Discussion
I’ve got a 1250 GS which I love. Unfortunately at nearly 70 and not the strongest I’m struggling with the weight.
It’s manageable solo and the most enjoyable bike I’ve ever had but with my wife pillion I find it very high and top heavy. Not helped by the OH being on the large side. This makes going out less pleasurable than it should be and I’ve already dropped it once.
Im half considering trading it in but I’m unsure of what would be suitable.
My previous bikes were a ZZR1100 and Triumph Sprint GT so you can see the pillion accommodation required.
I tried a Tracer 9 GT before I bought the GS but the OH didn’t like the pillion seat. Some of the considerations might be the Ninja 1000SX or GSX-S1000GT but are there any others? I’d like something I can ride with mates solo and not struggle to keep up.
I think any other adventure style bike would simply be moving the problem from one bike to another.
What it boils down to is looking for a bike to suit an oldie with a large pillion. And no, divorce isn’t an option
The GS has a rather low centre of gravity by default, what with its nice low enginey bits. Is yours the standard height, or low suspension? You might like to try the low suspension PLUS the low seat combo as it'll give you more leg bendy fun times to help feel more comfortable. I had this setup and it helped to make carrying pillions nicer.
If you've the standard suspension one, perhaps try the low seat, It's a low cost test. Add in cam'd front seat rubber thingies off eBay and you've got even more adjustability.
If you've the standard suspension one, perhaps try the low seat, It's a low cost test. Add in cam'd front seat rubber thingies off eBay and you've got even more adjustability.
GriffoDP said:
The GS has a rather low centre of gravity by default, what with its nice low enginey bits. Is yours the standard height, or low suspension? You might like to try the low suspension PLUS the low seat combo as it'll give you more leg bendy fun times to help feel more comfortable. I had this setup and it helped to make carrying pillions nicer.
If you've the standard suspension one, perhaps try the low seat, It's a low cost test. Add in cam'd front seat rubber thingies off eBay and you've got even more adjustability.
I can't talk about a GS but I had the R1200RT with similar, low centre of gravity/boxer engine and even though I'm 100kg/6ft1 I struggled a few times in silly carpark, very low speed stopping environments in similar areas where it just feels like it wants to fall. I found it really annoying. Partly though this was down to the peg v bar heightIf you've the standard suspension one, perhaps try the low seat, It's a low cost test. Add in cam'd front seat rubber thingies off eBay and you've got even more adjustability.
Have you considered moving to the dark side and go down the low-seat US v-twin route? Indian of course, not HD 
Sure they're very different animals to the bikes you've mentioned, but the weight is carried very low, the seat is low so both feet flat on the ground, and big wide bars make them a doddle on even the twistiest of hairpins. Right now the very thought might turn you cold, but seriously, get a decent long test ride on an Indian Chief or something similar and see how it feels. Despite the 'cruiser' image, they're actually surprisingly nippy and I don't think you'd find a big Indian any slower then a GS, and possibly quite the opposite.
I'm on the wrong side of 65 and the Chief apparently weights 380Kg, and I find it no 'heavier' to ride/maneuver than the Hurricane that comes in at 200Kg. I've certainly come closer to dropping the 200Kg Hurricane pushing it around than the 380Kg Chief.
Sure they're very different animals to the bikes you've mentioned, but the weight is carried very low, the seat is low so both feet flat on the ground, and big wide bars make them a doddle on even the twistiest of hairpins. Right now the very thought might turn you cold, but seriously, get a decent long test ride on an Indian Chief or something similar and see how it feels. Despite the 'cruiser' image, they're actually surprisingly nippy and I don't think you'd find a big Indian any slower then a GS, and possibly quite the opposite.I'm on the wrong side of 65 and the Chief apparently weights 380Kg, and I find it no 'heavier' to ride/maneuver than the Hurricane that comes in at 200Kg. I've certainly come closer to dropping the 200Kg Hurricane pushing it around than the 380Kg Chief.
If you love the 1250 GS but want something a little more manageable I definitely wouldn’t discount the R1250 & R1250RS.
I’ was massively impressed by the RS when I test rode one a while ago, and my Mrs loved the pillion seat too.
If I was in the market for a long distance commuter or tourer it would be one of the 1st bikes on my list.
I’ was massively impressed by the RS when I test rode one a while ago, and my Mrs loved the pillion seat too.
If I was in the market for a long distance commuter or tourer it would be one of the 1st bikes on my list.
My suggestion would be an R1250RT. I assume that the weight issue is at low speed or when stopped. The wider bars and lower seat, without any significant change in weight, will give more leaverage and thus more stability. Your Mrs gets a nice comfy seat and you keep the boxer character.
I’ve got a standard height GS with a low seat.
I wish I’d gone low chassis but it is what it is. I don’t really want to trade up as I’m now on my 3rd ‘forever bike after retirement’ in 3 years
I’d either be looking at a nearly straight swap or even few quid my way.
Also I’m limited to what I can get through my back gate, already having fitted narrower bars to the GS.
The 1250R is appealing as well but I’ll need to try the pillion fit. It would be so much simpler if it was only myself to consider but she loves going out on the back.
