Rain....love it....

[Mel]

What is it about the GS? ....so the forecast is heavy rain all day and all I want to do is get on and ride....so on with the Roadcrafter and off we go....over the A338 to Hungerford and then Bracknell bound...as fast as you like...tin cans peel away as the 1-eyed thing launches into the rear-view...some idiot pulls into lane 3 giving me only meters to deal with it but ABS and Trailwings perform like clockwork and dopey is soon drowning in my wash. A bit of weaving to keep up the average speed approaching the A329(M) and then a last dash past the procession of BMW 3's and Corsa's into the car park. Love it....off to Poole tonight and can't wait....heavy rain?...bring it on...

 

[Fanum]

Nice!!

Can't wait til your reaction when you get those deathwings off and fit some decent tyres too!!

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've got to admit to feeling much the same, I don't think I have ever ridden a bike (GS12) in the wet that inspires such confidence

I've certainly never raced a fully laden bike against an R1 and R6 in torrential rain before, as I did in the Pyrenees this summer [1]

Andres

[1] They did pull away in the end, but only after about 10 miles

 

[guffter6969]

Do you not find that the fuel injection is too snatchy which makes slow moving in the wet a bit dicey on the 12GS?

 

[Shep]

I agree, at the end of the summer I was thinking about changing the 1200 for something else, maybe something faster, or with a bigger fairing, you know, little doubts creeping in, however, when I mentioned this to er indoors, she reminded me of the reason I bought the bike in the first place, all year round, go anywhere, usability.

Well now the weathers getting a bit autumnal(?) I've got the new 1200 now, other bikes commuting are getting thin on the ground ( the weekend warriors have hung up there leathers) , roads are a bit slippy, wet, covered in leaves. and you know, I'm really enjoying it all, the bike is near perfect for what I need, great handling, gentle power delivery, but she can still pick up her skirts and run if needed, I can carry everthing I need (including the kitchen sink) without any dramas, good brakes, not perfect, but plenty good enough for me, 50mpg, 200+ tank range, and I still look for the longer, more interesting way to go places, when i'v had other new bikes the "long way home" feeling generally only lasts about a month or so, not the 13 mths since I bought the 1200's, I feel cheated if I have to travel any other way, I become a "grumpy old man" is how the missus puts it, although "I dont beleeeeve it!"

Anyway, I agree with Fanum about the tyres, i was happyish with the Trailwings initially, then I changed the rear, with a new tyre on the back and a part worn on the front, the bike became extremley twitchy, ran wide on fast bends , altogether not good at all, changed both tyres for 020's, what a difference! If you think it handles now, just wait, you're in for a treat, for sure!

Still, keep riding.

Shep

 

[Shep]

Do you not find that the fuel injection is too snatchy which makes slow moving in the wet a bit dicey on the 12GS?

Find a nice muddy/chalky green lane, practice manouvering about, u-turns etc.

Then return to a wet road, it will feel great, loads of grip!!


Shep

 

[Mel]

Guffter6969 - I guess I'm used to it - I find town driving in traffic is fine - clutch is a little short on travel and brakes at a slow halt can 'grab' but whilst I was aware of these characteristics when I frist started riding the 1200 I am oblivious now.

Shep - enough has been said on this forum to make me want to try Tourances - next service is due in a month at 18000 so will switch then. I get thru a pair of T'wings every 6000 which seems a little steep but I do 'press on' as they say..

Know what you mean about the long way home - there's a stretch of B road from Chievely N of Newbury to Wantage - I have been known to blast it on the way home, do a U'ey at Wantage and do the whole thing all over again.

Is there a doctor in the house?

PS - if you're in Winchester pop up for a beer and use it as an excuse to try the Chievely Wantage slalom...

 

[Shep]

PS - if you're in Winchester pop up for a beer and use it as an excuse to try the Chievely Wantage slalom...

Hi Mel

I'm closer that that, I spend alot of time in the Kintbury area, may see you sometime for that beer!

Regards Shep

 

[JDH]

First off, Mel, thanks for that little description of how your bike makes you feel, really enjoyed reading it, it just confirms for me that I have made the right choice in changing from sportsbikes (have had some doubts along the way, and don't get my GS1200 till Feb). Although I have ordered my bike, must confess I don't know what tyres are fitted as standard, so how much better are the 020's to the standard tyres?.

John

 

[Mikef]

JDH - I stressed out a bit before my 1200 arrived about what tyres would be on it, when it arrived i rushed down and saw it its its crate (last Dec) ant it had trailwings aghhh !! I thought but the salesman said give them a go !1

Picked the bike up and within a few ks i was scraping the pegs thinking "wow this bike handles" whatever tires you get its a revelation in the handling dept (I had a ZX6R before) I havnt changed from Tourances I would only change to road tires if I did trackdays (Hot Aussie roads shread tires Tourances last a bit longer ...5,000k rear)

You will love it whatever tyres !! Tho never tried Deathwings in the wet ... It never rains in Aussie !!

 

[Room 101]

Having tried new front and rear Tourances over the last 4K miles they were great on the warm tarmac but I'm not feeling too comfortable with them in the wet... its almost like the compound is too hard.. and no its not the tyre pressure..

Maybe its just me being used to my usual 10mile commute and just shutting the throttle a little earlier than usual when theres leaves on the road.. when feeding it back on in the apex I've had a couple of speedway moments.. but nothing too hair raising..

I'll be trying 020's next for sure... could even get a good couple of track days out of them next year...

But I'll be enjoying my 1150 as far into winter as I can stand.. what with no ABS and no heated grips... Hardcore...

 

[JDH]

Mikef, thanks for that, will have to wait and see what lady luck brings in terms of tyres by the sound of it. I guess I'll ultimately go for the 020's, as I will do a few track days once used to the bike, but the Trailwings sound good anyway. Just found the closed thread on tyres for the GS, and although the Michelin Pilots came first, there is no write up on them, and noone mentions them, unless they are known by another name. Anyone shed any light on this please.

BTW Mikef, can I take that as a guarantee about it never raining in OZ, out there for the New Year celebrations, can't wait. Actually, the first time I arrived in Sydney, it was p**sing down, so hoping for better luck this time.

JDH

 

[harry]

I love a wet ride as well !

 

[Mutley]

Inspiration

After reading the original post in this thread I thought I'd be brave and take my new GSA out for a spin on Saturday in the rain, something I'd never consider on my old Ducati ST4s .

I found the bike confidence inspiring, far more than anything I've ridden for a few years. The sit up riding position helps, giving a commanding view and relaxing the rider. I also had great confidence in the ABS. Weather protection was great and I loved the way my hands stayed dry due to the protectors on the handle bars and warm due to the heated grips. It meant I could still wear summer gloves in the cold and rain, more confidence due to better feel .

I'm an experienced rider - 23 years in the saddle - but I now ride only for pleasure and I know my skills are rusty compared to my youth. I am delighted that the weather protection was so good. I intend to ride much later in the year and in worse weather than ever before

Still had a couple of 'moments' with the trail wings though and the wife has refused point blank to deliberately go out in the rain