09 ADV NOT AS SMOOTH AS A GS?

dogman

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Has anybody else been able to make a ride comparison between a new 08 model GS1200 and a new 09GSA? I am sure my GS (which was new as well), was much smoother overall, quieter engine, less vibey through the bars and had a lot slicker lower gear changes when going down the box (particularly 3 to 2). I will mention this on it's first service of course, but I am expecting the stock answer of 'they all do that sir'! It aint a particularly nice ride when manouvering slow around town I have to say. I am hoping it will smooth out after a few miles.
The bike is great in all other respects.:(
 
Smoother?

The GS probably is smoother as it is slightly lower horsepower and 11:1 compression ratio (for my 2007) - GSA is 12:1
My R1200RT is 110hp and 12:1 (2005) and covered 30,000 miles but the GS is smoother at only 10,000 miles.
 
I think the 09 engines seem to take a little longer to break in ,mine was smoother after the first service but a bit niosier than the 06 version,give it time:thumb2
 
robbo1200adv said:
I think the 09 engines seem to take a little longer to break in ,mine was smoother after the first service but a bit niosier than the 06 version,give it time:thumb2
Click to expand...

I think the 09 engine is made in China ;-)
 
09gsa

I to bought an 09 gsa after 4 previous gss, but made the big mistake of not getting a road test,i just listened to all the blurb.smoother no, nicer gearbox no,quicker poss, its poss the roughest gsa i have owned it has been in a few times but they cant fault it. I am thinking of trading it in for a tiger/ktm but the only thing thats holding me back is resale value of tiger/ktm.Before anyone says it needs more miles it has 3,500 on and has had the cat removed to try and improve it,after 15 years of bmws i think i will be leaving.
 
Smoothness

A new bike is like a new pair of shoes; It will feel smoother as you add mileage. It is easy to forget what the bike you replaced was like a few years ago.
 
Smooth Running GSA

I've got an 08 GSA that I thought should be running smoother. At the 10000Km service I changed over to Silkolene Oil - Man, it's a different bike!

The two recommended are;

V-TWIN 10W/40 ENGINE OIL
Semi-synthetic high performance, 4-stroke engine oil, with MC-Syn Technology, for all Metric V-Twins. Provides protection under even the severest of operating conditions. Promotes a high level of engine cleanliness. Keeps critical engine components operating at maximum efficiency (company blurb)

V-TWIN 20W-50 ENGINE OIL
Mineral oil based 4-stroke engine oil for all Metric V-Twins. Provides protection over a wide range of operating conditions. Promotes a high level of engine cleanliness. Keeps critical engine components operating at maximum efficiency. (company blurb)

I use the 20W-50 and am completely sold, runs and changes much smoother.
 
Getting off the subject?

a new 08 model GS1200 and a new 09GSA were the bikes considered. Now if we go off into discussing different oils we may as well include summer and winter riding, tyre pessures, weight of rider, state of roads etc; Sory, does that sound offensive, It is not meant to be. But if we are making a comparison let it be 'like with like'
 
...and on reflection, how many of us are rich enough to hve made the comparison?
 
I've gone from my 06 GSA to an ex-demo 09 GSA with 1300 miles on it and over the last 10 days I've done about 500 miles.

Firstly I notice a massive difference over my 3 yo 25k miles bike in the tautness of everything from the suspension and steering to the buttons on the bars but now I'm used to that I can say that the 09 bike is miles better.

Specifically:
Engine
It has more power and torque all over compared to my fully tweaked 06 engine and although it is still at least 10k miles from being fully run in I can feel more to come, not least from the BOS exhaust PC and K&N filter.

ESA
Great but with limitations. Switching from comfort to sport on twisty back roads give a far better, tauter ride with less float over bumps and much less dive into corners. Normal is a decent half measure but is neither one nor the other. Comfort is great round town for potholes but is a touch twitchier over changes in surface quality.

ASC
So far it has cut in a few times but only when deliberately provoked. Over stanks and white lines I can get the back to spin up momentarily before the ASC cuts in but on the test ride it 'coughed' a few times in the dry on dusty roundabouts as if to say "Saved you, sir". In 'S' mode I would think it would be best not to relay on it - a good thing IMO.

ABS
Not my favourite thing, however it is totally unobtrusive. I did a test on damp roads to see what it felt like and my eyes were touching the visor as the ABS cut in. Well pleased.

I thought my 06 GSA was the best bike I've owned but so far the 09 is the same but just better/newer all round.

Seriously chuffed.
 
I've has one 1200GS and three 1200GSAs.

Latest is the '08 (same as the '09) and is by far the best and smoothest both in the engine and gearbox departments.

Valve clearance adjustment is critical on all models. My '06 GSA was horrible until serviced in Germany (6000 miles) where the clearance was adjusted - different bike after that.

Have you checked this?
 
Ummm, I thought 08 and 09 bikes didn't differ technically :nenau
Big differences should be expected between 04-07 bikes and from 08 onwards ...
 
GSband said:
Ummm, I thought 08 and 09 bikes didn't differ technically :nenau
Big differences should be expected between 04-07 bikes and from 08 onwards ...
Click to expand...

That is what the man said ...."Latest is the '08 (same as the '09)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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