Should I get the low suspension GS TE?

[littleade]

Thanks Jallani, all good stuff. If I was just riding solo then the standard suspension with the seat in the low position would be fine for me, but with SWMBO riding pillion I'm going to struggle. The main problems will be

A) When she gets on. Yesterday I got on 1st, braced myself and the bike then she got on horse style by putting her left foot on the left pillion foot rest then standing up on that and swinging her leg over. She's heavier than me so it's quite a struggle keeping the bike steady but with luggage I can't think of any other options for her to get on and off?

B) Again just me on board I had no probs with the demo bike at all during low speed manoeuvres and stopping etc. but I'm concerned that 2 up with luggage if I don't get the lowered suspension it could all end in tears with 1 slip.

Again if anyone has any tips for pillion mount/dismounts I'd be really grateful as the jast time we did any biking together I had a VFR and she was 3 stone lighter!!!!!!

Cheers

Ade

 

[Nutty]

Thanks Jallani, all good stuff. If I was just riding solo then the standard suspension with the seat in the low position would be fine for me, but with SWMBO riding pillion I'm going to struggle. The main problems will be

A) When she gets on. Yesterday I got on 1st, braced myself and the bike then she got on horse style by putting her left foot on the left pillion foot rest then standing up on that and swinging her leg over. She's heavier than me so it's quite a struggle keeping the bike steady but with luggage I can't think of any other options for her to get on and off?

B) Again just me on board I had no probs with the demo bike at all during low speed manoeuvres and stopping etc. but I'm concerned that 2 up with luggage if I don't get the lowered suspension it could all end in tears with 1 slip.

Again if anyone has any tips for pillion mount/dismounts I'd be really grateful as the jast time we did any biking together I had a VFR and she was 3 stone lighter!!!!!!

Cheers

Ade

Tell her it's not fair that you should have to carry her extra weight around, and until she looks the way she did when she was 3 stone lighter, she's not allowed on the bike!

That should give you some time to get used to the bike.

 

[sven]

Just bear in mind that if the standard bike has ESA, the seat height is raised and inch or two when the preload is changed to the two-up setting. I find this can be the difference between getting a foot down comfortably and struggling to get a foot down safely in some situations.

I've lost 4 stones and SWMBO about 1.5 stones since we bought the bike, so the rider + luggage setting is firm enough except when touring with luggage and it doesn't raise the seat height significantly.

I would consider a low-chassis model next, but I keep scraping things on the standard model on twisty roads....

 

[batman1]

Thanks for so much interest and offers to help with your experiences chaps. I didn't find any problems with the standard GS when I rode it solo on the test ride but not having had SWMBO on the back for 20 years its a whole new ball game in prospect, plus she's added a bit of timber since then so I really felt it when she got on board, but don't tell her.....

I was only in my trainers today so might see if I can try it again in boots tomorrow as I've got the Daytona M stars with high heels!

Batman1 I know what you mean about the TEX vs GS. We stopped at the Trumpet dealer 1st and even the boss said how big and heavy the TEX was. My inner thighs and just about every other muscle in my body agreed with her when she got on! The Salesman showed me a second hand 800 XR which she liked the look of and at £6700 liked the price even more. She was keen on me getting that instead of the TEX to try out for 12 months but having test ridden the XRx already I wasn't taken with it so was thinking how the **** am I going to get round this 1when the GS is going to be over twice that. Anyway we got to the BM dealers and tried both a second hand standard with the seat in the low position and a new low one waiting pick up and she liked.....the Red one LOL. Do I go Red with silver engine or Alpine with black. Standard or low.... At least it's now TE GS or TE GS.... I was going to wait until the bike show to see what the new tex was lije but there seems no point now I know it's too heavy for me. I used to be indecisive now I'm not so sure. Keep the advice coming and make an old fart happy....

Littleade, The Tex and the LC carry their weight much differently, the C.o.G of the Tex feels higher than the LC due to the height of triple motor. I was in the Alps staying at the Enzian waiting for some new rear pads to arrive for my Tex when to avoid losing riding time I rented an LC to get back up the mountains. The difference in the two bikes was immediate, and also the fun factor. After just 1 hour on the GS-LC I'm afraid that my beloved Triumph of 10,000 miles was history and when I got back to Blighty I chopped it in for a GS.

You will manage the standard height GC-LC no problem 'one-up', but it's when you ride two-up set at the '2 helmets+luggage' height that the game changes, as you know on a fully loaded bike at very low speed or even static if SWMBO decides to look over her shoulder at the shop window you feel it.

Riders who don't take pillions are unaware of the difference a pillion can make especially with full luggage. If you get the low option with a low seat you will have endless ways of getting the height that you require, low seat on low position, low seat on high, or standard seat on low or high. then add in the the x3 height changes that you have at the touch of a button you are well covered. As mentioned earlier, you can ride the bike on 2-helmets +luggage and if you arrive at a bumpy gravelly car park that looks a bit tricky, you can pull up at the entrance and drop your bike seat height right down at the touch of a button without dismounting to effectively give you more leg length for bumps and hollows. I really don't think that there is a down side to having a low bike in your situation.

