Planting my buns in the new saddle I found it a comfortable perch. Designed to take not only leg length, but also leg arch into consideration, the seats are measured from across the seat ground to ground for the desired height. I rode with the stock seat set on the lower of the two height options, and at just under six-foot I certainly wouldn’t have wanted it any higher. There is a high and low seat option available if needed. This gives the GS the enviable distinction of being able to offer a range of seat heights from 810mm to 890mm.

Getting set to ride, the wide, tubular handlebars fell easily into my hands. I have fairly long arms, but it looks as if they should be easy enough to move back or forward to suit your needs.

Swinging my feet up onto the pegs, I was surprised to feel how low they are set. This makes for a really relaxed riding position and very little stress on the knees. I never got anywhere close to dragging them in the twisties and can assure you we weren’t hanging about. I would think if you get them on the floor, you will probably have your arse and elbow right there with them, so will have plenty of other things to worry about.

Responsible for the effortless power wheelies, the new 100 horsepower Boxer power plant is an absolute gem. Whether churning through deep sand at low revs, or hitting speeds in excess of 130 mph out of the highway, it just purred along.

With no distinctive surges anywhere through the range, it just keeps churning out strong, useable power until the rev limiter kicks in at 7750 rpm. Visually it is different this year, using reshaped cylinder heads that also contain larger valves. These are opened and closed in the same manner, but are now filled with sodium to allow them to run cooler. Fire is still provided by means of dual spark plugs.

Pistons are larger and lighter this year. Running in the same 101 mm bore, they now travel through a 73mm stroke. The longer rods also connect to a new crankshaft, which is lighter and stronger.

A new counterbalancing shaft is employed to damp out unwanted vibration. And I have to say that at 4000rpm in top gear, somewhere around 70mph, the GS engine is so intoxicatingly smooth it is going to make long highway journeys an absolute joy.

Continued...