Oh dear Tony, it’s sounding like you have the adventure bike bug badly.
I guess in an ideal world we’d all have more than one bike (like many of our fortunate brethren in here) but if like us you generally have one do-it-all bike it’s always going to be a compromise.
If only Triumph make the Scrambler 1200 in a sensible size for us short folk.
The handlebar convention is probably the sensible choice for longer days etc. But then when has sensible ever been the right choice. Good luck with your thought options.
Must get a ride out again soon, now that the weather is FAB!’
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I have a 30in inside leg and ride a standard GS with no bother. It took me a while to gain the confidence to ride it. The biggest problem if you are short is man handling the bike around the garage, as you are reaching up and across for the bars.
There was a thread on UKGSer about seat heights and I recall a photo of a user called Matron riding an R1100GS. She was about 5ft tall bombing along on a 240kg bike without any effort at all.
Yes, there are lots of anecdotes like that; they're the exception to the rule though, John, and I really don't want to be posting stories about misjudging a negative camber and not being able to pick my bike up again! In fact, I recall Steve Burns being in precisely that spot in a car park, and needing another bloke's help before he could get on the bike again
I think I'm sold on the Triumph over the GS in terms of size/weight/ergonomics (and I'd really prefer to be on a Triumph as opposed to a BMW, if I'm honest), so I guess it's now a question of whether the standard bike with a low seat will be a decent fit. If not, the lowered bike gives me another 2-4cm of leeway so one or other will definitely be okay.
Had a lovely 3 hours out on the Street Scrambler this morning.
Hot but really thoroughly enjoyable.
Only bad points were nearly head-butting a kestrel, and nearly having a head-on with a twat on a Harley that was overtaking a line of cars against a solid white line.
This might meet your requirements:
https://dynamoto.pl/en_GB/index
Got out for a nice little ride today.
Only 350 miles to go till it's ran in and I can get the first service sorted.
Chris.
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Great looking bike. Did you go green laneing?
Hooned 220mls around N Wales finest today.
T'was absolutley scorchio!....all hail decently vented summer gear!
I've owned my summer jacket for over 4 years... only worn it a dozen or so times....but today was one of those days it really made sense....
You would get used to it Tony, I thought a GS would be too tall but quickly acclimatised after riding smaller bikes.
Tony , lowered version of the Triumph , if its the same as the BMW F800/700/650 please please look at the laden and un laden weights.
When I went from a BM F650 to a lowered BM F700GS the all up weight limit dropped by about 80kgs , so by bye two up touring with full luggage on my lowered bike. All luggage sold and any serious touring is no longer an option on this bike.
Triumph may do it differently but BM use a smaller rear spring so its weight limited.
Steve.
I’m a 32 inside leg, so proportionally probably similar Tony. I was really unsure about the Gs after a short test ride, but love it now and don’t worry about the height. I’m just careful not to park it nose in on a downhill camber
2 Round Bar trays with a bit of oil in between them act as a brilliant turntable for spinning bikes round.
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Would something like this do the job??
https://cjautosheywood.co.uk/product...olly-mb0303sn/
By the looks of the wheels on it the patio would probably have to be flat as I can see them getting caught on the gaps if not.
Chris.
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Out for a shakedown run on the big girl, after rebuilding the front end and getting a load of powder coating work done.
Flawless big powerhouse as usual!
Both are not mutually exclusive.
It is clear you want another Triumph. I would have tested them last personally, in that case. Why would you refuse yourself the opportunity to see how other manufacturers have interpreted the concept?
BMW is the new reference so trying one would set a benchmark. The Africa Twin gets great reviews, and Honda has a rather enviable reputation and pedigree. Ducati doesn't enjoy the latter in terms of "adventure" off-road but would you really take your bike there? Otherwise, a cracking looking motor, too. Then HD, just because you can, and then, finally, the Triumph you want, to confirm your choice.
It would also help you to put in perspective the height issue.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
You can definitely purchase bike specific turntables for a garage
https://www.amazon.co.uk/EasyTurn-Mo.../dp/B07KRBVGG8
Completely agree with the above.
I am 65kg and 176cm tall, and have to 5-point turn my GS in my driveway. No problem.
However, I really wanted a GS, so nothing was going to stop me. I got massively hung up about the GS being too big, then saw one I desperately wanted because of spec, condition and ultra-low miles for its age. Funny how all those concerns melt away in those circumstances. I sometimes go to Williams in MCR and one of the staff there is female and around my height and had a triple black GS last time I went to pick up a jacket, just to prove the point that height and build shouldn't really matter.
FWIW I also stopped at a RTA recently to help a chap who fell off his bike outside the local Ducati dealership. He was chopping in an S1000R for a new lowered V4 Multistrada. He was about 5'5" and had managed to drop his S1000R, most likely fracturing his hip in the process when he bounced off the kerb, given that one leg was approx 3" longer than the other afterwards. Life's too short really not to get exactly what you want, whatever that may be.
I'd agree with you, Marc, save that I already know that the Africa Twin is far too big; and the Triumph beats the GS in terms of size, weight and price (although not performance, admittedly). Don't forget, too, that there are plenty of bikers on here who just go from one BMW to another because they like the marque. Me having a fondness for Triumph is no different and - as I've indicated - there are actually some very tangible advantages.
Loved it!
Punishing heat but it was sunny and dry…so overall pretty perfect.
Was supposed to be a novice session but my group had quite a few obvious seasoned track day riders (with track bikes, vans full of tools, proper stands, tyre warmers etc) which initially was mildly intimidating but after I had found my feet was quite helpful actually.
It was great seeing what the old girl can do - quick and smooth- and didn’t miss ABS…some TC might have been nice on Clearways though lol. My garage buddies were on the Duke V4 supernaked and ZX-10 (the latter, crazy polish dude, ended up properly binning it in session 5 on the same corner he ran off on earlier so had to retire…)
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
I discovered last night that being in the outside lane of dual carriageway, overtaking while simultaneously encountering an engine shut down is not a nice experience.
Managed to coast and navigate safely to the hard shoulder thankfully.
Was on my Speedmaster 865. Managed to coax her back to life after a 30min rest, but she died again 5 minutes later.
Decided to head for home but not before another 3 cycles of it dying and needing 30mins between.
Put my OBD reader on it when I got home and seems to be an issue with the Cranshaft Position Sensor. Currently waiting a reply from my local Triumph parts dept about availability. I need to change the front sprocket anyway plus a couple of other jobs here and there, so think I’ll maybe buzz about on my Bonnie for now and sort the Speedmaster when the weather turns for the worse.