dave b
Registered user
Pick mine up this saturday , cannot wait . My trusty 1150 gsa has just left and will be used on a world trip next year , could'nt wish it to go to a better life 
Picked the GSA up today!!......
- Thread starter Andy Higgins
- Start date
Andy Higgins
Registered user
Thanks guys, wise words from you all, will defo look at further training in the summer! Any recommendations for the South Wales area greatly appreciated!
andy leett
Registered user
Saw you down at Rydales yesterday morning, mine was the white 1150adv. Andy Smith is your man for advanced training, contact Rydales and they will give his number etc.
Andy Higgins
Registered user
Cheers, i think i'll give Andy Smith a ring. By the way nice bike Andy.
The difficult part
You were entuirely tight by 'mastering' the technique of getting on and off whilst still in the showrooms; I have owned many bikes over many years and the 1200GS that I have had for the last few years is the EASIEST of all - once you are under way. Getting on and off is something not to be hurried. (The GSA is slightly higher than the GS but the central stand is easier I believe
Avoid parking on a camber - this can lead to disaster as unless you are tall and strong it can mean a real effort to bring it upright. Get on with the side stand DOWN always - then you have less chance of dropping it if you find it all a bit too much!
The limits of this bike, cornering, braking and acceleration etc; are far beyond what you should consider normal behaviour.
Take an advanced course ASAP as many have suggested; in the meantime avoid any impulse to be competitive! You will never get near an experienced rider on almost any bike and you certainly should not compete with kamikaze children on 50cc race replicas or scooters!
You were entuirely tight by 'mastering' the technique of getting on and off whilst still in the showrooms; I have owned many bikes over many years and the 1200GS that I have had for the last few years is the EASIEST of all - once you are under way. Getting on and off is something not to be hurried. (The GSA is slightly higher than the GS but the central stand is easier I believe
Avoid parking on a camber - this can lead to disaster as unless you are tall and strong it can mean a real effort to bring it upright. Get on with the side stand DOWN always - then you have less chance of dropping it if you find it all a bit too much!The limits of this bike, cornering, braking and acceleration etc; are far beyond what you should consider normal behaviour.
Take an advanced course ASAP as many have suggested; in the meantime avoid any impulse to be competitive! You will never get near an experienced rider on almost any bike and you certainly should not compete with kamikaze children on 50cc race replicas or scooters!
SpyInTheCamp
Registered user
Got mine last week as well.
Fitted some bits to it since this photo. Remus, hugger, clear rear light and a few more bits of bling. Now I can't decide whether to keep with this top box or fit my vario one on it.
Fitted some bits to it since this photo. Remus, hugger, clear rear light and a few more bits of bling. Now I can't decide whether to keep with this top box or fit my vario one on it.
MarkiMark
Guest
Only downside at the moment is that I bought the Adventure aluminium luggage and one of the locks which attaches the pannier to the bike literally just fell out losing all of the mechanism and tiny springs all over the drive
Hi - the same happened to me. Brand new Adventure Aluminium panniers on my brand new GSA. I hadn't even noticed the lock coming out until I saw the thing on my key ring. Very strange. I'll complain when I go in for the 600 miles service. Other than that everything is brilliant. I love the bike even though I nearly dropped it a few times already when I lost my footing on wet road markings, etc. Anyway, onwards and upwards!
LiquidLAN
Registered user
Sorry guys, no specifics on advanced riding courses.
I've been riding for nearly 21 years now and worked up from a 50. I used to be a Chief Instructor with Star Rider many, many, many, years ago and picked up a lot from that. Personally I feel a bit rusty and know I'd benefit from a refresher course.
As I understand it you have the choice of something recognised (RoSPA or IAM) or something less recognised but as good (Ride to Arrive, Bike Safe, etc, etc) any and all would be valid options as far as I can see.
I'd get on a course sooner or later if you are feeling shakey... the main reason being it would be all to easy to scare yourself in the meantime and not want to go forward, hopefully a course would give you the confidence to avoid that in the first place.
just my opinion... but like I said previously, enjoy the bike!
I've been riding for nearly 21 years now and worked up from a 50. I used to be a Chief Instructor with Star Rider many, many, many, years ago and picked up a lot from that. Personally I feel a bit rusty and know I'd benefit from a refresher course.
As I understand it you have the choice of something recognised (RoSPA or IAM) or something less recognised but as good (Ride to Arrive, Bike Safe, etc, etc) any and all would be valid options as far as I can see.
I'd get on a course sooner or later if you are feeling shakey... the main reason being it would be all to easy to scare yourself in the meantime and not want to go forward, hopefully a course would give you the confidence to avoid that in the first place.
just my opinion... but like I said previously, enjoy the bike!
