I feel like I need something else...

[Storm]

Y'see, I've been on my goose for a while now and I'm starting to get to the limits of how fast it'll go, and more importantly, the wife doesn't like the pillion seat.
So I go to the local bike shop and ride a 600 Bandit- and unfortunatly, its just not me. Didnt seem to have the amount of go I was expecting, and I'm just not the right size I think.
Then I go in the next day and ride a 2000 GSF1200V and bugger me days, I just about blew the stitching on both sides of me strides!
Pulls harder than a frustrated schoolboy, yet is smooth and easy aroundd town- you can cruise around in top gear and it barely idling, yet it'll still pull away ok.
Just about ripped me backwards on the seat when I gave it the berries- and that was only half throttle of what it could do
Admitedly it was my first go on a bike that big, but I was amazed at how the speedo went from 100 to cough cough mumble mumble just as fast as from 0 -100km/h. And the seat- so comfy, so wide. Even the pillion seat looks a ripper, and the peg to seat ratio looks about right.
So the point is, now that my hands have stopped shaking(just) I want to know:
-who else has got one?
-what are they like to live with long term( as I wont be changing bikes again for a LONG while)?
-do they eat tyres?(particularly the rear)
-servicing costs?
- what else can you do to them in the way of customising?
-what are scott oilers like ?
-is $7500 a good price for a 2000 model with approx 23000k?

Thanks in advance for your help

[Blackbird]

The GSF 1200 represents great value for money and you can liberate even more horsepower for quite a modest outlay. Guys like Lou Giradin know them inside out and will no doubt be along shortly.

I've had a Scottoiler on the Blackbird for 4 years and what a great investment it has proven to be! I have the standard 50ml reservoir which is good for about 1500 km between fills, but you can get a bladder extension or a touring kit which both extend capacity. I replaced my chain and sprockets just after the Scottoiler was fitted and have now done over 30000 km with no appreciable sign of wear. There is no need to retension the chain between tyre changes either. The only thing I didn't like is that the Scottoiler kit came with superglue to hold the oil line guides to the swinging arm. These came unstuck almost immediately and Araldite Rapid or Sellys Urethane Bond is a much more permanent solution.

Hope this helps.

[beyond]

They are a good reliable machine and good value for money.
The engine is bullet proof the same principle design as my GSX1400.

My 14 has even more torque and low down grunt and you get used to it real quick. Tyres, yeah but that's all in the throttle hand too

If you want a good long lasting tyre on these bikes that still offer good wet and dry grip, go for the Michelin Pilot Roads. They will probably go longer than other brands without compromising ride and grip.

Scott Oilers are good. Just make sure you don't have the flow turned up too high


The price sounds about right if she's a good un.

[Macktheknife]

1-who else has got one?
2-what are they like to live with long term( as I wont be changing bikes again for a LONG while)?
3-do they eat tyres?(particularly the rear)
4-servicing costs?
5- what else can you do to them in the way of customising?
6-what are scott oilers like ?
7-is $7500 a good price for a 2000 model with approx 23000k?

Thanks in advance for your help

1 lots of people, they are a quiet bike until you get on one.
2 Lovely to live with, they are a bit heavy in slow stuff but generally very pleasant.
3 Tyres, really depends on you, I get a good 9-12000 K's, but it depends on how you treat them and what compounds you buy.
4 average, can't say much else really.
5 I have attached a pic that might give you a few idea's.
6 product speaks for itself.
7 Sounds like a reasonable price to me, but I might know of a better one for not much more, 2003 the S model. Let me know if you are interested.

[dhunt]

Sounds like the way to go mate especially if you want to do a bit of riding two up. What does Em think of it? That's probably the most important thing.

See if you can bludge a ride off the clown down the road on the green machine for a bit of a comparison.

You going to be around over Easter? I might try and catch up with ya. Last time I was down your way you were off somewhere.

