| Author | Message | ||
     Danger_dave |
Was always a bit skeptical about all the fruit till I rode it on some slick back roads yesterday. http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2010/08/r-12 00-gs-ridden.html | ||
| Strokizator |
So did you get it onto unpaved surfaces (kind of hard to tell from my computer)? Is the ABS switchable? Would/could you turn off the traction control for dirt trails? A lot of people call the GS a pig until they ride one. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Not just your computer - wet pinhole lens on the camera - started raining as soon as I put the camera on - stopped immediately after I removed it. Did slick roadbase for 10km. Good gravel for 30km. ABS and traction control all switchable. In the conditions yesterday - I didn't see any need to switch it off*. Fast, very capable motorcycle - I understand why they are so pricey now. But it's probably worth it. (*Except for chucking wheelies.)  | ||
| Dbird29 |
I think that is my next bike. Great ride and great seating position. | ||
| Scotty_j |
Sold my Uly, bought the 2010 GSA and I couldn't be happier... well, I could if it didn't cost so damn much! As for it being a pig? It only feels that way on technical singletrack or after refueling (BIG weight difference empty v. full). And it goes around corners pretty good, too...  | ||
| Trojan |
The big GS really is like a bumble bee. When you look at it you realise that it really shouldn't work at all, yet somehow it works brilliantly at pretty much everything! It will as fast or faster on longe rruns than most Jap sports bikes or sports tourers, will cope with off road stuff remarkably well, holds its value incredibly and just becomes far more fun than the sum of its parts has any right to and in my opinion there really isn't another bike like it on the planet that is so good at so much (even the new and fangled Multistrada! )  It can't be an accident that most of the bikes you see on Britains motorways now are GS1200's. | ||
| Blake |
The big GS has always been a favorite of mine, with the introduction of the 1200, even more so. Buell hit a home run with the Uly, a grand slam with the new engine in '08 and more so with the dual O2 sensors for twenty-ten. Sad that it was taken from the market by saboteurs and short-sighted liars. | ||
| Radioelasais |
quality and parts used on GS are way better (expensive) than buells' | ||
| Reepicheep |
I like the GS as well... but I bought an 07 Uly with 10k miles in very good shape with hard luggage for $5100. I don't think that would even buy luggage for the GS. So is a GS better then my Uly, My KDX, and... uhhh... and my 2001 Saab (all together which would be cheaper then one GS)? The Duc falls in the same category. Past a certain $$ amount, a vehicle just isn't any fun anymore, it feels more like a liability or more like just decadency (in a bad way). | ||
| Jb2 |
Reep, You have the better bike by far. Gentleman Jim Attebery has had nothing but trouble with his. It broke down on a trip this summer and when he got it home it was several thousand dollars to fix. Any work on the tranny requires a complete engine removal. JB2 | ||
| Road_thing |
Past a certain $$ amount, a vehicle just isn't any fun anymore That's true for more than just vehicles, in my opinion. I found out a long time ago that it's better to own things than to have things own me. rt | ||
| Dfbutler |
If you want a real fun experience, take the 1000RR for a spin. That bike is amazing! Your first corner you'll say, I could have done that one a lot faster. | ||
| Blake |
>>> Radioelasais Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 - 11:00 am: quality and parts used on GS are way better (expensive) than buells' The only part I've found lacking in quality on my '09 Uly is the muffler. It should be made of stainless steel. I gotta spend a half hour every year treating it and touching it up. Woe is me. | ||
| Bosh |
The GS is a piece of goat dung. I have to force myself to believe that. Otherwise I'll have to worry about getting it. I'm having enough trouble Keeping that piece of junk KTM 990 smt outof my head. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
About 2 years ago the GS had a problem with the differential (rear end)BMW says that had been resolved. There has a change made in the service manuel involving changing the fluid in the rear end on all models. A number of GS' did break down during an Iron Man ride. A real black eye for the GS. | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>Past a certain $$ amount, a vehicle just isn't any fun anymore<< I don't agree with that. The most fun bikes I've tested so far have been expensive exotics. The Buell got me because it has some of that big $ exhilaration for less money. | ||
| Strokizator |
