1200GSA - Test-ride

[IanC]

Had a test on the new GSA yesterday (I currently have a 1200 GS, vanilla flavoured).

A couple of things really surprised me, apart from it's very handsome looks:

1. Turning - it turned totally different (quicker?) to my GS, both at high and low speeds - felt like a totally different bike! I note now that the rake and castor figures are different.

2. Power felt totally different, in being more smooth and torquey, but less top end. BMW do quote 98PS vs. 100PS on their website. Not sure if the bike's engine really is differently tuned (mechanically or via. software), or whether the new GS is the same, and mine's an old model (May '04). The new one may have felt slower top-end as the demo only had 140 miles on it. Weight may also have been a factor.

3. Do we know where the additional 23kg dry weight comes from? It certainly did feel heavier, but I'm not sure how much fuel it had in. 23kg is nearly a bag of cement! I can't see where this comes from.

All in all, the whole feel was very much as I remember when I once road an 1150 GSA - smooth, less top-end, and a very plush ride. Be interesting to see what an 1150 GSA owner thinks. Or on second thoughts.....

 

[Deadskin]

i was happy with the height and weight, no surprises in the engine dept,
love the looks of the white/red one and only financial suicide stopped me from buying one now,
maybe next week

 

[BiG DoM]

Had a test on the new GSA yesterday (I currently have a 1200 GS, vanilla flavoured).

A couple of things really surprised me, apart from it's very handsome looks:

1. Turning - it turned totally different (quicker?) to my GS, both at high and low speeds - felt like a totally different bike! I note now that the rake and castor figures are different.

I did not know this? Maybe adjusted for extra forward weight with big tank?


3. Do we know where the additional 23kg dry weight comes from? It certainly did feel heavier, but I'm not sure how much fuel it had in. 23kg is nearly a bag of cement! I can't see where this comes from.

Can only imagine it is the S/Steel plumbing and larger alternator and tank ... all add up I guess.

 

[IanC]

Gauloises, I assume you were on CW's demo also?

I didin't really notice the height, or mind the weight (although I did notice it!). Didn't take it off-road though.

The engine felt very different to my very early 1200GS. Did you not notice such a difference - how old is yours? Maybe all 1200GS's are different now. They did say that "they're changing all the time" (engines and gearboxes) - maybe I was one of the guinea-pigs, buying in May '04. Transmission/drivetrain was also noticably less sloppy, which has always been a complaint of my bike (despite new gearbox and final drive).

I have to agree, Red/White is "the one"

Was not too impressed with the panniers though. If I bought a GSA I would transfer my Jesse's (looks like they'd fit). Compared to mine the BMW ones seemed very flimsy/rivetted (although they looked nice), whereas the Jesse's are constructed of a lot heavier ali, and are all-welded construction.

 

[Deadskin]

Gauloises, I assume you were on CW's demo also?

I didin't really notice the height, or mind the weight (although I did notice it!). Didn't take it off-road though.

The engine felt very different to my very early 1200GS. Did you not notice such a difference - how old is yours?

Yes indeed i took it out around 9.30,
my bikes 9 months old so i assume no difference in engine and
to be honest i really didn't want to thrash a 70 mile old engine.

Did you ask for a P/ex

Approching Moreton ford but the excess of £750 prevented entry

 

[IanC]

I think the engines must have changed over the last year or two, more than just reprogramming.

Did they charge your for losing the passenger seat?

 

[Deadskin]

I tried the bike with the 1200 low seat ,didn't see much point putting
the pillion seat on