsa,before that i had a 06gs both with a kehedo extra low seat,
when i brought the gsa home the first thing my wife said was "quote= at least its a bit lower than the other one"
i dont find the weight a problem at all and i must have a short ass bike because i can get both feet flat on the ground no problem,
when i got the gs first i thought i had made a big mistake with this tall gangly bike but after giving it time and a low seat it was fine
you just have to watch where you park (avoid bad ground dips and off camber areas)and you will be fine.
as bin said to me when i told him i had got the extra low seat "why you are not extra low "
a lot of it is in your head but if you are not comfortable on a bike you will not enjoy it.

hope that makes sence and is not a load of waffle

Thanks for that Frank. Are you saying that the Adventure was actually lower than the GS?