Discussion
Alex@POD said:
For me the one thing that put me off is how smooth the engine is. I've been riding an Africa Twin for some time, so I'm used to a fairly vibey bike. When I was riding the GS I thought it might as well be electric! It felt like it would be a very capable for touring, but not for me, it just felt a bit plain.
that really is interesting - I thought the GS 1250 with the VVT was like a tractor (a good tractor, but still a tractor) - I would not declare it smooth for me.Do love the Africa Twin though
Biker9090 said:
Charging system issues?
yeah, mostly electricfirst the bike just die waiting at traffic light
change the battery and it happen again, go back to dealer a few times and they struggle to fix it. then it works for a few month before the linked brake/ABS senor wrong.
My older GB250 was bulletproof so was my CB400Four, just the VFR800. I think living in Tokyo given the hot and damp weather might have contribute to the issue
black-k1 said:
While I know this will call in the wrath of Ade 
I have ridden more than a few GSs and while they are OK, I found there to be nothing special about them. They're heavy and underpowered for the engine size and the famed tourque was, I thought, not at all impressive. The benefit of the low C of G that the boxer engine offers is canceled by the 6 storey seat height.
For me, there are many bikes that will do anything and everything the GS does but better, while being loads more fun.
Give me a KTM every time.
^^^ This 1000% I have ridden more than a few GSs and while they are OK, I found there to be nothing special about them. They're heavy and underpowered for the engine size and the famed tourque was, I thought, not at all impressive. The benefit of the low C of G that the boxer engine offers is canceled by the 6 storey seat height.For me, there are many bikes that will do anything and everything the GS does but better, while being loads more fun.
Give me a KTM every time.
I had a 1200TE in Vietnam and a 1250 TE in South Africa and whilst I quite liked the 1200 in that environment, subjectively, it wasn't a 'great ' bike.
The 1250 was a huge disappointment as South Africa allowed me to stretch the bike to a far greater degree than was possible in Vietnam and it fell short on every count.
Suspension never felt properly resolved, it was either way too soft or way too hard or nowhere in between. It was so bad that in high speed corners I really couldn't feel what grip it had and felt like I was riding over a fine gritty surface. Horrid.
The motor was meh. Better than the 1200 but utterly soulless.
I had a three day trip with it and was so disappointed that I came home the next day as I just couldn't muster the enthusiasm to ride it.
And that for me was the terminal diagnosis, it just didn't make me want to get on and ride.
I now have an older KTM 1190 in the garage and the little I have ridden it reminds me of the fun I had on a previous 1190 in East Africa.
None of the GS's I've ever ridden have given even a single iota of fun and for that, I really can't forgive it, regardless of its supposed abilities.
black-k1 said:
While I know this will call in the wrath of Ade I have ridden more than a few GSs and while they are OK, I found there to be nothing special about them. They're heavy and underpowered for the engine size and the famed tourque was, I thought, not at all impressive. The benefit of the low C of G that the boxer engine offers is canceled by the 6 storey seat height.
For me, there are many bikes that will do anything and everything the GS does but better, while being loads more fun.
Give me a KTM every time.
I’m much in the same boat. Bought one last year as they’ve been lauded over the years as the do it all machine. It’s a competent bike, but is never going to make you smile or provide much excitement. They handle pretty well, but the gearbox and drivetrain combo is poor. The engine was ok, but it’s never going to set the world alight. I have ridden more than a few GSs and while they are OK, I found there to be nothing special about them. They're heavy and underpowered for the engine size and the famed tourque was, I thought, not at all impressive. The benefit of the low C of G that the boxer engine offers is canceled by the 6 storey seat height.For me, there are many bikes that will do anything and everything the GS does but better, while being loads more fun.
Give me a KTM every time.
I bought it to keep miles off my Panigale, but that didn’t work, as I took the Ducati out much more than the GS. Had you asked me last year to go to the Alps for a week, and it was a choice between GS and Panigale, the Ducati would get the nod.
I sold the GS in March and replaced it with an M1000R. Much more like it.
slime bomb said:
Newestme said:
I've no problem with the GS. As mentioned its the front go lights used by any biker which shows that they aren't a confident biker.
What a load of b
ks. You must be new to riding or young, dum and full of cum! ...R6tty said:
Someone I know quite well, got a couple of bikes, into his cars, bought a GS. Told me quite earnestly, that he wasn't just buying a bike, he was buying a lifestyle. I laughed a lot, and I could see him thinking that saying that out loud sounded a bit silly. That's what they sell you.
