Tying myself in knots

[Packer]

Superb choice Lex, stealth Graphitane, almost invisible to traffic police and cameras. Mine looked just like that until I started taking bits off and failing to clean it.

My first bike after a 20+ year lay off. Now 36,000 miles in under 4 years with a lot of motorway commute. The width is the only limiting factor in town as you will now be discovering.

When you get used to it and start to throw it around you'll find your feet scraping the floor. The bike will still feel completly planted though! They also fly really well in case you haven't discovered that yet

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Confidence

"Sounds to me if you need to get a wee bit of confidence back? - especially if you are a bit apprehensive about the size/weight?" .....wize words. A nice continental trip will do the trick. Let me know if you come down this way (just South of Lyon.)

 

[lex]

Bullseye, jason P

although I now see I gave it away earlier on in the thread. The wierdest thing is coming up the back of the dyke (stop sniggering at the back) on a day like that is the 2 degree temp change. everything suddenly fogs up.

Confidence is slowly returning and I'm sure will be helped by a new set of tyres (previous owner did a few motorway miles and the tyres are a bit squared off which is interesting in the corners.)

I'm a very happy bunny and I am certainly looking forward to a continental trip or two.

Perhaps see you in france Brian......

pip pip

lex

 

[Packer]

Confidence is slowly returning and I'm sure will be helped by a new set of tyres (previous owner did a few motorway miles and the tyres are a bit squared off which is interesting in the corners.)

What I have found Lex is that there is a small area either side of the "flat" which has a smaller radius than the rest of the tyre. As you lean onto that part it gets skittish and can start to slide but if you are confident enough to keep leaning more you go past that part of the tyre and onto the softer compound towards the side of the tyre which then sticks like sh_t to a blanket.

You just have to get used to that little "nervous" stage, mine hasn't ever let go yet.............................

 

[lex]

thanks for the tip, packer.

i found on the way in this morning i was more confident as a result of taking the missus out last night in the wind and rain. the bike feels lighter this morning (she's not THAT heavy, ok) and more nimble.

so maybe I need to do it more often (gonna cost us a fortune in babysitters.)

doing a bikesafe course in November which I'm hoping will help with all this, as well.

pip pip

Lex

 

[gscommuter]

Hello everyone

A newbie here.

Here's the rub.

I've been tying myself in knots over this and I'm losing sleep so I need your (obviously impartial, ahem) help.

Got my license last November and bought a 650gs primarily for my 10 mile commute into work (8 miles A and B roads, 2 miles fairly light urban).

The predictable happened and I had my 6 month accident, totalled the bike and broke my wrist pretty badly. I've been out of the cast for two weeks and my thoughts have turned towards what should be my next bike. I'm getting fairly desperate 'cause the bus is driving me nuts, especially on these beautiful sunny evenings (my commute takes me across the south downs near Brighton.)

Now I loved the 650 because it was like a pushbike in town and fun on the back lanes. However, as I'm 6'4" and 14 stone I always thought it was a bit small. I dislike Jap rockets and am quite into the whole GS comfort/practicality thing. So I need to think about what is next for me.

This is what I need my bike for.

1. Daily commute 10 miles each way, as above, all year round.

2. Occasional solo weekend away with camping gear (3 times/year) maybe 1 big trip for a week.

3. The odd evening ride poss with mild off roading.

4. Something with ABS for peace of mind (I got used to it on the 650gs).

Obviously I've been thinking 1150gs (I have £4500 to spend) or I could get 0% finance on a ,gulp, 650 V-Strom but struggle with the new bike depreciation hit (I reckon a '01 £4500 GS will be worth more in 3 years than a 07 £5500 V-Strom).

I suppose I'm probably saying I want a GS, aren't I? I think I might have persuaded myself

Erm..... are they any good in town?

.......sorry to waste your time.

pip pip

Lex

Hi Lex
Sorry to hear about the accident.

her'es my experience (not advice - many will not agree with my approach).

Passed my test March 2007 (age 41, first time on a m/bike, yes I know it sounds like a mid life crisis but it isn't). Couldn't hack the trains any longer on the commute to London so thought bike would be easier/more conveneint.

Bought an 1150GS, without ever having ridden one - didn't even test ride it. Mate of mine said by an 1150 don't buy a 650 as you'll outgrow it - took his advice and we're still friends.

It's big and heavy, but once it's moving it's fine and you do get used to it quite quickly.

My commute is 60 miles each way (20 unlit country roads, 30 m/way and 10 in London). It's fine for filtering, put the main beam on and the traffic parts. Just watch out for big white vans as you'll clip their mirrors with handguards. Mind you very few seem to actually use them for the intended purpose.

Have now done 10,00m commuting. Dropped it twice, in the early days, both at walking pace, but it's a robust lump that can deal with a bash or two.

Hope this helps.

Phil

 

[alcanara]

Hi All,

A number of you on this forum have mentioned the width of the GSA and how "dangerous/tricky" to filter.....SURELY even on the GSA nothing is wider than the pots. I used to do the nightmare run.... Junction 6 to Junction 13 c/wise on the M25 every morning... Often on a K1200LT.... that has got to be wider. Filtering was tricky on this and it was half as heavy again.... Is it really that bad.?

Stuart

 

[SilverFish]

Hi All,

A number of you on this forum have mentioned the width of the GSA and how "dangerous/tricky" to filter.....SURELY even on the GSA nothing is wider than the pots. I used to do the nightmare run.... Junction 6 to Junction 13 c/wise on the M25 every morning... Often on a K1200LT.... that has got to be wider. Filtering was tricky on this and it was half as heavy again.... Is it really that bad.?

Stuart

The handlebars guards and mirrors are the bits that you watch out for - as mentioned above, van mirrors are the worst ones as theyre higher up than a cars (also not helped by the fact that theyre the size of a Roman Legionaires shield). And of course the GS handlebars are a few inches wider than most other bikes too.

Mike

 

[alcanara]

Yes!!!.... I forgot about the height issue..

Stuart

 

[iftikartaxis]

should be able to get a newer model than 01
especially on here got some really good deals from some decent people

hope you do get a gs lovely to ride feel safe on it