Yet another height question

[guernseybozrah]

For some of you out there you may or may not know that Honda's Varadero pre 07, weighed in at 241kgs dry!! stick in 23ltrs of fuel, 3ltrs of coolant and 4ltrs of engine oil and you have something around 270 plus kilo's. The seat was not high but not low either. The bike bedded down after a while and was no problem. I even took it up hardknott pass when it was chucking it down with rain. Once again its just a case of looking whats ahead and pre-planning your stops, slide yourself across the seat a bit to the left or right depending on your ground. When I first rode a GSA i was trying to touch down on both sides, wrong!! Because I'm on a capo and its slightly lower I was able to get two feet on the deck, I just remembered to start to slide to one side, no problem.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I`m 6ft, 30 inch inside leg and 17 stone and can`t get my feet flat with the standard seat! Doesn`t bother me as I use the already mentioned moto cross style of sliding off the seat to make sure 1 foot is planted.

Had an 1150GS`A which was exactly the same and you soon get used to the size/weight thing.

No matter how big you are a GS-A is still a big and bloody heavy and I`m sure as long as you are careful it`s OK.

I`m always astounded when you do manage to get the beast of it`s stand a moving how easily you can frighten the sportsbike brigade.....

 

[amonteirox]

GSA + regular ohlins + 5'7 height = anyone here?

I own a R1200GS '08 that use without problems, if I put ohlins shocks of normal GS in the GSA the height of the GSA is equal to the GS?

some have experienced?

 

[elevensies]

get the low seat.

you say you dont have any problems, so what you asking for???

 

[L'Escargot]

I have yearned for a 1200GSA for a while now and would like some honest opinions on the height of the damn thing,
Im 5'7", nearly 13 stone, but with a 29" inside leg, yes 29" !

In your honest opinions, am i too short for a GSA ?

I dont mind being on tip toes at all, but i would like my tippy toes down on both feet.

Hello Mate,I'm 5-10, with a 29" inside leg,when I bought my GSA earlier this year I got a standard GS seat for it and it works perfick for me,specially with the suspension on comfort (I do have the ESA option on mine though ) On Tour wiv SWMBO on the back theres no problem even wiv the sussy set for 2 up wiv de luggage ! Go for it !.

 

[dakarDude]

5' 9", 29" inner leg.

I put the extra low Touratech seat part no. 01-044-1011-0 on my 09' GSA.

Works well and I can get my feet down to the balls of my feet.

I've seen postings on American sites from people 5' 3" who ride them.

Go for it!

 

[Morticia]

Hiya,

Take a look at Tamsin Jones, she rides a GSA...and can only be 5 foot ish...when she stops at traffic lights, she completely droppes off the bike to get one foot down. Take a look at a lowering kit or lower seat?...on the gsa the seat height is 890/910mm. or the 1200 GS 850/870mm, lower seat is 820mm and lowered suspension 790mm.

Worth trying different combinations out, something will suit you.

Good luck

Luci

 

[amonteirox]

Thanks for your feedback.

Usually i ride with my wife, any of you have trouble with pillion?

 

[Deleted Member I]

I am very short and I ride a GSA because I have big balls

Forget about modifying it, that's for pussies

 

[everywherevirtually]

I am very short and I ride a GSA because I have big balls

Forget about modifying it, that's for pussies

Indecisive is right... It's all about having big cahoonas. And all of us on this forum have them

 

[Bryn]

And our other trait is modesty

 

[MATKAT]

" up riding totally different ball game

Thanks for your feedback.

Usually i ride with my wife, any of you have trouble with pillion?

Untypically for this site i'll try and give you some sensible input on 2 up riding
1st off i'm 5' 7" (on a good day) with a 28" inside leg so all the rest of you *****rs can stop twittering on how macho you are riding a 'heavy' 'tall' GS

Solo they are a doddle and most of the muppets on here ride solo usually coz they have no other halfs or they have terrified them so they won't go two up.
Also, it takes a lot more skill to ride a 1200GS (or any other) off road two up~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ fair to say I have been seen often off road two up with my other half standing up on the rear pegs ~~~~~~~~ Oh mind not many of you go off road solo, you don't like to get the bike dirty.

