Discussion
They are more versatile than you think. I use my GSA for commuting to work every day, filtering almost constantly. Just done a recent tour through France & Belgium and its still comfy after 3 hrs riding. Ive also took it around Cadwell race track a few times, whilst I'm not the fastest on the track, I over took quite a lot of other bikes who weren't expecting it. Ive had a remap on mine to give an even better ride, particularly at low revs etc.
Don't get me wrong, you can use pretty much any bike for any purpose, but for me I prefer the upright riding position the GSA gives. Being tall I struggle riding any distance on lots of other bikes, even the GSA isn't quite high enough for me. The 320 mile tank range is great, but when your riding with other types of bikes you end up filling up when they do.
Thanks to McGregor & Boorman GS's are the victim of their own success, they are such big selling bikes that they draw negative impressions, mostly from those who haven't ridden one. If theres one thing that I hate about bikers its their prejudice of other types of bikes, whether it be Harleys, GS's etc. GS's do tend to be ridden by the older biker, but lets face it as you age your tastes and preferences change and you usually have a lot more disposable income so an £18k bike becomes more affordable. Twenty odd years ago the only bike I lusted over was an FZR, but I have little interest in that type of bike now.
Either way, everyone has their own preference of bike, doesn't mean other bikes are crap. If a bike suits you then buy it.
Don't get me wrong, you can use pretty much any bike for any purpose, but for me I prefer the upright riding position the GSA gives. Being tall I struggle riding any distance on lots of other bikes, even the GSA isn't quite high enough for me. The 320 mile tank range is great, but when your riding with other types of bikes you end up filling up when they do.
Thanks to McGregor & Boorman GS's are the victim of their own success, they are such big selling bikes that they draw negative impressions, mostly from those who haven't ridden one. If theres one thing that I hate about bikers its their prejudice of other types of bikes, whether it be Harleys, GS's etc. GS's do tend to be ridden by the older biker, but lets face it as you age your tastes and preferences change and you usually have a lot more disposable income so an £18k bike becomes more affordable. Twenty odd years ago the only bike I lusted over was an FZR, but I have little interest in that type of bike now.
Either way, everyone has their own preference of bike, doesn't mean other bikes are crap. If a bike suits you then buy it.
Edited by LeadFarmer on Sunday 26th July 19:11
kinto, just as long as they stop clogging my commute up
I know a few lads with them, and they all rave about the off road capability and touring potential. I don't doubt it.
None of them use them off road and wouldn't come to the TT as it was "too far"
Still, when we stop for a cup of tea 50 miles away they have a selection of boxes to lock their helmet in, so that's nice.
It works both ways though, they are no slower than I am on a sports bike on the road so It's horses for courses,
None of them use them off road and wouldn't come to the TT as it was "too far"
Still, when we stop for a cup of tea 50 miles away they have a selection of boxes to lock their helmet in, so that's nice.
It works both ways though, they are no slower than I am on a sports bike on the road so It's horses for courses,
I know a few lads with them, and they all rave about the off road capability and touring potential. I don't doubt it.
None of them use them off road and wouldn't come to the TT as it was "too far"
Still, when we stop for a cup of tea 50 miles away they have a selection of boxes to lock their helmet in, so that's nice.
It works both ways though, they are no slower than I am on a sports bike on the road so It's horses for courses,
None of them use them off road and wouldn't come to the TT as it was "too far"
Still, when we stop for a cup of tea 50 miles away they have a selection of boxes to lock their helmet in, so that's nice.
It works both ways though, they are no slower than I am on a sports bike on the road so It's horses for courses,
f1nn said:
I know a few lads with them, and they all rave about the off road capability and touring potential. I don't doubt it.
None of them use them off road and wouldn't come to the TT as it was "too far"
Still, when we stop for a cup of tea 50 miles away they have a selection of boxes to lock their helmet in, so that's nice.
It works both ways though, they are no slower than I am on a sports bike on the road so It's horses for courses,
I'd call that a 0-0 draw then None of them use them off road and wouldn't come to the TT as it was "too far"
Still, when we stop for a cup of tea 50 miles away they have a selection of boxes to lock their helmet in, so that's nice.
It works both ways though, they are no slower than I am on a sports bike on the road so It's horses for courses,
jackh707 said:
They are decking brilliant at what they are.
On a twisty bumpy B road, I am far faster on one than on one of my sports bikes. Very easy to ride quickly, are a lot of fun and have a lot of character.
Comfy, good range fuel consumption, warm when needed.
Luggage capacity if you need it but not my thing.
Only thing i don't like is the size of thing in the garage, it bloody wide... takes up a lot of room compared to the 4 other bikes.
^thisOn a twisty bumpy B road, I am far faster on one than on one of my sports bikes. Very easy to ride quickly, are a lot of fun and have a lot of character.
Comfy, good range fuel consumption, warm when needed.
Luggage capacity if you need it but not my thing.
Only thing i don't like is the size of thing in the garage, it bloody wide... takes up a lot of room compared to the 4 other bikes.
I love my GS. It gets used everyday on the London commute, and it's also done a couple tours: one solo to the Ring and another 2-up through the Pyrenees. They are superb do it all bikes.
But I also love my sportsbikes for when the mood takes. A GS+superbike is a great combo for almost all occasions. Sportsbikes are not perfect and there are many times you wish for more comfort and/or practicality.
