Discussion
croyde said:
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.
I test rode a GS and Multistrada and ended up sticking with my GTS 300. Brilliant for commuting and surprisingly good fun, the quickest way to get around London.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.
Obviously the GS isn't designed for the city but even on the motorway I found it to wide and very agricultural, where your opportunities to filter are restricted by the width. I found the Multistrada a much nicer, more complete bike.
Edited by ex1 on Monday 27th July 15:38
It's funny how lots of people have something to say about what is cool and uncool, what bikes should and shouldn't be ridden, I would love to have a garage full of different bikes, from modern sports bikes to old classics and everything in between . I have 1 x bike for on road and 1 x bike for offroad and trails, my road bike has to be good at a multitude of things.
I need something that has enough go to make me happy, comfy for all day riding, luggage so when I go away to Europe I can lock stuff away and not worry about it and that I can afford without to much worry. I've had loads of sports bikes over the years and I no longer worry about what people think of what I ride, I personally like the look of road biased bikes but like to sit upright as I find it to be really comfy for me and great for very twisty roads and motorway miles in between, I have no problem doing 500-600 miles on a bike if it's comfy enough, I remember when it hit me like a sledgehammer when I rode back from Assen to Devon in a day and thought what do I really want a motorbike for I was on a 09 fireblade and I was in pain!, for me whatever floats people boats is cool, there's too much nay saying now about what bike is crap! The gs is a fine bike designed for people to just enjoy biking as an all round thing, touring, sporty riding, comfy etc, I don't want one per say but I know why loads are sold, I have just brought a new Versys 1000 gt as it ticks all the boxes for me!
Happy biking everyone!
I need something that has enough go to make me happy, comfy for all day riding, luggage so when I go away to Europe I can lock stuff away and not worry about it and that I can afford without to much worry. I've had loads of sports bikes over the years and I no longer worry about what people think of what I ride, I personally like the look of road biased bikes but like to sit upright as I find it to be really comfy for me and great for very twisty roads and motorway miles in between, I have no problem doing 500-600 miles on a bike if it's comfy enough, I remember when it hit me like a sledgehammer when I rode back from Assen to Devon in a day and thought what do I really want a motorbike for I was on a 09 fireblade and I was in pain!, for me whatever floats people boats is cool, there's too much nay saying now about what bike is crap! The gs is a fine bike designed for people to just enjoy biking as an all round thing, touring, sporty riding, comfy etc, I don't want one per say but I know why loads are sold, I have just brought a new Versys 1000 gt as it ticks all the boxes for me!
Happy biking everyone!
Went to BMW dealer earlier in the year to test the GS as possible purchase...and eventually bought an S 1000 R instead. I prefer the sportsbike feel of the R and as I don't tour (at least not tried it yet) the all round ability of the GS hasn't been missed.
Don't understand why they are slagged off and owned treated as "non-bikers" by the sportsbike riding brigade. I prefer the feel of a sportsbike but the GS was very capable and I would happily have one if I were doing long distance.
Don't understand why they are slagged off and owned treated as "non-bikers" by the sportsbike riding brigade. I prefer the feel of a sportsbike but the GS was very capable and I would happily have one if I were doing long distance.
Andybow said:
It's funny how lots of people have something to say about what is cool and uncool, what bikes should and shouldn't be ridden, I would love to have a garage full of different bikes, from modern sports bikes to old classics and everything in between .
Agreed, diversity is key!The only people berating the GS are generally people who are prejudiced not having ridden one. Given the GS's breadth of capabilities universally acclaimed by journos and owners, disparaging remarks of the GS say more about the author than the bike tbh.
Most people who have ridden a GS are surprised at its capabilities, despite it's high end price tag. But when we are willing to entertain 15-22k sportsbikes that are far more focused (and limited), the GS looks relatively 'well priced' given its repertoire of skills and usability.
