Potential buyer...

[donkeh]

Hi All,

Just recently sold my sportsbike with the intention of buying an adventure bike.

For me, this has been driven by a desire to have a bike which I can ride both on road, off road and long distance - as well as wanting to make it something I can share with my partner on a more regular basis - sitting on the bike of a modern sportsbike she just wasn't enjoying anymore.

I've currently ridden the Yamaha Tenere and will soon be riding both the new LC GS and the GSA. It seems like these bikes are on the shortlist at the moment.

Specifically with the BMW, the GSA is more appealing to me, partly based on the look of it and the extended fuel tank range amongst other things. That said, the sales guy at the dealership feels that I might be taken by the new engine in the GS, having come from an inline 4 sports bike. The only thing I might find with the GSA is the height of the seat. That said, I guess how much of your toe/foot etc is on the floor is as much about confidence in that position as anything else.

There are some cracking deals to be had on new bikes at the moment too - especially the GSA deal at the moment, which basically gives me most of the extras I would initially be looking for with the exception of the top box.

The local Yamaha dealership has a fully loaded pre-registered Tenere in also.

BMW test ride coming up this weekend

 

[Old Wobbly]

I've had my GSA nearly a month now from new. I also considered the new WC GS for all of a second as I simply wanted the GSA, but the new WC GS does look like a great bike and no doubt when the WC GSA comes out we'll all be after a test ride..

As for the S10 - I most recently had the 660 Tenere for >3yrs and whilst it's a great bike it's a budget bike. Suspension, wheels, general fixtures and fittings whilst fit for purpose are not the greatest of quality - but for the money I think it's a good bike. I just felt the S10 would be a bigger version so didn't actually consider it, plus there's the fact I only really wanted the GSA.

As for size then the GSA is perfectly manageable. I've a 32" inside leg and have the seat set on the high position. It's as comfortable as any backside can manage in one stint and I like the high position being an enduro racer too.

The characteristic of the boxer engine is superb and I've put an Akrapovic on mine too so sounds a treat...I think the bike has a great quirky character and appeal - recommended from me!

Good luck with the test ride and be sure to have a proper play with the ESA..

 

[Bryn]

Hi All,

Just recently sold my sportsbike with the intention of buying an adventure bike.

For me, this has been driven by a desire to have a bike which I can ride both on road, off road and long distance - as well as wanting to make it something I can share with my partner on a more regular basis - sitting on the bike of a modern sportsbike she just wasn't enjoying anymore.

I've currently ridden the Yamaha Tenere and will soon be riding both the new LC GS and the GSA. It seems like these bikes are on the shortlist at the moment.



The local Yamaha dealership has a fully loaded pre-registered Tenere in also.

BMW test ride coming up this weekend

Is it the S10 you've tried ?

Cracking bike..... but ride a GSA so you've covered all your choices, then decide. At 5'9" a GSA is too tall for me... standard 12 is fine... the S10 fit me right straight the way ...

 

[donkeh]

I've had my GSA nearly a month now from new. I also considered the new WC GS for all of a second as I simply wanted the GSA, but the new WC GS does look like a great bike and no doubt when the WC GSA comes out we'll all be after a test ride..

As for the S10 - I most recently had the 660 Tenere for >3yrs and whilst it's a great bike it's a budget bike. Suspension, wheels, general fixtures and fittings whilst fit for purpose are not the greatest of quality - but for the money I think it's a good bike. I just felt the S10 would be a bigger version so didn't actually consider it, plus there's the fact I only really wanted the GSA.

As for size then the GSA is perfectly manageable. I've a 32" inside leg and have the seat set on the high position. It's as comfortable as any backside can manage in one stint and I like the high position being an enduro racer too.

The characteristic of the boxer engine is superb and I've put an Akrapovic on mine too so sounds a treat...I think the bike has a great quirky character and appeal - recommended from me!

Good luck with the test ride and be sure to have a proper play with the ESA..

