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Two weeks ago I purchased my first GW, a 1985 LTD. I returned to riding in 2008 when I got a Suzuki Burgman 650 and earlier this year purchased a Burgman 400. I've done some pretty long trips on these Maxi Scooters such as Big Bend National Park and Colorado from Texas. This summer we trailered the Burgman 400 out to Colorado and a later trip to San Diego and Sedona. Debbie says she's very uncomfortable riding on the scooter and is all stoved up after doing some day rides. So, I figured a GW is probably the ultimate of comfort for a passenger and bought my first GW.
My first experience with the bike was very intimidating as I couldn't flat foot the bike at stops because of the after market Corbin seat. Later I learned that I was riding the GW like a scooter and trying to flat foot with both feet when I should be covering the rear brake and leaning the bike over onto the left leg. When I did that the bike was easy to flat foot on one foot. The weight of the bike compared to the 400 pounds of my scooter was at first a little daunting. I realized that this is the biggest bike I've ever ridden and it was just a matter of getting into the saddle and learning how to ride this larger machine. The bike felt marvelous in the twisties and open road but stop and go traffic in town was a bit challenging. After about a week of riding it and burning up a few tanks of gas I'm feeling much more comfortable riding in town, even in the Christmas traffic.
I purchased the 85 LTD off Craigs List in Lake Jackson, Tx and drove down a few weeks ago and trailered it back to East Texas. I had seen another GW previously in my search to purchase one and it was in very poor condition. Seems like when I'd interview folks on the phone about their bikes condition that everyone bragged about how their bike was in excellent condition until I started asking more questions and discovered they really had some issues that concerned me. My seller said that the bike had no scratches and was in top condition only to find a torn seat and a few anomalies that I decided I could live with. The bike's all original, paint is in decent shape (pin striping not so good). Seems like lots of folks selling their GW's said their bikes were sitting in their garage for many years as they stopped riding their bikes and decided to sell. so this bike, despite the fact that it's fuel injected is still a little rough at idle. I've run a few cans of Sea Foam through the gas which has helped allot and I'll do the fuel filter next. Everything else on the bike works such as cruise contriol, on board air suspension and trip computer. Bike's never been dropped and looks good for a 1985. I'm probably going to replace the timing belt next year, get new tires even though there's lot's of tread (tires 6 years old) and may change out the exhaust to stainless steel. I'm presently getting 38+ mpg.
Compared to the scooter I love the grunt of the 1200 engine compared to my single cylinder 400cc scooter. I've had the bike up to 100 and it was straight and smooth and easily cruised at 85 mph. I've got a trip planned to Portland, Oregon and Vancouver next year and might trailer the GW out to the NW. Debbie says at this stage that she doesn't want to tour all the way to the NW on the bike as she's a bit of a fair weather camper as she may not do well with riding in rain and cold.
As soon as I figure out how to post a pic I will.
Dan Bowman
My first experience with the bike was very intimidating as I couldn't flat foot the bike at stops because of the after market Corbin seat. Later I learned that I was riding the GW like a scooter and trying to flat foot with both feet when I should be covering the rear brake and leaning the bike over onto the left leg. When I did that the bike was easy to flat foot on one foot. The weight of the bike compared to the 400 pounds of my scooter was at first a little daunting. I realized that this is the biggest bike I've ever ridden and it was just a matter of getting into the saddle and learning how to ride this larger machine. The bike felt marvelous in the twisties and open road but stop and go traffic in town was a bit challenging. After about a week of riding it and burning up a few tanks of gas I'm feeling much more comfortable riding in town, even in the Christmas traffic.
I purchased the 85 LTD off Craigs List in Lake Jackson, Tx and drove down a few weeks ago and trailered it back to East Texas. I had seen another GW previously in my search to purchase one and it was in very poor condition. Seems like when I'd interview folks on the phone about their bikes condition that everyone bragged about how their bike was in excellent condition until I started asking more questions and discovered they really had some issues that concerned me. My seller said that the bike had no scratches and was in top condition only to find a torn seat and a few anomalies that I decided I could live with. The bike's all original, paint is in decent shape (pin striping not so good). Seems like lots of folks selling their GW's said their bikes were sitting in their garage for many years as they stopped riding their bikes and decided to sell. so this bike, despite the fact that it's fuel injected is still a little rough at idle. I've run a few cans of Sea Foam through the gas which has helped allot and I'll do the fuel filter next. Everything else on the bike works such as cruise contriol, on board air suspension and trip computer. Bike's never been dropped and looks good for a 1985. I'm probably going to replace the timing belt next year, get new tires even though there's lot's of tread (tires 6 years old) and may change out the exhaust to stainless steel. I'm presently getting 38+ mpg.
Compared to the scooter I love the grunt of the 1200 engine compared to my single cylinder 400cc scooter. I've had the bike up to 100 and it was straight and smooth and easily cruised at 85 mph. I've got a trip planned to Portland, Oregon and Vancouver next year and might trailer the GW out to the NW. Debbie says at this stage that she doesn't want to tour all the way to the NW on the bike as she's a bit of a fair weather camper as she may not do well with riding in rain and cold.
As soon as I figure out how to post a pic I will.
Dan Bowman
