Whatever else you do get some ADVANCED TRAINING - IAM/RoSPA.
Al
Al
The Eternal Question
- Thread starter Chrisvh
- Start date
Hello Chrishvh. I did much the same thing as you.
A long lay off, about 25 years, and came back to bikes at 49. I'm smaller than you at only 5' 10" but went straight to an 1150GS. I dropped it whilst virtually stationary a couple of times on gravel with no significant damage.
I've now done 45,000 miles on it, some of it off road, and have never regretted the choice. They are so easy to ride and only as fast as you make them go! They do everything so well.
Agree strongly with doing advanced training, you have to ride defensively and it's very different in some respects to cars. (I am a member of the IAM for both bikes and cars.)
Once you've started to feel at home do a track day on it as it's a riot and if you fall off it will probably be from laughing hysterically at the amount of fun that you're having
The later 1200's are lighter and faster but don't feel as "planted". Some of them seem to have reliability issues as well but there are lots of threads on here that will give you background.
A long lay off, about 25 years, and came back to bikes at 49. I'm smaller than you at only 5' 10" but went straight to an 1150GS. I dropped it whilst virtually stationary a couple of times on gravel with no significant damage.
I've now done 45,000 miles on it, some of it off road, and have never regretted the choice. They are so easy to ride and only as fast as you make them go! They do everything so well.
Agree strongly with doing advanced training, you have to ride defensively and it's very different in some respects to cars. (I am a member of the IAM for both bikes and cars.)
Once you've started to feel at home do a track day on it as it's a riot and if you fall off it will probably be from laughing hysterically at the amount of fun that you're having
The later 1200's are lighter and faster but don't feel as "planted". Some of them seem to have reliability issues as well but there are lots of threads on here that will give you background.
Thanks again
Thank you again for all the sage advice. What I propose to do is take my time and probably get a smaller banger for this winter to accumulate some miles. I am a IAM ( car ) member and will chat up some of the bike lads and get some proper instruction. I have had 2 hours on a 1200GS and a 1200RT at my local dealers and loved them both. Just a case of using the expertise on this forum and being patient. ( I would however love to ride off into the sunset on a brand new 1200 GSA or 1200RT !)
Thank you again for all the sage advice. What I propose to do is take my time and probably get a smaller banger for this winter to accumulate some miles. I am a IAM ( car ) member and will chat up some of the bike lads and get some proper instruction. I have had 2 hours on a 1200GS and a 1200RT at my local dealers and loved them both. Just a case of using the expertise on this forum and being patient. ( I would however love to ride off into the sunset on a brand new 1200 GSA or 1200RT !)
Hi,
I too am 52 years of age and had NEVER ridden a bike whatsoever until about 5 years ago. My first bike was a Triumph Sprint ST, had it for about a year then went to a 2002 Honda Fireblade. I had that until 2005 and then had a 2005 fireblade until I got rid of that for a 2007 1200GSA.
I am just trying to illustrate that as long as you are responsible and aware of the power and potential dangers no bike is too much. IMHO the fatal mi
x is power and the invincibility of youth. It will only go as quickly as you want it to go................Take it easy, get used to it and enjoy !!!!
Ian
I too am 52 years of age and had NEVER ridden a bike whatsoever until about 5 years ago. My first bike was a Triumph Sprint ST, had it for about a year then went to a 2002 Honda Fireblade. I had that until 2005 and then had a 2005 fireblade until I got rid of that for a 2007 1200GSA.
I am just trying to illustrate that as long as you are responsible and aware of the power and potential dangers no bike is too much. IMHO the fatal mi
x is power and the invincibility of youth. It will only go as quickly as you want it to go................Take it easy, get used to it and enjoy !!!!Ian
Alan1963
Registered user
Opinion here seems pretty evenly divided. When I did my DAS about 7 years ago I had a 650 GS as it seemed the safe choice. It went after 12 months for an 1150 GS. I always wished I'd taken the 1150 immediately. It seemed easier to ride (though I had 12 months experience by then) and much smoother / more comfortable. And it would have saved me the depreciation on the 650!
I honestly wouldn't even think about buying a smaller bike first, if it's just a confidence thing. It's not worth the hassle for something that you've already grown out of, as a more mature rider.
As has been said already, the 1150 or 1200 are not fast bikes to begin with, and certainly are much slower/less powerful than a sports 600. The height/weight issue might be a problem for smaller new riders, but shouldn't be for someone of your size.
The 800 has about the same power/weight ratio as the 1150 from what I've read, but may be a bit small?
