Why does your GS inspire confidence over most other bikes?

[Renevator]

Just curious. As with a lot of non GS owners, I've read a fair bit on this site, and elsewhere about how brilliant a GS, of any size, is at most things.

I've read a lot of the "faster than a sports bike" type threads, and many threads from GS owners reflecting on how much quicker/better a rider they are on their GS than previous bikes. Of course there are times when a sports bike/tourer/super moto etc would be much better than a GS, but what I find interesting about these bikes is how so many owners have initially disliked the experience, but have then fairly quickly completely changed their view.

I can appreciate the utter brilliance in versatility of the GS, which is why I've kept my VFR750 for soooo long, but what does strike me as quite unique with marque, is how it inspires owners to just ride it as much as they can, to go 500 miles on a test ride instead of 50, to positively enjoy a ride on a large, heavy, slowish steering, non ballistic performing bike vastly more so than they did on a trick, quick, nimble bike that on the face of it should have given just as much grin factor as their GS.

I can certainly see the appeal of these bikes, and why some 1150 owners rate theirs above the latest 1200's even, but although bike ownership and the feeling of reward can sometimes be in direct opposition to capability (I had a Le Mans and despite its many faults absolutely loved it), these GS thingies seem to do all that joy of ownership stuff too, but above everything, just seem to make the act of riding a bike such a great pleasure.

And that seems to be down to the feeling of confidence it gives the rider.

So why is that, in your case? Or is it something else?

 

[sagalout]

From my personal experience, I didn't like the GS at first. I liked the looks but I just didn't get the boxer engine. Then I had another test ride and just clicked with it.

I've owned mine just over 3 years and 15k miles, which is longer than any other bike I've owned. I've maybe been lucky but I've had literally not a single thing go wrong with it. It's done 4 euro trips (all 2up) and 3 trips to the TT on it, commuted through 3 winters to work and obviously countless days out.

It's just very dependable with just the right amount of power - similar torque to a litre sports bike but the power of a 600. Also, living in North Yorkshire it's the perfect bike for minor b and unclassified roads.

I don't think I could replace it with one other bike - it would need 2 or 3 and I haven't got the space!

 

[cookie]

Absurdly flattering bikes, that are easy to ride quite briskly.

This is both a good and bad thing IMO.

 

[Schtum]

to positively enjoy a ride on a large, heavy, slowish steering, non ballistic performing bike vastly more so than they did on a trick, quick, nimble bike that on the face of it should have given just as much grin factor as their GS.

I take it you've not ridden a 1200 of any description, much less a new WC, René...?

 

[Watty100]

Theres no great secret. Its upright riding position is very comfortable, important to me whether on an all-day ride or continental tour.
Power is adequate, plenty to have fun, enough to go fast, loads of torque for a 2-up tour with camping gear, nowhere near enough to catch gixers in a straight line. As I don't want to chase gixers/R1's/Blades etc that doesn't matter.
Handling. The bikes strong point. Its bloody good, better than you'd think for an oversized trail type bike. Thats why I can actually chase down R1s in the real world. Even more so in poor conditions when you're thinking you should be slowing down but don't cos the bike just feels so right.
And that old-fashioned engine. Its alive, when the conditions are just right, its a flyer. Some days it feels a bit off, most days its just right. Its not turbine smooth like a Jap UJM, but thats part of its appeal.
On my extended test ride before I bought it, I was on a nice road, thinking I'm not sure what the fuss is all about until I looked down at the speedo. It was 20mph faster than I thought. Bloody good bikes, maybe won't suit everyone, a 10 minute test ride won't convince you that you want one, an hour on one will mean you need one in your life!!!!!

 

[Timolgra]

Absurdly flattering bikes, that are easy to ride quite briskly.

This is both a good and bad thing IMO.

That's right mate, very neutral, safe in the wet, "oh shit, I need to brake deep into this bend" no problem Sir etc etc.

They flatter your riding to a point where I believe many can actually become a better rider (on a GS anyway)

 

[Blackal]

That's right mate, very neutral, safe in the wet, "oh shit, I need to brake deep into this bend" no problem Sir etc etc.

They flatter your riding to a point where I believe many can actually become a better rider (on a GS anyway)

Exactly, and the upright seating position gives more confidence than "head-down, Bum-up" stance.

Al

 

[diplomaticdanny]

Presence, visibility, comfort, range, protection from the weather (GSA), easy to ride slow, easy to ride fast, luggage capacity, unlimited add ons, amazing dealer (Bahnstormers Alton), reliability, mpg.

 

[Bungy]

My short ownership of a GS led to buying a GSA and this is after owning quite a few sports bikes. I can't really put my finger on the exacts but agree with Dannys comments above and will add that just looking at my pregnant horse as my daughter calls it puts a smile on my face.

 

[earthmover]

Absurdly flattering bikes, that are easy to ride quite briskly.
.

Wait, so you're saying it's the bike, and I'm not a riding God?
Mark

 

[Renevator]

I take it you've not ridden a 1200 of any description, much less a new WC, René...?