MrPudding
Guest
I joined IAM and have had two observed rides and one social run. I would highly recommend it. I have noticed a marked improvment in my riding.
MrP
MrP
Great reading about your new bike, the fear of dropping it will pass once the inevitable happens (off-road of course) and you see how tough and relatively unbreakable they are.
I wish I could be there to see your face on the day you get your pegs down for the first time.
Take it steady.
I wish I could be there to see your face on the day you get your pegs down for the first time.
Take it steady.
'Nuffsaid
Registered user
World Of BMW
I did a course with them last year - The road training is done by Kevin Saunders ( He has several world records for riding ) and Emmett - I would really recommend you go see them as they are both fantastic - They really listen to what you want to get out of the course and build the 2 days to meet your requirements and experience. I am about to do my IAM test in a couple of months, however I learned more in those 2 days with Kevin & Emmett than any amount of observed IAM rides ( They are good as well
) could give me .
They are both off to do the Americas ( Alaska down to Tierra Del Fuego ) shortly, so you will have to get in quick!
I did a course with them last year - The road training is done by Kevin Saunders ( He has several world records for riding ) and Emmett - I would really recommend you go see them as they are both fantastic - They really listen to what you want to get out of the course and build the 2 days to meet your requirements and experience. I am about to do my IAM test in a couple of months, however I learned more in those 2 days with Kevin & Emmett than any amount of observed IAM rides ( They are good as well
) could give me .They are both off to do the Americas ( Alaska down to Tierra Del Fuego ) shortly, so you will have to get in quick!
rdover
Registered user
I picked my 12GSA last November (2nd hand 3.5k miles) and have done ~5k miles over the winter so far.
It is without doubt the best bike I've owned. I've had to fit the usual goodies to get it comfy for my dodgy joints and funny shaped arse but apart from that it is amazing.
Best bits
power delivery, weather protection (over the 1150GS not as good as RT quel surprise), handling, power, handling, handling tank range, fun factor, handling, veneer of normality hiding the total lunacy. Did I mention the handling? Oh yes, standing on the pegs at 50mph in roadworks and confusing other roadusers, wheelies and stoppies, overtaking an R1 and Fazer thou' on the Kirkstone pass in the pissing rain
Worst bits
Vario panniers look girly but work brilliantly, seat height is either too high to get my feet down in all circumstances or too low for 200 mile legrooom (sargent seat), horn is weedy, magnetic tank bag falls off all the time
, having to use the car to take the kids to school, still looking like a Power Ranger that has partly melted in the rain. keeping both wheels on the ground at the same time is a challenge on bumpy roads.
Riding it well is 100% confidence. Take your time to get used to the handling and remember that being on the throttle through the bends is the way. I still feather the back brake to settle it especially when loaded up.
It is without doubt the best bike I've owned. I've had to fit the usual goodies to get it comfy for my dodgy joints and funny shaped arse but apart from that it is amazing.
Best bits
power delivery, weather protection (over the 1150GS not as good as RT quel surprise), handling, power, handling, handling tank range, fun factor, handling, veneer of normality hiding the total lunacy. Did I mention the handling? Oh yes, standing on the pegs at 50mph in roadworks and confusing other roadusers, wheelies and stoppies, overtaking an R1 and Fazer thou' on the Kirkstone pass in the pissing rain
Worst bits
Vario panniers look girly but work brilliantly, seat height is either too high to get my feet down in all circumstances or too low for 200 mile legrooom (sargent seat), horn is weedy, magnetic tank bag falls off all the time
, having to use the car to take the kids to school, still looking like a Power Ranger that has partly melted in the rain. keeping both wheels on the ground at the same time is a challenge on bumpy roads. Riding it well is 100% confidence. Take your time to get used to the handling and remember that being on the throttle through the bends is the way. I still feather the back brake to settle it especially when loaded up.
Python
Guest
Have opted with my better half to join Essex Advanced Motorcycle Group over in Chelmsford, Essex. They have a club night once a month, followed by a Sunday Rideout for all. Then as an Associate, undertaking the IAM you get a assigned Instructor who you then line up rideouts with whenever is convenient and they give you pointers and help to bring you up to a Test Standard. You can take the course if you wish but there seems to be no pressure if additional help is all you really want.
They also have a mountain of rideouts and trips over the UK and overseas.
Well worth the joining fee I say.
Enjoy, whatever you decide - but get out and have fun at the very least.
J
They also have a mountain of rideouts and trips over the UK and overseas.
Well worth the joining fee I say.
Enjoy, whatever you decide - but get out and have fun at the very least.
J
Phil Clarke
Registered user
blimey 2nd bike a 1200 GS, how times have changed!
