Hello, I'm new here.
I finally had a test ride on a 1250 gs te (not adventure) yesterday, my first ever time riding any kind of twin so didn't know what to expect.
I have been looking for a lighter bike since the end of summer when I almost dropped my gtr1400, slipping on gravel when I put my foot down at the side of the road, it's a heavy old beast! she didn't go down but my back and thigh took a beating.
I've always liked the look of the gs so that's a plus. I have been youtubing for weeks, like you do, and was really looking forward to the ride with people saying if you try it you'll buy it. I did and it was mostly good...
Good points
Seating position - spot on
Wind protection - pretty good
Brakes - fantastic
Engine/Torque - wow, took me by surprise! It's my kind of power delivery, I rarely go above 7k on the gtr
Suspension - didn't really notice until I looked down at the forks and saw how much work they were doing!
Tft screen - I would prefer analogue but its ok
Engine/exhaust - pretty nice actually
The bad point... and this really upset me because I fully expected to walk out of the dealers with signed paperwork and a bike ordered. 1st 2nd 3rd gears/shift assist, please help me with this.
The shifts are so violent I honestly thought the bike was broken, or I might have damaged it, even using the clutch to go 1,2,3 it seemed like even though I was pulling the clutch to change, the bike wanted to do it's own thing, retarding the ignition or whatever it does so when I changed gear it still went with a clatter, oh and the gear lever really needed a posative push. This was trying to ride at town speeds so just bimbling around. Clutchless 4,5,6 was sublime up and down at higher speed, even the exhaust is pretty fruity.
I know it's my first time on the bike, but was I doing something wrong. I like to think I am a smooth rider, I was made to feel like a new starter, not someone with 30 years riding!
I will be going back for a second ride at some point and will be doing the same at another dealer, maybe it's just time in the saddle. I see used bikes for sale with very low mileage and wonder if the owners bought them unseen and just never bonded with the bike!
Paul.
I finally had a test ride on a 1250 gs te (not adventure) yesterday, my first ever time riding any kind of twin so didn't know what to expect.
I have been looking for a lighter bike since the end of summer when I almost dropped my gtr1400, slipping on gravel when I put my foot down at the side of the road, it's a heavy old beast! she didn't go down but my back and thigh took a beating.
I've always liked the look of the gs so that's a plus. I have been youtubing for weeks, like you do, and was really looking forward to the ride with people saying if you try it you'll buy it. I did and it was mostly good...
Good points
Seating position - spot on
Wind protection - pretty good
Brakes - fantastic
Engine/Torque - wow, took me by surprise! It's my kind of power delivery, I rarely go above 7k on the gtr
Suspension - didn't really notice until I looked down at the forks and saw how much work they were doing!
Tft screen - I would prefer analogue but its ok
Engine/exhaust - pretty nice actually
The bad point... and this really upset me because I fully expected to walk out of the dealers with signed paperwork and a bike ordered. 1st 2nd 3rd gears/shift assist, please help me with this.
The shifts are so violent I honestly thought the bike was broken, or I might have damaged it, even using the clutch to go 1,2,3 it seemed like even though I was pulling the clutch to change, the bike wanted to do it's own thing, retarding the ignition or whatever it does so when I changed gear it still went with a clatter, oh and the gear lever really needed a posative push. This was trying to ride at town speeds so just bimbling around. Clutchless 4,5,6 was sublime up and down at higher speed, even the exhaust is pretty fruity.
I know it's my first time on the bike, but was I doing something wrong. I like to think I am a smooth rider, I was made to feel like a new starter, not someone with 30 years riding!
I will be going back for a second ride at some point and will be doing the same at another dealer, maybe it's just time in the saddle. I see used bikes for sale with very low mileage and wonder if the owners bought them unseen and just never bonded with the bike!
Paul.