You take it right Sir . I knew when I wrote that, that it might imply I thought the GS an overweight irresponsive lump, but I didn't of course, just meant to say that I would expect bikes like say an R1/Ducati etc to inspire the sort of confidence that is overwhelmingly present in riding a GS because they are built to do just that - in terms of handling. From what everyone has said so far, the difference with a GS seems to be not what a bike can do at race speeds on decent roads more what a road bike can do on everyday roads, despite the condition of such.
In regard to the handling/performance of a GS, I know that you, Sven and many others consider a 1200GS to offer the best of all worlds due to it being lighter, better handling, more responsive etc than say a 1200GSA or 1150. That's evidence enough, with many other comments, to steer me towards an earlier 1200GS when the time comes, but it's interesting that no matter what the model, the feeling of confidence is pretty much universal.
You're bang on of course - I should ride one to understand the reality of all this

 

[Renevator]

From my personal experience, I didn't like the GS at first. I liked the looks but I just didn't get the boxer engine. Then I had another test ride and just clicked with it.

I've owned mine just over 3 years and 15k miles, which is longer than any other bike I've owned. I've maybe been lucky but I've had literally not a single thing go wrong with it. It's done 4 euro trips (all 2up) and 3 trips to the TT on it, commuted through 3 winters to work and obviously countless days out.

It's just very dependable with just the right amount of power - similar torque to a litre sports bike but the power of a 600. Also, living in North Yorkshire it's the perfect bike for minor b and unclassified roads.

I don't think I could replace it with one other bike - it would need 2 or 3 and I haven't got the space!

Good to read yours has been so reliable. That is one area I was beginning to suspect as a blight on the all round capability of these bikes. I can see that the torque of a litre and power of a 600 probably goes a long way to explain the confidence factor - not too much of anything, but enough to be exploited as much as any good rider can (unless you're Marquez of course )

 

[team duvet]

Great thread, hope it says sensible

Funny now on my 5th GS and agree with a lot of comments so far. Ultimately its comfort for me. Guess at some stage we all test ride other bikes, some move over others do not. Most problem is you get back on your GS and think "Why change" Just a great bike so versatile.

TD
R1200 GSA 90th Anniversary

 

[Schtum]

You take it right Sir . I knew when I wrote that, that it might imply I thought the GS an overweight irresponsive lump, but I didn't of course, just meant to say that I would expect bikes like say an R1/Ducati etc to inspire the sort of confidence that is overwhelmingly present in riding a GS because they are built to do just that - in terms of handling. From what everyone has said so far, the difference with a GS seems to be not what a bike can do at race speeds on decent roads more what a road bike can do on everyday roads, despite the condition of such.
In regard to the handling/performance of a GS, I know that you, Sven and many others consider a 1200GS to offer the best of all worlds due to it being lighter, better handling, more responsive etc than say a 1200GSA or 1150. That's evidence enough, with many other comments, to steer me towards an earlier 1200GS when the time comes, but it's interesting that no matter what the model, the feeling of confidence is pretty much universal.
You're bang on of course - I should ride one to understand the reality of all this

A man of your talents clearly needs something a bit more challenging René. Can I suggest a nicely modified VFR800 might be just the thing.....

 

[Wrinkly]

Most of the big adventure bikes are good to ride and the GS is no exception.

But. please, please, please, take it with a large shovel of salt when folks start telling you that ..... 'In the real world they can chase down R1's'...... they cannot !!!

Put two good riders side by side, and on the majority of roads the R1 will leave the GS in it's wake.

Get a very choppy back road and the GS may have the advantage.

Steve

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

The crucial factor here is ergonomics....

The GS and its rivals put this above all else, they are designed to allow the rider to cover many, many miles day after day, over a multitude of surfaces in a variety of weather.
It is this broad spectrum that makes the GS and its rivals such great bikes for riding certainly in the UK and wider world.

The position of the rider and the wide bars do instil a feeling of confidence and control that dropped narrow bars cannot compete with.
The boxer engine also massively improves the way that large bikes handle by lowering the Centre of Gravity...in my view this has the effect of making the bike feel lighter and more easy to manage than it actually is.

what BMW have also seem to have managed to do is get good linear torque and power delivery which all in all makes the GS predictable and easier to control (though surging problems accepted).

 

[cookie]

The crucial factor here is ergonomics....

The GS and its rivals put this above all else, they are designed to allow the rider to cover many, many miles day after day, over a multitude of surfaces in a variety of weather.

makes me wonder why they fitted them all with such terrible seats and biro spring suspension?

 

[Timolgra]

makes me wonder why they fitted them all with such terrible seats and biro spring suspension?

I've had decent seats and suspension on my GS's for so long I'd forgotten what shite bike they can be unless sorted

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

makes me wonder why they fitted them all with such terrible seats and biro spring suspension?

I have wondered that too.....building to a budget perhaps?

 

[Fanum]

As a six foot four middle aged fat bloke, there really aren't that many bikes that I can ride for more than an hour without severe pain, and there are a good number of bikes I can't even control properly because I can't fit in or on them even to start off with.

Add the telelever system, sensible power delivery and as all have said, the upright 'above the traffic' position, and it's pretty much a no-brainer for me.