Romance vs Rationality

[Rob Farmer]

I've run a couple of Mono G/s over the years. The last one (a Paris Dakar) for around 5 years. They are good fun but drive you mad if you want to go a decent distance. I think I'm my 7th Year of my 100GS PD and still enjoy riding it. It's my main long haul bike and is quite happy sitting at 85Mph which is pretty much what I used to sit at on my 1150 GSA. I'll take a paralever any day.

 

[ianboydsnr]

have to say, my G/S has adequate (OEM) charging - runs my heated jacket + gloves happily with the lights on.

battery is an Odyssey and seems well up to the job.

the headlight is better than the original 1200 item

i have no issue with the oil filter (fiddly), or the advance either. maybe i should be more picky?


what the G/S really, really needs is a decent front brake, and a seat that wasn't a railway sleeper in a previous life. oh, and a higher ratio bevel box so it's not always revving it's tits off, though the std. one would be perfect for london traffic

But do you use yours everyday for short journeys, as your only form of transport, I certainly don't, charging is ok if you can keep the motor spinning at 4k for a good while, but all those traffic lights drag the battery down especially if using heated gear, some of the modifications reduce maintainance, and improve usability, the filter change is a faff, and done badly can be extremely costly, my advance had to be stripped and cleaned/lubed, as it stuck fully advanced, so refused to start, though that's maybe not such a problem on a well used one!

I agree about the shit front brakes, mine will get an upgrade at some time, I did replace the paralever front brake for the same as Mr Farmer has on his PD, but have not got around to getting enough miles on it to bed it in, the lever seems softer, but the brake seems stronger, hopefully it will firm up with a few miles!

 

[Ruaha]

Apologies for the radio silence...rushing around like a mad man at work.

Thank you all so much for your replies - (generally...) massively helpful. Lots to think about and it will probably come down to a heart vs brain choice in the end. I think once I get over the initial cost of a 'new' PD, I'll be half way there....

 

[cookie]

I certainly don't use mine every day, that would be madness

 

[fayeslane]

A modern bike will do everything better. A G/S is simple and comparatively cheap to maintain. One will appreciate in value. But what do I know? I'm off to pick up an 89 R100GS tomorrow

 

[Essexadventure]

Guess which one of mine goes out most?.........the GSPD seems to win more often than not!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[tuftywhite]

Personal choice is exactly that. You choose the one you want. Whether that's on performance, gadgets, nostalgia, feel or whatever. I may get a new(er) bike at some point, but my g/s is a keeper.

As you're using it in that London, just try to make your bike less stealable than the one parked next to it whilst you're out.

When I'm in London, I'm amazed by the number of bikes parked without even a chain. I know it's sometimes inconvenient, but so is catching the Tube home in full m/c gear.

 

[ianboydsnr]

I certainly don't use mine every day, that would be madness

So it's fine as long as it's only used occasionally, you ride it far enough to charge the battery, but not any farther, and you don't intend on stopping any time soon!

 

[Kenny]

problem is once you have had an airhead they get under your skin ,you miss them after a while there is something about them

How true is this I'm happy with my R100 and my elderly Defender 90 ( age thing I suppose ) but I can gut and repair both of them myself ( my poor low mileage immaculate ZX12R stands forlornly in the shed !! ).
Happy days...oh and well done with acquiring a 'gary' G/S

 

[Rob Farmer]

So it's fine as long as it's only used occasionally, you ride it far enough to charge the battery, but not any farther, and you don't intend on stopping any time soon!

When I was working for the local university I rode my pd to work and round the campus for 5 years. Never once had a battery problem despite the relatively short run. I could have walked in but the bike was the best way to get around the 500 acre site.

 

[Canuck]

When I was working for the local university I rode my pd to work and round the campus for 5 years. Never once had a battery problem despite the relatively short run. I could have walked in but the bike was the best way to get around the 500 acre site.

I thought Kenny told me you used to ride in as the girls to too quick for you to catch a glimpse of their 'rear-side' when you were on foot!?!?

 

[markjackson]

Am I crazy?! I'd appreciate your collective wisdom and thoughts,

Daniel

I'd definitely have one of Gary's bikes as they are relatively timeless models, and look to be prepared so well.

The value in 'X' years is likely to be more than a GSLC that cost the same today, and I'm sure he'd fit any upgrade needed to brakes, engine, brakes, charging system or brakes to help cope with modern traffic.

But doing what I would do is almost certainly NOT what most people would call sensible!

P.S… Brakes

 

[B Murr]

Gary's bikes are usually pretty mint condition, such mint ness obviously justifying the premium prices. If you are going to use it for everyday transport that mint shinyness will disappear on the salty roads. Why not get a mechanically sound but cosmetically ok example and not have to see that premium shine disappear as surely as a loose pile of notes on a windy day. I used to spend a good bit of time in london on a couple of ratty Kawasaki Gt750/550's. I could park them anywhere and walk away without worrying about some magpie making off with them, very relaxing.