Just like a Harley (this has been their thing for a very long time) a KTM, a Royal Enfield, or even a Fireblade so you can wear a logo'd up leather suit just like your racing hero (or a cyclist) 
Edited by Gixer968CS on Friday 4th October 11:53
Harry H said:
You're on the commute and stuck in a tail back of bikes trying to work their way through the traffic.
At the front there will always be a wker on a GS with 5ft wide panniers hogging the overtaking/filter spot. Every single time.
They're either totally oblivious to other bikers or just too important to move over to let other bikers through on more appropriate machinery for the task.
That's why people hate GS's. And maybe the fog lights blinding everyone. Having said that, I've had two over the years, they're good bikes. It's just that they can attract a certain type of owner. A bit like white Audi's
This is so not the case. I ride a 60 milesround trip from Kent in to central London (Moorgate) 3x a week and have been doing so for over ten years on a GSs (1200, now 1300). I ride on mixed roads inlcuding the Old Kent Road, over London Bridge, Canon Street etc - all full of traffic and require filtering amd gap using etc. I never hold up other bikes. I used to do the same journey on a ZX9R and in fact the GS is far more manoeuvrable due to it's tight turning circle and low centre of gravity. I'm often the one impatiently sitting behind another rider filtering really unsteadily up the A20 in to Sidcup. Of course I can't get through the same gap a little 50cc or scoot can but it is very rare indeed that I have to sit and wait for a gap to open up that another bike could have got through - don't use my side case in London though, just the top box. But, unless extended the boxes are no wider than the handlebars anyway.At the front there will always be a w
ker on a GS with 5ft wide panniers hogging the overtaking/filter spot. Every single time. They're either totally oblivious to other bikers or just too important to move over to let other bikers through on more appropriate machinery for the task.
That's why people hate GS's. And maybe the fog lights blinding everyone. Having said that, I've had two over the years, they're good bikes. It's just that they can attract a certain type of owner. A bit like white Audi's
Edited by Harry H on Wednesday 2nd October 16:36
Edited by Gixer968CS on Friday 4th October 11:55
slime bomb said:
What a load of bks. You must be new to riding or young, dum and full of cum! ...
Agreed, I fitted them on both my bikes and it made a massive difference (ironically, I've been pulled out on more in 5 months on the bright yellow suzuki with an LED headlight than my totally black 500 in 5 years). If they're aimed properly they're brilliant. ks. You must be new to riding or young, dum and full of cum! ...Caddyshack said:
slime bomb said:
Newestme said:
I've no problem with the GS. As mentioned its the front go lights used by any biker which shows that they aren't a confident biker.
What a load of bks. You must be new to riding or young, dum and full of cum! ...Lights you say? Luxury.
I’d still rather be riding my Papoose than a GS
…for journeys of about 2 miles or less
Davenautilus said:
Anyone experienced any rudeness from other bikers, purely for being a GS rider? I've recently got hold of an old GS1150 as I was heading off on a Pyrenees trip and my late 80s Japanese adventure bike developed an air leak that I couldn't quickly sort out.
Anyway, riding out of Cambridge the other day, another biker (Japanese sportsbike) was coming in the other direction. I gave them the customary head nod which he returned with a full on wan£ker gesture.
WTAF? Do people really hate GS riders?
I'd always assumed it was just a bit of banter.
You should have turned around & gone after him, then pulled him over & asked why he did that. Then upload a video of it on youtube so we can all watch it. Anyway, riding out of Cambridge the other day, another biker (Japanese sportsbike) was coming in the other direction. I gave them the customary head nod which he returned with a full on wan£ker gesture.
WTAF? Do people really hate GS riders?
I'd always assumed it was just a bit of banter.
Gixer968CS said:
Harry H said:
You're on the commute and stuck in a tail back of bikes trying to work their way through the traffic.
At the front there will always be a wker on a GS with 5ft wide panniers hogging the overtaking/filter spot. Every single time.
They're either totally oblivious to other bikers or just too important to move over to let other bikers through on more appropriate machinery for the task.
That's why people hate GS's. And maybe the fog lights blinding everyone. Having said that, I've had two over the years, they're good bikes. It's just that they can attract a certain type of owner. A bit like white Audi's
This is so not the case. I ride a 60 milesround trip from Kent in to central London (Moorgate) 3x a week and have been doing so for over ten years on a GSs (1200, now 1300). I ride on mixed roads inlcuding the Old Kent Road, over London Bridge, Canon Street etc - all full of traffic and require filtering amd gap using etc. I never hold up other bikes. I used to do the same journey on a ZX9R and in fact the GS is far more manoeuvrable due to it's tight turning circle and low centre of gravity. I'm often the one impatiently sitting behind another rider filtering really unsteadily up the A20 in to Sidcup. Of course I can't get through the same gap a little 50cc or scoot can but it is very rare indeed that I have to sit and wait for a gap to open up that another bike could have got through - don't use my side case in London though, just the top box. But, unless extended the boxes are no wider than the handlebars anyway.At the front there will always be a w
ker on a GS with 5ft wide panniers hogging the overtaking/filter spot. Every single time. They're either totally oblivious to other bikers or just too important to move over to let other bikers through on more appropriate machinery for the task.
