Hankering after a shaft drive..

[af1-windy]

I wasn't sure where to post this as it isn't strictly XR related, although I am asking for your thoughts on the GS & RS vs XR. 

I know it isn't a straight forward comparison but there must be a whole host of pros and cons, as well as peoples personal feelings and thoughts.   

I'm looking to make, what will be the most expensive bike purchase I have ever made, not new but maybe a 1 or 2 years old GS or RS.

After 52 years on bikes with chains, and, it seems, less time than ever to ride and tinker (weird, cos I thought as I got older I would have more time  ) I'm considering a shaft drive bike and the GS & RS are the only 2 on my radar.

I still need a steed in the garage that warms my blood when I think about it and temps me into riding at every opportunity, if that turns out to still be the XR, after test riding the other 2, I'll hang on a bit longer.

Other things to consider, I ride fast, especially in the twisties, (or at least it feels fast to me  ) I'll mostly be doing long distance rides, even if it's just for the day. I intend to do 2 Euro trips a year, each of between 2 and 3 thousand miles over 7 to 8 days, one of those, the shorter of the 2 with my partner.  and a few UK long weekends, camping. 

Hoping to get lots of feed back, warts and all.. and I can take some piss taking, so fire a way, let me have it.. 

[Harry H]

Originally Posted by af1-windy

and I can take some piss taking, so fire a way, let me have it.. 

Your legs are too short for a GS

[Harry H]

More seriously though.

They're all good bikes. But it's down to whether you prefer a screaming rev machine that makes you go Yeeeehaa every time you hit a power band or you're happy riding something that resembles a diesel engine.

Had both a current GS and a RS as loaners whilst my bike was in for a service. They're all right but no where near the excitement of an XR when it's time to play. They have come on a lot since you rode my old GS many moons ago though. Great at 6/10ths riding not so much fun at 9/10ths

Not sold on shaft drives. They can get problematic at 25k miles plus and cost well over a grand to service. Chains seem to last 15k miles and cost a few quid and an hours time to replace in the comfort of your own garage. And as you know I'm not one to spend hours on maintenance cleaning a chain.

[af1-windy]

Originally Posted by Harry H

More seriously though.

They're all good bikes. But it's down to whether you prefer a screaming rev machine that makes you go Yeeeehaa every time you hit a power band or you're happy riding something that resembles a diesel engine.

Had both a current GS and a RS as loaners whilst my bike was in for a service. They're all right but no where near the excitement of an XR when it's time to play. They have come on a lot since you rode my old GS many moons ago though. Great at 6/10ths riding not so much fun at 9/10ths

Not sold on shaft drives. They can get problematic at 25k miles plus and cost well over a grand to service. Chains seem to last 15k miles and cost a few quid and an hours time to replace in the comfort of your own garage. And as you know I'm not one to spend hours on maintenance cleaning a chain.

Cheers for chipping in H, good to hear from you.

I guess it's gonna come down to the 9/10ths riding, I think I'll test ride some stuff but wait until I get back from this years' euro hoon before I push the button, if in fact, I do.. 

I need to step away from my PC and get some riding in.. 

Say hi to the family for me.. 

[af1-windy]

Originally Posted by Harry H

Your legs are too short for a GS

Can't argue with that.. 

[bobdave]

I have been thinking about what bike I will get next (not that I have any timeframes etc) and was thinking about an RS as a possibility. I have taken a GS out as a loner when mine XR was in for servicing and it was ok but it is a big unwieldy beast to manoeuvre at slow speed (or to pick up if dropped!) for a 5 foot 9 person whereas the RS looks a lot more 'my size'. Obviously the riding was a bit different to the XR but they are quick enough for most of what I do and are both suitable for longer trips around Europe. I also find that the XR 'encourages' me to go mad which is great fun but I wonder how much longer I can get away with it before I get caught by one of the many unmarked police vehicles. Next service time (probably late September) I'll ask for a test ride on the RS.

[af1-windy]

Originally Posted by bobdave

I also find that the XR 'encourages' me to go mad which is great fun but I wonder how much longer I can get away with it before I get caught by one of the many unmarked police vehicles. Next service time (probably late September) I'll ask for a test ride on the RS.

This...100%  every time I go out on the XR, and every time I say to myself... never again.. 

[Antares]

Originally Posted by af1-windy

This...100%  every time I go out on the XR, and every time I say to myself... never again.. 

As I'm sure you can attest to, you could do much worse in terms of a bike that bring out the worst in you   

[capt cf]

Never had a shaft drive, but have had the smaller parallel twin GS and an Africa Twin which is a similarly large adv bike.  Actually, right now is the only time in the last 10 or so years that I have not had at least one adv bike in the garage.  I almost bought the big GS a couple of times and at some point I likely will but my problem with it is that 9/10ths thing that you guys already discussed.  Before I sold off my AT and doubled down on the XR by adding a gen 2 I had a gen 1 XR, the AT and a KTM 690 Enduro R.  Of that lot, the AT was the only bike that I could take anywhere, but the problem with it was that once I got where it is I was going I always wanted to be on one of the other 2 bikes.  Get to a cool gnarly offroad section - wish I would have taken the KTM.  Come upon a section of sick twisties - wish I would have taken the XR.  Again, speaking out of my arse a bit since I haven't had the big GS, my opinion is that all those big adv bikes are like SUVs.  They can do pretty much whatever you ask of them, but aren't exactly the right tool or the most desirable tool for the task at hand unless that task is munching miles in comfort.  I will probably pick one up if I ever start doing any long distance multi-day touring and they make fantastic commuter bikes (my main use case for the adv bikes I have owned), but I never found them to be super high on the fun factor.  That said, a lot is the rider.  I am sure if you gave a GS to Teach McNeil he would make me look stupid in both gnarly offroad and on a track, but I'm a mere mortal and I like what I like.

[Harry H]

Originally Posted by af1-windy

This...100%  every time I go out on the XR, and every time I say to myself... never again.. 

Seem to remember on our Panzering days we'd always start off with "right lads, we're gonna take it easy today" That usually lasted for the first mile.