The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Tony Smith on March 13, 2017, 05:27:26 AM
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Yep, I was offered a 2002 R1150 GSA at a price I could not resist.
89,000km, final drive just rebuilt and new Metzler Tourance boots to be fitted.
Confession time.
The first time you get onto a new bike is the hardest. I had to take the boxes off before I could convince myself to throw a leg over it, the sheer size of the thing was just so intimidating.
Then i asked the salesman to wheel it outside for me and just a bit up the road so that the workshop monkeys couldn't see me. I then spent 6 minutes just sitting on the thing and working out what the various knobs, buttons etc did (the salesman could not help as it was at a Kawasaki shop and he had never ridden one)
Eventually I worked up the courage to start it up and put it into gear. I very nearly shut it down and pushed it back, but after a couple of wobbles I realized that it carries all that weight really well and after the massive "clunk' from 1st to 2nd and the wobble to the left as i opened the throttle my brain went "click", it's just a boxer and I started feeling comfortable. Twenty kilometres later and we were old friends.
Looking forward to a blast over the table lands this Sunday after the registration has transferred to me and the new shoes are fitted (currently has well worn Heidenau front and rear and the forecast for the weekend is rain - they have to go).
I'll report back from time to time as to how this love affair is going.
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P.S
If anyone local would like a cheap KLE500, now would be a good time to talk to me.
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the salesman could not help as it was at a Kawasaki shop
I bought a 1982 R80RT once upon a time from a Kawasaki dealer for a price I couldn't turn down.
Wonder if Kawasaki folks think that a Beemer fouls their showroom and will move it out at any cost?
Good luck on the ride, I know you have that dirt bike itch inside that needs to be scratched
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Nice looking ride. I am sure you will enjoy it. Makes me wish I was longer in the leg department. I would look like a child sitting at the adults table with my feet dangling in the air if I tried to get on one of these.
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I have the same fear about newer bikes, they're all so damn big compared to the R65 and especially the Super Sport. Still, my thinking is people manage to ride them somehow, so I bet I can too.
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Nice looking ride. I am sure you will enjoy it. Makes me wish I was longer in the leg department. I would look like a child sitting at the adults table with my feet dangling in the air if I tried to get on one of these.
I am a little over 6 foot, for the first time in my life I was intimidated by the thought of getting on a motorcycle.
For years I have laughed at my partner who claims that her R65/80 is too tall for her, more recently she spent money to buy lowering links for her G650GS. I think for the first time in 30 odd years I know how she feels.
A wunderlich "low" seat came with the bike and the previous owner (who is taller then me) confided that he uses the low seat around town and only uses the standard seat on highway trips.
I felt better when he told me that.
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Those boxes look huge! I think I'd have taken them off too - although they might make decent crash bungs if dropped!
I haven't tried a GS yet, although I always think that I'll end up with one eventually, as they are supposed to be all things to all men. Happy to stick with my LS for now though.
Please keep us informed of your progress. I had a R1100S up until last summer so I'm aware of the oilhead 'characteristics', some of which are shared with your GS I'm sure. The gearchange from 1 - 2 that you describe sounds very familiar!
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I haven't tried a GS yet, although I always think that I'll end up with one eventually, as they are supposed to be all things to all men.
The main differences between the GS and the GSA are:-
30lt fuel tank (apparently 550km range)
lower 1st gear
lower 6th gear
significantly "taller'.
This one is apparently 15mm taller than even a std GSA, I may try and do something about that as the riding over fallen trees is not on my agenda.
I was amazed at the sze of the "expedition boxes" too - and the top box wasn't fitted when the photo was taken. The good news is that it came with a set of "standard" BMW panniers - i reckon those plus a roll bag will provide me with all the luggage space I need, but we will see.
Just waiting for the roadworthy certificate to issue and I'll transfer the registration and go for a ride.
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It will be good to hear how things turn out. The thought of riding over a log with it brings back memories of my TY and even with that it was an interesting task.
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Just carry a step-stool with ya! ;D I sometimes feel I need one on this 1150RT... :P
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Curses!
For the longest time I have wanted a "bumble bee" R100GS PD.
One has come up a mere 400km from here. Decisions
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Just carry a step-stool with ya! ;D I sometimes feel I need one on this 1150RT... :P
Still getting used to the size of the thing. The R65 feels like a toy after riding the 1150
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I hear ya - an Airhead feels like a dirtbike after getting off the 1150... :P
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I've wanted a BumbleBee GS myself for awhile. But, while I do love the airheads and have a couple in the garage, an oilhead isn't a bad compromise
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I just solved the height problem. All you need is high heal boots ;D
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Looking forward to your comments re the GS Tony.
The biggest thing I have ridden is a Triumph Tiger 800Xc, not in the same class as the GS re weight, but certainly heightwise. Once under way, the height disappears, just don't forget (as I did) that when you need to stop, your feet need to be in a different place that what you are used too...
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Buy the bumble-bee - you might not get another chance.
However there are thousands of 1100GS's around..
If I was still in Oz I'd be straight round myself, cash in hand!