Some bikes are genuinely groundbreaking. I think the GS has had as great an impact on road bikes as the original Fireblade affected the design and ethos of sportsbikes to this current day.
Esceptico said:
Don't understand why they are slagged off and owned treated as "non-bikers" by the sports bike riding brigade.
I think it's to do with a lack of experience. Those that own "sports bikes" have typically never owned or ridden any other type of bike for any distance and so anything they haven't tried is "rubbish". Those that have owned non-sports bikes, and typically an adventure type bike have usually owned sports bikes before and are much more qualified to judge the differences, advantages/disadvantages because they have a much wider experience of different bikes.Silver993tt said:
Esceptico said:
Don't understand why they are slagged off and owned treated as "non-bikers" by the sports bike riding brigade.
I think it's to do with a lack of experience. Those that own "sports bikes" have typically never owned or ridden any other type of bike for any distance and so anything they haven't tried is "rubbish". Those that have owned non-sports bikes, and typically an adventure type bike have usually owned sports bikes before and are much more qualified to judge the differences, advantages/disadvantages because they have a much wider experience of different bikes.
t. 
moanthebairns said:
Silver993tt said:
Esceptico said:
Don't understand why they are slagged off and owned treated as "non-bikers" by the sports bike riding brigade.
I think it's to do with a lack of experience. Those that own "sports bikes" have typically never owned or ridden any other type of bike for any distance and so anything they haven't tried is "rubbish". Those that have owned non-sports bikes, and typically an adventure type bike have usually owned sports bikes before and are much more qualified to judge the differences, advantages/disadvantages because they have a much wider experience of different bikes.t. Killboy said:
GSs and Adventure Bikes in general are awesome. As at home going to Tescos as they are on top of the Alps and in sand in Botswana. I really don't get this biker hipster attitude of what constitutes real bikes or bikers.
There are people who like change, getting new experience and being open minded. There are others who are too inexperienced to try other bikes, don't like change and have an inferiority complex that's indicated by crticising others that have bothered to gain more experience and try new things. You will see this in all aspects of life, not just with those who ride bikes.Killboy said:
GSs and Adventure Bikes in general are awesome. As at home going to Tescos as they are on top of the Alps and in sand in Botswana. I really don't get this biker hipster attitude of what constitutes real bikes or bikers.
Does anyone really care what others think of what they ride?fergus said:
Does anyone really care what others think of what they ride?
Dont know if I "care" (well, especially not given my fleet), but I think the attitude annoys me more than that. I've never had a GS, but ridden my mates' a few times, and I'm always surprised, which makes me think those knocking them have never ridden them. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but its a pretty solid machine, and had some great attributes. We've been all over on Adventure bikes, and I'd rather tour on one than anything else.LotusMartin said:
They go round corners ok...
You need to hang-off more 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiZel0jg0ow
https://youtu.be/amaIWvH3dG0?t=29s (Lee Parks Total Control demo)
I went from this;
To this;
And found that something this big, proper off-road roads and my skill level results in alot of this;
As lots of you have already pointed out its horses for courses - I couldn't take anyone on the back of the RSV4, taking it anywhere other than the track was little fun and commuting with the worlds tallest first gear meant no changes the whole journey.
In hindsight something like the multistrada might have been a better choice, lighter, narrower therefore better off road but it its favour the gs is brilliant bike for pillion passengers which was one of the main reasons for moving on from the RSV4. Plus everyone needs cruise control. Don't they?!
To this;
And found that something this big, proper off-road roads and my skill level results in alot of this;
As lots of you have already pointed out its horses for courses - I couldn't take anyone on the back of the RSV4, taking it anywhere other than the track was little fun and commuting with the worlds tallest first gear meant no changes the whole journey.
In hindsight something like the multistrada might have been a better choice, lighter, narrower therefore better off road but it its favour the gs is brilliant bike for pillion passengers which was one of the main reasons for moving on from the RSV4. Plus everyone needs cruise control. Don't they?!
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