Hanging out with GSAs

[Purificator81]

Objectively they suffered no mechanical or electronic issues whatsoever. Most of them had an average of 20 to 40k km on their odo.

The limitation of the gas tank size was noticeable when sometimes we end up taking longer routes or deviations etc before being able to reach a gas station...

As I come to understand better the groups dynamics, and to tentatively address the comments made above on whether it is just in my head or else, I think there are different categories of groups:

1- functional/technical groups: where the trip is about performance, abilities, mental strength on challenging off roads. Here what you ride does not matter unless it becomes a physical limitation to keep up with the group

2- a relaxed group: where it is just about getting to remote places for a drink, fun, etc and the motorbikes are just a different mean of transportation irrespective of brand/technical capabilities of the bike etc..here you just need to be a cool guy with a sense of humor and make sure to be sober before riding

3- a brand loyalty group where it is more about celebrating the sense of belonging to a specific brand and discussing features, upcoming models, etc..

So it boils down to your ability to understand each type of group before joining it...I have been an alone rider for very long time as I kind of recharge in remote areas where I just need to listen to myself and clear my mind. No group is perfect as long as you know where you are going into...


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[Boris]

I can pretty much guarantee that you are thinking more about GS's than they are of you. They don't care, other than having a good time doing whatever you're doing. Same ratio of nice people to jerks as pretty much anywhere. Fuel distance will be similar, other than the GSAs. Maybe a tad in favor of the S10, in terms of distance-to-fueling compared to a non-GSA.

Just go have fun!

Eville Rich
2016 S10

Couldn’t agree more. Rent free.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I sense you speak from " Experience "

I think it was pretty clear that I wrote about "riding bitch" in humor. When traveling international, a lot of BMW dealers will rent, especially off of their line of used bikes, so I've ridden a good number of them.
As for experience, two GS's left me walking to have the dealer come recover the bike. There was also a time when some of the Iron Butt competitors took a replacement rear end with them. Or a journalist was killed in Spain on a new model...

 

[Banditryder]

As long as you're up to date on your shots, you should be ok.

Beautiful!

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[KGaron]

If someone gives you grief because you're not riding a BMW, then they aren't worth riding with.
I've ridden my Tenere multiple times with BMW GSA riders and the only thing I will say is that in every instance, riding on loose gravel roads, the BMW guys are always difficult to keep up with. On asphalt roads, I'll choose my Tenere every time, but in loose gravel...those bikes must be more stable because I have to work very hard not to crash keeping with the group. I've been riding and racing for over 40 years so I'm not a newbie.
That's all I have to say about that.

 

[Purificator81]

If someone gives you grief because you're not riding a BMW, then they aren't worth riding with.
I've ridden my Tenere multiple times with BMW GSA riders and the only thing I will say is that in every instance, riding on loose gravel roads, the BMW guys are always difficult to keep up with. On asphalt roads, I'll choose my Tenere every time, but in loose gravel...those bikes must be more stable because I have to work very hard not to crash keeping with the group. I've been riding and racing for over 40 years so I'm not a newbie.
That's all I have to say about that.

Interesting as I felt the same thing in loose Gravel but also on asphalt twisties where they perform also better I felt...

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[lund]

I ride with a couple guys on GS's and I think it really depends on the individuals attitude that make the dynamic's of the group.
When I ride tarmac or gravel I'm slow to start with, never in a hurry to get anywhere, life now days is too fast pace and the motorcycle is where I can slow it down. A big reason I ride is to feel and experience my environment and if your the type that prefers shifting gears and high rpms your missing out on alot, the faster you ride the more tunnel vision you become. If that was the case I just assume riding a crotch rocket to blow my hair back.
Its kinda contradict what many feel about motorcycles because many think speed/performance.

 

[TenereGUY]

I ride with a couple guys on GS's and I think it really depends on the individuals attitude that make the dynamic's of the group.
When I ride tarmac or gravel I'm slow to start with, never in a hurry to get anywhere, life now days is too fast pace and the motorcycle is where I can slow it down. A big reason I ride is to feel and experience my environment and if your the type that prefers shifting gears and high rpms your missing out on alot, the faster you ride the more tunnel vision you become. If that was the case I just assume riding a crotch rocket to blow my hair back.
Its kinda contradict what many feel about motorcycles because many think speed/performance.

I do both... agree on the tunnel vision too. Depends what bike I am on at times too. Twisties are for fun but I am starting to loaf along... a little. What's important is you do you and if a group doesn't understand that then it's the wrong group. I didn't have any riding buddies for years as I go alone and stop when I want to stop and go through the night if I feel like it... and I worked a rotating shift at a power plant that never shutdown. I Reconnected with an old Navy buddy and in the last 4 yrs have groomed another new riding buddy. Got him into bikes and brought him along with starter bikes and doing maintenance. Now a third has popped up! Amazing! Bikes matter little as long as the group is tight.

 

[Purificator81]

I do both... agree on the tunnel vision too. Depends what bike I am on at times too. Twisties are for fun but I am starting to loaf along... a little. What's important is you do you and if a group doesn't understand that then it's the wrong group. I didn't have any riding buddies for years as I go alone and stop when I want to stop and go through the night if I feel like it... and I worked a rotating shift at a power plant that never shutdown. I Reconnected with an old Navy buddy and in the last 4 yrs have groomed another new riding buddy. Got him into bikes and brought him along with starter bikes and doing maintenance. Now a third has popped up! Amazing! Bikes matter little as long as the group is tight.

So beautifully described

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[cyclemike4]

I do both... agree on the tunnel vision too. Depends what bike I am on at times too. Twisties are for fun but I am starting to loaf along... a little. What's important is you do you and if a group doesn't understand that then it's the wrong group. I didn't have any riding buddies for years as I go alone and stop when I want to stop and go through the night if I feel like it... and I worked a rotating shift at a power plant that never shutdown. I Reconnected with an old Navy buddy and in the last 4 yrs have groomed another new riding buddy. Got him into bikes and brought him along with starter bikes and doing maintenance. Now a third has popped up! Amazing! Bikes matter little as long as the group is tight.

Absolutely!