Newbie in the UK...

[Monty]

Hi guys,

My name is Matt, I currently ride a 1200GS and I am thinking of taking the leap to S10 ownership. This looks like a great forum, and thanks for having me.

The main things I need to research before deciding whether to trade the GS are:

1) Comfort (especially for the lovely Sarah, as we do a lot of 2-up miles)
2) MPG / tank range (more than the GS would be better)
3) Luggage options (need more than my crappy Varios)
4) Handling (I love the way the GS feels)
5) Performance (I like the look of the ECU flash options!)

I need to get myself a good long test ride...

Matt

 

[RIVA]

::015:: Hi Matt and welcome to the forum, from Cork across the pond. I have had a fair few Bmws over the years including 1100GS, 1150Gs (x2), 1150R (x2). I never went for the R1200. Too many horror stories with reliability issues. Took my mate's S10 f0r a spin and was hooked. Very comfortable 2up. 90% of my riding is done with a passenger. I am getting around 18.5 Kms to the Litre. That is from the onboard computer.This is on typical Irish secondary roads, I am using the Yamaha panniers and a Hepco & Becker top box. Loads of space when touring. . On a recent ride-out I took a friend's 1200Gs and he took my S10. We both agreed that there was nothing between them as to handling and comfort. Go on. Take the jump and get the S10.You know you want to. ::004:: ::003::
Noel

 

[Twitch]

Welcome aboard Matt!

I think most of your items are covered in the forum here someplace, but let us know how the test ride goes.

 

[colorider]

Welcome to the forum Matt! Quite a step you are considering, but not a totally uncommen one as we have several other GS converts here.

I think you will be quite happy with the SuperT for both solo and two up riding. Two-up riding was one of my concerns as well coming off a FJR. I spotted your other post about the Givi Trekkers, which I use. Very pleased with them, but a few of us had some minor leakage problems with the early units. Not sure if Givi has it sorted out or not.

Good luck,
Rod

 

[spasm]

hi mate, i live in poole, this bike walks all over the gs, me and debi go miles most weekends and do our holidays biking, she loves the tenere and thats coming from the comfort of an xjr1300.
as for handling this is more like a 1200 supermoto is the best wat to describe it for me, i/we ride fast and i like to plat alot, its all very easy on the super tenere trust me ive ridden many bikes ::008::
ive done the power commander, auto tune, arrow headers and end can, which i can honestly say makes this 1200 beauty FLYYYYYYY, im just waiting to get my ECU back from italy, and it'll be a bigger animal again. im finding this exciting as wen im out wiv the lads for a blast stick her in s mode and leave them all standing at the lights, or through the twisties ::025:: then on the other hand me and debi off the weekend somewhere pretty with nice roads just switch her into t mode for a more tame ride.
buy this bike u wont regret it i promise u ::022:: ::022::

 

[rem]

Good Day, Matt, and welcome on. So, you're considering trading up, are you? ::025:: Well, when you do, your comments would be greatly appreciated around here. You;ll be on the hook for an in-depth analysis comparing the two bikes. I hope your decision becomes an easy one. Again, ::004:: , and let us know when you take the leap. You will. R. ::022::

 

[Monty]

Thanks for the welcome, folks. Really appreciated.

I guess my main concern is with the handling, as I am very comfortable with the lack of dive and the stability of the GS. I also have a rear Ohlins fitted that makes it really sweet, and even when 2-up with all the luggage I could leave a lot of folks behind in the mountains. I am a seriously average rider, so I am pretty sure it was the bike that helped. One of my friends switched from a GSA to a Triumph Tiger and really felt uncomfortable with the fork dive / handling, so I need to check things out...

I will probably be asking lots of basic questions in the coming weeks, so apologies in advance. I need to find a local dealer with a demo bike I can take out for a good spin, and then I need to try to haggle a good deal. Looks like the prices are still way higher in the UK than in the USA, even with the recent decrease, and I need to find someone who needs that sale!

Regards,

Matt

 

[dcc46]

Hi, and Welcome to the Forums ::003::

 

[gerry2085]

Hi Matt.

I think the only thing is to take one out for a decent test ride, I am sure you will like the S10 but we are all different and like or dislike different things.

I moved from a FJR 1300 to the S10, I have not had much chance to use it as yet due to the onset of winter ,but have been more than pleased with it. Others on this site as you will have seen have many more miles on the bike . But I am sure that the cost of servicing and general running costs will be less than you are used to. In many years of touring europe the only time any of my fellow riders have broken down was with a GS, so my opinion may well be tainted . So try it you will be pleased.

Gerry

 

[Poohbear]

Welcome Matt, nice to see the UK contingent growing

There are a number of big differences between the GS and an S10, firstly you will have to throw away the pipe and slippers and secondly you'll have to start waving / nodding at other bikers

 

[Monty]

I am pleased to say that I always nod and wave at any 2 wheelers, but I do like my slippers!

I have never had any reliability issues with the GS but know people who have. It is still the best bike I have owned, and I hope the S10 can give me what I need. I just need a change, and the S10 is about the only other bike that seems to tick the boxes.

Phone calls tomorrow, and hopefully a test ride in the next week or 2.

Regards,

Matt

 

[CREnorth]

Welcome Matt, Coming from years on sport bikes I think the handling and comfort of the S10 is the bigest things that impressed me. imho.

 

[Monty]

Can I please apologise for the unexpected minor expletive in my last post? I am using my Samsung phone to access this forum and the predictive text for S10 comes out as... well you see what it comes out as!

Matt

 

[big dave]

greetings from oop north in uddersfield

 

[Monty]

Cheers Dave. 8)

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello.....

 

[bigtim]

Hi Matt

welcome from me in North Devon.

Where abouts in the country are you based? My local dealers were brilliant with me when I wanted a test ride, I disappeared off for 3 hours or more and when I got back he was surprised I was back so quickly. My bike is currently totally standard and is really comfortable, on my own or with my son on the back and he finds it really comfy too. I will interested to hear your thoughts after your test ride.

have fun

Big Tim

 

[Monty]

Hi Matt

welcome from me in North Devon.

Where abouts in the country are you based? My local dealers were brilliant with me when I wanted a test ride, I disappeared off for 3 hours or more and when I got back he was surprised I was back so quickly. My bike is currently totally standard and is really comfortable, on my own or with my son on the back and he finds it really comfy too. I will interested to hear your thoughts after your test ride.

have fun

Big Tim

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the welcome. I am over in sunny Essex. I have managed to find a local dealer with a demo bike I can take out for the day on Saturday (weather permitting). They also have a Guzzi Stelvio so I will take that out as well for a comparison. It will be interesting, and that means that by the end of the weekend I should have a much better idea of which direction I am going.

Regards,

Matt

 

[colorider]

Can I please apologise for the unexpected minor expletive in my last post? I am using my Samsung phone to access this forum and the predictive text for S10 comes out as... well you see what it comes out as! ;D

Matt

Not a problem!!!

;D

 

[bigtim]

Matt

Typical I lived in Essex for 20 years before moving down to Devon with work. Have a great day out test riding, the Stelvio looks pretty good, I was giving it a good once over at the NEC in November together with the new Triumph 1200 and the new Ducati Multistrada aswell. Adventure bikes really seem to be taking over from the Knee down wrist killer sportbikes that seem to have fallen out of fashion.
There is a UK forum covering the S10 in early 750 and new 1200 guises (www.super-tenere.net) there's also quite a few on the Adventure Bike rider forum aswell.

Tim