From Harley to Beemers
Given the day that’s in it, July 4th, I thought it might be interesting to reflect on the various experiences of our US customers who have ridden our motorcycles this year.
Having overcome the initial deflation on hearing that we do not rent Harleys. Many of our customers have really enjoyed their first experience riding the R1200GS BMW. It’s quite different to the cruiser riding position but, as everyone confirmed, it’s an ideal bike for our Irish roads. The bike carries its centre of gravity very low, so even with a full fuel tank. It is an easy bike to manage as this lady will testify, who was recently trialing the GS for size. It’s a bike which makes you feel instantly at home and a powerful and torquey motor makes for effortless riding. The wider bars gives you plenty of leverage for meandering the smaller Irish roads. When you want to get off the beaten track.
The bikes come equipped with side panniers and top box which has a passenger backrest. However, the passenger is seating higher than the rider and some passenger riders commented that while it gave them a better view. They didn’t feel quite as enclosed as on the back of their normal cruiser. That said, my better half definitely prefers the GS to the back of my Moto Guzzi, which is Ohlins sprung.
Our R1200GS come in two versions – the standard height and also the factory lowered height. Unless you are a good 6′ in height we reckon the lowered version is more suited especially. If you are carrying a passenger. The suspension setting for carrying a passenger rises the bike anyway, so you still have plenty of ground clearance. A useful tip is to keep the side stand down when your passenger is climbing on and off – that way you are not trying to support the entire bike weight and that of your passenger on one leg!.
So having convinced yourself that the GS is the right bike for your tour. If you haven’t ridden an adventure bike before. You’re going to find getting on it can result in a series of boot clattering off the panniers as you try to swing. Your leg over like you would on your low slung cruiser. The answer is quite simple –
- Grab the handle bars and from the left hand side of the bike twist the bars fully to the right – that will lower the bike slightly by this change in steering geometry.
- Lean your head forward as far as possible over the front screen – that will articulate your body into the best position and allow your hip to rotate.
- While leaning forward, swing your right leg over – SIMPLES!.
Tiernan is 5′ 6″ on a good day and while he used to climb onto the footrest with the bike on the side stand, he can now jump on the lowered bike using this technique.