Re seat. The low seat feels quite firm when you first sit on it, but it is actually quite a comfortable seat over a long distance, a soft seat doesn't necessarily mean a good long distance seat.

 

[Belgian Beemer]

I'm 5'8" and 30" inside leg and spent ages agonizing over standard or lowered bike. In the end went for the lowered 2015 GSA for the same reason of stability with a pillion on board. I'm really pleased that I did because being able to get both feet flat gives me so much more confidence. I used to have an 1150GS before the low version was available and I had a few "moments" and even managed to drop it a couple of times and I can honestly say I don't see this happening with the new lowered GSA.
Handling is imo as good or maybe even better than standard height as the centre of gravity is lower. Never had any problems with grounding it.
Good luck with your choice!

 

[vRSG60]

Not having owned or ridden a 1200GS one thing puzzles me. The ride height is raised say 2" when set to "2 + luggage" Won't the ride height settle back down to normal when 2 people + luggage are aboard?

 

[sven]

Not having owned or ridden a 1200GS one thing puzzles me. The ride height is raised say 2" when set to "2 + luggage" Won't the ride height settle back down to normal when 2 people + luggage are aboard?

Mine doesn't compress much at all when SWMBO boards, which is why I tend to use the rider + luggage setting two-up (without luggage). It used to compress more noticeably year when it was carrying 30 stones, but it doesn't now it's "only carrying" 24 stones.

 

[diver1]

Thanks Jallani, all good stuff. If I was just riding solo then the standard suspension with the seat in the low position would be fine for me, but with SWMBO riding pillion I'm going to struggle. The main problems will be

A) When she gets on. Yesterday I got on 1st, braced myself and the bike then she got on horse style by putting her left foot on the left pillion foot rest then standing up on that and swinging her leg over. She's heavier than me so it's quite a struggle keeping the bike steady but with luggage I can't think of any other options for her to get on and off?

)
B) Again just me on board I had no probs with the demo bike at all during low speed manoeuvres and stopping etc. but I'm concerned that 2 up with luggage if I don't get the lowered suspension it could all end in tears with 1 slip.

Again if anyone has any tips for pillion mount/dismounts I'd be really grateful as the jast time we did any biking together I had a VFR and she was 3 stone lighter!!!!!!

Cheers

Ade

Pillion mounting the Bike :-

1) Bike on side stand
2) Pillion mounts (as rider)
3) Pillion shuffles back onto Pillion seat.
4) Rider mounts as normal and and away you go!

It works for us.

Cheers,
John

 

[Vanguard]

You should't add the weight of a rider as well as the bike onto the side stand according to the manual

 

[batman1]

Not having owned or ridden a 1200GS one thing puzzles me. The ride height is raised say 2" when set to "2 + luggage" Won't the ride height settle back down to normal when 2 people + luggage are aboard?

You would expect this to be the case, but for some reason in practice it isn't, the bike stays high.

 

[matchbox]

Even lowered it is still quite a tall bike. As far as I can tell, only reason to get standard(not lowered) is if you anticipate needing extra ground clearance, which on road is never and off road rare. Maybe the argument should be that if you are tall(6ft ?)get the standard bike, if not the lowered one is a no brainer IMO.

 

[littleade]

Tell her it's not fair that you should have to carry her extra weight around, and until she looks the way she did when she was 3 stone lighter, she's not allowed on the bike!

That should give you some time to get used to the bike.

Keyboard chauvinist! If only I was brave enough....though if I said that both me and the new bike could well be write offs! TBF It's me that wants her to ride pillion so we can do some touring together, she even mentioned walking in the Alps when she'd had a few. I will 'have to do' some solo riding, just to get used to it of course.....

 

[vinniebug]

I'm 5'7" 29 inseam. Tried both. Took a gamble on the std bike with low seat in low position. Until I got used to the bike it was tricky since I only felt happy with both feet planted. Now, after jolly around Europe and a few thousand miles I'm very pleased I went std. Confident and capable riders don't need both feet planted. However, if the weight makes it tricky for you there is a height and maybe strength issue???? So at the end of the day it is a combination of lots of things that determine which way you go. I sometimes don't tell the bike I gave a pillion and that way can plant both feet. Good luck with your choice.

 

[littleade]

Littleade, The Tex and the LC carry their weight much differently, the C.o.G of the Tex feels higher than the LC due to the height of triple motor. I was in the Alps staying at the Enzian waiting for some new rear pads to arrive for my Tex when to avoid losing riding time I rented an LC to get back up the mountains. The difference in the two bikes was immediate, and also the fun factor. After just 1 hour on the GS-LC I'm afraid that my beloved Triumph of 10,000 miles was history and when I got back to Blighty I chopped it in for a GS.

