1200GSA from 1200GS

[Shep]

Hi all

Just recently, I changed from a GS to a GSA and I thought I'd put my views down if anybodys interested

My bikes are used daily as my only transport, milage ITRO 20-25,000 miles PA

I really liked the R1200GS's I've had, although I've had problems, they've never let me down, so when BMW made me an offer to change, it was not a straight forward decision to go to the GSA and in the end It was more of a case of riding something different whilst still sticking to a GS, although I do think the GSA looks a bit more workmanlike, which helps in a purchase of the heart

I really believed the GSA was going to feel like a tall GS with no other real benefits apart from tank range, the GS, i feel, is a 5 star bike being one of the best allrounders ever made, while the GSA appeared less accessable (taller & heavier)

So here goes:-

The bike is tall not real dirtbike tall, but tall all the same, I'm 5' 10" and a bit short for my weight on a flat level road i can just get my toes down on either side, so generally when i stop i slide off the right side a bit to just get a foot flat down

Benefits of the taller bike, are greater ground clearance, the suspension can be left softer, more forgiving. Then when two up with gear, can be wound up a bit, to keep things a bit more normal like

The standard gs (i found) needs the rear shock wound right up to achive full handling potential (leaving nowhere to go if you go 2 up or camping)

Ride quality on the GSA feels good, not as sporty as the GS, but more plush and now I've had a fiddle with the rear damping (it came set way too soft) it rides really nicely, the standard GS when set up handles very well, the GSA is not in that league IMO but feels more unstoppable, I find myself riding slower on the GSA, just bimbling along IYKWIM but she is still able to get a "wriggle on" if required

Brakes are very similar to the more modern (06) GS's, with the more rapid ABS pulse, rear brake pedal is much easier to locate than I found on the GS.

Rear brake is more powerful on the GSA.

Start up check is quicker on the GSA.

Engine/management feels very different to the earlier GS''s which had a definate step in the power at around 4500 - 5000 RPM, the later GS's (late 05- and all 55 reg) had this step reduced significantly. Now on the GSA the power is very linear indeed, now i'm not sure if this is due to the standard exhaust on the GSA, (my gs's had a Remus Can fitted) it is possible

Engine has not used any oil as yet (2700mls)

New computer thingy is great to fiddle with, on the trip to Achill I averaged 48.7mph, and 49mpg No long motorway miles just A roads in the UK and a bit of the M? west of Dublin. I can't seen to average 50mpg at 50mph though on my commute, I'm still trying though

Best tank range so far was 345mls and I filled up with 32.5 ltrs It may have been better than that at the weekend but i forgot to check

Screen works great for me, a bit too good in the really hot weather but a very wet trip at the weekend proved its worth keeping me dry. And my helmet demisted/ventilated OK.

Footrests are a great improvement as well, if I knew what I new now and still had the standard pegs on my GS's i would change them straight away

The side and centre stands are an improvement over the GS's i've had but I think the later 06 model GS's also had improvments in this area.

The seat seems fine, about 200mls before I start fidgeting. I'm not too fussy about the pain, I just get on with it, I don't think I've ever had a really comfy seat on a bike (maybe a Guzzi California i had 20 years back that was a nice seat)

I had posted that the bars seemed wider on the GSA (1/2") but when I went to fit the Wunderlich throttle lock I pinched of the GS it did'nt fit at all, it appears BMW have fitted a larger bar end weight on the RH side, poss to reduce rider fatigue

As general overview I would say the GS is a 5 star bke and the GSA 4 star (only loosing out by weight and height so being less accessable for alot of riders)

Would I buy another


Sorry its been a bit long winded, and I'm sure there are bits I've missed, I'll add more if I come across anything

Shep

 

[Thunder]

Gret feedback Shep, not long winded at all and I'm sure the sort of information many owners considering making the change will be glad to have.

 

[Fitzy]

Thanks for a really clear, honest and unbiased appraisal. I'm not so sad about cancelling my GSA order now.

 

[Shep]

Just an update to an old thread

6500mls on the GSA now, and its really grown on me, the handling has taken a bit of getting used to, but further fiddling with the damper settings have helped further ,

The interesting thing is the bike came fitted with Anakees as standard, and whilst grippy in the dry or wet had a habit of "whitelining" and being sensitive to road surface changes, i'd sort of got used to the twitchy ride and was putting alot of it down to the GSA being heavier not handling as well as the Basic GS, however yesterday I swopped tyres for the new Bridgestone Battleaxes, now I know its early days yet (130mls) but the whitelining has stopped, and the handling, it seems, is getting very close to the quality of the standard GS's i've had in the past i was seriously thinking about fitting Ohlins or similar but now the new tyre's are fitted all seems well

Best average tank range so far 59.7mpg on the BC But that was really trying hard not to accelerate hard, the norm would be about 48.7mpg per tank.

The seat is breaking in nicely now and i've stopped thinking about in anymore so it can't be that bad

Overall I like the bike more now than when I first got it, so instead of 4* its now probably 4 7/8* (nearly 5*)

Next bit of kit to fit will be remus headers with the Akro/BMW can for a little bit more go

Shep

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Really interesting reading - please keep us updated

Andres

 

[Thunder]

Next bit of kit to fit will be remus headers with the Akro/BMW can for a little bit more go

Shep

Fantastic combination on the bike Shep, been playing with it on mine for the last couple of weeks.

 

[John Armstrong]

IIRC some time ago I mentioned how surprised I was that the Anakees made by a French tyre manufacturer were so susceptible to on white lines being that the French seem to cover their roads in the stuff. That was on an ordinary 1150 GS BTW.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Whitelining etc

It is a bit difficult to make comparisons because you are inevitably comparing your old worn tyre with a new one. I wonder if you had replaced them with the same make, you may well have noticed the same improvement?
However, apart from that I do think that the Adventure is a most impressive bike to behold and if I was a few years younger (well, quite a few!) I would chop in my 1200GS now and be off across the desert or somewhere similar - it really invites that sort of attitude. Plenty of good roads around here however and I must not feel too deprived!

 

[Shep]

It is a bit difficult to make comparisons because you are inevitably comparing your old worn tyre with a new one. I wonder if you had replaced them with the same make, you may well have noticed the same improvement?
However, apart from that I do think that the Adventure is a most impressive bike to behold and if I was a few years younger (well, quite a few!) I would chop in my 1200GS now and be off across the desert or somewhere similar - it really invites that sort of attitude. Plenty of good roads around here however and I must not feel too deprived!

That was the first thing I thought about and so will reserve final judgement until the Bridgestones are part worn.

The Anakees though, to be fair, moved about a bit from new, and I had assumed that jumping off an 020 shod GS (a brilliant combination IMO) onto the GSA with its extra weight and longer suspension was enough to explain the difference.
But the change to the Bridgstones has opened my eyes a bit more


Now, I know the Battleaxe is built on the same carcase as the 020 but designed with an on/off road tread pattern, seems a great combination, almost all dual purpose tyres are crap for mud, and almost any road tyre will bimble down gentle
green lanes anyway

Shep