I wish I’d gone low chassis but it is what it is. I don’t really want to trade up as I’m now on my 3rd ‘forever bike after retirement’ in 3 years
I’d either be looking at a nearly straight swap or even few quid my way.Also I’m limited to what I can get through my back gate, already having fitted narrower bars to the GS.
The 1250R is appealing as well but I’ll need to try the pillion fit. It would be so much simpler if it was only myself to consider but she loves going out on the back.
A completely left field option and feel free to dismiss it out of hand but what about the Big BMW electric scooter.
Not light and you'll not be doing 100's of miles on it but the weight will all be very low down and I think it has a reverse mode too. It'll be faster than any of your mates upto sensible speeds, hats of to you if you ride much faster than that at 70+.
Understand it could be totally unwanted/unsuitable but probably something you've not thought of.
Not light and you'll not be doing 100's of miles on it but the weight will all be very low down and I think it has a reverse mode too. It'll be faster than any of your mates upto sensible speeds, hats of to you if you ride much faster than that at 70+.
Understand it could be totally unwanted/unsuitable but probably something you've not thought of.
ChocolateFrog said:
A completely left field option and feel free to dismiss it out of hand but what about the Big BMW electric scooter.
Not light and you'll not be doing 100's of miles on it but the weight will all be very low down and I think it has a reverse mode too. It'll be faster than any of your mates upto sensible speeds, hats of to you if you ride much faster than that at 70+.
Understand it could be totally unwanted/unsuitable but probably something you've not thought of.
I know they're generally not seen as cool, but I was going to suggest a big scooter, something like a Yamaha TMax? They're meant to ride more like a normal motorcycle than most scooters, but with the scooter benefits. Saying that I like a scooter, just ordered a new Xmax 300.Not light and you'll not be doing 100's of miles on it but the weight will all be very low down and I think it has a reverse mode too. It'll be faster than any of your mates upto sensible speeds, hats of to you if you ride much faster than that at 70+.
Understand it could be totally unwanted/unsuitable but probably something you've not thought of.
ChocolateFrog said:
A completely left field option and feel free to dismiss it out of hand but what about the Big BMW electric scooter.
Not light and you'll not be doing 100's of miles on it but the weight will all be very low down and I think it has a reverse mode too. It'll be faster than any of your mates upto sensible speeds, hats of to you if you ride much faster than that at 70+.
Understand it could be totally unwanted/unsuitable but probably something you've not thought of.
230kg and a low centre of gravity - could be a solution. Acceleration and elasticity are very satisfying and a bit of a sleeper considering the lack of loud noises during violent use.Not light and you'll not be doing 100's of miles on it but the weight will all be very low down and I think it has a reverse mode too. It'll be faster than any of your mates upto sensible speeds, hats of to you if you ride much faster than that at 70+.
Understand it could be totally unwanted/unsuitable but probably something you've not thought of.
I'd try a test drive with the OH, and upon positive judgement pondering the inspiration for similar options, a replacement or addition to the fleet.
Nice to see that there are people on here in their 70s still riding.
I've ridden since 1977 but have bimbled on a Vespa 300 since 2015, and a Yamaha T Max, after selling my Street Triple.
I was 60 last year and promised myself a decent bigger bike. I tested the GS and the Explorer 1200 but as great as they were I was missing something.
Tried the new Monster 937 last weekend and now have one on order. One more go at being a hooligan
Anyway the centre of gravity is pretty low on the Ducati and it's very narrow. Easy to flat foot.
Not ridden one myself but how about the Multistrada?
I've ridden since 1977 but have bimbled on a Vespa 300 since 2015, and a Yamaha T Max, after selling my Street Triple.
I was 60 last year and promised myself a decent bigger bike. I tested the GS and the Explorer 1200 but as great as they were I was missing something.
Tried the new Monster 937 last weekend and now have one on order. One more go at being a hooligan
Anyway the centre of gravity is pretty low on the Ducati and it's very narrow. Easy to flat foot.
Not ridden one myself but how about the Multistrada?
ChocolateFrog said:
A completely left field option and feel free to dismiss it out of hand but what about the Big BMW electric scooter.
Not light and you'll not be doing 100's of miles on it but the weight will all be very low down and I think it has a reverse mode too. It'll be faster than any of your mates upto sensible speeds, hats of to you if you ride much faster than that at 70+.
Understand it could be totally unwanted/unsuitable but probably something you've not thought of.
My bikes going in for a service at the end of the month and they’re giving me a scooter of some kind as a courtesy bike so I’ll be interested in how it goes never having ridden one before.Not light and you'll not be doing 100's of miles on it but the weight will all be very low down and I think it has a reverse mode too. It'll be faster than any of your mates upto sensible speeds, hats of to you if you ride much faster than that at 70+.
Understand it could be totally unwanted/unsuitable but probably something you've not thought of.
If it’s the electric one that’d be even more interesting just to see how it goes but range and top speed aren’t near what I need.
While my bikes in there I might have a seat on a few models and see if anything appeals.
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