Who else here has a 1200GS SE (2009)??

[justinguitar]

So i took the plunge and my bike should arrive in 7 days, very excited.

Slightly concerned that the 870 seat might be a little high (but if it is I'll have to look at a Sargent) and that I might have trouble pushing it around to the back of my house (first big bike I've owned - tips anyone?) but otherwise just can't wait for it to arrive and snow and ice to melt

Thought I'd find out who else here has the SE, must a few right?

 

[MIKE R]

I had an 09 SE and absolutely loved it, so much so that when I traded it for a twin cam 1200 I have speced it as an 'SE replica' (except for the seat, and I use a Sargent anyway).

Having said that, apart from a few add ons they are essentially the same as a 1200GS. Just liked the looks.

2 piccies. Top is the 09SE, bottom is the 2011 replica

Enjoy

 

[Wapping]

and that I might have trouble pushing it around to the back of my house (first big bike I've owned - tips anyone?)

Go back to small bikes / move / man up and don't be a girl.

===

Try reversing the bike in.

Turn the bike around so that the rear wheel faces the direction you want to go in.

Plonk the bike on its side stand.

Walk around to the front of the bike.

Grab hold of the bars at the grips.

Lift bike to upright, the side stand will stay extended.

Push the bike backwards.

Try it, it's easy.

The advantage is that your body is not taking up a part of the narrow gap as you push.

when you get to the back of your house, lean the bike over onto its side stand again. Job done.

To take the bike out? Pull it out, front wheel forward.

 

[Big_Steve64]

Nice

opps what happened here?

 

[GSTourer]

Go back to small bikes / move / man up and don't be a girl.

===

Try reversing the bike in.

Turn the bike around so that the rear wheel faces the direction you want to go in.

Plonk the bike on its side stand.

Walk around to the front of the bike.

Grab hold of the bars at the grips.

Lift bike to upright, the side stand will stay extended.

Push the bike backwards.

Try it, it's easy.

The advantage is that your body is not taking up a part of the narrow gap as you push.

when you get to the back of your house, lean the bike over onto its side stand again. Job done.

To take the bike out? Pull it out, front wheel forward.

Helpful as always (not)

 

[Wapping]

Helpful as always (not)

... and your suggestion as to how the OP might try to wheel his bike around the apparently narrow entry to the rear his gaffe is.....???

It's how I wheel my large 1600 GT backwards into a narrow garage space, crammed with three other bikes .... and a useful trick to learn should you ever be confronted with narrow gaps in central London parking bays.

Give it a go. All it takes is an itsy-bitsy bit of confidence.

 

[flatdog]

Helpful as always (not)

And your's is.


OP have you checked the clearance to get the bike through. Anything less than 100 cm wide and it won't fit. (unless it's a gate where you can turn the handlebars)

DAMHIK

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Helpful as always (not)

What's not helpful about Wappings post He's simply advising the OP on how to manouvre his bike in a small space if he feels it's a bit of a monster.

The OP will no doubt struggle and drop it a couple of times until he gets used to it.....everyone does

 

[APE]

Might make sense to buy some crash bars if it's your first big bike. They do a great job with a straightforward topple.

 

[justinguitar]

@Wapping that's a helpful idea...

The gap to get through is about 1.3m wide gate with a step down where I have concreted in a paving slab so there is a slope down for the bike... I'm thinking or going in backwards but standing next to to bike to hold brake, but wapping's idea might work, have to see how the side stand deals with the slope.

I'm hoping with a little practice I'll ride the bike in - but maybe not until I'm used to the feel and balance of the machine.

@Mike R - love the new looky likey, the DOHC much better?

@Bilco - I so hope I don't drop it

 

[justinguitar]

@ Ape - that's a very good idea. TT crash bars ordered!! less tears if Bilco is right and I drop it a few times...

 

[justinguitar]

@Mike R - is that the Sargent LOW seat? or regular? is it a lot lower than the standard SE seat?

 

[Wapping]

@Wapping that's a helpful idea...

The gap to get through is about 1.3m wide gate with a step down where I have concreted in a paving slab so there is a slope down for the bike... I'm thinking or going in backwards but standing next to to bike to hold brake, but wapping's idea might work, have to see how the side stand deals with the slope.

The bike is upright, balanced naturally as you wheel it backwards, You won't need the brake as you will be supporting the bike and can always pull it back towards you. Make sure the slope down is not slippery though, it's an easy home for green gunge to collect on. The bike probably won't slip.... but you in your motorcycle boots (or slippers) might..... whoa, crash

You probably won't need to put it on its side stand whilst on the slope. If you do, don't worry. The slope will pull the bike backwards onto the side stand, will it not?

....one last tip. DO NOT try the reversing trick without the side stand down... or do, and then hop around the bike whilst you try to lower the stand down in a pathetic impersonation of an epileptic Mick performing Riverdance.... It's easier to kick yourself in the bollocks, which is what you'll feel like doing anyway.

 

[justinguitar]

@Wapping Thank you

 

[APE]

@ Ape - that's a very good idea. TT crash bars ordered!! less tears if Bilco is right and I drop it a few times...

Good choice I have those - they're expensive but you'll get a big chunk of money back when you sell the bike and they're by far the best looking Also made of stainless steel so wont rust and lightweight (3kgs the pair I believe).

 

[APE]

I had an 09 SE and absolutely loved it, so much so that when I traded it for a twin cam 1200 I have speced it as an 'SE replica' (except for the seat, and I use a Sargent anyway).

Having said that, apart from a few add ons they are essentially the same as a 1200GS. Just liked the looks.

2 piccies. Top is the 09SE, bottom is the 2011 replica

Enjoy

where did that R1200 decal on the tank come from ? quite like the look of that (far better than zombies )

 

[MIKE R]

@Mike R - is that the Sargent LOW seat? or regular? is it a lot lower than the standard SE seat?

It's the standard size seat. I have a 32inch inside leg and found the low seat made the distance from the seat to the pegs a bit cramped.

Mike

 

[MIKE R]

where did that R1200 decal on the tank come from ? quite like the look of that (far better than zombies )

Got them from here:-

http://www.humvee-graphics.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=40&osCsid=f5e7f2b77d543e10fae5345043df69fb

Excellent product at a fair price.

Mike

 

[Nutty]

So i took the plunge and my bike should arrive in 7 days, very excited.

Slightly concerned that the 870 seat might be a little high (but if it is I'll have to look at a Sargent) and that I might have trouble pushing it around to the back of my house (first big bike I've owned - tips anyone?) but otherwise just can't wait for it to arrive and snow and ice to melt

Thought I'd find out who else here has the SE, must a few right?

Congrats Justin. If you have room, get one of these -

http://www.driveawaymat.co.uk/7.html

I have one, and it makes really light work of turning the bike around. I have the large one, which is better for the 1200GS.

 

[MIKE R]

@Mike R - love the new looky likey, the DOHC much better?

The 09SE is a great bike.

I wouldn't have changed but for the great Pex deal and the £800 discount on offer before Christmas.

Just made sense at the time to do it and transfer most of the goodies across.

Mike