You will manage the standard height GC-LC no problem 'one-up', but it's when you ride two-up set at the '2 helmets+luggage' height that the game changes, as you know on a fully loaded bike at very low speed or even static if SWMBO decides to look over her shoulder at the shop window you feel it.

Riders who don't take pillions are unaware of the difference a pillion can make especially with full luggage. If you get the low option with a low seat you will have endless ways of getting the height that you require, low seat on low position, low seat on high, or standard seat on low or high. then add in the the x3 height changes that you have at the touch of a button you are well covered. As mentioned earlier, you can ride the bike on 2-helmets +luggage and if you arrive at a bumpy gravelly car park that looks a bit tricky, you can pull up at the entrance and drop your bike seat height right down at the touch of a button without dismounting to effectively give you more leg length for bumps and hollows. I really don't think that there is a down side to having a low bike in your situation.

Re seat. The low seat feels quite firm when you first sit on it, but it is actually quite a comfortable seat over a long distance, a soft seat doesn't necessarily mean a good long distance seat.

I think I'll need to change my avatar to Robin at this rate!

I get what you mean about the 2 bikes. I really wanted to like the TEX, but for me the GS was better in just about every way, The TEX was substantially cheaper but that ultimately wasn't enough.

So the deed is done. I got quotes from both of the local dealers I got a test ride at asking them to give me their best price without disclosing what the other offered and went with the cheapest. I might have been able to wring a bit more out of them but I didn't want to miss out on the free nav5, which is part of the deal.

So after all the feedback it's going to be a TE in Red with lowered suspension and alarm (SWMBO suggested the colour and alarm) with free nav5.

I'll get some luggage later and thanks to this site will save around £300 over what the 1 dealer quoted for the vario system so I'll give the local one I'm getting the bike from the chance to price match or at least get close as I didn't ask them about luggage. Bike should be here before the end of December. The dealer is going to get a delivery date for a customer order. If they can't do December he says he's got a dealer order he can change the spec on instead.

Next up will be his and her decent textile suits...

Christmas won't come soon enough.

 

[Mr Anderson]

Pillion mounting the Bike :-

1) Bike on side stand
2) Pillion mounts (as rider)
3) Pillion shuffles back onto Pillion seat.
4) Rider mounts as normal and and away you go!

It works for us.

Cheers,
John

Worked for me also!

Couple of extra things.

Leave it in gear!

Make sure ESA is raised before mounting or you'll get spat off/get stuck with side stand down.

Watch your camber.

 

[littleade]

Pillion mounting the Bike :-

1) Bike on side stand
2) Pillion mounts (as rider)
3) Pillion shuffles back onto Pillion seat.
4) Rider mounts as normal and and away you go!

It works for us.

Cheers,
John

Thanks. I'll give this a go once the GS arrives. Do you find it difficult getting the bike upright off the stand with the pillion on board?

 

[littleade]

Worked for me also!

Couple of extra things.

Leave it in gear!

Make sure ESA is raised before mounting or you'll get spat off/get stuck with side stand down.

Watch your camber.

Thanks. Being a complete newbee to ESA why would this happen? Not having my owners manual to fall asleep with yet are there any do's and don'ts as far as the ESA is concerned so you don't break it/reduce it's life expectancy etc.

Cheers

Ade

 

[Schtum]

Thanks. I'll give this a go once the GS arrives. Do you find it difficult getting the bike upright off the stand with the pillion on board?

If you fit a sidestand foot extender, you should find that even the small amount that it changes the lean angle makes quite a difference to how easy it is to pick the bike up off the stand.

Not having my owners manual to fall asleep with yet are there any do's and don'ts as far as the ESA is concerned so you don't break it/reduce it's life expectancy etc.

Don't change the preload settings while you're on board. You can change the damping settings when you're on the bike and on-the-fly but the preload settings should be done while it's unloaded.

Bedtime reading here - http://www.bmw-motorrad.de/de/de/se...itungen/com/PDF/R_0A01_RM_0213_R1200GS_01.pdf

 

[diver1]

Thanks. I'll give this a go once the GS arrives. Do you find it difficult getting the bike upright off the stand with the pillion on board?

No..................increased the height by the addition of a 'puck' Foot !

 

[littleade]

If you fit a sidestand foot extender, you should find that even the small amount that it changes the lean angle makes quite a difference to how easy it is to pick the bike up off the stand.


Don't change the preload settings while you're on board. You can change the damping settings when you're on the bike and on-the-fly but the preload settings should be done while it's unloaded.

Bedtime reading here - http://www.bmw-motorrad.de/de/de/se...itungen/com/PDF/R_0A01_RM_0213_R1200GS_01.pdf

Thanks, I'll give it a good thumbing before I pick the bike up