If you want to go tour about for a couple of days, or take a pillion for any distance at all, the bigger bikes are absolutely the way to go vs a 650. But I suppose if you plan on doing most of your riding around town, there may be an argument for the smaller bike as well.
I'd suggest test riding both, after a couple of hours on an 1150/1200, you'll probably feel quite comfortable.
As has been said already, the 1150 or 1200 are not fast bikes to begin with, and certainly are much slower/less powerful than a sports 600. The height/weight issue might be a problem for smaller new riders, but shouldn't be for someone of your size.
The 800 has about the same power/weight ratio as the 1150 from what I've read, but may be a bit small?
If you want to go tour about for a couple of days, or take a pillion for any distance at all, the bigger bikes are absolutely the way to go vs a 650. But I suppose if you plan on doing most of your riding around town, there may be an argument for the smaller bike as well.
I'd suggest test riding both, after a couple of hours on an 1150/1200, you'll probably feel quite comfortable.
spot
Registered user
You seem to have made your mind up to get a small banger. Fair doos but fwiw my view is that you can get into bother as easily on a small bike as a gs. The size shouldnt matter to you. Maybe you just want a cheap bike whilst you suss out the whole bike thing?If you definately want a gs then stop procrastinating and get on with it! the real choice is wether to get an 11-- or a 1200 Why a gsa by the way?
Why a gsa by the way?As a follow on, there actually is some value to buying a cheap bike for the first 6 months or year back to biking.....
Lots of people will drop a bike that first year back, and for obvious reasons it's probably better that it be a cheaper bike than a more expensive one.
But that still doesn't rule out an 11xx or 12.
Decent 1100's can be had for £2k, decent 1150's for £3250, and early 1200's for £4.5k.
Adventures are pricier, but still not too bad, 1150 ADV's can be had for £4k to £5k, and 1200 ADV's for £6K and up.
Depends on what you consider cheap, but theres something in there for everyone, and all will do the job of making you feel considerably less worried about dropping it than a nice shiny new £10K bike would!!!!
Lots of people will drop a bike that first year back, and for obvious reasons it's probably better that it be a cheaper bike than a more expensive one.
But that still doesn't rule out an 11xx or 12.
Decent 1100's can be had for £2k, decent 1150's for £3250, and early 1200's for £4.5k.
Adventures are pricier, but still not too bad, 1150 ADV's can be had for £4k to £5k, and 1200 ADV's for £6K and up.
Depends on what you consider cheap, but theres something in there for everyone, and all will do the job of making you feel considerably less worried about dropping it than a nice shiny new £10K bike would!!!!
RichGSer
Registered user
I was 53 and hadnt had a bike since I was 22. i bought an 1150GS which I am hugely pleased with. Just take it easy and get some miles in. Confidence comes with experience and they are heavy when yr last bike was a BSAGold star in all alloy race trim, but its well worth going for the bike you want. i have now used it 30 to 40 times to commute into london and also been down to the Dordogne and back and was thoroughly pleased with it along with many shorter rides along sth coast. Ride carefully but watch out for those cars!!
Welcome and enjoy, I did and never looked back, just hope you like riding big birds.....
brent elliott
Guest
I passed my direct access course 3 months ago having spent 6 months on a Honda CG125. Then bought new ducati monster 696 which is super light/easy to ride for a beginner (and which I love), I've done a couple of thousand miles on this but I'm 6'2" and want something that is good for touring as well (in reality I had my eye on the GS1200 all along but was intimidated by it's size as a new rider). I took the 08 GSA out for a test ride last week and found it surprisingly manageable and I certainly seem to fit it much better, am now seriously considering buying one but am slightly put off by the part-ex value on the ducati! Of course managed to convince myself I need two bikes - fiance not impressed!!
Plain speaking, having had two ABS 650GS, an ABS 1150GS and a servo ABS 1200GS - just get the 1200 with ABS brakes, it will out handle the other two and out stop them - get the ABS brakes (non-servo or servo), just make sure the lever isnt pushed back by the plastic handguard.
My wife hit the ABS brakes on her 650GS but didnt stop in time, if she had been on the 1200 with its better brakes the impact would have been a lot less.
You may find your bulk will overawe a 650, I'm 16.5 stone and 6' tall.
Good riding whatever you buy!
My wife hit the ABS brakes on her 650GS but didnt stop in time, if she had been on the 1200 with its better brakes the impact would have been a lot less.
You may find your bulk will overawe a 650, I'm 16.5 stone and 6' tall.
Good riding whatever you buy!
