Wasted him!

[Gipsy]

Don't need mirror smooth roads to get the best out of a sports bike. All the modern sportsbikes have fully adjustable suspension which can be set up for the type of road or the style of riding. Admittedly not quite as easy as the Gs but if you know what its about it isn't too difficult. As for out accelerating sports bikes out of corners, no problem. The sports bike however is likely to have carried much more corner speed.
Having said all that I think the 1200 Gs is the best all round bike I've ridden, and at this moment can't think of a bike I'd rather own.

 

[Alex]

Don't need mirror smooth roads to get the best out of a sports bike. All the modern sportsbikes have fully adjustable suspension which can be set up for the type of road or the style of riding. Admittedly not quite as easy as the Gs but if you know what its about it isn't too difficult. As for out accelerating sports bikes out of corners, no problem. The sports bike however is likely to have carried much more corner spped.

As you say you have to spend time and effort to setup a sports bike. That is provided you know how to do so of-course. I think most people don't really know. You have to spend hours and hours trying and applying different setups to find the one which suits you and then this will not be applicable to all types of roads. Also due to the high revving nature of the engines and the enormous power outputs involved most riders will always be affraid to fully exploit them on the streets.

Nobody denies a sports bike is ultimately faster. It's just that the GS is faster out of the box on everyday conditions by most riders, plus it doesn't scare the shit out of you every time you accelerate out of a corner.

The same sort of differences would apply between a Ferrari and a Porsche Cayenne don't you think? Ferrari being ultimately faster but Cayenne being the more exploitable everyday tool.

 

[Gipsy]

Sorry Alex but I don't know much about such exotic cars, other than I'm not likely to ever want or own one. Having said that must go and check last w/e's lottery tickets.

 

[Phil Clarke]

Aint what you ride its the way that you ride it......

 

[gfspencer]

Many years ago I went on an Edelweiss trip through the Alps. I rented a new R1100S (or was it an 1150?). The first day I decided that I didn’t want to ride with the tour guide so I teamed up with three or four guys from California who were riding GS’s. I didn’t think that I would have any trouble keeping up with them. I’m an okay rider and the bike I was riding was pretty swift. WRONG. They smoked me. Yes, they were better riders than I was but that was only half the problem. Those GS’s were just so damn agile. I soon realized that I was in way over my head. I rode with the guide the rest of the trip . . . . . and on my next Edelweiss trip I rented a GS. (Then I bought one of my own!! )

 

[Gas'd Off]

Every bike has its day.
Sports bikes you go your way, very fast, on tarmac,
and I`ll go mine......on a GS, across mountains, through rivers, down motorways, with a passenger, up dirt tracks, to work and back without a sore back, with no chain in rain........lalalalalal...........and on and on and on. Try following me mr sportsbike, come on, keep up

 

[Chris Terry]

I think my Bandit12 is quicker in almost all situations (one up)with the exception of rough roads. That said it's not as good to ride and not as nice to look at. But then it cost less than half my 12gs.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

i can't beleive this thread is still going... ?
Q. - If GS's are so fast - how come no professional racing team use them and waste all the Gixxer thou's ?
A. - its the rider AND the bike combo that does it.

 

[Alex]

If GS's are so fast - how come no professional racing team use them and waste all the Gixxer thou's ?

Using your logic, we would all be driving formula 1 cars wouldn't we?

 

[Piggers]

Prior to owning my 1200GS I owned a Honda CB1300 and I would say that this was quicker and handled as well, if not better on tarmac. I remember putting quit a few Sportsbike riders to shame on that, therefore it may be that the upright riding position of both bikes along with torquey motors make for easy fast riding.
The most likely answer is that with so many Sportsbikes on the road, the chances of coming across crap riders on them far greater than on anything else.

But thats only my opinion

Piggers