Should I go for it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter chask
  • Start date Start date

chask

Guest
OK so I thought I'd get back into biking after a two year break.


I'm not the tallest of people, 5'6", and so I thought a 1200 GS was out of the question. I mean there was no way I'd manage to get on one let alone ride it. So instead I arranged a test drive on a F650GS at my local dealer. That went well, I liked the bike but then we got talking about the 1200 and he mentioned that it could be lowered to 790mm. Well I ummed and then he offered me a test drive with a lowered seat. I just about managed but came back and thought wow.

So my question is, is it worth going for a lowered 1200, i've wanted one for years. Or does the lowering imped performance.

Should I just stick will the smaller cousin?

I'll be using it mainly for commuting.

Cheers,

Chris
 
Mort said:
Standard 1200 with a low seat....you'll get used to it:thumb
Click to expand...

As above
That's exactly what I did and now I've just changed to a standard seat.:D
Better riding position being higher and not much of a problem getting foot down.
My mate went 650 first but it wasn't too long before he got a 1200.
Save yourself the time and go straight for the 1200 you won't regret it.

Try it you'll love it. :thumb

Oh and welcome by the way
 
I'm sure I'm not sure

Working overseas on a four year break from biking after a building fell on my 1150 Rockster 80th Anniversary in central London (yes, really).

I'll soon need to sort a replacement for commuting to work again in London. It must be reliable - before the Rockster I had a pre-VTEC VFR 800 which on selling at 32,000 miles was still on the original chain and sprockets, etc (Scottoiler fitted).

I've been doing lots of web research and am taken with the idea of a lowered 1200GS. I have a 29" inside leg and thought the 1150 GS I tested a few years back was about the limit of my foot-down confidence. So in addition to the 1200 I've also been thinking about the 800/650.

The guys here in Namibia who ride them all seem to be 12' tall and on GSAs which they think nothing of riding through the desert for hours so asking about seat heights only elicits sneers.

So, real-World UK GS-ers:

has anyone got a lowered 1200GS and how is it 'dynamically'?
do you wish you hadn't bought the lowered version?
what's the advantage of the spoked wheels - I like the look? Any obvious downsides (apart from costing £340 extra)?

Any other shorties out there on 800s as I like the look a lot more than the '650' (sorry 650 owners - it must be those spoked wheels again)? I've looked through the pictures but haven't seen anyone try to make their low-seat 650 look more like an 800. Many suggest the 650 is the better road bike, but it's the looks ...

Do the 650/800 still have the three way indicator switches?

Lastly, apart from an appetite for oil with the Rockster while running it in and replacing the rectifier on the VFR (and adding a computer case fan to cool it) both bikes were totally reliable.

There seem to be a lot of issues here with chains, stalling, key antenna rings, radiator hoses, wheel bearings, front axles, rear sprocket torque settings, front ABS cables, fuel pressure sensors and front disk bolts. Some were on early bikes but others still seem to crop up in recent posts despite recalls.

So I'm sure I'm not sure. Some test rides at a UK dealer beckon, but I'd be grateful for the benefit of others' wisdom too. Oh and can you have a centre stand on a lowered? I think lowering rules out ESA and I can live without it, but I do find a centre stand useful.

Chipko
 
29" inside Leg

Hi, i have a 29" inside leg measurement, tried a road test on Low Seat
1200GS, sold itself,my first BMW! got the 2010 model,2000 miles no probs,no oil use,only prob was buying at the end of May no Free Panniers.
Happy Riding.
 
hi pal , had a test on the 800 last weekend , great bike , fantastic engine, bit like a ktm 950 but a bit down on poke , but it does have provision for luggage , switches are three way but self cancell after 20 sec , you can notice the forks diving compared to my 1100 and i guess the same as a 12 but you would get used to it , these are non adj so you will have to live with them , tubed tyres so you cant use plugs to repair on the side of the rd as a get you home messure , best thing is to get a test ride , use google as a aid to spec and go out and have a ride and enjoy the bike for what it is perhaps if you really want a gs get a back to back with a 12 on the same day hope that this hels in some ways
 
chask said:
i've wanted one for years.
Click to expand...

I think this statement speaks volumes. IF you've wanted a 1200 for years I say go for one. If you buy a 650 or 800 you'll still want a 1200 so you will never be happy.
 
I'd be a short arse myself. Went from the F650 GS to the 1200 with low seat. Only problem I had was getting it off the side stand with full tank of fuel and all panniers fully loaded.

I now have 2000 happy miles on it. If your heart is set on the 1200, get it bought, you won't regret it.

Martin
 
MorayGSer said:
Ronnie you have lots of bikes but no KTM why don't you get one?:nenau
Click to expand...

why don't you buy me one ? :P Go on, I'd give you a backie. Maybe. :comfort

I ain't got space for a katoom - need to sell my CBF 1000 (which is a bally bargain btw, ideal for shorter bikers and about a quarter of the price of a new 1200 GS hint hint - are you reading this chask? :augie :green gri :mmmm ).

See here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232952

I nearly bought an SMT last month. I suspect I will buy one this month. Or a 990 Adv. However, I nearly buy a lot of things :blast

Sorry - a bit :topic but a free bump :D
 
I think you should stick to the golf mate.
Loved the old sketch about the four candles by the way
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ChasF
How far should I go?
2
Replies
23
Views
1,902
Vulpine2
Vulpine2
Mad Hatter
What should I get to replace my Garmin Montana 600
2
Replies
23
Views
1,976
Mad Hatter
Mad Hatter
snerkler
Considering moving back to a GS, but which one and should I do it?
2
Replies
24
Views
6,112
snerkler
snerkler
Advice GSA 1200 or 1290 or should I wait
2
Replies
34
Views
4,617
Giles
Giles
Paulbde
Should I let my 1150 ADV go?
2
Replies
32
Views
9,034
ste007
ste007


Back
Top Bottom