GS-Riders International

Well, can I answer this one---

I had a '97 RT- Great bike and ran like a scalded cat. Not quite the same as the new 1200RT I'm sure. We ride two up 60%+. I weigh in at 280 and wife at 145. I am 6'4" wife is 5'10". Even though we loved the bike and got a LOT of compliments on it. it was just too small for a lot of two up.

Got a 03 LT- Issue here is how to keep my wife awake!!! 200+ miles days are not much problem. It is top heavy and 850 lbs dry. Wind protection is pretty darn good all the way up to 90 mph.+. Heated seats are very nice, and with Gerbings, 30 degree weather is just fine for both of us.

Got a 02 GS Adventure [for sale]. Boy, nothing like loosing 250-300 lbs instantly!!! Sits much taller. Handling- well shall we say fun!! No chicken strip on tires.

Went to Italy this summer and rented a new 07 GS- Great and terrible.
Great= it fit us really good, handles like I really like it too, less weight than 02 and a little more HP.
Terrible = it caused us to buy a new 07 GSA..

Which do I prefer? Well the RT is still a pretty nice bike, yet the new GSA manages the wind very closely to the RT- at least the '97 one. Not as bood as the LT, but pretty darn nice. The new GS does NOT have the same windshield and wind handling that the GSA does. I rode the other week in 30 degree cold for about 2-3 hours. My feet and knees were not cold. Upper legs a little and outer elbows were coldish. I will likely get a pair of HIPPO HANDS for really cold.

What does the wife like- well the LT is Primo for going down the interstate or for cold weather. We did 1300 miles in Italy on a GS and no issues there either. SO- choose your fit..

The GSA is hard to beat for all around. The V-strom is also very good and less $$, but the 1000 does not have ABS.

By the way, my MPG is close to equal on all of them. I think the 1100 got about 45, LT is 40-47 depending on what tires are on it. The GSA is 38-44 depending on luggage and how I ride.

A lot depends on you and your wife's size.

I am 6'4" and wife is 5'10".

On the LT, I put platforms on her pegs and that took care of her.

On the 1150 GSA, I lowered her and my pegs.

On the 1200 GSA, no changes. It just fits us better- that's why my 1150 GSA is for sale..

Understand- if I am going down the highway all day- I want the LT. It loves to cruise at 80+ and the smoothness of the 4 cylinders is really nice. With Wilbers shocks it will out handle many bikes. However, it still weighs 850 lbs dry and is top heavy till it gets moving.

When it comes to fun riding and feeling most in control- GSA...When we rented a GS in Italy and put 1300 miles on it- well it was just plain fun to be on. Wife even felt it was fun to ride. We enjoy getting off on fire roads too and away from the crowds. Especially in Western NC.

If you get a LT- just spend some time getting used to its BRAKES!!! They will stop you before you know it...especially at parking lot speeds!!! Most drops happen at this speed with the front wheel turned and hitting the front brake. It will stop yesterday and you are still moving in you mind. I rode a KTM 520 dirt bike and it had really good brakes that would lock up with one finger..so I was used to it. Noproblem.

Both are great bikes. If I was going X-Crountry- well LT would probably get the nod- especially if wife was with me.?? Maybe..

Quoted from "luckyll"

After having "borrowed" one for the weekend last sumemr, my wife really likes the LT. On the Wee-Strom her knees are usually the first to start hurting after 4 to 5 hours of riding. On the LT, this wasn't a problem even after an 900km day (about 560 miles). So that bike definitely gets the nod for comfort. I'm just trying to see if the GS could go the distance in reasonable comfort.

Thanks for the info,
Lucky

How tall is your wife? I can't say much to the LT. But to the GS and the GS ADV in comparison to passenger comfort on the V-Strom.

The GS's passenger pegs are mounted quite high. Therefore climbing up for my wife is somewhat more demanding. Initially she was struggling with this, since the pegs on the V-Strom are located lower, and therefore easier to reach. Once seated she has significantly more room available. As for me I'd rather like her to sit a bit closer to me, but she likes it. There is hardly any head-banging in between us. The non-dive chassis is a blessing for her, a great contribution to her comfort. The GS is the one and only bike where my wife does sit through an entire tank of fuel with no break, which so far was 374 km on the longest stretch.

No matter which machine you choose, be sure to provide a back rest for your pillion rider. That makes a tremendous difference in comfort.

My wife is about the same size. As I said, she very much prefers the seating on the GS after she has got used to the climbing process. Regarding the backrest, you could buy Safari cases. They present ample storage space, I personally would not need any top case with them. Then I'd rather go for a good back rest, and have still the room behind available to strap a duffel bag on when needed. Sure this is all not cheap. But I am tired of half baked "cheaper" solutions, so I'd rather spend the money and get it right from the start.

If I had a DL650 and planned to keep her, I'd go for the RT and not for the LT. I know the weight of the LT would be a put-off for me, too, as David said. But I also like the versatility idea of the GS. Especially now with the brilliant ESA suspension offered for the 2008 models ... this should be addictive. The GS has been refined for over 20 years, I believe it shows.

I'm VERY Blessed to have both LT & GSA. Even on the LT, I got my wife a set of platforms to rest her feet on.

A Friend made some for his wife on his 05 GS and it helps.


You might also look into peg lowering kit. I had them on my 02 GSA and she really liked them. On the 07 GSA, well, she'd rather have them, but not yet..$$$$.

There is no dought, the GS/A is one of the most versatile bikes out there and will handle really well- confidence inspiring..!

Having installed multiple after market windshields on friends' GS, there is nothing that compares with the Aeroflow. I watched friends try multiple different windshields, spending considerable amounts of money on each version, eventually committing to the expensive Aeroflow. When I purchased my own GS, I went straight to the Aeroflow.

No, I'm not fortunate enough to still have a wife and ride two up. Several friends wives claim the Aeroflow is their favorite as a passenger.

A good windshield and a back rest go a long way for improving the comfort of your passenger, along with having handrails. Peter has addressed changing the shape of the pillion seat. Bestrest makes nice backrests that fit the GS.