Things clicking into place

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I'm test riding an 1150GS tomorrow for the second time. A lot of you on this forum speak of things suddenly "clicking" or falling into place after a couple of hours on this bike. I have to say that on my first ride this didn't happen albeit that it was only for an hour in terrible weather. Is anyone able to explain what it is that clicks into place when it does happen. Are you talking about handling the bike in a certain way or........what?
 
Yeh, it all boils down to when you look at a GS and think about owning one it seems strange. When you ride it a little bit it seems strange too. Tall, heavy etc. But after a while riding the bike in all knids of conditions, and hooning around it all begins to "click" as you say because it WORKS. I've had faster bikes, I've had lighter bikes, I've had more comfort as well. BUT and its a BIG but the GS does everything well, especially its roadholding.
The only reason not to have one is if you spend all day on a mortorway. I actualy do use mine mainly for commuting and do a fair bit on motorways. But not four hours in one go.
So go and get one keep it and ride it and you'll know what its all about. And when you've finished with it, you'll still get a good price for it secondhand. Voila, I rest my case....
Heres mine ten years old this year..
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Stop faffing about. If you like what the bikes's about then get one, attend a couple of GSClub events and, all of a sudden, you'll realise what it's all about. This takes more than any test ride to find out and, as you've taken the trouble to have a second go, you're half way there! :)
 
Clicking is not that complicated..

It's when you reach the stage of enlightenment, where suddenly the fact that you're on a big, ugly bike, with wonky indicator switches, a clunky gearbox, wierd looks, less power, more vibey motor than many jap bikes, dodgy lights, a horn like a Citroen 2CV, and strange handling...doesn't matter at all. You're actually enjoying yourself, and laughing out loud as you hoon round bends at improbable lean angles, and leave it impossibly late braking into corners, then experience the strange sensation of no massive fork dive, so you can just yank it over, and get through the bend. You don't need 150 horsepower to have a riot on a bike...You'll either get 'it' or you won't. I hope you do....I have...aha ha ha haaah haaa....maniacal laughter. In fact, I'm going out at lunchtime today just for the ride, so expect more gorgeous sun-drenched Riviera shots this afternoon..../Rob
 
Absolutely agree with Richie, this bike is more than the sum of its parts.

After riding all kinds of bikes (mostly sporty japanese ones, interdispersed with trail and commuter bikes) I had a test ride on a GS just to see what all the fuss was about.

I got off my Firestorm and onto the GS and it all seemed massive and rather agricultural and spongy at first. Gearchange was clunky, ride seemed a bit spongy and low revving motor seemed a bit bland.

Then when I started really riding it (Around bumpy country roads) I was very surprised to find that I could actually ride it faster in most situations than the VTR (Perfectly surfaced fast corners and straights excluded)

I finally got around to buying one about three months ago (I have an old 1100) and despite some mechanical problems (nothing really serious considering the bike has nearly 40,000miles on the clock) everyday when I ride it, I am impressed by it.

I actually don't particularly like any of the other BMWs but the GS is simply a great all round bike, only a Caponoord comes close for me, but even that doesn't have paralever front suspension, which is what gives the GS the edge on the road.

The GS is really a great bike, but you have to think about it as a whole and really care more about owning a great bike than being part of race-rep 'get a new one next year to look cool' community.

David
 
It is quite simply the most forgiving bike I have ridden, capable of absorbing all the abuse I give it, all the mistakes I make and still remain right side up. Buy it, ride it, learn to grin !
 
Franco is enlightened. Yo - I'm with you.

When I sold my 1150 someone queried why it had such a high mileage - simple I used it: it carries stuff, it's fun going round corners (easier that my Blade on real roads), has a real world suspension, it carries 220 mls of fuel, you can see where you're going etc etc.

My first test was a disaster - the buffeting was awful. My second a year later was in pouring rain but I was determined to give it a go. I then accepted what it was (as the other posts have clearly pointed out to you) and only then it clicked - and my ride down to my home town of Weymouth cross-country on a warm Spring day was bliss.

Would I go back to a sports bike - No.
 
i have ridden sports bikes ( CBR, GSXR), the GS is DIFFERENT. And there in lies its charm, every time i park it I return to find people standing and staring at it. I have dropped it once, (kicked out sidestand, it came back and i leant the bike over onto thin air) and it had no damage and I still love it. Tough as a friday night kebab.
It rides differently, looks great and can do anything. there have been reviews in this months BIKE and RIDE magazines, where commited sportsbike riders have stated how surprised they were at how good it is. write the cheque. you know you want to. go on. go on go on go on go on......
 
Many thanks for all your comments. I'll give it another go tomorrow and see if I can stop fannying around like a fanny. I've got my wife's permission to make a purchase which is the hardest bit over with.
 
Deep trouble

Andrew, as a recent convert myself I understand what you're going through.

All of the above is true.
I love this bike like I've never loved another - I still couldn't tell you exactly why.

I think it's a very honest machine, it does pretend to be anything other than a damn fine way of making every trip more enjoyable and involving than you would think possible, consequently they also become longer and you'll find you need fewer reasons for "nipping out on the bike".

Enjoy your test.

Steve
 
Well for some reason the second test ride went very differently from the first. I absolutely fell in love with the bike from the off this time. Wierd. I'm not sure what made the change but I was determined not to be intimidated by the size and weight this time and just trust my biking experience, instinct and the comments from you lot.

