raginmund
Registered user
1. Burned approx 100ml of oil every 1000 miles. Totally acceptable, even though checking it is a bit of a pain.
2. I never got the handlebar position right; too high and I got a horrible pain between the scapula, too low and it became a handful at walking pace due to losing leverage. Since I'm built like a bipedal tapir, I think I need some adjustable risers.
3. Braking was good, I learned to trust the front w/out conventional forks, and (I think) could release the brake just as it was about to lock. I've never had ABS on a bike, but I think it would have kicked-in on a couple of occassions. I'm still getting used to modulating the rear, as I have become lazy due to combined-braking on my last bike.
4. It's a wondrous bionic mule, but it's still a heavy bastard. I dropped it twice. And if you're a sweaty foreigner with a laid-down bike, it's embarassing when hot chicks pity you and their smug boyfriends have to help you out. Sometimes I thought the GS was just a rugged Deauville with street cred.
5. The little touches were very welcome when I was tired/cold/wet; preload adjuster on rear, and - much to my surprise - helmet lock. Luggage off and on easily, though a little bulky.
6. MPG was not so much influenced by load, but by aerodynamics at speed; 300-mile high speed run to Plymouth got 142 miles to reserve, while return journey in relaxed E mode at 65-75mph got 208 miles to reserve.
7. Pegs are just right for me - high enough to feel I can be aggressive, but I can also sit back and cruise. See tapir comment, above.
8. Stability was a plus, in all situations. I did a two day stretch that was up mountain backroads into Andorra, through twisties to Sort, and then sweeping a-road type riding across the N260 to Jaca in Spain (probably the best road I've ever ridden, linking to great sections of the N240). I know other bikes would have excelled at certain points, I'm not sure any other bike would have been worth the risk/reward ratio. And it was pleasant to rev out in the first four gears without the front wheel going skyward.
More as I think of it, or maybe some more abour gear and general stuff, if that's any use.
2. I never got the handlebar position right; too high and I got a horrible pain between the scapula, too low and it became a handful at walking pace due to losing leverage. Since I'm built like a bipedal tapir, I think I need some adjustable risers.
3. Braking was good, I learned to trust the front w/out conventional forks, and (I think) could release the brake just as it was about to lock. I've never had ABS on a bike, but I think it would have kicked-in on a couple of occassions. I'm still getting used to modulating the rear, as I have become lazy due to combined-braking on my last bike.
4. It's a wondrous bionic mule, but it's still a heavy bastard. I dropped it twice. And if you're a sweaty foreigner with a laid-down bike, it's embarassing when hot chicks pity you and their smug boyfriends have to help you out. Sometimes I thought the GS was just a rugged Deauville with street cred.
5. The little touches were very welcome when I was tired/cold/wet; preload adjuster on rear, and - much to my surprise - helmet lock. Luggage off and on easily, though a little bulky.
6. MPG was not so much influenced by load, but by aerodynamics at speed; 300-mile high speed run to Plymouth got 142 miles to reserve, while return journey in relaxed E mode at 65-75mph got 208 miles to reserve.
7. Pegs are just right for me - high enough to feel I can be aggressive, but I can also sit back and cruise. See tapir comment, above.
8. Stability was a plus, in all situations. I did a two day stretch that was up mountain backroads into Andorra, through twisties to Sort, and then sweeping a-road type riding across the N260 to Jaca in Spain (probably the best road I've ever ridden, linking to great sections of the N240). I know other bikes would have excelled at certain points, I'm not sure any other bike would have been worth the risk/reward ratio. And it was pleasant to rev out in the first four gears without the front wheel going skyward.
More as I think of it, or maybe some more abour gear and general stuff, if that's any use.
I thought that comment would prick someone's ego, but actually I stand by it, in the sense of load-carrying, power-to-weight, and general utility. And I'm also kinda taking the piss out of myself, because I was also talking about dropping it.