For me 1st bike was a tomos moped, 2nd a CB100n, 3rd a Suzuki 250 X7, 4th a BSA thunderbolt, 5th a BSA B40, 6th a Triumph trophy ('70), 7th an MZ baghira, 8th a Dot trials 250, 9th a Honda C90, 10th a Greeves Scottish trials bike, 11th a 1200GS, 13th an Ariel HT5......
Sympathise totally with Cages driving up your chuff if you aint doing 10mph over the speed limit. Top tip is to look back and glare at them - they then think your a mad hells angel who is going to murder them and there family and back off. Doing this also reminds car drivers that there is an actual human being in front of them, not just an object in there way, and they usualy give you some space.
Keep it sunny side up!
Phil
For me 1st bike was a tomos moped, 2nd a CB100n, 3rd a Suzuki 250 X7, 4th a BSA thunderbolt, 5th a BSA B40, 6th a Triumph trophy ('70), 7th an MZ baghira, 8th a Dot trials 250, 9th a Honda C90, 10th a Greeves Scottish trials bike, 11th a 1200GS, 13th an Ariel HT5......
Sympathise totally with Cages driving up your chuff if you aint doing 10mph over the speed limit. Top tip is to look back and glare at them - they then think your a mad hells angel who is going to murder them and there family and back off. Doing this also reminds car drivers that there is an actual human being in front of them, not just an object in there way, and they usualy give you some space.
Keep it sunny side up!
Phil
charlie bimmerman
Guest
Had my 12GSA since Setember 06 and bought it 6 months old. Love it Love it LOVE IT!!
My best bike ever and having ridden through the winter nearly every day I've been forced to leave it parked up for 3 weeks due to having an op on my face - can't put a helmet on, can't ride bike. Hoping to get back on next week.
Things I love: handling, grunt out of bends, balance, road presence and bossing traffic in town, view over hedges and cars, styling so ugly it's beautiful, really comfortable and suits my frame perfectly, Tonka boy's toyness and the fact if I don't wash it doesn't mind and is still my friend.
Things I'm not so keen on: gearbox (truly s**te), it's a big heavy sod to paddle around, screen still not high enough to stop my head taking a battering, spokes are hard to clean...erm...that's it
My best bike ever and having ridden through the winter nearly every day I've been forced to leave it parked up for 3 weeks due to having an op on my face - can't put a helmet on, can't ride bike. Hoping to get back on next week.
Things I love: handling, grunt out of bends, balance, road presence and bossing traffic in town, view over hedges and cars, styling so ugly it's beautiful, really comfortable and suits my frame perfectly, Tonka boy's toyness and the fact if I don't wash it doesn't mind and is still my friend.
Things I'm not so keen on: gearbox (truly s**te), it's a big heavy sod to paddle around, screen still not high enough to stop my head taking a battering, spokes are hard to clean...erm...that's it
scottpa
Registered user
Advanced training recommendation
Condrats on the bike. I am getting a bit excited/nervous too, I pick up my new GS next Saturday. Your confidence grows with the miles. Get out there and enjoy!
As to advanced training, I can recommend these guys.
http://www.rapidtraining.co.uk/e/home.htm
They are not IAM or ROSPA affiliated, but they seem to be all ex police motorcyclists. I did a 2 day course with them a couple of years ago. Really great 2 days riding through the back roads of mid Wales. Learned a lot. They also do track days which I have heard good things about. They are for training, not the usual speed demons. They are supposed to be very good for learning bike control and improving your confidence in your bikes handling.
Alan
Condrats on the bike. I am getting a bit excited/nervous too, I pick up my new GS next Saturday
. Your confidence grows with the miles. Get out there and enjoy!As to advanced training, I can recommend these guys.
http://www.rapidtraining.co.uk/e/home.htm
They are not IAM or ROSPA affiliated, but they seem to be all ex police motorcyclists. I did a 2 day course with them a couple of years ago. Really great 2 days riding through the back roads of mid Wales. Learned a lot. They also do track days which I have heard good things about. They are for training, not the usual speed demons. They are supposed to be very good for learning bike control and improving your confidence in your bikes handling.
Alan
Andy Higgins
Registered user
Well two more days out on the GSA and 555miles done, feels so much better already!!!!! Roll on the weekends when i can chuck car keys in the drawer and get out on the GSA.
Some of my fears mentioned above have all but gone and loving every minute of it, apart from the 0-10mph range!!
Some of my fears mentioned above have all but gone and loving every minute of it, apart from the 0-10mph range!!
rdover
Registered user
You will get used to the balance soon. I always get a wobble just after a fill up when I forget there's an extra 25kg on the front. Mind you it wheelies wonderfully off crests in 3rd on an almost empty tank
Similar threads