Sue and I have fallen off loads of times, always at low speed and usually because my feet don't reach the ground before you go past the critical point.
Never a problem, have a laugh and pick the bike up (easy)

Never fallen off on the road yet (well not quite correct as we came off coming out of a Ford once)

However, for short legged two uppers::::
1. Always check the camber.
2. You have to be two steps ahead whenever you are stopping.
3. The pillion needs to stay perfectly still and preferably be in tune enough to tweak the bike the other way if you have overcooked putting your foot down in a void
4. A fully loaded Gs sits a lot lower so you are better off on a loaded bike even though it's heavier plus with the boxes on it's simple to pick up


Lower on not to Lower
The standard bike in standard trim with the standard seat on the lower setting is hardly any different to fitting a low BMW seat (i.e. BMW low seat a waste of time)
I use a TT Kahedo extra low seat which is slightly better (but not worth the cost only for comfort) I have also tried a Wunderlich extra low seat and that also makes no real difference.
I did have Technoflex suspension on my bike which was lower it made no real difference to the stand over height except I could not easily put it on the centre stand fully loaded.

Best way to handle a GS if you have short legs is to get fit, build up your leg and back muscles so you can counter the affects of unbalance and also lose the fat gut most GSERS seem to have

Bottom line is solo they are absolutely nothing to shout about all and I don't know what all the fuss is about
Try riding one two up 90% of the time and then you will find out what having short legs means to your whole riding style

 

[amonteirox]

Hi Indecisive,

How much is "very short"?

You usually ride with passenger?

 

[Bryn]

Hi Indecisive,

How much is "very short"?

You usually ride with passenger?

He's around 120cm

Always solo

 

[amonteirox]

He's around 120cm

Always solo

 

[amonteirox]

Untypically for this site i'll try and give you some sensible input on 2 up riding
1st off i'm 5' 7" (on a good day) with a 28" inside leg so all the rest of you *****rs can stop twittering on how macho you are riding a 'heavy' 'tall' GS

Solo they are a doddle and most of the muppets on here ride solo usually coz they have no other halfs or they have terrified them so they won't go two up.
Also, it takes a lot more skill to ride a 1200GS (or any other) off road two up~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ fair to say I have been seen often off road two up with my other half standing up on the rear pegs ~~~~~~~~ Oh mind not many of you go off road solo, you don't like to get the bike dirty.

Sue and I have fallen off loads of times, always at low speed and usually because my feet don't reach the ground before you go past the critical point.
Never a problem, have a laugh and pick the bike up (easy)

Never fallen off on the road yet (well not quite correct as we came off coming out of a Ford once)

However, for short legged two uppers::::
1. Always check the camber.
2. You have to be two steps ahead whenever you are stopping.
3. The pillion needs to stay perfectly still and preferably be in tune enough to tweak the bike the other way if you have overcooked putting your foot down in a void
4. A fully loaded Gs sits a lot lower so you are better off on a loaded bike even though it's heavier plus with the boxes on it's simple to pick up


Lower on not to Lower
The standard bike in standard trim with the standard seat on the lower setting is hardly any different to fitting a low BMW seat (i.e. BMW low seat a waste of time)
I use a TT Kahedo extra low seat which is slightly better (but not worth the cost only for comfort) I have also tried a Wunderlich extra low seat and that also makes no real difference.
I did have Technoflex suspension on my bike which was lower it made no real difference to the stand over height except I could not easily put it on the centre stand fully loaded.

Best way to handle a GS if you have short legs is to get fit, build up your leg and back muscles so you can counter the affects of unbalance and also lose the fat gut most GSERS seem to have

Bottom line is solo they are absolutely nothing to shout about all and I don't know what all the fuss is about
Try riding one two up 90% of the time and then you will find out what having short legs means to your whole riding style

MATKAT,

Thanks for the extensive explanation and good advices.

I think do not mentioned that I currently have a R1200GS that use without major problems, but I am considering trading for the R1200GSA basically to improve comfort and autonomy.

My fear is that the GSA also means a lot more height and weight.