1200GS v 1200GSA

[Rob J]

I curently have a 2007 GSA (37k miles) and was thinking about trading it in for a newer GS.

I have seen a 2009 Special edition GS at a BMW dealership which looks rather nice (aside from the price tag which is circa £10500) but the bike comes with full luggage, ESA, AL brakes and very low mileage.

I really do love my GSA but am curious to know what the primary differences are between the standard GS and a GSA.

The size of my GSA is not a problem, I am 6ft 2" and a strapping lad so have never been phased by the bikes physical presence.

Couple of questions that really interest me are:

1. Other than the tank size are there any other dimensional differences between the two bike?

2. Would the 2009 GS have the slightly pokier engine?

Answers to these questions, and any other useful info would be much appreciated.

Ta muchly

Rob

 

[WindyChuffer]

Why change from a GSA to a GS?

GS will feel quicker than a GSA as its lighter.

Look on the bmw motorrad sales website and you'll find all the tech specs you'll need to compare a GS to GSA.

Go for a test ride and decide for yourself if the engine on the newer bike is any pokier. I don't think theres much difference if any from memory. However the later bikes came with DOHC that adds a bit more performance. I've had '04 GS, '06 GSA, '09 GSA and now an '11 GSA. Sure the '11 GSA is bit pokier but so what? Remember, its a GS - if you want performance get a different bike !

 

[Gossy]

Why change from a GSA to a GS?

GS will feel quicker than a GSA as its lighter.

Look on the bmw motorrad sales website and you'll find all the tech specs you'll need to compare a GS to GSA.

Go for a test ride and decide for yourself if the engine on the newer bike is any pokier. I don't think theres much difference if any from memory. However the later bikes came with DOHC that adds a bit more performance. I've had '04 GS, '06 GSA, '09 GSA and now an '11 GSA. Sure the '11 GSA is bit pokier but so what? Remember, its a GS - if you want performance get a different bike !

As above but also........... Ive just changed from an 09 GS to a 11 GSA in the last month, only differences I've found are pretty obvious:

More weighty - but I put in more fuel.
Quieter - now got a bigger & for me a more effective screen

My 09 GS did not have the DOHC, the GSA does, so a bit quicker and throatier sound.

I had a test ride & decided the GSA was more of what I wanted, you need to ride the 09 GS to see if you feel your getting more or less!

The loan/600 mile service bike was an 11 GS and it just felt way different - I'm now more than happy.

 

[Rob J]

Why change from a GSA to a GS?

if you want performance get a different bike !

I've previously owned high performance bikes and much prefer my current GSA.

I am not interested reverting back to the bad old days it's just that the general feeling is that the DOHC GS's are an improvement on the earlier machines.

I can feel a test ride coming on!

 

[Schtum]

I've previously owned high performance bikes and much prefer my current GSA.

I am not interested reverting back to the bad old days it's just that the general feeling is that the DOHC GS's are an improvement on the earlier machines.

I can feel a test ride coming on!

A 2009 bike won't have the DOHC engine. However, '08 and '09 bikes are more powerful than the earilier ones. Seat of the pants tells me that my current '09 GS with just a Remus can is as quick as my '04 and '07 bikes were when fitted with a full system.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

I went from a 58 GSA to a 59 GS SE and liked it ,The SE has the adventure seat so feels much the same height ,it feels a lot smaller ,but has less protection ,more wind blast. I chopped it for a 30Yr anniversary GSA and love that even more!!

 

[Hexme]

Why change from a GSA to a GS?

GS will feel quicker than a GSA as its lighter.

Look on the bmw motorrad sales website and you'll find all the tech specs you'll need to compare a GS to GSA.

Go for a test ride and decide for yourself if the engine on the newer bike is any pokier. I don't think theres much difference if any from memory. However the later bikes came with DOHC that adds a bit more performance. Sure the '11 GSA is bit pokier but so what? Remember, its a GS - if you want performance get a different bike !

+1

 

[Jonnirocket]

go for the triple black gs only 400 more and BMW are offering 800 pounds worth of accessories good deal great bike

 

[snerkler]

IMO the differences are:-
GS more agile but front can be a bit flighty thus the GSA feels more planted.
GSA better weather protection
GSA more comfort
GS may feel SLIGHTLY quicker due to less weight, but let's be honest we're not talking performance bikes anyway
New DOHC engine is smoother, sound better, and pulls better
GSA has bigger and better presence
GSA looks better

 

[Schtum]

GSA looks better

Rubbish - it's an overblown barge for RTW wannabe poseurs......