Willy Nilly said:
On my recent foray's into Europe on my bike it appears the place is infested with R1200GS's, often ridden by German men of a certain age and girth. They are all loaded up with touring gear and look to be going a long way (round?).
Anyway, are they that good that they are the only tool for the job for big trips or is it brand loyalty/good marketing? I'd like to try one, though they are eye wateringly expensive, never mind it looks like climbing onto a giraffe next to my CBR600.
Not just in Europe, there are literally hundreds of them at any time running about the roads up in the North and West of Scotland, freaky how many of them we passed up by Lochcarron and Skye....Anyway, are they that good that they are the only tool for the job for big trips or is it brand loyalty/good marketing? I'd like to try one, though they are eye wateringly expensive, never mind it looks like climbing onto a giraffe next to my CBR600.
I nearly bought one after 30 odd years of Sports and Nakeds.
Had a number of long test rides on both the air cooled and the water cooled. Really impressed me. Fast and comfy but just far too expensive.
As it would mostly used for commuting I'm now considering a friends Vespa GTS at a 14th of the cost.
Had a number of long test rides on both the air cooled and the water cooled. Really impressed me. Fast and comfy but just far too expensive.
As it would mostly used for commuting I'm now considering a friends Vespa GTS at a 14th of the cost.
If they are as crap as some think, you wouldn't see so many. If they are as crap as some think, why would riders keep buying them, year after year? I'm on my third GSA, and I am quite happy with it. I certainly didn't buy it to copy anyone, it suited my needs. I had a K1300R at the same time, but found that I preferred the GS, riding it far more often, so the K1300R went.
It does what I want, and I don't fit the luggage if there's nothing to put in it.
Money no object, I think that we all would like a garage full of different bikes, but most of us have to settle for what we can afford, and suits our needs the most.
That being said, I wouldn't dream of using my GSA for commuting, or for a track day for that matter. What would be the point? There are far better bikes out there for that sort of thing. I like to thing that if I overtake a sports bike on a country road it's because I want to go faster than he wants to, not to prove a point.
Back in my sports bike days in the 1980's, I got overtaken by this old guy riding a Vincent Black Shadow. I was on a Laverda Jota, so I was on the more capable bike, but he was a more capable rider. When I say old guy, he was in his seventies, I was 24.
It does what I want, and I don't fit the luggage if there's nothing to put in it.
Money no object, I think that we all would like a garage full of different bikes, but most of us have to settle for what we can afford, and suits our needs the most.
That being said, I wouldn't dream of using my GSA for commuting, or for a track day for that matter. What would be the point? There are far better bikes out there for that sort of thing. I like to thing that if I overtake a sports bike on a country road it's because I want to go faster than he wants to, not to prove a point.
Back in my sports bike days in the 1980's, I got overtaken by this old guy riding a Vincent Black Shadow. I was on a Laverda Jota, so I was on the more capable bike, but he was a more capable rider. When I say old guy, he was in his seventies, I was 24.
I have a GSXR1000 that I love but its a pain for 200 miles a day, my mate has a Fireblade and a Tiger 1050 and goes as fast as anyone on our trips except for the straights.
I felt I needed a touring bike to complement the GSXR, I have looked at all sorts, BMW, KTM and Triumph and ended up buying a Tiger 1050 at the weekend, fun, practical, fast enough, comfy and not too expensive................surely the GS1200 losses here on fun, fast and not too expensive!
I may be biased as I think the triple engine is the best for a road bike for power, character and low down torque.
+ we should support our British industry and stop buying zee German stuff!!!
I felt I needed a touring bike to complement the GSXR, I have looked at all sorts, BMW, KTM and Triumph and ended up buying a Tiger 1050 at the weekend, fun, practical, fast enough, comfy and not too expensive................surely the GS1200 losses here on fun, fast and not too expensive!
I may be biased as I think the triple engine is the best for a road bike for power, character and low down torque.
+ we should support our British industry and stop buying zee German stuff!!!
Reardy Mister said:
I just bought a R1200RT and *should* have bought a GS.
There, I said it.
Sorry, I did try to tell you... There, I said it.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
moanthebairns said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
jackh707 said:
They are decking brilliant at what they are.
Comfy, good range fuel consumption, warm when needed.
Luggage capacity if you need it but not my thing.
Only thing i don't like is the size of thing in the garage, it bloody wide... takes up a lot of room compared to the 4 other bikes.
I've got a couple like that, they're called cars.Comfy, good range fuel consumption, warm when needed.
Luggage capacity if you need it but not my thing.
Only thing i don't like is the size of thing in the garage, it bloody wide... takes up a lot of room compared to the 4 other bikes.
I like the GS a mate has a new one and it's very nice.
They're not really for me though, I think I mentioned it on another thread to me it seems like a sledgehammer to crack a nut with the roads in the UK and most of Europe being what they are. Then again I also think the same about sports bikes but I'd happily compromise on one of those.
In a perfect world I'd have a slightly more sports orientated Multistrada/S1000XR I think.
They're not really for me though, I think I mentioned it on another thread to me it seems like a sledgehammer to crack a nut with the roads in the UK and most of Europe being what they are. Then again I also think the same about sports bikes but I'd happily compromise on one of those.
In a perfect world I'd have a slightly more sports orientated Multistrada/S1000XR I think.
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