This bike is fantastic. Completely confidence inspiring in town, on the twisties and on the motorway. Knew the bike was for me when I found myself shouting outloud, "YES I SEE NOW" into my lid after a particulary envigorating roundabout.

Next week I pick up my newly acquired 2000 R1150 GS (black). Thinking about little else at the moment apart from where to find my Wunderlich catalogue.

Tobers, I'll be contacting you soon to try and take away the buffeting (although for me it doesn't start until 90mph with the stock screen).

Thanks again for all the comments and for this board. Class. See some of you soon I hope.

Andrew
 
I ordered my R1150GS one second after I returned from a testride (which was in perfect weather conditions). When I collected the shiny new bike two weeks later it was raining so I just drove it home from the dealer (16 km). Nevertheless, my face was hurting for three days because of the big smile I had all the ride home.

Since then I've had it all: smile, grin, maniacal laughter, shouting and singing of joy, etc.
 
Andrew, clearly you're not only a fanny but a tosser too!!!

:D :D :D

Welcome to this mad world of UK GSers (and a few other tossers thrown in for good measure).

Before I bought my first GS (an R1100GS) I was riding a Blackbird. The GS has only half the power but it is twice the bike. As Mark says in the real world it's actually a formidable machine that can take to Soho one day and the Sahara the next.

Enjoy it!

Greg
 
Rabbitson said:
I actually don't particularly like any of the other BMWs but the GS is simply a great all round bike, only a Caponoord comes close for me, but even that doesn't have paralever front suspension, which is what gives the GS the edge on the road.
I can agree wholeheartedly - it's more fun to ride fast on a slow bike, than to ride slow on a fast bike.
BTW, the paralever is the rear suspension, the front is called telelever.
 
Andrew C said:
I'm test riding an 1150GS tomorrow for the second time. A lot of you on this forum speak of things suddenly "clicking" or falling into place after a couple of hours on this bike. I have to say that on my first ride this didn't happen albeit that it was only for an hour in terrible weather. Is anyone able to explain what it is that clicks into place when it does happen. Are you talking about handling the bike in a certain way or........what?
Way back in the year 2002, after 15 years of sports bikes, countless trackdays, a 6 month ban for speeding on the Queens highway, and many times riding bikes and not really enjoying it, i decided a complete change of bike, riding style, and general attitude to two wheels was called for. After reading all the tests in the mags, i had my first test ride on an 1150 GS in June 2002, i'd ridden up to SPC on a 2001 CBR 600, having arranged over the phone to try one. The first ride was not good, it was huge, heavy, wide, handled like a super tanker, made all sorts of strange noises and the seating position didn't suit my one piece race leathers!. Three days later, i had another test ride. The rest, they say 'is history', would i go gack to a sports bike?, sure i would, but not as an only bike, the GS is the best single bike you could have. The moral of my story is if you don't get on with it on the first, second, or third ride, have another go, it will 'click', you won't regret it, your bank manager might!. After 18 months with my GS, i've ridden more miles, seen more of the countryside, (instead of blurred scenery), and enjoyed my motorcycling much more than i ever have before,.....i'm hooked!
 
I'm new to the GS myself, only had mine for about 3 weeks, but I have to agree with all the previous comments.
Also, after having come from an R1 I find that after a ride I get off with no aches in my kneck and wrists and don't feel at all knackered. If you're riding long distances that is definately a bonus as when you start to get knackered you start making mistakes and the fun element starts to disappear... go for it, a great bike.
 
Pidcocks

Tried my first GS 4 years ago at pidcocks in long eaton, well having just ridden there on my trust silky smooth pan, getting on the gs nearly made me change my mind and go home. Rattled, jumped all over the place when blipping the throttle, then it goes and backfires like a bomb going off. This was all before I had taken the test ride. Pidcocks said I could have it for the morning but there was no rush if had roamed to far. Don't really think they should have had a demonstrator sporting a full race can and Y piece. Bloody thing frightened me to death every time I slowed down, banging and farting and why didn't the front end dive to the floor when braking hard. All things that didn't seem right. Took it back and said no thanks it's bloody two wheel tractor and they should get that backfiring fixed. It was only during the ride home that it struck me I shouldn't be comparing it with the pan but on it's own merits, ok it coughed and farted but remember looking at pedestrians jumping about when it backfired and had a bit of a smile to myself. Sort of brings the devil out in you. Ok have another go so arranged another test ride and spent best part of a day on it. You do need to spend a bit time out with the bike to realise its charm. Took it back and ordered one, never looked back since. Getting the new 1200 but that was more of a coincidence than planning cos I was just about to run out of warranty so planned to trade it in for a new twin spark when I heard about the 1200 and it's probable release date. New bike summer coming loads of gs meetings couldn't be better.
 
Love it...

have had my GS for 4 months, previous bike and my first was a 1150R, wanted the GS from the word go but found it to big with my lack of experience, anyway finally comitted my self to the GS and have just completed 10,000 miles on it, and it is great. Wouldn't change it for anything else.

Mick


:beerjug:
 
Re: Love it...

Mick_rw said:
have had my GS for 4 months, previous bike and my first was a 1150R, wanted the GS from the word go but found it to big with my lack of experience, anyway finally comitted my self to the GS and have just completed 10,000 miles on it, and it is great. Wouldn't change it for anything else.

Mick


10,000 miles in 4 months?, i think you should get one of the first GS1200's, then you could find out if there are any problems before i order one!
 


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