Hi,

I've ridden a couple of the smaller bikes, but felt like a) it was too far away from the power I've been used to (I understand that an adventure bike will never be like riding a sportsbike) and b) wouldn't be ideal for two up touring with luggage - they already felt under powered.

I would be inclined to agree with you about the quality of the parts I think on the Tenere. The one I rode (Blue, Priced £9394 at http://www.lenmanchester.co.uk) was showing signs of corrosion in places. The GSXR 750 I sold at 5 1/2 years old, which I'd owned from new was in far better condition having covered more miles.

I am around 5' 9" with a 31" inside leg - I've only sat on a GSA so far - will be interesting to see how it compares to the Tenere.

Is it the S10 you've tried ?

Cracking bike..... but ride a GSA so you've covered all your choices, then decide. At 5'9" a GSA is too tall for me... standard 12 is fine... the S10 fit me right straight the way ...

Yes - I think the S10 is the supere tenere 1200? See above for the bike I test rode.

Proof will be in the pudding - test riding the 2 BMW's tomorrow morning.

 

[Old Wobbly]

I'd say the 1" difference would be accommodated for in the std seat lower position. Personally I don't mind sitting skew to touch the ground if necessary (put the ESA in max off road and you'll see what I mean!) - take a look at the next Moto GP grid - Marquez and Pedrosa in particular!

Have a good look at the extras too. The panniers and inner bags are really well made. Yes I know they're pricey but feel the weight and look closely at the fabrication and the rail mounting system/locks - really neat and in my opinion far far better than other options.

Get the GSA moving and the road manners and presence are really noticeable.

Have fun tomorrow and report back.

 

[donkeh]

I'd say the 1" difference would be accommodated for in the std seat lower position. Personally I don't mind sitting skew to touch the ground if necessary (put the ESA in max off road and you'll see what I mean!) - take a look at the next Moto GP grid - Marquez and Pedrosa in particular!

Have a good look at the extras too. The panniers and inner bags are really well made. Yes I know they're pricey but feel the weight and look closely at the fabrication and the rail mounting system/locks - really neat and in my opinion far far better than other options.

Get the GSA moving and the road manners and presence are really noticeable.

Have fun tomorrow and report back.

Just a quick one - I was under the impression the seat height on the GSA is not adjustable ? You seem to be implying it is ?

Thanks

 

[Old Wobbly]

It is adjustable. There are two cross bars under the rider's seat that you simply set in the upper or lower position.

You can tell by looking. If the rider/pillion seats are level then it's in the high and if the rider seat is lower then it's in the low. Takes 30 secs to change!

If you want to change when you're out take the rear seat off first (turn key to the right and lift up and out forwards, then turn the key to the left and lift the rear of the rider seat up (might need a slight thump on the back).

Friend of mine took my GSA for a ride yesterday and I lowered the seat for him - so it's useful.

 

[donkeh]

It is adjustable. There are two cross bars under the rider's seat that you simply set in the upper or lower position.

You can tell by looking. If the rider/pillion seats are level then it's in the high and if the rider seat is lower then it's in the low. Takes 30 secs to change!

If you want to change when you're out take the rear seat off first (turn key to the right and lift up and out forwards, then turn the key to the left and lift the rear of the rider seat up (might need a slight thump on the back).

Friend of mine took my GSA for a ride yesterday and I lowered the seat for him - so it's useful.

Brilliant thanks. Sorry to be a pain then, >> this << wikipedia article lists the seat height as being 895 mm (35.2 in) - would you happen to know if this is in the high or low position?

I only ask so that I can compare to the listed seat height for the Tenere.

Thanks.

 

[Old Wobbly]

No idea - give me a min' and I'll go measure mine...

 

[Old Wobbly]

So with a 12" rule on the seat, tape measure to the floor and the bike balancing on my leg these are the approximate readings as best I could:

Seat in High Position ESA Sport 1 up with luggage ~35 1/2"
Seat in Low Position ESA Sport 1 up with luggage ~35"

You can add ~1" from ESA in Comfort 1 up to Hard Off Road.

