2008 GSA - 1st week of ownership report

[oldrascal]

This is a long report but there is much to say.

Its been one week since I bought my 2008 R1200GS Adventure and it has been an eye opener.

The bike is fully loaded apart from TC and tyre pressure readout but has got an Akrapovic exhaust as well as front mudguard extender and one or two fun dress-up bis.

Anhow, having been a dyed-in-the-wool sports bike fan all of my long adult life, I finally started to see the light when I picked up my K8 Hayabusa in Edinburgh and drove it 700 miles to Chichester in one 10-hour hit through some of the worst torrential rain and storm force winds this Autumn.

It was so bad, that I kept pulling in to each service area to warm up and dry out..........and I kept see bloody GS mounted Tossers making light of the whole situation. They were happy and clearly revelling in it.

So I eventually did the deal and took my first steps towards becoming a fully-fledged Tosser myself.

First impressions were mixed, what with the unfamiliar lofty position and the strange noise from the engine..........at least it was strange after the Rice rocket's 4 cyl lump.

But as the week progressed and as I started to use the bike properly, a strange thing happened.

I first noticed it when I went to my local supemarket for a bit of shopping, not possible on the Suzuki but a doddle with the GSa's boxes.

I had no sooner got off the bike when a couple of blokes ambled over to me and started shooting the breeze about the bike, the riding, the whole Charlie and Ewan bit.......but in good humour and with evident real interest.

So it was into the supemarket, a quick wiz round and back out to find another couple of blokes poring over every detail of the GSA. Same scenrio and same good vibes.

Now when I was riding the latest 200bhp Hayabusa, I never got this interest, and I started to look for the word I felt.............and I got it.

It was pride...............pride of ownership of a legend.

And the more I rode the GSA, the more I got used to its quirks, the better it became. The way you can fling it around corners with total confidance, laying it over as though it were a 250. That's amazing for a bike that weighs all of 265kg dry.

I am sure that I have much to discover but to all of you who are hesitating........don't. This is one of the greatest experiences in motorcycling and in social cohesion. It makes Harley chapters look totally phony.

There will be more as I get further into the mysteries of this fabulous bike.

 

[PatchGS1150]

I enjoyed reading that .. I know what you mean..

 

[Gog yn y De]

It's early days yet - just wait for the EWS, Fuel Pump Controller, ignition switch, engine/gearbox seal leak followed by a new clutch etc to go through the warranty, etc.

Welcome, BTW!

 

[beemerboy9]

It was pride...............pride of ownership of a legend.

There will be more as I get further into the mysteries of this fabulous bike.

More like self-confidence.

The self-confidence to know that it is "OK" to move from a rocket-ship to a tourer.

....and the realisation that while "Riding a Motorcycle" is about "getting there",
"motorcycling" is about the journey.

Enjoy the machine!

 

[gsbiker]

Thanks for your post. I take ownership of my fully loaded GSA this coming Thursday. I have a question for you? I was in 2 minds to buy or not to buy the Akrapovic exhaust but as I never heard it I didn't want to shell out £517 and get disappointed with it. I like the stock sound, I'm not interested in making the bike really noisy like some do with their sports bikes but a deeper fruitier note would be welcome. Can you tell us your views on your exhaust and the sound it makes please?

 

[oldrascal]

Akrapovic or stock?

Firstly, that's great news about your GSA, I bet you can't sit down for more than 10 minutes with the anticipation

But back to the question.

When I bought the bike which came with the Akrapovic fitted and the original exhaust in a box, the dealer asked me if I wanted the baffle put back and I said yes. I hate noisy bikes.

Actually, the Akrapovic is not bad with the baffle but nor is it brilliant. There is quite a lot of popping and crackling on the overun which some people like - I personally could live without it and it doesn't seem any deeper in pitch.

Knowing what I now know, if it were my money, I would stay with the stock item as I can't see (or hear) £500 of value in the change.

Of course everyone is different but I also like the stock sound and think that the GSA is a loud enough statement visually not to need any help from the exhaust.

My only caveat is performance related but I can't imagine that a slip-on is going to make much, if any, difference in real world riding.

I hope this helps and don't forget to post your experiences when you pick her up.

 

[stroller]

Did you guys order the ESA? I am loking at a used 2008 bike that does not have ESA, and was wondering if ESA is that much of an advantage.

 

[blackbird]

I get the same, guys asking me about my GS the one thing i found though there old old guys with flat caps

 

[Bryn]

Oldrascal.. that post sums it up

I've stickied it

 

[oldrascal]

Just calling it like it is......

Thanks for the vote of appreciation Bryn.........I'll post an update in a couple of weeks.

Cheers all

 

[wilbjr21]

Glad you like your bike ............. I have the same happy experiences as you

The best excuse for the Akra' is that it is narrower and as such is perfect for the aftermarket Jesse panniers.

