GS as a touring platform?

[Geoffster]

Originally Posted by '05Train

It's a really comfortable long-distance cruiser, and it's nothing to do consecutive 800-1000 mile days.

It might help us help you if you describe those 800-1000 mile days.

Are they on the super-slab at 5+ over the posted limit?

Iron-butt style?

Also, your age? For example, if you're 31, you could probably do 800-1000 mile days on a clapped-out Honda 360 with a seat held together with duct tape. If you're 81, you'd be a tough SOB that I wouldn't want to have cross words with in a roadhouse.

(He's 42.)

[flyrodder]

The Lawyer (wifey) and I just did a 1000 mile loop around Nebraska last week on our 09 GSA. No real big days (one day was 350), but it was her first extended ride. Next morning, she was up and ready to go. Second day out we had 30 MPH cross winds, heavy rain and 55 degrees. Sucked. She didn't complain once.

Bike worked great. Lots of wisdom posted above; seats, windscreens, helmets, side and top cases will all have to be tailored to fit your needs. We've got the stock Adventure screen, Sargent rider seat (she likes the stock pillion seat) and Jesse cases. Good helmets really, really help with the wind flow stuff. Ran quite a bit of "gravel" (if you've been to the Nebraska Sandhills, "gravel" is really just big sand) with no trouble.

ESA is very nice when two-up so you can easily adjust the suspension to fit what you are doing.

The great thing about GSs (this is my 2nd one), they are really the most versatile machine out there. Other bikes do certain things better (your Ultra is a great road bike for example) but arguably, none of them do them ALL as well as a GS.

BTW, I'm a GSA fanboy. My previous GS was a standard, and I really liked that bike until it was time to go two up and travel. The bigger tank and better windscreen on the GSA make a big difference with air management and significantly increases range. (for us, YMMV)

[BostonGS]

Originally Posted by Smithhammer

I have a strict rule about buying anyone from Boston a beer.

But seriously - it sure sounds like the guy wants to 'break out' of the kind of touring that he's been limited by with his current bike. He says he wants something more capable of dealing with adverse weather, says he probably would do more off-road riding if he had something more capable, and says he needs to be able to tour 2-up...why not try a GS? What exactly do you think is being 'sacrificed' by choosing one?

Technically not from Boston...so there's still a chance.

"Give me 14 hour days in the saddle without agony, carry my wife and I with a week's worth of stuff, and be reasonably entertaining on mountain roads?"

Limited by...?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=681994

Certainly he could also do that on a GS...so maybe you are right...why not.

[TomLewis4412]

+1 on the earlier suggestions...test ride (steered me to the GS from the RT), good gear, ect.
My wife requested (read "you better or I'm not going") that I put some type of wrap around backrest on so I found an after market and it seems to work fine.
With the bike fully loaded and two up I haven't had any lack of power issues, though I'm a bit less aggressive with her on the back. One thing I was initially concerned about was room on the bike...though we might be cramped...not the case as there is plenty of move-about room.

Here is a pic of us two years back heading down to Monterey for a weekend (we are planning on Mendocino next weekend)

[slowoldguy]

Define your "touring". I've read some of your posts...do you really think it is comparable to this guys riding? Maybe I'm missing something.

lol. Don't believe everything you read about me. Even if I write it. I can and do ride every pace but "parade". I have ridden many thousands of miles with friends who just cruise.

I read the OP's post. I didn't see anything in there suggesting he was parading around. If so, my bad.


But really. Riding fast or riding slow, my point remains the same.....IMO the GS Adventure is a very good bike for long hauls. For me? Good enough to sell the LT. As good at LD touring? Yeah, right. Not a chance. But my LT objected to all but smooth gravel and while fun in the sweepers , was a real handful on Push Mountain Road. It's all a compromise.

I didn't specifically address the two-up part in my first post in the thread (and I should have) but that's where an LT or a Harley Ultra (I've never owned a 'wing. Yet.) really shines. My daughter loved my LT and my Ultras. I think she liked the cocooning of the armrests, the stereo speakers, the humongous seat. She never has liked riding on any of my other bikes. And I have the big Russell backseat for my Adventure, too.