Have a play tomorrow and with a slightly more scientific approach (namely a helper!) you may need to 'tweak' the above..

Hope it's of some use to you.

Cheers.

 

[donkeh]

Thanks for doing that - much appreciated.

There really isn't a lot in it I guess - I'll see how I go tomorrow and report back.

 

[Old Wobbly]

...an extra inch is everything!!

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

...an extra inch is everything!!

......as the actress said to the bishop

 

[donkeh]

So, I took the new GS out first thing this morning, a little getting used to the height of this bike - having come from a sports bike background. Out of town through some traffic and hit some roads where I had great fun throwing the bike around.

If you wanted to ride this bike like a sports bike, you could. The punch in the engine was pleasantly surprising and I really enjoyed the ride.

Took it back then headed out on the GSA. It was described to me as being slightly more agricultural and that it was, but it still had enough poke to ride the bike the way it ought to be ridden. The height wasn't an issue at all and I spent near on a couple of hours riding the bike enjoying every minute.

Back to the dealership and we started to talk numbers. There is no way I could justify spending so much extra on the GS, even if I wanted to (by the time luggage has been added etc) - so we talked about the GSA.

After a bit of bartering, we came up with something which should work - so I'll soon be the new owner of a Triple Black GSA. Hopefully find out on Monday when I can pick it up.

Oh - and I found it to be a far better bike than the Yamaha for me.

Happy Days !

 

[Pukmeister]

Glad to hear it, if you enjoyed it for two hours you'll probably grow to love it once you put some proper mileage on it. I tried Mark Hootons new liquid cooled 1200 and although its a nice bike to ride it felt very road focussed thus I still prefer my old GSA.

 

[Old Wobbly]

So, I took the new GS out first thing this morning, a little getting used to the height of this bike - having come from a sports bike background. Out of town through some traffic and hit some roads where I had great fun throwing the bike around.

If you wanted to ride this bike like a sports bike, you could. The punch in the engine was pleasantly surprising and I really enjoyed the ride.

Took it back then headed out on the GSA. It was described to me as being slightly more agricultural and that it was, but it still had enough poke to ride the bike the way it ought to be ridden. The height wasn't an issue at all and I spent near on a couple of hours riding the bike enjoying every minute.

Back to the dealership and we started to talk numbers. There is no way I could justify spending so much extra on the GS, even if I wanted to (by the time luggage has been added etc) - so we talked about the GSA.

After a bit of bartering, we came up with something which should work - so I'll soon be the new owner of a Triple Black GSA. Hopefully find out on Monday when I can pick it up.

Oh - and I found it to be a far better bike than the Yamaha for me.

Happy Days !

Nice One!

 

[Old Wobbly]

..did you go for the all the bells, whistles and nice BMW offers too?

 

[donkeh]

..did you go for the all the bells, whistles and nice BMW offers too?

Dynamic + Premium packs, the free accessories currently on offer + top box.

I'll be looking to you guys for any hints and tips on anything else worth bolting on

 

[Nutty]

Dynamic + Premium packs, the free accessories currently on offer + top box.

I'll be looking to you guys for any hints and tips on anything else worth bolting on

Congrats. Don't have a look on the Touratech website, whatever you do.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Dynamic + Premium packs, the free accessories currently on offer + top box.

I'll be looking to you guys for any hints and tips on anything else worth bolting on

Congrats on the new bike they are great fun on the twisties, even compared to gsxrs and ive had a few 1000k7's

Stuff i got were a cymarc crud catcher (front of engine cover), mudsling max(rear mudguard that lines the wheelarch), wunderlich side stand big foot, and touratech screen extender. Look out for parts for sale on here tbh the mudsling max is a rip off new for a bit of moulded plastic but one of the best mods.

Might be worth agreeing first service cost before the ink is dry as one chap paid close to £180 recently.