Bringing my GS home ...

[jburger]

Colyn, Congrats and enjoy GS

I was doing some searching on the web and came across this post from you on the BMW site (hope you don't mind me quoting it). It's amazing to me how people adjust.  :thumleft:

Just more than a year ago when my wife and I got our 650's she was barely comfortable on hers and the Dakar was just impossible - this Sunday she rode the Dakar quite comfortably. She believes that she is still growing taller all the time... ;D

Many happy and safe miles....

https://www.bmwmotorrad.co.za/lifestyle/forum/display.asp?Id=309
I am delighted that they decided to bring a F800 GS ... to me the whole GS thing does appeal but as you know I am a staunch GT supporter.

My biggest problem with the current GS range is that the F650 is too small for me ... I know it may very well be a mental thing but that is how it is. The R1200 GS on the other hand makes me very nervous because I perceive the bike as being too big. The mere fact that I cannot plant my feet firmly on mother earth when on this bike gives me the creeps. The R1200 GS Adventure is even more intimidating to me so in my mind I am out of the GS thing purely because of size ... yes .... size does matter.

From the first day I saw the F800 and sat on one I told my family that this was a great bike for me and this would be what I will consider a second bike if it is done in the GS format. The bike had the right size for me and the fact that I can plant my feet solidly on the ground makes me feel more comfortable. I know feet on the ground is "no-no" but still, I have seen too many 1200 GS riders go down hard in small confined spaces when trying to turn or manoeuvre the big bike against sloped ramps or on uneven terrain.

So from me it is a big YES and I look forward to seeing this baby on the floor of my favorite motorcycle dealer.

- Colyn Serfontein  (11-Aug-2006 11:18)

 

[Colyn]

Thank you  .... Yep I was smitten with the F800 and then I met a R1200GS with ESA and suddenly my feet was flat on the ground at the comfortable setting and I made my mind up.

I still maintain that for me it was more of a perception than a fact that the GS is too big. After close to 2000kms I am feeling a lot different now.

 

[oo7]

Enjoy the best bike in the whole wide world, Colyn!

Do not worry about it being too big - one day you'll look at it and think - my goodness, has it shrunk, because why does it suddenly feel smaller? I think one 'grows' with your bike and the more you become familiar with it, the less intimidating it becomes.

Safe riding!  :ricky:

 

[Colyn]

You are right ... thank you.

 

[keithk]

Hi Colyn, only managed to read this today.Congrats on a great choice super RR ENJOY  :thumleft:  (maybe one day )

 

[Kuifie]

Wat is fout met jou Tiger Kosie ?

Klein krakies in die piston agter die ringe. Jy kan dit nie sommer met die oog sien nie. Anyway triumph het dit uitgesort. Ek het die bike teruggekry en so ver lyk dinge goed.

 

[Colyn]

Ok dis goed om te hoor.

 

[Raggety]

Ja , dit moet verseker lekker wees om self die nuwe yster huis toe te ry.

Aanvanlik het die Vara se grootte my ook  ge-intimdeer.  Maar so met die tyd en een  of twee klein aanpassings en baie km's T rtenminste redelik) en tyd in die saal, is hy nie meer so grrot nie. Maar glad nog nie 'n vulletjie.

Geniet die GS.

 

[Colyn]

Dankie ... ek doen