1200GS to 1200GS

[Davel]

Looked at the new 1200GSA at the Bike Show.

For someone who hardly ever goes off road (yet anyway) would there be any advantage in buying a GSA next year or should I keep my GS which has only done 8,500 miles so far?

Like the look of the new 1200RT too, which I suppose will be great for winter riding but bloody hot in the summer months.

Just pondering and would appreciate some thoughts from you guys..

 

[nadeem]

even if you do decide to start off-roading, there will be no advantage to a GSA over your current bike...and the GS is a capable bike all year round so nothing to be gained by changing to an RT...

 

[Tricky]

It's easy...keep the 12 Davel

I'm sure someone will be along shortly advising you to get rid and buy a 1100/1150

 

[Wraithwrider]

Just an observation but recently when riding on very twisty and muddy Derbyshire roads an 1150 GSA diverted his route because he had a full tank of fuel and wasn't confident with the conditions.

If you fit a GS with the right tyres I suspect it'll do everything the GSA will do except travel as far.

Others may disagree.

Peter

 

[Steve]

If you fit a GS with the right tyres I suspect it'll do everything the GSA will do except travel as far.

Quite. And it's the same with the 1150GS/GSA - the GSA wasn't designed to be an off-road version of the GS - it was designed as a long-distance, round-the-world-type version of the GS.

In fact, the lardy GSA's are probably less off-road-capable than the standard GS with TKCs (if you went for the low first-gear option on the standard GS).

Same probably applies to the 1200.

 

[Colm Cummins]

Just an observation but recently when riding on very twisty and muddy Derbyshire roads an 1150 GSA diverted his route because he had a full tank of fuel and wasn't confident with the conditions.

If you fit a GS with the right tyres I suspect it'll do everything the GSA will do except travel as far.



Peter

I agree

 

[longdog]

Looked at the new 1200GSA at the Bike Show.

For someone who hardly ever goes off road (yet anyway) would there be any advantage in buying a GSA next year or should I keep my GS which has only done 8,500 miles so far?

Like the look of the new 1200RT too, which I suppose will be great for winter riding but bloody hot in the summer months.

Just pondering and would appreciate some thoughts from you guys..

No offence intended, but the words 'Fashion' and 'Victims' come to mind

 

[Davel]

None taken as there probably is an element of truth in there.

It's a company bike and I can change it in 2006 if I wish. I just don't know if I want to or if it's wise to do so....

 

[Pathologic]

Green-eyed Monster

None taken as there probably is an element of truth in there.

It's a company bike and I can change it in 2006 if I wish. I just don't know if I want to or if it's wise to do so....

Company bike!!! Why is there no smilie for green with envy . Just wish I worked for your company

 

[longdog]

None taken as there probably is an element of truth in there.

It's a company bike and I can change it in 2006 if I wish. I just don't know if I want to or if it's wise to do so....

In that case, "you lucky, lucky bastard!" Go for it!

 

[Paul Wakefield]

If you're going to change and don't (deliberately) go off road, give the RT consideration. Its a fine bike and, with the screen down, there is plenty of air flow though it is more protected than the GS.

Paul

 

[Crazy Horse]

It's easy...keep the 12 Davel

I'm sure someone will be along shortly advising you to get rid and buy a 1100/1150

I advise you to get rid of it and buy an 1100/1150

 

[Dabba]

new GSA

I've just seen the new GSA too and it looks great.
I went for the vanilla version of the 1150 before because I was mildly embarassed at the prospect of using an adventure for the road and thought that owning one was like having a 4x4 in the city (and I HATE that) also until I did Pavey's off-road course I thought the idea of taking one off-road was laughable and the seat height terrified me.
These days I like a taller seat (even though I'm not) and I find myself admiring the adventure again - it just looks so much cooler, old and new alike, plus the new one is more powerful, lighter etc.

I don't think I've ever changed a bike because I needed too (apart from an old kick-start XT500 - which I don't want to remember) and the nearest thing to a sensible choice has been the GS.

If I get an GSA will you all laugh at me? (could always spray it with mud).

 

[Vampire]

Much cheaper option - keep your GS and buy a spare set of wheels to fit off road tyres. That way you will have the best of both worlds.
The only other real consideration is whether you need a 33L litre tank versus the 21L. If you are not crossing deserts, you need not worry.
I don't know about other GS riders, but my bum wouldn't last the time it takes to consume 33L !!!!

 

[allan]

bikes are not practical so any sensible arguments go out the window. if you have the cash and the desire to get a new bike go for it. If I had the money the new GSA would be top of my list.

allan

 

[Davel]

Bikes can be very practical for work especially if you hit lots of traffic during your trips and have a place to change at each end.

I always use the bike unless I need to be smartly dressed for any important meetings.

I think I should have headed the thread GSA or RT on reflection.

Going down to the NEC and back in heavy gusts and rain, I think the RT would have been more suitable but for normal everyday stuff, I'm really not so sure.

For longer fast road travel, guess the RT would win again but love the riding position of the GS.

Oh dear, I really cannot decide.

 

[allan]

Davel you answered your own question there, for long distance stuff the RT would win hands down but for every day use and general mucking around fun you can't beat big trail bikes of any kind. so the question is do you want a bike for everyday fun or do you want a long distance tourer.


Allan

 

[Davel]

Ta!