KIWI RIDER 10 2018 VOL.1 | Page 37

Sure, when the tank is full it is noticeably more top heavy, but with a 600km range it is quite unnecessary to fill it up... well, errr, ever for NZ conditions. I wouldn’ t recommend putting any more than 20 litres of fuel in for gravel riding and you will still have a roughly 350-400km range. The GS-A has a Telelever front end and Paralever rear suspension set-up that is electronically adjustable and it initially feels... ' unique '. The big difference riding with the Telelever system is that it will not let the front dive under braking, although there is slight initial movement, while bumps are still absorbed normally. This means when you pull the front brake lever, the front suspension doesn ' t compress, tighten the steering head angle and give a resulting tighter turn in. While this may seem a minor thing, for someone who has ridden bikes with telescopic forks for over 40 years, the feeling is strange... it gives the illusion of sluggish turn in and the tendency to run wide particularly on gravel – despite the very light, effortless steering feel. However, all that is required is a little adjustment time and a slightly different approach in turns. Both GS models love to lay into a turn early and will hold their line in a stable way. To alter line mid-turn I found I tended to physically steer more than usual with the bars in tighter going, actually putting a little lock on. While in fast turns they prefer to be laid over more or less to alter line; whereas with telescopic forks a light brush of the front brake will compress the forks a little, tighten the steering angle and therefore your corning line. On loose gravel, especially off camber turns the inability to compress the forks under brakes does mean you end up taking a slightly wider line. The best plan is to look for the hard pack where the grip is, or any sort of a berm that is safe to lay it in to, to aid turning... but really that is the same game plan for any bike. Once you learn how the GS works best, it can be pushed quite hard and even with road tyres in the gravel, this big girl can be made to hustle confidently.

KIWI RIDER 37