Vertigo

[Cretin]

No I don’t suffer from it yet, but I might just get it when I get hold of a GS Adventure. That is if I can get on one, being that I am of the short variety of person “32 inch inner leg and under 10 stone”

Ay advise..... Pretty please “sorry if I am kicking at a dead horse again”

 

[pnewman]

Hi
I have a GSA and i'm only 5'10 and 29 inch leg and have no problems , had a Dakar before so used to high bikes.
You just have to think a bit more when you ride and stop esp on a camber, i have the seat on a low setting and i can get most of my feet down with the ESA set to comfort.

Oh i'm 11 stone btw on a good day, 11.5 on a bad one

Paul

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I'm 9 stone with a 31"-32" inside leg. I ride a non adventure 1200gs.

When I got it, I had the seat on the lowest setting, and also had it narrowed a little, to help me get my feet down at a standstill.

I've had NO problems with it, and I've even lifted the seat up at the front. I realise the ADVENTURE is higher.
If you have a pillion, it helps....

Visit your local dealer and get a test ride.

 

[Toad]

PM Indecisive.

He's a little 'un with a GSA................

 

[Cretin]

Thanks all.........

Gonna be going out over the xmas perdiod and do a bike swap with a mate of mine that has got an adventure "he's dropped it a few time so he said he is willing to turn a blind eye if i happen to have a oh s*** im gonna die moment"

 

[Pukmeister]

5'10, 29" inseam. Often on tiptoe or one leg extended/foot flat with bum cheek on seat.

No problems on the move, its only when you stop that its an issue (which you can plan ahead for almost every time). The real drama is a slippery surface underfoot or an off-camber stopping area, or when the bike is fully laden.

Why not take your mates bike (with him in tow) to a grassed area, lay the bike down carefully and have a go at lifting it up again. That way you'll get to learn if the bike is for you and hopefully experience the best way to pick it up.

Take a mobile phone and a chiropractors number with you just in case.

 

[Yonkyo]

No problems here. I'm only 5'8" and 18st of solid muscle, with 29" inside leg.

Mind you, i do struggle a bit if I have the ESA on two-up or off-road settings.

 

[dakarDude]

No I don’t suffer from it yet, but I might just get it when I get hold of a GS Adventure. That is if I can get on one, being that I am of the short variety of person “32 inch inner leg and under 10 stone”

Ay advise..... Pretty please “sorry if I am kicking at a dead horse again”

Just over 9 stone 5 - and 5'9". GSA rider and proud. Go for it!

 

[Cretin]

5'10, 29" inseam. Often on tiptoe or one leg extended/foot flat with bum cheek on seat.

No problems on the move, its only when you stop that its an issue (which you can plan ahead for almost every time). The real drama is a slippery surface underfoot or an off-camber stopping area, or when the bike is fully laden.

Why not take your mates bike (with him in tow) to a grassed area, lay the bike down carefully and have a go at lifting it up again. That way you'll get to learn if the bike is for you and hopefully experience the best way to pick it up.

Take a mobile phone and a chiropractors number with you just in case.

I dont think lifting the bike is a problem "I may be 9 stone(ish)", at one point I did have a triumph rocket 3 for about a 1 ½ years and I dropped that on two occasions and managed to carry on my journey within 15 mins "5 min huffing and puffing, 10 mins recovery and drying sweat of my head".

 

[vertically challenged]

as my name....

5'6'' with an GSA... Lowered seat, and manage Ok

 

[March]

You are about the same size as me, you should have no problem, with the height of a GSA as long as you plan ahead and avoid having the bike on the highest suspension setting if you are having to stop on adverse cambers. Picking the bike up is easy as long as you have a bit of adrenalin pumping, get the handle bars in the right position then quickly lift the bike up to around 45 degrees bend your knees and let the bike rest for one or two seconds with the saddle resting on your knees then take another push and get the bike upright.
Having said that I got very compremised in the Picos mountains when I took a wrong turning up a very steep track that was only about 4 feet wide. The track suddenly stopped at a dead-end meaning I had to get off the bike, stop it from rolling backwards, and then turn it around (about a 20 point turn) on an incredibly steep adverse camber with a shear drop only feet away. The hill was so steep that when I was standing next to the bike the tank was at face level. To cut along story short I did it using stones to stop the bike running away and moving it about 6 inches at a time. Took me forever and Knackered me! I have since learnt that I should have just laid the bike down and spun it around on its cylinder head guard!!

 

[tunnie]

i am 6ft4 and 11 stone with a normal GS, i get on fine with it height wise no issues.

But i do stuggle a little when its got a full tank of petrol, my driveway is on a slight slope and when pushing it around it can be hard work.

 

[tonedef]

I'm probably about the same size as you and bought a new GS rather than a GSA 18 months ago after trying both and feeling scared on the big one. Then I had an Adventure for one day in September while mine was in for service




........next week I'm trading for a nearly new GSA!

 

[GrinningGSer]

Well I am 6'2 with 34" legs and would say that having long legs is really of little use on these bikes, because once beyond a few degrees, you'll lose it regardless.. In reality, you hardly use your legs. As long as you have grip, a moving bike does not fall over. As said earlier, it is just a matter of getting into the groove and always stopping upright. Doesn't take long to get confident. If you cant touch the ground when upright, then obviously, you need a different bike

 

[dxtans]

No problems here. I'm only 5'8" and 18st of solid muscle, with 29" inside leg.

Mind you, i do struggle a bit if I have the ESA on two-up or off-road settings.

Now that is interesting!
With my ESA on two up, I find it easier. However I do agree with other posters, on the issue: do not park it on a camber. Unless you have your missus with you, who can get on the passenger seat first, thus lowering the bike a bit. Knowing these rules, I have not dropped/lost control of the bike yet.

dxtans

 

[PanzerPilot]

Mine is the GS Adventure, and to be honest, when I first picked it up (from the dealer, not the floor!!) I was cacking myself when I got on it, even being used to my previous bike which was the non Adventure GS. I'm 6'2" and I am well used to it now, as the boys on here have rightly said, it's just a matter of getting used to the bulk and the weight, once you've done that they seem just as easy to handle as any other bike. Though I have to admit, I am careful where I park, as they can be a handful on a steep hill.
Ride safe!
Richard.
'08 R1200GS Adventure Magma Red+some goodies
'90 Honda VFR750-FL Pro-Arm (Winter bike that isn't actually a winter bike!)

 

[JJ's GS]

I have the standard GS not Adventure and I also found it difficult to start with but I have a low seat now as 29" inside leg and needed a bit more confidence.
I've had the bike for a few months and now it's not an issue it's just a case of getting used to it.
As a lot of the other guys have mentioned being on a camber can catch you out but generally I think you'll be fine.
I have had to pick the bike up but I just grabbed the bar and rear grab rail and it came up very easily, I know this may not be the correct way but it's an easy way of doing it.
Good luck with it all

Cheers
JJ