2009 1200 GSA to 2021 1250 GSA - 1st thoughts

[stuart.walker]

Dear collective

Just swapped my old steed (well maintained, all working well, low mileage 2009 GSA) to new 2021 GSA TE Triple Black and have been giving it a run.

1st thoughts - hopefully of interest to some in terms of quite a marked change (12 years difference in developments/improvements):

1. The new bike is just lovely. Smooth, fast, comfortable, agile - great engine (can't tell when the cam shifts at all!), gearbox much, much, better, easy to shift the mass about on corners - as many have said - the weight just disappears as soon as you start up. Feels like a magic carpet ride!

2. Feels like less wind protection - definite immediate step up in wind consequences at speed. Would be interested if others felt that and how a screen extender might help?? I'm 6'2 and have seat set at high - wonder if any other taller riders put seat to low??

3. TFT screen brill and very intuitive, although I will need to get the handlebar wheel thing sorted..

4. Great to have all the different modes but would be good to have all available whilst riding (rather than favourite 4)??

5. I now get the prior prolonged discussion about how to turn off cruise control without a major shift in impetus - quite marked effect if you just turn it straight off I found!

6. Looks fab too - including the matt black pannier/top box set which IMO look just right with the TB colour scheme

7. Passenger experience also much more comfortable - especially with heated seat

Anyway much more experience to be had, but immediate thoughts are sometimes most accurate??

Grateful for any comments!

 

[tw99]

I had a similar happy experience a few years ago going from a 2008 bike to a 2016 model - it's just better in every area, and your new 1250 has an even better engine !

There are a billion threads on screens if you search... Personally, at 6'4" I use the MRA Varioscreen and am happy enough with that.

 

[Breham]

I pick mine on up Wednesday coming from a 2004 GS, so it will be night and day. I got so carried away I cdid not even do a text ride

 

[rossman999]

Its strange screens come up all the time.

The Givi Airflow was the dogs B on the TC but i have yet to find something anywhere close to as good on the 1250. even putting the MRA aerofoil puts the buffeting over the pillions head but its not clean air as its really noisy unlike the old Givi :-(

 

[stuart.walker]

thanks tw99 - will check out the screen

I had a similar happy experience a few years ago going from a 2008 bike to a 2016 model - it's just better in every area, and your new 1250 has an even better engine !

There are a billion threads on screens if you search... Personally, at 6'4" I use the MRA Varioscreen and am happy enough with that.

 

[stuart.walker]

I really hope you enjoy it!

I pick mine on up Wednesday coming from a 2004 GS, so it will be night and day. I got so carried away I cdid not even do a text ride

 

[stuart.walker]

Interesting - thanks rossman

Its strange screens come up all the time.

The Givi Airflow was the dogs B on the TC but i have yet to find something anywhere close to as good on the 1250. even putting the MRA aerofoil puts the buffeting over the pillions head but its not clean air as its really noisy unlike the old Givi :-(

 

[BigKev67]

Yes its a lovely bike. My 21 GSA 1250 TE Rallye now has 1200 miles.
I am still trying to find a comfortable seat - Saddlecraft have my one piece rallye seat for mods.
The one thing that I think disappoints is the suspension.
The ESA basically gives you two choices, ROAD and DYNAMIC. ROAD is soft and bouncy. DYNAMIC is firmer and harsh. Neither of these two settings is ideal. Surely the damper servos could be set up by the rider rather than having pre set positions. I ride in ROAD now and put up with the bouncy ride.

 

[boxer]

The one thing that I think disappoints is the suspension.
The ESA basically gives you two choices, ROAD and DYNAMIC. ROAD is soft and bouncy. DYNAMIC is firmer and harsh. Neither of these two settings is ideal. Surely the damper servos could be set up by the rider rather than having pre set positions. I ride in ROAD now and put up with the bouncy ride.

I'm not sure we should have to but up with anything on a bike of this price and tech.

This is my only real issue with my '21 RT. Now on 6k miles and I have to say after initially being what I'd call pretty bad in Road it has now improved substantially - I hope yours does too. A few points:
1. I don't know why the improvement, could be some element of the shock has 'broken in', is this possible?

2. Dynamic, whilst firmer gave a much more stable ride with much reduced bouncing along with that 'hinged in the middle feeling' on corners. Sometimes it felt like any bump at the start of a bend would just be allowed to settle down on it's own.

3. Both Ride and Dynamic are improved with a pillion.

4. Such was the recent improvement it was 150miles into a 300mile trip last week before I even thought about the suspension and that was with pillion and luggage.

5. 6k mile service Thursday, I'll ask tech to check.

6. Much happier now than when i took delivery, hopefully the improvement will continue.

 

[grantmac]

Also traded in a 2016 low mileage GS for the '21 GSA. Pick it up on Friday. Price tag is a bit eye-watering fully loaded and in Holland we have to pay an additional ''luxury'' tax which applies to anything motorised.
Was in 2 minds on whether to buy new but over here there is a huge shortage of second hand bikes so when the dealer called me and offered a good price for my old GS and my 2000 R850C (finally decided to part company) plus a smaller amount for the new GSA I decided to go for it. Apparently also there is a bit of a lull in the GS/A sales at the moment driven partly by the recent speculation on the totally new GS 1300 seen test driving in Germany. Also many are waiting for the new 10.5" TFT screen with integrated Navigation as on the RT. According to the dealer this is due end 2022 begin '23. The TFT also apparently needs quite a bit of tweaking to make it OK to finally put on the GS. Irrespective, I prefer to ride with my separate Navigation (NAV 6) so this didn't really bother me.
Could be all dealer talk but wasn't prepared to wait another year - 18 months for a new one.

