AT DCT v GSA on tour

LBL

Registered user
Joined
Jul 3, 2008
Messages
1,960
Reaction score
0
Location
Middlesex, England
Hi All,

I am fortunate to own both bikes and have been over to France on them both in the last couple of weeks, i have an ongoing hip/groin problem which im still waiting a precise prognosis for so ive got both bikes for now to try and find what suits me best. basically for me i can ride for an hour then have bad pains for changing gear really hurts with pain in my hip and groin, stop and stretch for 5 mins and ok for another 45 mins. Anyway, taking that away, here is a small review of my findings.

GSA is an absolute icon, im on my 7th one and its only gripe is for me its heavy when stationary and pushing etc. mine has all the toys and a sargent seat which is very wide so makes it a stretch to the ground on a negative camber, long motorway rides and twisites its perfect.

OK the DCT, ive put a sargent on it and it was fine bumwise for a few hours at a time in the saddle, lets start with the motorway, im on my third screen, standard, a tall puig which was great height wise but skinny, the MRA touring screen is wide enough to protect my shoulders but not tall enough, the search continues and im looking at a batzen. Ive got the Kaoko cruise control, its not easy to engage and disengage but its fine once on and ok, on an old twin cam which i had, i had the £10 finger push one which i would go for but i literally have no room to fit that as the grip is so short on the AT, must be produced for a man with little girls hands :)

Once in France we hit the very small twisty roads which were damp and covered in the normal farm shite, i rode accordingly and the tyres were fine, when we got to some nice dry roads i could up the pace a bit and again tyres were fine, using the gearbox in both S2 and manual was great, only gripe was when in S2 when just cruising thru the french towns i would change up to 3rd with the paddle and after 20 yards it would drop again so a bit of extra paddle work needed, i didnt try S1 at all but maybe i should of. Size wise it was great and of course much lighter to move around, fuel wise, cruising its great but on the motorway had to fill up after 150 miles which my GSA riding mates laughed at :D

All in All im lucky i can choose, if im going for a ride about here i would jump on the AT for sure, i need to get the screen sorted if im doing proper touring, im going over to France for a night in 2 weeks so the 95 motorway miles to the tunnel will be done on the GSA :eek:

few pics ( yes the crash bars are going to be powdercoated and a black Remus ordered :D
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3056.JPG
    IMG_3056.JPG
    169.5 KB · Views: 870
  • IMG_3057.JPG
    IMG_3057.JPG
    153 KB · Views: 849
  • IMG_2391.JPG
    IMG_2391.JPG
    168.8 KB · Views: 866
  • IMG_2493.JPG
    IMG_2493.JPG
    175.9 KB · Views: 868
Sounds like you answer your own question regarding the hip/leg pain in para 2, the high, wide seat scanario on the GSA. Looks like a classic case of groin strain, could even be a touch of hip dysplasia - the Football players nightmare.

R&R & some gentle exercise is the usual treatment. Maybe learn to drop off to one side, as you would on a crosser, when coming to a halt - admittedly not always easy when carrying a pillion/luggage.
 
Sounds like you answer your own question regarding the hip/leg pain in para 2, the high, wide seat scanario on the GSA. Looks like a classic case of groin strain, could even be a touch of hip dysplasia - the Football players nightmare.

R&R & some gentle exercise is the usual treatment. Maybe learn to drop off to one side, as you would on a crosser, when coming to a halt - admittedly not always easy when carrying a pillion/luggage.

yeah ive had this issue for 18 months now and have seen numerous doctors, seeing a specialist in a few weeks, ok for small 4 or 5 day trips but for the 400+ mile days its a real pain, literally :)
 
I have the same luxury. 2017 GSA Triple Black. 2017 Africa Twin DCT.

I've done 400 miles over the past couple of days and really like the DCT. Really good bike overall.

However, going back to the GSA with all the toys on it is very nice.

Would like a fully specced GSA with DCT. Now that would be good.
 
Sorted the screen on mine in the end by making my own deflector assembly and deflector
Tried the batzen...Total wast of time all it does it let far too much wind under the screen
This is mine :thumb2
 

Attachments

  • 20170512_170241.jpg
    20170512_170241.jpg
    255.3 KB · Views: 737
  • 20170512_170347.jpg
    20170512_170347.jpg
    255.6 KB · Views: 753
Anyone tried the givi airflow screen its adjustable and a decnt price.

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk
 
Anyone tried the givi airflow screen its adjustable and a decnt price.

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk

I have its crap.... Looks shite too
Which surprised me because it's great on other bikes I have used it on
Stock screen with a deflector on is the way to go
It just works well and is very adjustable
 
just fitted the v screen medium 20058. Great looking screen and seems to be okay so far. No highway rides yet. But I am just an inch too short! Screen ridge is right in my eyeline, so does force me to sit up straighter. I guess if I put the seat in the high it'll be okay. But I do notice wind coming from below upsetting the airflow, creating noise. I can feel it coming up my helmet. oo er. So have succumbed and ordered a swegotech which looks shit in pictures but if it gets me anywhere near the givi airflow experience on a GS i'll live with it...wait and see
 
I have the Puig small sports screen with the MRA X deflector. It is a matter of fine tuning to get the best position but it works for me. I have the Givi 106 mini tank bag and I don't know if that adds to mitigating wind noise.
 
Finally got and fitted the new screen today, its from slipstream and is well made and good quality, its the same height and shape as the OE Honda touring screen but without the hole which is perfect if you have batzen screen risers.

Not been able to test yet due to surgery on my head, stitches out on Tuesday so will give it a try then.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_37rerr38 (4).jpg
    IMG_37rerr38 (4).jpg
    144 KB · Views: 462
Finally got and fitted the new screen today, its from slipstream and is well made and good quality, its the same height and shape as the OE Honda touring screen but without the hole which is perfect if you have batzen screen risers.

Not been able to test yet due to surgery on my head, stitches out on Tuesday so will give it a try then.
Batzen and national vstream size medium. No complaints quite pleased . 6'3" on a tall seat concepts rally seat
cdd18f11e6e7a6cd6c65ffe0ceff69a0.jpg


Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
 
Which bike is the best?..... 😀

Thats really a difficult question.

I'd say the BMW GSA is the overall best bike. Main reason is comfort, tank range, handling, gadgets, shaft drive (easy maintenance).

But.... the Africa Twin is a very good bike that I'd happily live with. The DCT is dreamy
 
Thats really a difficult question.

I'd say the BMW GSA is the overall best bike. Main reason is comfort, tank range, handling, gadgets, shaft drive (easy maintenance).

But.... the Africa Twin is a very good bike that I'd happily live with. The DCT is dreamy

Gotta agree, AT for daily use and little 3 day trips and the GSA for tour and comfort, now the GSA with DCT................oooh i just did a little sex wee.
 
Gotta agree, AT for daily use and little 3 day trips and the GSA for tour and comfort, now the GSA with DCT................oooh i just did a little sex wee.

We need to get a room :D

I agree totally.

BMW R1200GSA DCT

Now THAT would be a winner.
 


Back
Top Bottom