Riding someone else's uber-cycle is fun because it's not your money. When it comes to spending your own, you get practical and pick the Buell. Welcome to my world. | ||
| Road_thing |
D_d: What I was trying to say is that, once I get a large (to me) sum of money invested in something like a car or a bike, I start to worry about where I park it, will it get scratched up, will somebody steal it, etc. and it starts to feel like the object has taken control ("owns me"). Now, if I had your gig, getting paid for riding other peoples' expensive bikes (and probably bonded/insured out the wazoo) I wouldn't worry so much. Have I mentioned lately that I think you suck?  rt | ||
| Court |
Thing ...... Y'all nailed it. I ha d a chance today to buy a shiny new 4wd decked out pickup for about $8k off sticker ........ Steal of steals. Then I looked at my lovely "old" 2006 with it's dings, dents and damages and realized why I'm so friction fond of it. In my sunset years I enjoy buying stock (ED) and crud for other folks more than myself All the snappy noes stuff out there and yet I'm drawn to an old Triumph more than a new Ducati. I can't wait to see how this plays out when I reach your age ...... If I make it that long. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Yea - I always say that value judgements are up to the individual. The GS is out of a humble scribe's price range - it may even be out of mine :-0 Same argument goes for the scrambler I guess - A lot of chrome to scratch up on a dirt road. And I know what you are saying Court. For all of the 90's I was religious about my triumph show bikes - polishing, cleaning, customization. Making plenty shiney. But I spent all my elbow grease back then. For the last 5 years I've probably washed the Uly 10 times and really like the lack of bright finish parts and the fact that all you have to do is ride it. At least it's not an anonymous 'you suck' :-) | ||
| Road_thing |
Court--I feel the same way about my '04 Suburban. It's paid for, 125,000 miles, got a few "character marks", speedo doesn't work, some other little chickenshit issues, but it's paid for, runs great, the AC blows cold, the Sirius radio sounds good to my ringing old shooter's ears and it's paid for. It's good for another 125,000 unless it starts costing me money. Oh, and did I mention that it's paid for? D_d: I spent all my elbow grease a long time ago. My elbows are now in their twilight years, and I prefer to exercise them with 12 oz. curls rather than carnauba wax. If Court lives to be as old as I am, well, I guess I won't be surprised. He's almost there now! rt | ||
| Xl1200r |
Oh, and did I mention that it's paid for? One of the best feelings in the world you can have with your clothes on. There was a point when I didn't have any kind of vehicle payment - I owned my Sportster outright, and then paid cash on the Firebolt I traded it for. I was driving an 8 year old Ford Thunderbird V8 in 9/10 condition. Then I started making money and bug bit. Now I've three vehicle loans. The bikes will be paid off by spring. The car, who knows. But I've vowed to own things CASH from this point, and that could mean driving old beaters for a while if I have to. Sorry for the tangent... The GS's are nice - I haven't had a chance to ride one, but I'd like to. I don't expect I'd like it enough to buy one, but who knows. My el cheapo S3T is turning out to be my favorite bike I've ever ridden, and I've ridden a lot. | ||
| Blake |
I got into Michele's little white Saab the other day and got in trouble for tracking a smidge of grass cuttings onto the floor mat. RT, I told her that you'd be having a talk to her about that. First thing ya do with a new bike is show it off and let all your family and friends and husbands of friends sit on it and ride it if they like. Ya might as well take one of your boots off and smack the airbox cover or gas tank as applicable with the heel. Inevitably half the non-moto riders try to dismount with left foot on the ground while lifting right foot up over the tank, or if you're lucky, just the seat. On a Uly or a GS, it can be comical to watch. | ||
| Iamike |
Dave, Have you ridden the F800GS yet? A buddy has one but I haven't gotten a chance to ride it. He really likes it. BTW, I've been working with a couple of guys from NZ the past week, you are a lot easier to understand than they are. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I haven't had a go on an 800 - Partly because I fit the 1200's a lot better - they are a real good tall man's bike - and I'm also a bit down the pecking order, ADV bike wise at the mag. We have a few maestros on the roster. Those that have - rate it. Certainly the one I followed made good pace in all conditions. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Oh - and I talk funny here too. The locals laugh at me when I say 'six'. |
