Another LT to GS convert

[Daibach]

More & more I've been wanting to go past the end of the pavement. Not extreme riding, just some dirt and gravel roads that I wouldn't take the LT on.

Three weeks ago I was able to trade in my 1999 LT on a 2008 GS Adventure.
Quite a change: 2/3 the weight, fun to ride, seat uncomfortable but I can still go a couple of hours between breaks. I think the GS is more suseptible to gusty winds (but it's hard to tell; maybe it's just been windier lately); on the other hand I wasn't as stressed by riding in gusty weather as I was on the LT. Longer range but fuel efficiency is lower than the LT's. With less weight I was expecting it would be better.

I've gone a few kilometers on gravel roads; when nothing bad happened I was able to slightly relax my deathgrip on the handle bars. Not comfortable on the gravel though. Any dirt/gravel riding tips for an old touring bike guy?

Any tips on the ESA settings? The manual is a little sparse. (Yeah, I know, play around with it to find what you like. The thing is, you tend to like what you're used to; which isn't necessarily what works the best.)

Did I mention fun? It's going to be a good summer :)

[justlookin]

I love riding on the gravel. The only time I had a problem was on "just graded" gravel. The grader must have been right ahead of me. I came to a stop sign and as I slowed the front wheel just sank into the soft freshly graded gravel. Down I went. Fortunately I was going so slow I just stepped off. I think I was too close to the shoulder of the road. Must have been sliding on firmer gravel beneath the soft stuff on top.
The GS is a lot easier to upright than a LT is. :D I have Pro Taper bars and you can just pull on the bar and raise it back up.
You are hitting home with me on the LT to GS conversion. I'm getting ready to head out west again on my LT and I know I'll see lots of roads I'd like to explore once I get to the mountains, but not on the LT..
By the way, I have a beadrider on my LT, I added one on the stock seat of my GS. For $32 you triple the time in the saddle before you feel the least bit uncomfortable.
Congrats on the new ride!
Jeff

[DaveDragon]

The GS is an amazing motorcycle. I love riding my 06 Adventure more than I ever did my LT.

[jwd98056]

Welcome to fun side. I am fortunate enough to be able to keep a small stable of two wheeled conveyances but my GS is my ride of choice for 90% of my travels.

My anecdotal experience with cross winds pretty much aligns with your experiences. I think the LT handles cross winds somewhat better than the GS. In spite of the fact the LT has more cross sectional area I think that it's lower drag, lower seat height and the fact it is top heavy more than compensates for it. It would take a lot of physics calculations to prove it but all it takes is a little saddle time to come to the same conclusion. My HD Heritage Softail handles cross wind better than my LT and GS.
It is about the only thing it does better other than reflect sunlight or attract black leather and doo rags. :histerica

[tiredtire]

I did the same thing. I had a '99 LT and a new KLR. I decided to sell both and buy a new GSA. So far I am really happy but with only 320 miles on the GSA I broke my collar bone so now the new bike sits in the garage while I heal.

Don't care so much about the broken bone as missing the riding. The new bike gets dusted two or three times a day. Probably the most dust free GSA in the world.

[cali_beemer]

Same here. I sold my last LT. It was my second LT and I loved my first to death but for some reason with the second one (8 years later) O just wasnt feeling the LT. I dodnt feel as comfortable pshing it the way I used to. So I sold it and I bought a used 2004 1150GS. This has been the most amount of fun I have had on a bike. I odnt miss the stereo at all because I prefer to listen to music in my helmet, so I just ordered a garmin 2730 with the xm antenna for my GS. I ordered ROX risers as well I am about to install. Now all I need is the adventure wings for the side, some ohlins shocks and I am set. The bike already came with side and top cases, a full remus exhaust, bill mayer saddle, cee baileys windscreen and a host of other upgrades.

[alvingee43]

I too sold my K2000 LT that I had for 3 years and put 44,000 miles on. I bought a used 2005 R 1200GS and just love it. It had just over 10,000 miles and in two weeks I added a thousand, much on gravel and rock roads. I about dumped it when the front wheel picked up gummy mud on a wet road. It is much easier to handle. I am headed to Alaska on it next year.

Now have to add the goodies that include a new seat and windshield, handlebar setbacks, tank bag, and a shelf for my Garmin and Sirius radio.

[Route66]

Earlier this year I sold my '00 LT and replaced it with a '01 GS. The ease of handling, better suspension (the previous owner put a set of Ohlins on it), and the great fun offroad put the fun back in riding for me. Last April I took Puget Sound's Adventure Riding Class and what I learned and relearned (haven't rode in the dirt since my teens) about riding in the soft stuff gave me the confidence to ride off road on a bike of this size. I am looking forward to participating in the NW GS Ralley courses next year. My wife has found two-up riding more confortable than on the LT with the exception that she feels more wind. I reshaped the seat foam and added a Propad polymer gel pad and can ride all day in comfort. In July I road one-up to Bear Tooth Pass and had a blast with the switch backs, then road off-road to camp at Mullan's Pass west of Helena. This bike does it all!
Terry

[iowalt]

A year ago I trade my 00 LTC for a 05 GS with Jesse bags. Added a Givi shield, GSA wind deflectors, and GS tankbag. Just as smooth and quiet as my LT was. MUCH easier to handle even with a 29" inseam and stock seat. I can actually carry more on the GS. It is an absolute hoot to ride. 100 Hp and 540lbs make for a very quick bike. Hate the servo brakes so I will trade for an 08 someday. Maybe even a GSA with low shocks.

[Ghost55]

I'm yet another one to switch. Traded my '03 LTC in this morning for an '08 GS. Handles like a toy compared to the LT. Parking lots and uneven ground are no longer feared territory.

[ronk1200lt]

I switched my 1999 LT for an 07 GSA. I find it more versatile. More comfortable and better handling. For the days that I feel the need for speed I also have a GT. I think the combination of both of these bikes covers just about any kind of riding that I ever plan to do.