1 week into GS1200ss ownership

**T.W.R** · 26th July 2008, 21:53

Well 1 week has gone bye in the realms of owning a new toy

A totally unmolested 2002 GS1200ss with 14.5k on the clock

Picked it up last Saturday and on Sunday took it out for it's initial 'Let's see how this thing goes' ride

with very little persuasion from a mate we took off for a quick strop over to Akaroa (surprisingly there were plenty of bikes out too BTW), though barrelling through heavy fog from the Black Tulip to Little River made the ride exciting.

First impressions were that the previous owner had no idea about setting up the suspension :slap: with everything feeling overly taut with the bike skipping off small bumps and giving me a real nice head shake coming out of a sweeping right hander under power (The ZXR would eat it at present handling wise).
The motor produces the power where & how I like it

(kept having flash backs of bikes I've had in years past). 2nd & 3rd are fun for winding ones way up the Hill and on the flat it could be used like an auto for casual plodding along. Over 19km/l has got to be good too
The previous owner had fitted new tyres front & rear both Shinko brand with doesn't hold to well with me as I prefer keeping close to brands I know. They seemed OK-ish but I can see the rear is going to be in for a horribly short life span.
The stock hand grips are awful things and felt like holding on to a couple of pencils so they're the first to be ditched for some 714s

A Ventura pack frame is on the way along with a tank protector and a few other wee bits 'n' pieces

After having to do a bit of running around on Tuesday in the rain it's easy to see it's going to be a sod to keep clean

but that's half the fun.

Just have to sort out a bit of time to get away for a decent ride to see how it goes over distance, but I think it'll be all good as it's a bit roomier than the ZXR so the old body doesn't get crunched up as much as it used too.

**Mom** · 26th July 2008, 22:00

Nice looking bike there Sir! I hear you about bleck! Bleck is a shit colour to keep looking clean!

**AllanB** · 26th July 2008, 22:19

My previous bike was a 1200ss.

Stock grips are indeed shit - hand carved out of Japanese rubber-stone. Not nice going down hill.

I had the full Yoshi system on mine (yum). The stocker is ...well.....very large!

I ran a set of Continental Attacks on mine - sport front, road rear - they were excellent on this bike - the front quickened up the steering a bit and held like a gluey hoop, while the rear looked like it was going to get very good life and caused no issues during the 4000kms I put on the Contis. Don at Pit Lane in Manchester St will see you right on a pair.

The main problem with this bike, and my reason for selling mine and going naked, is that anything remotely near the speed limit is, well, boring

The big beast likes life at license loosing speeds.

Have fun

**scumdog** · 26th July 2008, 22:29

Nice scoot Bill - screen looks too 'bubbly' - if ya know what I mean.

**Mountlocal1** · 26th July 2008, 22:29

Nice example...

I put a k&n out of a gsx1400 into mine as well as upping jets.. Huge differance! Like it should have gone out of the box... I dont know about the suspension.. I didnt like the way mine handled. Had someone look at it and only way to make it better was a visit to Doc Rob for new rear shocks and re kitted front... Bloody nice bikes for long distances..

**T.W.R** · 26th July 2008, 22:48

Originally Posted by Mom

Nice looking bike there Sir! I hear you about bleck! Bleck is a shit colour to keep looking clean!

was my first thought after a 27km trip in heavy drizzle

road film

Originally Posted by AllanB

My previous bike was a 1200ss.

Stock grips are indeed shit - hand carved out of Japanese rubber-stone. Not nice going down hill.

I had the full Yoshi system on mine (yum). The stocker is ...well.....very large!

I ran a set of Continental Attacks on mine - sport front, road rear - they were excellent on this bike - the front quickened up the steering a bit and held like a gluey hoop, while the rear looked like it was going to get very good life and caused no issues during the 4000kms I put on the Contis. Don at Pit Lane in Manchester St will see you right on a pair.

The main problem with this bike, and my reason for selling mine and going naked, is that anything remotely near the speed limit is, well, boring

The big beast likes life at license loosing speeds.

Have fun

The grips are shockers for bigger mitts, least it's an easy fix

Yeah the muffler is big, the only mark on the bike is right on the outer edge where the guy's daughter had run into it with a trolly. But it's nice to have a quite pipe for a change as the ZXR is a noisy beast

I can get a pretty good selection of rubber through work cheaply. Apparently Don suggested these tyres to the previous owner with the fore warning that they wear quickly and going from one ride to Akaroa he isn't wrong.

Don't do boring well, but the fairing works well for me at legalish speeds. Have noticed it does get a buzz going at 4.5 rpm around the contact area between the headlight housing & the front, going to sort that when I replace that after-thought of a centre mounting screw

Fun's the intention

**megageoff76** · 26th July 2008, 22:54

Definately ditch the Shinkos. I have them front and rear on my 1100, and they spin up in the wet with the slightest sniff of too much throttle.