Y'see, I've been on my goose for a while now and I'm starting to get to the limits of how fast it'll go, and more importantly, the wife doesn't like the pillion seat.
So I go to the local bike shop and ride a 600 Bandit- and unfortunatly, its just not me. Didnt seem to have the amount of go I was expecting, and I'm just not the right size I think.
Then I go in the next day and ride a 2000 GSF1200V and bugger me days, I just about blew the stitching on both sides of me strides!
Pulls harder than a frustrated schoolboy, yet is smooth and easy aroundd town- you can cruise around in top gear and it barely idling, yet it'll still pull away ok.
Just about ripped me backwards on the seat when I gave it the berries- and that was only half throttle of what it could do
Admitedly it was my first go on a bike that big, but I was amazed at how the speedo went from 100 to cough cough mumble mumble just as fast as from 0 -100km/h. And the seat- so comfy, so wide. Even the pillion seat looks a ripper, and the peg to seat ratio looks about right.
So the point is, now that my hands have stopped shaking(just) I want to know:
-who else has got one?
-what are they like to live with long term( as I wont be changing bikes again for a LONG while)?
-do they eat tyres?(particularly the rear)
-servicing costs?
- what else can you do to them in the way of customising?
-what are scott oilers like ?
-is $7500 a good price for a 2000 model with approx 23000k?

Thanks in advance for your help

[Storm]

Dave-Probably not, dont know whats happening as yet

Mack- dunno about the polishing required for that bugger, and I reckon the NOS would see a rear tyre down to the canvas in triple quick time- the standard bike isnt shabby! Also is the s model the jobby with the bikini faring? Quite like the naked look myself, and with 1200cc, overcoming wind resistance isnt a big worry y'know ?

[Pwalo]

The 1200S sounds like a good solution. I don't think it would even notice that you were carrying a pillion.

Have you really been taking your better half out on the back of the SG? She's a brave girl. My SV's rear perch looks positively commodius in comparison.

[cowboyz]

Sounds like the way to go mate especially if you want to do a bit of riding two up. What does Em think of it? That's probably the most important thing.

See if you can bludge a ride off the clown down the road on the green machine for a bit of a comparison.

You going to be around over Easter? I might try and catch up with ya. Last time I was down your way you were off somewhere.

Cut it out. No one allowed to ride my bike till I put the first ding in it and hopefully that could be a while away.

I have ridden the 1200 and although I can see why people like them it was not the bike for me. The 9 vs the 12. well commuting and being responsible they are pretty close head to head. When you open them up the 9 comes into its own. Still learning how to ride the 9 and getting used to the lack of weight and how fast it tips into corners but getting there. Looks like we might have a few going off on a wander on saturday if your bringing the superbike down?

[Storm]

The 1200S sounds like a good solution. I don't think it would even notice that you were carrying a pillion.

Have you really been taking your better half out on the back of the SG? She's a brave girl. My SV's rear perch looks positively commodius in comparison.

Once or twice, and thats why she is keen on me upgrading the pillion arrangement- now I just have to find the money!!!

[dhunt]

Cut it out. No one allowed to ride my bike till I put the first ding in it and hopefully that could be a while away.

Doesn't breaking the exhaust clamp count?

Looks like we might have a few going off on a wander on saturday if your bringing the superbike down?

Could be keen - don't have any plans at the moment but will play it by ear. My brothers up so will hopefully get his bike rideable again.

[cowboyz]

Doesn't breaking the exhaust clamp count?

Could be keen - don't have any plans at the moment but will play it by ear. My brothers up so will hopefully get his bike rideable again.

Hmmmm exhaust clamp.. well got that one sorted. Forged a new one out of 3mm stainless. that baby isnt going anywhere. its all good now.

I was in the same position as Storm is when I brought the 9. I got to the stage where I was waiting for the power on the 6. Got to the stage where it was frustrating to ride quick cause the throttle was being pinned all the time. The power of the big bikes certainly is addictive. Just cant go back once you have ridden something that scares you.

Best of luck finding the right bike Storm. Not an easy task.

[Storm]

I'd have to agree, although I did find I was having to roll the throttle off a fair bit into corners whilst following a certain green bike last weekend

[Storm]

Bump- Lou are you there? Your wisdom would be appreciated