Well, i rode the GS today, and guess what????

[ClearwaterBMW]

Had a great day at my dealer in tampa, florida (thanks to my friend, david picou (the sales mananger)

rode 20 mile each on the (and back-to-back)
2005 R1200GS
2003 R1100RS (david's bike with lots of upgrades)
2005 K1200S


remember, i'm 5'6" with a 28" inseam
rode a used 2005 GS (perfect shape) because it had a Sargent saddle on it and there were no LOWER BMW seats in stock (1 is coming in MY name)

20 miles (not that long on each, but:
1. it was a busy saturday and i was lucky to go testriding at all
2. it was 94 degrees with 90% humidity by 9:30 this morning
3. it was all in the twisties with very little traffic (the dealership is located in a biker-friendly part of town)

the verdict:
simply put
i pick up my NEW GS in 5 days
got some stuff added and HAVE to have that low seat to feel comfortable
was happy that the bike with my 175# of weight (glad i hadn't lost any i guess) COMPRESSES the rear suspension down about 1.5-2" when i put my weight on it/didn't feel at all comfortable when i first got on.... too tall

was going to buy the K1200S in the past/that's why i rode them almost back-to-back


the GS.....
more fun for longer time
even after 20 miles, my wrists weren't happy on that KS
the new R motor is fantastic... quick enough for me
that GS is incredibly flickable
miles of smiles
happy with my decision that i came to in a very scientific way for me

i NOW know why that bike is #1 in europe and has won so many awards

we did NOT go off road today
at MY height, i'll have to get much more time in the saddle before i will feel comfortable with that


that sargent saddle was nice/not sure how comfortable it woud be after 300 miles....
who knows

will have stuff done before i pick it up.... as suggested here:
1. all 3 bags
2. crash bars
3. side protectors
4. motolights

now, david has every color and both wheels in stock

i was going to get the yellow
maybe i now like the blue
was thinking that the reflection of that bright yellow might be bothersome on very sunny days


also,
was thinking of the BMW tankbag
WOW.... it's huge
so tall
at my height i felt like some old lady riding behind ti
does anyone have one
what do YOU think?

thanks for all your help

will be on the road in less than 6 days

greg

 

[Deadskin]

Nice one Greg
What wheels are you getting ?

 

[ClearwaterBMW]

yeah,
that's the other thing

i wish i knew
he's not going to start getting the bike ready until tuesday at 0800
so....
i NEED to know:
1.. the bike color
2. the wheel choice

i like the spokes better because the are very "trick" looking
the cleaner nature of the cast wheels also appeals to me

first i liked the yellow
now i liked the blue
i think the yellow's harsh reflection in your eyes on a sunny day would be distracting
or is that COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS?

greg

 

[Yellow Peril]

Greg I got the Baglux tank cover and Shibuya 15 bag bought these for the following:-

Protects the tank paint and no glare.

Seen the BMW bag in action and to be honest at times seems a real pain to get on and off

The Shibuya 15 only carries 12l so quite small but carries the bits that you need in a tank bag.

Happy Riding

 

[Kevmulcock]

I agree with shaun.
I have exatly the same setup, Black baglux cover and black bag.
Looks ace and is the perfect size

 

[Deadskin]

Spokes

 

[ClearwaterBMW]

if i didn't buy the GS today...
this is where i might have been riding next week

greg