Renevator
Registered user
Help me not judge my next bike by aesthetics.
Ok, so it’s a subjective thing, and as a means of choosing a motorcycle a pretty daft one, and given that I’m asking this on a GS forum means that I already appreciate the multifaceted qualities of the GS, but I just can’t help being seduced by the aesthetics of sports and sport tourer bikes.
I’ve already made this mistake, but thankfully not irreversibly. I decided to trade in my VFR750FR for an Aprilia Falco, and having ridden the Falco for nearly a month now I’ve decided it just doesn’t suit me as well as the VFR, so I’m going back to my old friend & selling the Falco instead of the VFR. After months of consideration I’d concluded that the Falco was the ideal next bike for me, and yes, a large part of this was because I’d been seduced by it’s looks and exclusivity. I knew I would be trading off some benefits of the Honda for other benefits of the Aprilia, and thought that I could overcome the limitations of this more sporty ride. I thought the superior engine & handling of the Aprilia would carry me through the loss of all the VFR’s usefulness……. but I was wrong. And to make matters worse I actually think I’m a better rider on the VFR. Apart from the sheer grunt of the brilliant Rotax engine, and the taughter chassis of the Falco, I’m just as fast on the VFR too (much of this is probably due to the Maxton shock & fork set up on the VFR). Ok, so that’s probably down to me not being a good enough rider to fully exploit the Aprilia, and that’s another lesson I’ve had to come to terms with. It’s been a difficult unsettling period of motorcycle ownership, and one that’s got me considering the way I choose a bike probably needs some serious adjustment.
So I’m now looking toward my next bike as something truly better than the VFR for all my motorcycling needs.
My problem is that I’m very aesthetic driven, and I do like small light motorcycles, but I know this severely limits me. Despite the fact that the Falco hasn’t worked for me I still get a buzz from seeing it sat outside my house. Of course one mans work of art is another’s ‘carbuncle on an old friend’ and frustratingly my aesthetic appreciations for sports bikes are unmatched by my riding capabilities. I know this now.
Perhaps I need to grown up into the 50 year old body I inhabit.
Now that I’m looking seriously at the GS, and assuming I can get my head to control my heart a wee bit more, I have some specific questions about which GS to go for.
I will be getting a loan for this next bike but my budget will still be limited to less than £6000, so what benefits would I get with say a basic 1200 over a well kitted out 1150? Do I need to spend £6000 or will a £3500-£4000 1150 serve me well enough for 3-4 years? Or would an 800GS do the trick. I've discounted it on the grounds that I'd feel it was gutless, and wouldn't be as good for pillion as an 1150/1200 (ehem, no comments on the Aprilia in that regard please) but please correct me if I'm wrong. It’s worrying that I’ve read quite a lot of opinions here in the switch to the GS that a test ride is almost counterproductive, so I’m almost tempted not to bother, but I’m nervous of committing to a GS without riding a few. I won’t be doing a lot of adventure traveling (well not in the near future) so a full blown adventure GS is wasted on me I know, but useful road additions would certainly persuade my choice.
Finally, to those that have swapped from the VFR, is there any of the VFR’s sportish, slimmer, lighter or sophisticated nature that you miss? Having never ridden a GS I can’t comment, but I get the feeling that I will have to acclimatise to the lack of any engine ‘rush’ and ride the GS in a different way. I know you can hussle these things so I guess I’ll still be getting my kicks, just in a different way. This is something I’ve learnt since riding the Falco. I actually prefer (or if you like, only have the skills) to ride smoothly and swiftly as opposed to fast & furious. I know the machine is irrelevant in most respects, but the VFR fitted my style of riding better than the Aprilia, and I will need the GS to fit too. As a fair few folk here have made the transition from a VFR to a GS, I guess it’s likely to – but I could be wrong ??
I suppose you only have to answer one question that sums up my requirement in a bike:
“Is it possible to have a sophisticated, capable, all-round AND exciting bike in one package.“
….and when you find that bike, and grow to love it despite it’s looks, will you ever stop looking at prettier models and wanting them?
Rene
Ok, so it’s a subjective thing, and as a means of choosing a motorcycle a pretty daft one, and given that I’m asking this on a GS forum means that I already appreciate the multifaceted qualities of the GS, but I just can’t help being seduced by the aesthetics of sports and sport tourer bikes.
