coming back to a Glee??

[cearnshaw]

I have has a Versys thousand for 2 yrs now and whilst it is fast and fun there are a couple of issues for me. It is thirsty, 40mpg for my commute but on a run will do 50. Trouble is I spend more time commuting than anything else. The finish is   . I have virtually no paint on the front of the engine, the pipes are as rusty as fec, various brackets are rusting and one of the engine casings is beginning to go. Now I've never been the best at cleaning but my Wee was equally negelected and had none of this at 3yrs old, not even the dreaded water pump. So I'm looking to cut my losses whilst I can still get 5K part-ex for it (before any more paint comes off it). I've looked at the s10 (lovely but probably overkill) , Tiger 800 (local dealer takes the    on part-exes) and also have read lists and lists of reliability issues as well as ££££ service costs,  and I keep coming back to the Glee. I enjoyed my Wee, never had any major issues with it  and it was ideal for the commute and runs by myself. I do remember it was a struggle when out with mates sometimes as they all have litre/1200s but I'd say my default/happier pace is probably on the slower side anyway. That said I'm also running an old W650 and last yr I took it to a club meet with mates and rode in a group with a Street Triple, CBR600, VTR1000, Honda 400, V-strom 1000 and Guzzi California and kept up fine
Local dealer has an unregistered 2013 Adventure model for £6100 and I'm being tempted as eveything else on the list is £8.5-10.5K. I guess I need to take one out for a spin again . Has anyone come down in power to a Glee and been disappointed ?

[Oop North John]

Extra power / torque is useful if you want to have a lazy ride. I've had a variety of GS's including a 1100 at the end and while the extra oomph was useful when two up / when I wanted to be stupid, there's only been a couple of times when two up on my Glee that having extra power would have been useful. But not having to spend so much on fuel is nice.

That said I'm wondering if the new litre bike would be better two up touring option, especially with the twice the distance service intervals, and some extra power when two up.

[Jacko]

John, yes, yes it would.

My Glee is the lowest powered bike I've had for years, and I love it.

[mr_diver]

welcome back

[MartinW]

Not many people stay away as long as you have Chris, but welcome back.

[cearnshaw]

I've not bought one yet! The Kwak has been fun though but I need to either ditch it now or keep it forever. Another winter and it'll be worth nowt

[skinny5216]

The Glee is cheap as chips and easy to service. I traded in a 1200cc sports tourer for the Glee. Do I miss the power "hell yes". However I needed something lighter, I have changed my riding style to suit and it will do what I want it to do and with the added bonus of approximately an extra 25 MPG  

[Arto]

I've downsized from the Vee to the Glee, I don't regret the decision at all and look forward to every ride. Previous comments made by Blackops on here pretty well sums up my opinion as well viewtopic.php?f=58&t=14383.

Fully laden two up is the only time I miss the grunt of the Vee, but this is only a few days each year. For me solo I'm quicker over any road with the new Wee, due to it being so much more rideable thanks to the better suspension/ handling and lighter weight.

Fuel economy is sooo much better than the Vee, in as much as I now get at least 15 - 20 more mpg!

Take a test ride and find out.

[Retraite]

I downsized from an 1150GS to a Glee and have no regrets whatsoever.

I loved my GS and did thousands of miles on it but I knew that with getting older I simply don't have the strength required to safely push it around at home.

The Glee is 77lbs lighter feels even less. It has enough power for 'real-day' riding and is very comfortable (so far). We have a trip to Spain planned shortly which will be the first real test.  )

White is best.  

[driftershooter]

I find the glee quite powerful with the gladius engine, the best thing is the 70 mpg on fast a road rides  

[2112]

I've gone from a Guzzi Stelvio to a glee, no regrets ! Yes, you have to work the engine a bit harder but it's actually more fun than just rolling the throttle on in top gear and going.

[Jacko]

Use all of the engine you paid for, not 30% of it.

[jabmotorsport]

+1 Glee is a fantastic bike .. had mine 2 years and did nearly 17000 miles .. fantastic bike!!!!!

[Juvecu]

Always good to see someone returning to a Wee (or Glee), always makes me think that I bought the right bike and that I'm still happy with it

[AlexR]

I spent 2006-2013 on CBF1000s, which I absolutely loved - great to ride, with bags of torque. It was heavy though, so last year I decided I wanted to downsize, and also try a v twin, which I'd never ridden before. Part ex'd my Honda for a glee last Sept. Regretted it at first. V twin took some getting used to, but mainly it was too tall. Having got it lowered, I'm now really enjoying it. I thought the lower power would be an issue, but it's not. Just needed to get out of the lazy habits I got into with the CBF1000. Great tank range was an unexpected bonus. Go for it!

[Jacksnipe]

Having got both a Glee and a 1000 Versys as well, which I rate both highly, of course there are more guts in the bigger bike but I still enjoy riding the Glee, even two up it is still a quick bike and the handling is superb. If economy is a key element then the Glee wins hands down. Why not try the Glee bigger brother if you can stretch to it, it has good grunt I believe and will be quite frugal.

WM