Yet another height question

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height

Hi Paul. I sat on the same bike last week thinking exactly the same as you.

Was it Mike you spoke with?

I soon got of it when it was mentioned that I would need to put 5k towards a deal!!:eek:

Stuart.:thumb2

Yes, it was Mike. Sound enough bloke. Felt like telling him that just because im small i can still handle something heavy, well i do when ever i go for a pee anyway !
 
I've had most adventure bikes, super ten's, tiger's, varadero's and still have my caponord. With that in mind, most of them dictate one foot firmly down which is the left, which requires you to slightly move left on the seat, its something you get used to. The bike will settle with use as my Varadero and caponord did and then you'll find its lower than when you first rode away on it. The 1200GS normal or low seat will fit or you have the option to go to Touratech. Load it up with fuel, get the missus on the back, head of to France and load the panniers up with booty, it'll compress then for sure.
Picking my GSA up first week in March from CW.

John
 
i have a 1200gs and i have no hassle with it............but my hubby has a 1200gsa and i can't get it off the sidestand when its full of fuel cos it weighs a tonne............5.7 you really are goin to struggle with the adv when its full of fuel and panniers on with a pillion.......you get a bad camber and you will drop it..............if your set on havin one go for it....;) but i wouldn't want to be you tryin to pick it up.................a couple of things could go pop.........lol
 
Rescue

Having ridden dirt bikes for a long time and with all 'tall' bikes you just need to get the hang of sliding your bum off sideways 'slightly' leaving you one firm foot on the ground. Almost hooking your leg over the top of the seat. To be fair I am 6' and 32'' leg but even so I can't break the habit at every light, t junction etc. I shan't name him but a pal of mine has the GSA, he's an experienced rider but he does the same as most bikes tower over his 5'7 is slight frame!

James
 
Rescue

Having ridden dirt bikes for a long time and with all 'tall' bikes you just need to get the hang of sliding your bum off sideways 'slightly' leaving you one firm foot on the ground. Almost hooking your leg over the top of the seat. To be fair I am 6' and 32'' leg but even so I can't break the habit at every light, t junction etc. I shan't name him but a pal of mine has the GSA, he's an experienced rider but he does the same as most bikes tower over his 5'7 is slight frame!

James

That's the way :clap
 
Rescue

I have a 1200GSA and live in Bolton. I am 6'2" so have no problem with the height and have the seat on the high setting. Dropping it down to the lower setting would be a big help but you do need to feel comfortable at holding the bike when you stop. I got caught out once when stopping at traffic lights there was a big camber to the road and the weight of the bike took me by surprise.

Drop me a line if you wanna sit on my bike and see how it feels with panniers and a full load of fuel. The guys at SSB are usually very helpful and a pleasure to deal with.

Martin :bounce1
 
I ride to Scotland each year with about 30 BM riders from SSB. Moct of the shorter riders seem to favour the regular GS1200, not many go for the GSA. The GSA is a very heavy bike when fully gassed and loaded with kit, I know, I've dropped one.
If you think you can manage an Adventure, then put your money up and get one. If not, get the GS. They are both more than capable of taking you, her and all your kit as far as you want to go. If you want to feel the weight of a fully laden Adventure, meet me at the next North West pub meet and you can have a crack at mine.
 
6ft 5tall, 17stone, long legs, 12GSA, highest seat setting. Only bike I have ever owner in 23 years of riding where I can only get the balls of my feet down not the heels.

Oustanding..............they made a bike that finally fits me!!!!:roll :roll :roll :roll
 
suspension

Am surprised with all the talk of low seat option that no-one has mentioned suspension...

Blokes at MC Technics are fairly well respected when it comes to suspension and Keith there rides a GS.
They seem to think the extra height of the adventure is only gained by the shock being an inch longer.:nenau
He went on to say a lot of their serious mileage customers are now having Ohlins or proper (as in not built down to a price) WP shocks fitted, and many specify standard 1200 shock length...

When I bought my 1200 I tried the low seat and found it less comfortable so I put up with being on tip-toes. If you are seriously considering a £10K plus bike why not have a decent 1200 aftermarket shock fitted or ask the stealers if they can specify one with a standard 1200 shock?!

Hope it helps :thumb2
 
weight

does anybody know the weight of the 1200gsa fueled up thank u garbo:thumb2
 
does anybody know the weight of the 1200gsa fueled up thank u garbo:thumb2

Bloody heavy :thumb

29 inch inside leg, 12Adv with 12GS Ohlins and a low seat for offroad. Recently did some road work with the standard Adv seat, and it wasn't a problem.

As said above, you get used to it.
 
After sixteen hours in the saddle, chasing a ferry after two flats, I reckon about twelve an a half ton.
 
I had exactly the same questions about the GSA. I'm 5'9" 12 stone and 29" inside leg. I test rode both bikes and the GSA with the low seat feels lower than the GS on the low setting. I loved the GSA even more than the GS and found it no problem to manage. I came back with a huge grin and ordered the bike. The dealer was a bit like the one that you were talking to, just ignore him.

The weight thing is not an issue either. Most GS's end up with crash bars, extra lights and all kinds of other stuff that make the differences negligable. As for the weight of fuel I reckon that it will be only rarely that I will need to have a full tank and will just put in what I feel comfortable with until I get used to the bike.

Try to get a test ride with the low seat and then do yourself a huge favour and buy one!! :bounce1

This is also my first post so I just want to say hi to everyone and thank you for such an informative and helpful forum.

Gerry
 
height

So ive established the GSA with a full tank is a heavy bike. How is it made easier by someone that is taller than me ? I could have,and indeed do have,very strong pegs. Its like saying just cause im small i cant handle a heavy bike ! My FJR aint exactly a light weight and i handle that a piece of piss.
 
height

Rescue

I have a 1200GSA and live in Bolton. I am 6'2" so have no problem with the height and have the seat on the high setting. Dropping it down to the lower setting would be a big help but you do need to feel comfortable at holding the bike when you stop. I got caught out once when stopping at traffic lights there was a big camber to the road and the weight of the bike took me by surprise.

Drop me a line if you wanna sit on my bike and see how it feels with panniers and a full load of fuel. The guys at SSB are usually very helpful and a pleasure to deal with.

Martin :bounce1

Cheers mate, will meet you at Rivvy barn any time.
 
I reckon as long as you take care with the camber of the road when you park the bike you should be OK. Im 6ft and 32inches, but when I park the bike on a cambered road its hard work getting it upright again. Especially as the suspension unloads when its leant over.

Was the same as the 1150GS though when its loaded up. Wife used to hold on to my arms when I was holding the bars and pull me upright. not very rufty tufty ehy.
 
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Sorry don't post piccies...........you never know what bunnie boilers are about................:rob
 
So ive established the GSA with a full tank is a heavy bike. How is it made easier by someone that is taller than me ? I could have,and indeed do have,very strong pegs. Its like saying just cause im small i cant handle a heavy bike ! My FJR aint exactly a light weight and i handle that a piece of piss.

Surely the choice is down to you,:nenau if you personally are comfortable with the height and weight, then bu**er what anyone else thinks:rob. Go for it:thumb
 


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