That's why people hate GS's. And maybe the fog lights blinding everyone. Having said that, I've had two over the years, they're good bikes. It's just that they can attract a certain type of owner. A bit like white Audi's
Edited by Harry H on Wednesday 2nd October 16:36
Edited by Gixer968CS on Friday 4th October 11:55
Following ADVs with barkbusters and big mirrors, especially filtering on the A2 between Greenwich turn-off and Blackwall tunnel, they regularly have to virtually stop and do the left lock, right lock shuffle to get the bike past van wing mirrors, or just stop and block you. Similarly you see the same trying to filter in the evening between Tower bridge and Limehouse link. See an ADV, quickly try an alternate filtering route to get ahead of them to prevent hold ups.
3DP said:
I ride those same roads and am always held up by ADVs. It's no worse with a GS than any others as it's not the engine width that's the problem. It's all down to the wide bars and mirrors at the same height as van wing mirrors. I ride a 350 scooter in and the wing mirrors and bars are much narrower and go below the van mirrors, to the point where riding between two vans, you worry your shoulders might brush the mirrors!
Following ADVs with barkbusters and big mirrors, especially filtering on the A2 between Greenwich turn-off and Blackwall tunnel, they regularly have to virtually stop and do the left lock, right lock shuffle to get the bike past van wing mirrors, or just stop and block you. Similarly you see the same trying to filter in the evening between Tower bridge and Limehouse link. See an ADV, quickly try an alternate filtering route to get ahead of them to prevent hold ups.
Agree the road in to the Blackwall Tunnel is horrible - especially where it goes from 3 to 2 lanes at the Tunnel opening south-side. One of the reasons I stopped going that way. The Old Kent Road is a much more biker friendly way to get in to The CityFollowing ADVs with barkbusters and big mirrors, especially filtering on the A2 between Greenwich turn-off and Blackwall tunnel, they regularly have to virtually stop and do the left lock, right lock shuffle to get the bike past van wing mirrors, or just stop and block you. Similarly you see the same trying to filter in the evening between Tower bridge and Limehouse link. See an ADV, quickly try an alternate filtering route to get ahead of them to prevent hold ups.
georgeyboy12345 said:
Davenautilus said:
Anyone experienced any rudeness from other bikers, purely for being a GS rider? I've recently got hold of an old GS1150 as I was heading off on a Pyrenees trip and my late 80s Japanese adventure bike developed an air leak that I couldn't quickly sort out.
Anyway, riding out of Cambridge the other day, another biker (Japanese sportsbike) was coming in the other direction. I gave them the customary head nod which he returned with a full on wan£ker gesture.
WTAF? Do people really hate GS riders?
I'd always assumed it was just a bit of banter.
You should have turned around & gone after him, then pulled him over & asked why he did that. Then upload a video of it on youtube so we can all watch it. Anyway, riding out of Cambridge the other day, another biker (Japanese sportsbike) was coming in the other direction. I gave them the customary head nod which he returned with a full on wan£ker gesture.
WTAF? Do people really hate GS riders?
I'd always assumed it was just a bit of banter.
Harry H said:
You're on the commute and stuck in a tail back of bikes trying to work their way through the traffic.
At the front there will always be a wker on a GS with 5ft wide panniers hogging the overtaking/filter spot. Every single time.
They're either totally oblivious to other bikers or just too important to move over to let other bikers through on more appropriate machinery for the task.
That's why people hate GS's. And maybe the fog lights blinding everyone. Having said that, I've had two over the years, they're good bikes. It's just that they can attract a certain type of owner. A bit like white Audi's
Who needs panniers......At the front there will always be a w
ker on a GS with 5ft wide panniers hogging the overtaking/filter spot. Every single time. They're either totally oblivious to other bikers or just too important to move over to let other bikers through on more appropriate machinery for the task.
That's why people hate GS's. And maybe the fog lights blinding everyone. Having said that, I've had two over the years, they're good bikes. It's just that they can attract a certain type of owner. A bit like white Audi's
Edited by Harry H on Wednesday 2nd October 16:36
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