OK - had the GS for a little over 12 months now ('98 EW) , mainly used for trips to and from work, about 6 miles each way. After being off the road for 3 months for some TLC, time for a longer trip.

Took the GS down to London from my home in Stafford on a business trip, round trip of some 340 miles on purely motorways (freeways to our US bros!). Torrential rain all the way down, light rain all the way back!

Result? - GS performed absolutely brilliantly, never missing a beat. Average speed of about 70/75 mph. MPG in the high 65's. Very impresses, was a little apprehensive at first but needlessly so. Rider performed worse than the bike in the end! No second thoughts about another trip though - will check weather more carefully first.......

Quote from: gs500ew_uk on May 22, 2008, 09:02:18 AM
Average speed of about 70/75 mph. MPG in the high 65's. Very impresses, was a little apprehensive at first but needlessly so.

Holy shaZam!! thats an insane lot. Mine is 04' model and it gives me 48 miles per gallon.  Looks like I will have to do a major cleanup, tuning and lubrication. 

I have an 07 GS and I've been doing some longer jaunts this spring.  While the bike did awesome, I must say that a modest trip of 120km (72miles) left my butt and lower back aching.  I've read about similar observations made.  Anyone else have this problem?  I have to add that I lack padding on my arse, possible contributing to the issue.  I've been doing some research on gel pads.  I think I've narrowed it down to buying the material and installing it myself.

If anyone has any thoughts or experiences...I'd love to hear them.  Also love to hear any other tips to make my ride more comfortable.

Quote from: Chokstick on May 22, 2008, 01:30:40 PM
I have an 07 GS and I've been doing some longer jaunts this spring.  While the bike did awesome, I must say that a modest trip of 120km (72miles) left my butt and lower back aching.  I've read about similar observations made.  Anyone else have this problem?  I have to add that I lack padding on my arse, possible contributing to the issue.  I've been doing some research on gel pads.  I think I've narrowed it down to buying the material and installing it myself.

If anyone has any thoughts or experiences...I'd love to hear them.  Also love to hear any other tips to make my ride more comfortable.

Ya, sometimes. A short stretch while filling up usually fixes things. Being mindful of my positioning on the bike helps too, and varying the tilt of the little flyscreen I have. A little more wind here/there helps you push forward differently.

Those are Imperial gallons (160 oz), so that would be approx 52 miles per Standard gallon (128 oz), so that's not ridiculous.

And it rains in the summer in England?  Huh.  Who knew?



Edited for grammar.

Thats absolutely correct, a US gallon is 83.25% of the imperial gallon. We get about 17% more and as a result our MPG figs are higher.

i get about 55-60 MPG US gallons.  I seem to get better MPG when i ride in higher rpms.

thanks guys for the fact  Never knew the Imperial gallon was different from the US gallon. My motorbike ain't doing bad 

Quote from: Chokstick on May 22, 2008, 01:30:40 PM
..., I must say that a modest trip of 120km (72miles) left my butt and lower back aching.  ...

Older GS500 bikes (89-01) have differently constructed seat. I personally like the "lip" which protects your privates from slapping on the gas tank. Once I've ridden about 80 miles non stop on my 1999 and I felt fine. Those were backroads though -- I guess it is more relaxing, slow and upright ride than freeway speeding exercise, hence much less tiring. Try gel saddle padding if the problem keeps bothering you.

Quote from: gobstopper on May 22, 2008, 08:33:38 PM
Those are Imperial gallons (160 oz), so that would be approx 52 miles per Standard gallon (128 oz), so that's not ridiculous.

And it rains in the summer in England?  Huh.  Who knew?



Edited for grammar.

All I know is I'm a big fan of pubs that serve Imperial pints rather than standard pints!