Glad to see only one negative dino' comment ............. but there always one tw*t trying to rub the shine off your new bike. Ignore the

 

[Gog yn y De]

Glad you like your bike ............. I have the same happy experiences as you

The best excuse for the Akra' is that it is narrower and as such is perfect for the aftermarket Jesse panniers.

Glad to see only one negative dino' comment ............. but there always one tw*t trying to rub the shine off your new bike. Ignore the

So, I'm a tw*t and a w*anker for speaking the truth? Charming.

 

[gsbiker]

Firstly, that's great news about your GSA, I bet you can't sit down for more than 10 minutes with the anticipation

But back to the question.

When I bought the bike which came with the Akrapovic fitted and the original exhaust in a box, the dealer asked me if I wanted the baffle put back and I said yes. I hate noisy bikes.

Actually, the Akrapovic is not bad with the baffle but nor is it brilliant. There is quite a lot of popping and crackling on the overun which some people like - I personally could live without it and it doesn't seem any deeper in pitch.

Knowing what I now know, if it were my money, I would stay with the stock item as I can't see (or hear) £500 of value in the change.

Of course everyone is different but I also like the stock sound and think that the GSA is a loud enough statement visually not to need any help from the exhaust.

My only caveat is performance related but I can't imagine that a slip-on is going to make much, if any, difference in real world riding.

I hope this helps and don't forget to post your experiences when you pick her up.

Thanks oldrascal your feedback is very appreciated. It's all to easy to get caught up in the hype of buying a new bike to buy all the extras but find later on it was a waste of money or at least not required. I'll look forward to your feedback in time and by then I will add my comments also. Nice to see that you get strangers admiring your bike - nice feeling - I have a near mint condition RD350R and have loads of people comment on the condition which is nice also so I may very well have two bikes now with the same experience!

 

[The smudger]

It's early days yet - just wait for the EWS, Fuel Pump Controller, ignition switch, engine/gearbox seal leak followed by a new clutch etc to go through the warranty, etc.

Welcome, BTW!

Hi Oldrascal, KNow the feeling mate, love mine, no luggage though, its a real 'experience' as you will know already. I love the thing, must be one of the lucky ones though, 3k mls and no signs of a fuel pump controller, clutch, EWS, seal etc.....

 

[Paul Wakefield]

So, I'm a tw*t and a w*anker for speaking the truth? Charming.

There's a time and a place, old boy. This wasn't it.

 

[lofthopper]

congrats but let me warn you the feeling continues to grow my mates in the pub say i have the smile of a 16 yearold's first sexual encounter when i have had a good trip on my gs
keep on keepin on

 

[Big Nick]

There's a time and a place, old boy. This wasn't it.

+1 we all know the horror stories, why put a downer on a bloke chuffed with his new bike??

 

[PatchGS1150]

Well, one things for sure, when the troubles come, and we all get them, we are all in the right place for advice and support..

This place has got to be one of the best biking forums (IMHO)

Keep on GS'n

Phil

 

[gsbiker]

Firstly, that's great news about your GSA, I bet you can't sit down for more than 10 minutes with the anticipation

But back to the question.

When I bought the bike which came with the Akrapovic fitted and the original exhaust in a box, the dealer asked me if I wanted the baffle put back and I said yes. I hate noisy bikes.

Actually, the Akrapovic is not bad with the baffle but nor is it brilliant. There is quite a lot of popping and crackling on the overun which some people like - I personally could live without it and it doesn't seem any deeper in pitch.

Knowing what I now know, if it were my money, I would stay with the stock item as I can't see (or hear) £500 of value in the change.

Of course everyone is different but I also like the stock sound and think that the GSA is a loud enough statement visually not to need any help from the exhaust.

My only caveat is performance related but I can't imagine that a slip-on is going to make much, if any, difference in real world riding.

I hope this helps and don't forget to post your experiences when you pick her up.

Hi oldrascal

Here's the BMW website with sample exhaust sounds of the Akrapovic for the GS. Have a listen, are these sounds a good sample of the actualy sound they make? Is the REAL sound better or worse than these samples?

http://specials.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/fascination/downloads/sounds/onw_r1200gs_sounds.html

 

[oldrascal]

LOUD...............

I didn't know that site - interesting

Well mine sounds nothing like as mean as those recordings so I suspect that they are of the Acrapovich with the baffle removed. Allright if you like that sort of thing but I much prefer the baffle-in sound.

As I said originally, there is still a fair bit of popping and crackle on the overun and it is still possibly meaner sounding than I imagine as I always ride with ear plugs and a good helmet.

The final nail in the coffin for the Akka if it were my money is that the panniers cover the exhaust can completely so, apart from the din, no-one can see that you just spent £500 on your new pride and joy.

Having just fitted a Zumo 550, I know where I would rather spend my cash but to each their own, I recognise.

Have fun deciding, its part and parcel of owning these great bikes.

Cheers