I fucken hate them...but I guess it serves me right for being a cheap arse, and trying to save a few dollars.

**T.W.R** · 26th July 2008, 22:59

Originally Posted by scumdog

Nice scoot Bill - screen looks too 'bubbly' - if ya know what I mean.

is a bit like a bubble, but I'll get used to it. Going to put a dark tint on though.

Originally Posted by Mountlocal1

Nice example...

I put a k&n out of a gsx1400 into mine as well as upping jets.. Huge differance! Like it should have gone out of the box... I dont know about the suspension.. I didnt like the way mine handled. Had someone look at it and only way to make it better was a visit to Doc Rob for new rear shocks and re kitted front... Bloody nice bikes for long distances..

After a while I'm going to have a play with the motor but at the moment it's enjoyable to have everything happening when I want it & quite a few thousand rpm lower down

At the moment the rebound just feels too stiff, I backed off the rears which helped but the front needs to soften up a bit for me

**AllanB** · 26th July 2008, 23:00

Have noticed it does get a buzz going at 4.5 rpm around the contact area between the headlight housing & the front,

Forgot about that - I spent a long time trying to workout a Japanese 1200ss website to determine what that buzz was - apparently they can be prone to it. It's the adjuster on the left headlight - the plastic around the screw splits and sets up a buzz. I cured mine by removing the fairing and wedging a piece of rubber between the light and the housing. This was not visible when the fairing was back on. Also when removing the fairing the turn signals have a joining clip - its a bit fussy to undo and a small screwdriver to press down on the cip helps.

Another tip - if the headlights do not have a cover - get some quick. I had a stone break one of mine - a Suzuki replacement for the light only (excluding chrome frame) is $200. Per light.......... I was lucky and got one from a wrecker. Supercheap sell stick on headlight protection film that you cut to suit.

**ozrobo** · 27th July 2008, 00:57

really nice lookin bike saw a fellah drop one at the cold kiwi i think alcohol may have entered the scene

**T.W.R** · 27th July 2008, 10:34

Originally Posted by megageoff76

Definately ditch the Shinkos. I have them front and rear on my 1100, and they spin up in the wet with the slightest sniff of too much throttle.

I fucken hate them...but I guess it serves me right for being a cheap arse, and trying to save a few dollars.

I think the previous owner just wanted to fit some legit rubber for a fresh WOF so I'll just put up with them for a while till the play money looks a bit healthier then there'll be some better hoops fitted.

I think I'll go up to a 180/50 -17 instead of the 170/55 -17 though as I've already used the majority of the width of the tyre without trying

Originally Posted by AllanB

Forgot about that - I spent a long time trying to workout a Japanese 1200ss website to determine what that buzz was - apparently they can be prone to it. It's the adjuster on the left headlight - the plastic around the screw splits and sets up a buzz. I cured mine by removing the fairing and wedging a piece of rubber between the light and the housing. This was not visible when the fairing was back on. Also when removing the fairing the turn signals have a joining clip - its a bit fussy to undo and a small screwdriver to press down on the cip helps.

Another tip - if the headlights do not have a cover - get some quick. I had a stone break one of mine - a Suzuki replacement for the light only (excluding chrome frame) is $200. Per light.......... I was lucky and got one from a wrecker. Supercheap sell stick on headlight protection film that you cut to suit.

Initial thoughts were to pack the gap between the headlight housing & fairing as it seems to be located at the top edge of the housing

bloody annoying buzz, I hate wee things like that so it's a must fix asap.

Yeah the headlights are exposed & I learnt my lesson with the ZXR, had both lights taken out by stones :slap: so some lens protectors are on the list too.

Originally Posted by ozrobo

really nice lookin bike saw a fellah drop one at the cold kiwi i think alcohol may have entered the scene

alcohol & rallies

nah couldn't happen

I've got no intention of putting the bike down any time soon, particularly at any up coming rallies

once the campsite is established the bike is parked & doesn't move again till it's time to head home.

**laRIKin** · 27th July 2008, 10:57

Glad you like your new bike and well done.

Should have drop a PM and I would of joined you for the ride.

**T.W.R** · 27th July 2008, 11:23

Originally Posted by lemans

Glad you like your new bike and well done.

Should have drop a PM and I would of joined you for the ride.

I'd been bouncing off ideas for a new bike for a while and had missed a couple of good ones through hesitation & procrastination so when this came up I jumped on it

Have always liked the styling & the simplicity of the GS so once I've personalised it a bit it'll keep me happy for ages

The ride last Sunday was a bit of a snap decision, but I've intentions of getting a few more rides in shortly so will let you know for sure