[island808]

I haven't long hauled it.. But the klr is more than adequate and I have... Many have ridden that thing to hell and back. So far I think my BMW is better at it. So it must be good for touring. But some fairy princesses aren't happy unless they have the heated seat massage and handlebar kleenex holder...

[cug]

Originally Posted by island808

But some fairy princesses aren't happy unless they have the heated seat massage and handlebar kleenex holder...

At least the boxer gives decent vibrations ... just lug it a bit ...

['05Train]

As to what kind of riding I do:

- I commute the DC Beltway & I-95 43 miles one-way to work at least once a week, year 'round.

- My ride home from work is 150 miles of backroads, including several bombed-out farm roads, and if I choose, some dirt & gravel.

- A typical "weekend ride" with either my daughter or my wife on the back of the bike is no less than 200 miles, usually more like 300.

- I don't have an IBA number, but I've done well over 1,000 miles in a day on more than one occasion.

- Two weeks ago I went 3,800 miles in 8 days; from DC to Eureka Springs, AR. That was a total of 5 days back and forth (I took the long way down through all the Gulf states), 1 day of riding Historic Rt.66 from Tulsa to Joplin, and 2 days of carving corners in Arkansas.

- Yes, I carve corners on a 900 pound Harley. Front suspension from Ricor, rear suspension from Ohlins. I've actually raised the bike up to increase the lean angle.

- The wife can do distance riding on my second bike (a very customized Night Train), but she prefers to be comfortable. She likes to use her laptop on the back of the bike. Sometimes she falls asleep back there.

- I'm 42, been riding since I was 8. 6'2", 34" inseam, 190 pounds.

[Geoffster]

Originally Posted by '05Train

As to what kind of riding I do:

- I commute the DC Beltway & I-95 43 miles one-way to work at least once a week, year 'round.

- My ride home from work is 150 miles of backroads, including several bombed-out farm roads, and if I choose, some dirt & gravel.

- A typical "weekend ride" with either my daughter or my wife on the back of the bike is no less than 200 miles, usually more like 300.

- I don't have an IBA number, but I've done well over 1,000 miles in a day on more than one occasion.

- Two weeks ago I went 3,800 miles in 8 days; from DC to Eureka Springs, AR. That was a total of 5 days back and forth (I took the long way down through all the Gulf states), 1 day of riding Historic Rt.66 from Tulsa to Joplin, and 2 days of carving corners in Arkansas.

- Yes, I carve corners on a 900 pound Harley. Front suspension from Ricor, rear suspension from Ohlins. I've actually raised the bike up to increase the lean angle.

- The wife can do distance riding on my second bike (a very customized Night Train), but she prefers to be comfortable. She likes to use her laptop on the back of the bike. Sometimes she falls asleep back there.

- I'm 42, been riding since I was 8. 6'2", 34" inseam, 190 pounds.

OMG -- I can't believe you don't have a GS/GSA already! You sound like an ideal GS/GSA candidate!! (And consider a GSA since you're on the tall end of things.)

[spdjnky]

I just bought an 07 BMW GSA and sold my 07 HD Road Glide (with a tour pack). There are some things I miss about the Road Glide like the cruise control, radio and such. After owning the GSA I am completely sold on the decision I made. It is way more vercital than my Road Glide. I ride to work in Chicago most days. I made a 1300 mile trip out west on it in 2 days without any complaints other than no cruise control. I plan on doing some off road riding once I get time away from work.
I borrowed my brother-in-laws 07 GS and liked it but definately find my GSA more suited for longer rides and higher speeds any day! The larger tank, different windshield, etc are a big plus in my book.
I cannot help you regarding the two up portion or your dilema. I am married to a woman who gets board on a motorcycle in the first 2o minutes of a ride (don't ask). In a perfect world I would own a Road Glide and a GSA. Now that I have owned both and if I had to choose I would take the GSA any day.
Just my .02 cents.

[JustKip]

First off, Discount EVERYTHING said about GSA weather protection! For a $ few hundred you can add better wind protection to a standard GS (also a GSA) so the plastic bits a GSA comes with don't really matter.

What does matter is the extra 100+ mi fuel range.(100 more than your electraglide too) THAT matters for something you're calling a tourning bike.