I’ve already made this mistake, but thankfully not irreversibly. I decided to trade in my VFR750FR for an Aprilia Falco, and having ridden the Falco for nearly a month now I’ve decided it just doesn’t suit me as well as the VFR, so I’m going back to my old friend & selling the Falco instead of the VFR. After months of consideration I’d concluded that the Falco was the ideal next bike for me, and yes, a large part of this was because I’d been seduced by it’s looks and exclusivity. I knew I would be trading off some benefits of the Honda for other benefits of the Aprilia, and thought that I could overcome the limitations of this more sporty ride. I thought the superior engine & handling of the Aprilia would carry me through the loss of all the VFR’s usefulness……. but I was wrong. And to make matters worse I actually think I’m a better rider on the VFR. Apart from the sheer grunt of the brilliant Rotax engine, and the taughter chassis of the Falco, I’m just as fast on the VFR too (much of this is probably due to the Maxton shock & fork set up on the VFR). Ok, so that’s probably down to me not being a good enough rider to fully exploit the Aprilia, and that’s another lesson I’ve had to come to terms with. It’s been a difficult unsettling period of motorcycle ownership, and one that’s got me considering the way I choose a bike probably needs some serious adjustment.
So I’m now looking toward my next bike as something truly better than the VFR for all my motorcycling needs.
My problem is that I’m very aesthetic driven, and I do like small light motorcycles, but I know this severely limits me. Despite the fact that the Falco hasn’t worked for me I still get a buzz from seeing it sat outside my house. Of course one mans work of art is another’s ‘carbuncle on an old friend’ and frustratingly my aesthetic appreciations for sports bikes are unmatched by my riding capabilities. I know this now.
Perhaps I need to grown up into the 50 year old body I inhabit.
Now that I’m looking seriously at the GS, and assuming I can get my head to control my heart a wee bit more, I have some specific questions about which GS to go for.
I will be getting a loan for this next bike but my budget will still be limited to less than £6000, so what benefits would I get with say a basic 1200 over a well kitted out 1150? Do I need to spend £6000 or will a £3500-£4000 1150 serve me well enough for 3-4 years? Or would an 800GS do the trick. I've discounted it on the grounds that I'd feel it was gutless, and wouldn't be as good for pillion as an 1150/1200 (ehem, no comments on the Aprilia in that regard please) but please correct me if I'm wrong. It’s worrying that I’ve read quite a lot of opinions here in the switch to the GS that a test ride is almost counterproductive, so I’m almost tempted not to bother, but I’m nervous of committing to a GS without riding a few. I won’t be doing a lot of adventure traveling (well not in the near future) so a full blown adventure GS is wasted on me I know, but useful road additions would certainly persuade my choice.
Finally, to those that have swapped from the VFR, is there any of the VFR’s sportish, slimmer, lighter or sophisticated nature that you miss? Having never ridden a GS I can’t comment, but I get the feeling that I will have to acclimatise to the lack of any engine ‘rush’ and ride the GS in a different way. I know you can hussle these things so I guess I’ll still be getting my kicks, just in a different way. This is something I’ve learnt since riding the Falco. I actually prefer (or if you like, only have the skills) to ride smoothly and swiftly as opposed to fast & furious. I know the machine is irrelevant in most respects, but the VFR fitted my style of riding better than the Aprilia, and I will need the GS to fit too. As a fair few folk here have made the transition from a VFR to a GS, I guess it’s likely to – but I could be wrong ??
I suppose you only have to answer one question that sums up my requirement in a bike:
“Is it possible to have a sophisticated, capable, all-round AND exciting bike in one package.“
….and when you find that bike, and grow to love it despite it’s looks, will you ever stop looking at prettier models and wanting them?
Rene
It's only a bike you can always sell it again.
, you will have lived through the 'must have' fashions or hairstyles of the past decades and may now guffaw at how in heaven's name you could have gone down that road. Its the same with cars and bikes - need I name them?
,i was put off buying a GSA for years because of them,they are just really good if some what flawed bikes, unlike anything else on the market,and if anyone says ducati then i'll reply winter roads,guzzi through london?,why not,you can also ride a c90 around the world,probably be better than most if not all adv bikes,but you will look like a purple helmet doing it!,in short buy what you like,ride what you've got