 

[si ward]

i went from a 2014 GS LC to a 2021 GSA1250 Rallye TE a couple of weeks ago. I was reluctant at first as i loved the old GS, i'd had it since new and travelled Europe a few times on it. It was perfect for my little legs and comfortable on long distance however i couldn't resist the draw of the new 1250. I was sorry to see the old dear go but like an old girlfriend, once i got the new one... the old one was forgotten in minutes . It feels so much more smoother through the gears, the engine power is delivered better and the toys on it are fantastic. The height will take a little getting used to but the more miles i get on it the easier that'll be. We are looking at the Sahara next year (last years trip to Africa was cancelled because of that damn virus) so the increase in range will be welcomed. overall i'm really happy with the purchase.

 

[shifty]

good to hear the comments as i have traded my 2012 twin cam for a 1250 gsa that i collect later this month, interesting about the suspension getting better with use,, will keep an eye on that,

 

[BigKev67]

good to hear the comments as i have traded my 2012 twin cam for a 1250 gsa that i collect later this month, interesting about the suspension getting better with use,, will keep an eye on that,

I wonder if suspension really does get better with use. When I took my test ride two months ago it only took 5 miles to realise that ROAD was very comfortable but bouncy on bumpy roads. DYNAMIC was not bouncy but more jarring. I felt I would like a setting between the two. Anyway that didnt stop me buying the new 1250 GSA TE Rallye.
1300 miles now and after switching most rides from ROAD to DYNAMIC to see which I like best, I now leave it in ROAD.
I have realised two things:
Our bodies pick up change very quickly then quickly adapt. So on my test ride my body was expecting Africa Twin suspension response (my trade in). Without realising it I was comparing it to what I had adapted to over the past 3 years(muscle memory).
After riding in ROAD for a number of miles, say 500, I have stopped thinking about suspension response as I have adapted to it. It would be easy to be fooled into thinking that the suspension has improved when you have simply adapted to it.
I have decided that I will not switch back to DYNAMIC, even for a short period as I dont want to confuse my 'adaption process' again.
Oh and i wish I had a reset button for MPG , trip etc instead of drilling down through the screens.

 

[Smartbazza]

stuart,

to ease the switch on the cruise control i typically just touch the clutch and it starts to slow a bit easier.
wind protection. seat is comfiest for me in low at back high at front setting. i fitted a Puig touring screen which is 100mm taller than adventure screen and helps whilst looking standard.

Barry

 

[Breham]

To add to first impressions after a short ride home from collection.

1. Echo the same thoughts, the ease to move round in corners in relation to size is amazing
2. First bike on high seat position and I am just flat footed
3. Quick shifter, never had one before, amazing
4. TFT Screen is great and having phone headset all linked in seconds

It’s not going to be a chore doing my weekly journey to and from Wales for the next 8 weeks

 

[grantmac]

Got mine yesterday. Rode 50 km home on the motorway which didn't really show its potential. 4 things noticed between my old 2016 GS to the new 2021 GSA.

1. Set in road mode the throttle is not as responsive as the same on the GS - no problems - put it in dynamic and off you go
2. The ride is definitely softer when you set the suspension to road and ''auto''. I found this really comfortable.
3. Handling is obviously different to the GS. front feels stiffer but with a full tank and the extra weight to be expected. Despite the weight its very agile.
4. Quick shifter definitely less clunky than the older version on the GS.

just my opinion and very short experience of the new GSA

 

[stuart.walker]

cheers Barry - wise words!

TE=Smartbazza;6102376]stuart,

to ease the switch on the cruise control i typically just touch the clutch and it starts to slow a bit easier.
wind protection. seat is comfiest for me in low at back high at front setting. i fitted a Puig touring screen which is 100mm taller than adventure screen and helps whilst looking standard.

Barry[/QUOTE]

 

[yofi]

Coming from a 2017 GS, I find the engine a massive improvement in terms of smoothness (no more low gear hunting) and versatility (no more constant swapping between 3rd and 4th on b roads, no more flat spot at 5.5k). I'd like a bit more shunt to 60 rather than the warp speed from 60 to 85 (well for a GS).

Downsides are greater higher frequency vibes, not pleasant, and the Hayes brakes, which are too wooden / lack feedback (was a definite retrograde step). I also feels like the ESA has been tweaked in road mode to firm it up slightly, so perhaps doesn't quite soak up the bumps like the old model but has less of a pogo effect (though that's still there).

You expect sales to slow down from this point, with little over a year to go to the new model. Can't see the enlarged tft being on the current model - wouldn't make sense to re-engineer the cockpit with a new model around the corner.

 

[BBB61]

I bought a 2021 spec GSA in December and all was going very nicely until the end of June when I had a head on collision with a Mercedes which was on the wrong side of the road. Sadly it was declared a write-off but I have a new one sitting in the garage just waiting for me to get fit again. My written off bike had done 3350 miles and was an absolute joy in the short time I owned it.

 

[DC]

cheers Barry - wise words!

TE=Smartbazza;6102376]stuart,

to ease the switch on the cruise control i typically just touch the clutch and it starts to slow a bit easier.
wind protection. seat is comfiest for me in low at back high at front setting. i fitted a Puig touring screen which is 100mm taller than adventure screen and helps whilst looking standard.

Barry

[/QUOTE]

RE Cruise control ,just wind the throttle past zero,IE fully close it and it turns off