...I said I'd never own one of those GS thingies. Whoops!
After 35 years on 2 wheels riding everything from vintage Ducatis, Guzzis, early 'blades, Kwackers, Triumphs, BMW R650 and an R100RT, sports tourers of one sort or other, hooligan bikes like the KTM Duke, a couple of Aprilia RSVRs, Harleys (Mea Culpa) and latterly a Triumph Explorer XCA, I finally took the plunge after a test ride.
I wouldn't have minded but I was only in to pick my Explorer up after a service and seem to have left with a BMW
Truth is, I had completed a tour of North Wales on the Explorer which I only owned for a few months. I loved the bonkers motor and the planted, sure footed handling (even to the GS) but I couldn't live with the top heavy handling at low speed, especially being a 5'8" shorty pants. Nearly dropped the thing several times and it took two of us to drag it out of a deep gravel car park. Got home with strained arms and sore back and thought "that's it, it's got to go".
Enter the GSA in racing red, 2016 vintage with 15K miles on the clock. Just out of warranty but looked well up together and rode well.
There is a gulf of difference between it and the Explorer. The latter feels more stable and planted, more like a serious sports tourer on rails which can genuinely keep up with sports bikes thanks to that peachy and powerful 1200cc triple lump. Trouble is that same lump is too high for the riders' own good. The GSA by comparison felt like a middle-weight and seemed a doddle to handle at low speed. My 32 inch inseam is a little short for the bike's low seat setting of 34 inches though!
Glad I bought the Adventure over the standard bike as all the toys are spec'd up already and I would have only added crash bars etc on the GS anyway bringing the weights closer together.
Will be posting a few questions in the forum...please have patience with a newbee as you've probably already heard the questions before!
After 35 years on 2 wheels riding everything from vintage Ducatis, Guzzis, early 'blades, Kwackers, Triumphs, BMW R650 and an R100RT, sports tourers of one sort or other, hooligan bikes like the KTM Duke, a couple of Aprilia RSVRs, Harleys (Mea Culpa) and latterly a Triumph Explorer XCA, I finally took the plunge after a test ride.
I wouldn't have minded but I was only in to pick my Explorer up after a service and seem to have left with a BMW
Truth is, I had completed a tour of North Wales on the Explorer which I only owned for a few months. I loved the bonkers motor and the planted, sure footed handling (even to the GS) but I couldn't live with the top heavy handling at low speed, especially being a 5'8" shorty pants. Nearly dropped the thing several times and it took two of us to drag it out of a deep gravel car park. Got home with strained arms and sore back and thought "that's it, it's got to go".
Enter the GSA in racing red, 2016 vintage with 15K miles on the clock. Just out of warranty but looked well up together and rode well.
There is a gulf of difference between it and the Explorer. The latter feels more stable and planted, more like a serious sports tourer on rails which can genuinely keep up with sports bikes thanks to that peachy and powerful 1200cc triple lump. Trouble is that same lump is too high for the riders' own good. The GSA by comparison felt like a middle-weight and seemed a doddle to handle at low speed. My 32 inch inseam is a little short for the bike's low seat setting of 34 inches though!
Glad I bought the Adventure over the standard bike as all the toys are spec'd up already and I would have only added crash bars etc on the GS anyway bringing the weights closer together.
Will be posting a few questions in the forum...please have patience with a newbee as you've probably already heard the questions before!