Get the GSA, and add seats and wind protection to suit

['05Train]

If I was smart and thinking logically, I'd sell the Night Train and replace it with a GS/GSA. Fortunately/unfortunately, I've got so much tied up in that bike (financially and emotionally) that I just can't do it.

As much as I bitch about the Limited (my touring bike), it's a massively competent machine, and with the possible exception of a 'Wing, probably the most comfortable 2-up bike available. It just doesn't do mud & sand really well, and it's a bastard to pick up when it falls over.

I've been jonesing for a GS for years, more so after reading Neil Peart's books. Riding through Arizona this past January, I kept looking up these dirt roads thinking to myself, "I bet there's something really cool up there", but not wanting to take the chance of getting totally stuck on a bike designed for paved roads with only 3" of suspension travel.

[cug]

Originally Posted by '05Train

She likes to use her laptop on the back of the bike.

If my wife could do that, I'd think about my routes ...

Right now, I'm slimming down my GS a bit more. Getting rid of the large Givi topcase, leaning against it is forbidden (by me) anyways, I'm adding a smaller Pelican to the passenger seat area as my wife mostly rides her own bike anyways. I'll keep the Givi for longer touring, but doubt I'll use it much.

The GSA windshield I have gets extended with a Touratech Spoiler when I go on long, straight, fast parts of a trip. Normally I avoid that though. The pegs are set lower (Fastway in Low Boy position), the seat is OEM, works for me so far. Probably another 10k miles and the foam is toast though.

Why I would never ride a bike as heavy as a Harley? One reason is, that I don't have much garage space. I push the bikes in backwards, against a small uphill part of the driveway and then move them around in the garage. Every pound counts. I have done it with a GSA and with a 1150 GS, but those are about the upper limits in weight I want to handle in that situation. There are many other reasons, but it's one that would drive me nuts every single day.

[RottVet]

Everyone has there own experiences, and opinions are like rectal orifaces, so here is mine. I find my 09 GS to be the sine qua non tourer for me. I have done the SS1000 and BBG1000 on my 09 GS. It can carrry a LOAD of stuff. People betch about the seats, but they are adjustable and suitable for me (5-11, 34" inseam) Throw in the ESA and this bike is super comfortable. They betch about the windscreen. I put the larger size BMW on mine, and it is more than adequate. Drive a car if you want a windless environment. The key clincher for the bike in my mind is the HUGE aftermarket devices and ergo altering options (barbacks, adjustable shifters, etc, etc) My GS fits me perfectly, thus making 1000 miles days relatively easy. And, of course, it will do dirt country/farm-market roads with aplomb should you wish to get off the beaten path. I do wish the gas milage would be better, but I say the same about my pickup truck. The bike also handles extremely well, much better than the R1200R that was it's predecessor. I guess my only suggestion would be to get a bike that fits YOU, as they are like a pair of shoes or a suit of clothes. Everyone is different, and for me, the GS is the perfect fit. Good luck in your pursuit motorcycle nirvana!

[Fudmucker]

I am on my second 1200GS. It suits me for all my touring needs.
I am short in the leg, so I find the GSA just too tall for me.
I rode 6 700kms over 11 days around South Africa for fun without problems.

I've done 35 000kms on my '09 GS since new. I had the GSA screen and winglets fitted from the start and find they work very well for me. I use the BMW Vario luggage because I had it over from the '05 I used to ride.

What I really love about this bike is that I don't have to even think about the type road I will ride. Interstate highway, local asphalt top, dirt road, two track... it makes no difference to this bike. Select the right tires for the trip, take a mini compressor to adjust pressures as required and that's it.
There were 4 of us on the road trip - all on 1200 BMW's. GS, GSA, RT and a GT. The RT and GT returned slightly better fuel consumption. The only drawback was that we had to ride around the dirt roads as the GT was low and prone to damage. Both the RT and GT were dropped in parking lot topples and cost plenty $$$ to replace body panels. My GS side stand sank into soft sand fell over. Zero damage to the bike - just a $2 aftermarket side reflector I had fitted to increase visibility.

(That's why I like naked bikes...!)

Right now I'm looking at trading up on a Triple Black GS.
It is all the bike I'll ever need to ride...

... to anywhere!