 

[snerkler]

Rubbish - it's an overblown barge for RTW wannabe poseurs......

I did say it was my opinion

Anyway, I thiknk it looks like a big Tonka toy, not a barge, and we all know Tonka toys are cool

The one thing that's always put my off the GS is looking at it directly from the front you can see the cylinder heads sticking out beyond the fairing/tank, ie they're wider than the rest of the bike. I like how on the GSA the fairing/tank and crash bars 'hide' the cylinder heads. This is all just personal preference of course

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Its always personal taste but plus one on the GSA looking better. I hate the alloy tank panels on the GS and if I had to have a GS it would be the older ones with the black tank panels.
Any way for the facts. GSA has better weather and wind protection than the GS. Longer range, most will say you cant ride the bike that far anyway so why bother. This is true but when you get your self into remote areas where fuel stations are few and far between its worth its weight in gold. Its taller and slightly more comfortable and a bit more off road orientated if that's your thing.
All that said and done if you don't go out in bad weather, don't go to remote areas or do long distances, never go off road and don't mind or like the looks then the GS will do you just fine.

 

[Stretchamus]

Rubbish - it's an overblown barge for RTW wannabe poseurs......

+1

 

[snerkler]

Longer range, most will say you cant ride the bike that far anyway so why bother. This is true but when you get your self into remote areas where fuel stations are few and far between its worth its weight in gold. .

I prefer the longer range as it means less trips to the petrol station on a week to week basis

 

[Hexme]

Range was a very important thing for me personally, I've owned 1 GS and 2 GSA's all fantastic in every way imo.

 

[casperfelix]

IMO the differences are:-
GS more agile but front can be a bit flighty thus the GSA feels more planted.
GSA better weather protection
GSA more comfort
GS may feel SLIGHTLY quicker due to less weight, but let's be honest we're not talking performance bikes anyway
New DOHC engine is smoother, sound better, and pulls better
GSA has bigger and better presence
GSA looks better

Spot on ...........................

 

[Rob J]

Thank you all for your comments.

I guess after all said and done it's a personal preference thing. will see what it will cost me to change and decide if it is genuinely worth changing.

 

[sven]

It comes down to three things:

1) Fuel tank - the GSA has a much better range, which means filling up once a day on tour rather than twice

2) Screen - the GSA has a better screen as standard, but a GS with a £130 Givi Airflow screen is better still

3) Suspension - the GS suspension is shorter travel, firmer and better damped (I'm comparing ESA bikes here), so has a lower centre of gravity and much better handling IMHO. Coming from sportsbikes and sports tourers, I much prefer the GS.

The ideal GS for me would be an ESA-equipped DOHC GS with a GSA tank and a Givi screen and road tyres

 

[Stretchamus]

It comes down to three things:

1) Fuel tank - the GSA has a much better range, which means filling up once a day on tour rather than twice

2) Screen - the GSA has a better screen as standard, but a GS with a £130 Givi Airflow screen is better still

3) Suspension - the GS suspension is shorter travel, firmer and better damped (I'm comparing ESA bikes here), so has a lower centre of gravity and much better handling IMHO. Coming from sportsbikes and sports tourers, I much prefer the GS.

The ideal GS for me would be an ESA-equipped DOHC GS with a GSA tank and a Givi screen and road tyres

What sven says

 

[Rasher]

Coming from sportsbikes and sports tourers, I much prefer the GS.

The ideal GS for me would be an ESA-equipped DOHC GS with a GSA tank and a Givi screen and road tyres

Not quite, ditch the ESA and fit some quality suspension (Wilburs / Ohlins) I would choose high quality suspension that you adjust manually over low quality suspension that adjusts via a button every time.

Never ridden a GSA as I could tell by looking at it that after riding sportsbikes for 25 years I was not gonna want a 250kg behemouth with a CofG around shoulder height on daddy long legs style suspension wallowing around underneath me even if the tank of petrol it came with would last me a lifetime.