I had them both out again last week,albeit in dohc form after debateing as whether to get another GS or Stelvio,but that's another story.
In my opinion, and I stress my opinion,there both great and very similar bikes but feel very different.
I got to say that the front end on the GSA does not feel more "planted" to me it just feels heavier,especially when the road narrows and tightens I find I need to wrestle with the bike.
Tank range on the GSA is great,but for me not an absolute must.
Now on a motorway at 90mph in a strong crosswind the GSA does feel "planted" and relaxed.
As for looks I really dislike all that scaffolding up the side of the tank
Both feel much quicker with the dohc engine.
ESA 11 feels much better on both bikes.
Standard GS handles much much better and feels slightly sportier,but this leads to more spirited riding which means you have to stop to refill even earlier.
Standard GS is well over 1k less expensive than GSA.
Seat much better on the GSA than the standard GS.
So I will do what I did last time,I will go for the standard GS,and I will swap the bit's from my current bike onto the new one which make it the almost perfect bike for me.
Those bits being,
Adventure screen and winglets.
Sargent seats.
Adventure spotlamps from a previous 1150gsa.
Adventure luggage (I leave the top box on all the time but only put the pannier frames and boxes on when needed,only takes about 15mins)
Plus various other bits and bobs.
Some may say that I;ve tried to "adventurise" a standard gs,and to some extent I suppose I have but feel it gives me the best of both worlds,and suits my needs,if I could get 5 more litres in the tank I think it would be near perfect.
The big dilemma now is from whom do I purchase,two dealers have given me almost identical quotes,one is 24mls away and let me down badly around 12yrs ago,but do seem to be trying hard.Do I give them another chance?
The other is 64 mls away and have always given me good service but do seem a little aloof.
Which ever i'll be ordering my new bike next week,just a pity all the2011 colours are very average.
Steve
Get a 2012 model lupin blue much nicer, just ordered mine.
GS of course!
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