Older GS or Newer .... Helppppp !

[Gregr]

Hi All
This is my first post here so please bare with me , I've had an Africa Twin before and found it a bit top heavy for slow twisty riding and sold the old gal few years back .... however I really miss the "sod the weather am going for a ride" mentality that you can adopt when owning such a bike !...

So looking for an easier to ride but still bullet-proof bike and odviously the GS range fits the bill .... big problem though ... am a short ass 31" inside leg and always found the AT a tad too high .

Should I therefore buy an older GS , eg R100GS or the 800 version or is it that the newer bikes just look bigger ?

Any help most greatfully received ,
Greg

Ps, Have a limited budget so "go buy a new F800GS" is sorry outta the question right now

PPS, If the ealier GS's are the ones to go for , what should I check for when looking !

 

[Colban]

Have you tried the later ones?.You may be surprised at how managable they are.An 1100 or 1150 should be OK on the lower seat setting;or alternatively you can buy lowered riders seats.I'd avoid the Adventure versions though as they are higher still.

 

[Timolgra]

I've had GS 1150s for nearly 10 years and they're brilliant...

BUT...

I also ride an Africa Twin around 7 hours a day, every day for my work. It's more nimble and easy to ride, much lighter, lower, more economical, cheaper to buy etc. etc.

BUT...it's no GS

 

[(RIP) Jamie]

Go to Burbidges Bakery in Andover, ask for Steve, he'll let you have a go on his, if your not sure.

 

[Bryn]

H. am a short ass 31" inside leg and always found the AT a tad too high .

31" inside leg... you're lucky

I manage with a 29 and a bit inside leg... with 31" you'll soon feel at home on a GS

 

[Loiq]

I ride a GSA with all the dials set to middle position. (lower seat option) only short in statue and short legs 30 inch on a good day it's not a problem in my opinion.

the bakerman is away on the bike at mo as far as I'm aware, but pop in and get some dognuts...

 

[Timolgra]

the bakerman is away on the bike at mo as far as I'm aware, but pop in and get some dognuts...

I had a text from him informing me "the Romanian and Hungarian women are not ugly"

 

[Rushy]

The 1150GS is a heavy bugger but she carries her weight down low.

I'm just over 51 10" tall with a 31" leg and I have no problems with the bike. Solo or 2 up , fully laden, seat set in middle position.....never dropped it in 6 years.

You'll love it

 

[Mort]

31" inside leg... you're lucky

I manage with a 29 and a bit inside leg... with 31" you'll soon feel at home on a GS

+1

 

[Gregr]

Cheers Guys I know "steve" the baker very well ... but as he's away I bow to your surperior knowledge ... am currently looking at a '91 GS on e-bay if I dont win will then look further afield ... on a different note I was kinda shocked just how tall the new F800GS was and how hard that seat is ..ouchhhh !

But please answer me this , how good / bad is the "older" style Gs's and how much better is an 850GS ? ... seen one advertised here !

 

[motobiker]

Cheers Guys I know "steve" the baker very well ... but as he's away I bow to your surperior knowledge ... am currently looking at a '91 GS on e-bay if I dont win will then look further afield ... on a different note I was kinda shocked just how tall the new F800GS was and how hard that seat is ..ouchhhh !

But please answer me this , how good / bad is the "older" style Gs's and how much better is an 850GS ? ... seen one advertised here !

you have to be very VERY careful on here... a 91 bike will be a G/S

whereas that 850 will be a GS.


btw.. I think that 850 is a steal.. the two bikes are VERY different animals... when I was in the market to replace my first 1100 (stolen in 2000) I really wanted an 850 - based on all that I had read about them. but sadly there were none about at the time and i didn't have the patience to wait.

The older bikes have their loyal fan base.. and I won't knock them.
The newer 850/1100/1150 all have their fan base too.... you have to make your own mind up on which is appropriate for you. that 850 looks a mighty fine machine though.... test it and I BET you'll buy it.

 

[grandtrousers]

The 1150GS is a heavy bugger but she carries her weight down low.

I'm just over 51 10" tall with a 31" leg and I have no problems with the bike. Solo or 2 up , fully laden, seat set in middle position.....never dropped it in 6 years.

You'll love it

At fifty one feet and ten inches you will need the taller seat option sir

(Little legs for a big bloke................)

 

[ian6760]

You won't have any probs with the seat height, I'm 5'8 with a 29" inside leg, and its fine. I would personaly go for an 1150 with no bells and whistles. I've got a 2000 with no ABS, I use it every day, it is parked outside all year round, with a cover over it on winter nights.
Ian

 

[WhipHubley]

I had the exact same worries as you.

I used to have an AT and didn't really get on with it. I found it too tall (I'm a shorty) and not much fun, to be honest.

Believe me the GS is different. I've just picked up an 1150 which I think has the seat on the lower setting (and admittedly may be a bit lower than standard anyhow) and it's fine.

But most importantly, it's an absolute hoot to ride - totally different than the AT.

Get yourself a test ride and find out. Have fun !

 

[motobiker]

Has to be said that a large number of 11xx owners don't get on with the original seat - many go for the SARGENT - which is 1" lower (as standard) than the stock seat.

 

[(RIP) ugg]

Has to be said that a large number of 11xx owners don't get on with the original seat - many go for the SARGENT - which is 1" lower (as standard) than the stock seat.

Yup , its bloody hard on the arse after 100 miles or so....
1000 miles in two days yer in pain

as the honored gentleman mentioned above the oe seat is hard..and too rounded , im looking into a recovering my seat and having a gell pad inserted to mine....

ugg.

 

[PIGGLET]

You'll be fine on a later bike. I'm about 5'10 with a 30" inside leg and manage fine on an 1150 adventure. Tim obviousley likes his AT but I feckin hated mine. Admitedly I don't do town riding but I found it was underpowered, felt too softly sprung and the brakes were.

 

[Packer]

The page on the AT site gives the weight of the later ones as 205Kgs without fuel. A servo ABS late 1150GS (e.g. 2003) weighs 228Kgs without fuel but carries the weight low.

I would second getting a non serrvo 1150. Mine has the servo ABS but when it dies (it hasn't yet at almost 5 years and 45,000 miles) I'll re-plumb it without the servo's or ABS. That will probably save around 10Kgs.

With a 32/33" inseam I can put both feet flat on the floor easily with the seat on the low position which is the way I like it.