Palerider
Registered user
Still a relative noob in this forum but I thought I'd share 
I came back to biking earlier this year and my first instinct was a GS - I actually (read stupidly!
) ended up buying a Yamaha FZ1 and whilst I enjoyed the bike had to relearn the road craft that I'd lost over the 10 year gap of riding.
After completing a European tour with my mate who'd encouraged me to get back on two wheels, we both concluded that a) neither of us wanted or needed ~150bhp and b) we would have been far more comfortable on a machine which was built for the sort of riding we enjoy.
That lesson has cost a LOT of £££ in depreciation as we've both now purchased GSA's (through this wonderful site!) and are looking forward to riding out later this year on bikes that DONT make us pray for the fuel gauge to be empty after an hour!!!
IMHO the most important factor is the roadcraft. You obviously have considerable experience as a car driver, and much of what you've learned here will obviously assist you. The factor of handling a bigger bike or a smaller bike doesn't really change - you just have to get used to that particular bike! Cornering skills and low speed manoeuvering are the bits you'll need to relearn - yes some of that might be harder on a GS due to the size, but as long as you take it steady you'll be fine!
Happy riding whatever you end up getting tho!
P
I came back to biking earlier this year and my first instinct was a GS - I actually (read stupidly!
) ended up buying a Yamaha FZ1 and whilst I enjoyed the bike had to relearn the road craft that I'd lost over the 10 year gap of riding.After completing a European tour with my mate who'd encouraged me to get back on two wheels, we both concluded that a) neither of us wanted or needed ~150bhp and b) we would have been far more comfortable on a machine which was built for the sort of riding we enjoy.
That lesson has cost a LOT of £££ in depreciation as we've both now purchased GSA's (through this wonderful site!
) and are looking forward to riding out later this year on bikes that DONT make us pray for the fuel gauge to be empty after an hour!!!IMHO the most important factor is the roadcraft. You obviously have considerable experience as a car driver, and much of what you've learned here will obviously assist you. The factor of handling a bigger bike or a smaller bike doesn't really change - you just have to get used to that particular bike! Cornering skills and low speed manoeuvering are the bits you'll need to relearn - yes some of that might be harder on a GS due to the size, but as long as you take it steady you'll be fine!
Happy riding whatever you end up getting tho!
P
motobiker
Registered user
No one else has said this so I will... instead of the 800. why not go for a preloved 1100... ride it through the winter.. then next year sell it (if you can bear to) for what you paid and get yourself the GSA.
lets face it the 1100 is a much cheaper option than an 800... in fact the move from your current bike to an 1100 won't involve too much cash at all...
tbh i'm not up on prices for the GSA... but I've seen some stunning 1100s going for less than £3000... sometimes MUCH less.
lets face it the 1100 is a much cheaper option than an 800... in fact the move from your current bike to an 1100 won't involve too much cash at all...
tbh i'm not up on prices for the GSA... but I've seen some stunning 1100s going for less than £3000... sometimes MUCH less.
Many thanks for all the wise advice. I have plumped for a 1200RT, mainly due to problems with an old wrist injury. The RT just seemed more comfortable for me. I will however remain on UKGSER as it is the friendliest and most informative forum on the internet.
Regards
Chris
Regards
Chris
GSGill
Guest
I would suggest you test ride, you should be able to get them arranged at any dealer.
consider the R 1200 GS at first, probably used. They are really easy to handle and well balanced and you will not have the weight up top of 33l of fuel to worry about when the tank of the GSA is full (1200 GS has 19l). I ride one and am a girl and don't feel initimidated by its weight. the neighbours laugh at me trying to rock it on and off the centre stand though
1200GS hold their value so you will not loose too much cash if/when you come to trade up to a GSA if you wish.
Sounds like you will out grow the F 650 GS quite quickly.
Bike safe or other similar training is a good idea. I got 6 months of miles under my belt then did that course, the perfect time to really up my game and i learnt loads
That's my two pennies worth. Correct me if i'm wrong guys
consider the R 1200 GS at first, probably used. They are really easy to handle and well balanced and you will not have the weight up top of 33l of fuel to worry about when the tank of the GSA is full (1200 GS has 19l). I ride one and am a girl and don't feel initimidated by its weight. the neighbours laugh at me trying to rock it on and off the centre stand though
1200GS hold their value so you will not loose too much cash if/when you come to trade up to a GSA if you wish.
Sounds like you will out grow the F 650 GS quite quickly.
Bike safe or other similar training is a good idea. I got 6 months of miles under my belt then did that course, the perfect time to really up my game and i learnt loads
That's my two pennies worth. Correct me if i'm wrong guys
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