2017 R1200GSA first impressions and comparison

[andylel]

Hi all

I am posting my observations on the 2017 R100GSA in case it helps anyone trying to make a decision on whether to upgrade.

I have owned a 2013 GSLC and 2014 GSLC (both rejected due to appalling gearbox issues) and a 2015 GSA which replaced the last rejected GS. Although much better than the rejected machines, this 2015 GSA still suffered from inconsistent gear changes, neutral selection and shift assist operation.

This week I have upgraded to a 2017 GSA. What a difference! Neutral is selectable first time every time, the changes are consistent and smooth and the shift assist works faultlessly even between 1st and second up or down the box. The is till a clunk into first when warm (its a wet clutch FFS!) but it is appreciably less than the other bikes and in line with other wet clutch machines.

Now, all this is almost enough to make it a worthwhile upgrade but wait for it … the best bit of all is that in spite of all the EU4 tinkering the fuelling is absolutely spot on and even better than my last GSA was which had been ‘Hilltopped’. I can not believe how different it is. There is none of the 2500-2500 rpm jerkiness round town and wet roundabouts are no longer an exercise in trying ride round the rough spots at throttle transition. I think I am most pleased with this aspect of the upgrade and a Hilltop visit will only be made when I want to put a full system on it rather than to fix the fuelling issues from the factory.

As if this wasn’t enough on top of all this the engine is significantly quieter in the rattle department. Personally I couldn’t care less about this aspect of it but I know it is something others might be interested in knowing.

I suppose I might have struck lucky and just got a peachy bike this time round but if they are all as good as this one then I would say it’s a worthwhile upgrade and I would do it again in heartbeat.

Ride safe everyone.

 

[Vic929]

Makes pleasing reading as I pick up my new gsa te tomorrow thanks for the report


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[Wonkey donkey]

Hi all

I am posting my observations on the 2017 R100GSA in case it helps anyone trying to make a decision on whether to upgrade.

I have owned a 2013 GSLC and 2014 GSLC (both rejected due to appalling gearbox issues) and a 2015 GSA which replaced the last rejected GS. Although much better than the rejected machines, this 2015 GSA still suffered from inconsistent gear changes, neutral selection and shift assist operation.

This week I have upgraded to a 2017 GSA. What a difference! Neutral is selectable first time every time, the changes are consistent and smooth and the shift assist works faultlessly even between 1st and second up or down the box. The is till a clunk into first when warm (its a wet clutch FFS!) but it is appreciably less than the other bikes and in line with other wet clutch machines.

Now, all this is almost enough to make it a worthwhile upgrade but wait for it … the best bit of all is that in spite of all the EU4 tinkering the fuelling is absolutely spot on and even better than my last GSA was which had been ‘Hilltopped’. I can not believe how different it is. There is none of the 2500-2500 rpm jerkiness round town and wet roundabouts are no longer an exercise in trying ride round the rough spots at throttle transition. I think I am most pleased with this aspect of the upgrade and a Hilltop visit will only be made when I want to put a full system on it rather than to fix the fuelling issues from the factory.

As if this wasn’t enough on top of all this the engine is significantly quieter in the rattle department. Personally I couldn’t care less about this aspect of it but I know it is something others might be interested in knowing.

I suppose I might have struck lucky and just got a peachy bike this time round but if they are all as good as this one then I would say it’s a worthwhile upgrade and I would do it again in heartbeat.

Ride safe everyone.

I concur Andy. Despite this being my first GSA the two I test rode sounded like I had a bag of spanners on board, although both were silky smooth on the fuelling. Was coming from a f800gt though, now that was jerky around town with bad fuelling.

 

[BeemerBaz]

Makes pleasing reading as I pick up my new gsa te tomorrow thanks for the report


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Just had 600 mile service on mine, still smiling and not sleeping the night before a ride out as too excited !!

 

[Zx9man]

I am getting fed up now waiting for my lc tb to be delivered

 

[cherokee]

Thing is guys after all that trouble with the other bikes why would you want another? Im not sure id ever have another 1200...wierdly my r nine t runs like a watch perfect fueling and cassette like gearbox...

 

[BeemerBaz]

Thing is guys after all that trouble with the other bikes why would you want another? Im not sure id ever have another 1200...wierdly my r nine t runs like a watch perfect fueling and cassette like gearbox...

It's like the blonde bird with long legs and big tits, you know she might let you down one day but you can't resist her but you get rid of her before she gets troublesome and get a newer model !!

Having said all that I have had 7 blondes / brunettes in the last 8 years and all have been very faithful.

 

[Troppo]

The engine/box in the RS test bike I rode was really good - best boxer I have ridden. Sounds like the new engines are a significant improvement.

 

[Älgen]

I'm not sure all these improvements has to do with the 2017 GS/GSA. I have a 2016 GSA that was running rough in the engine and also had some trouble with the shift assist.
But after the 10 000 km service 2 months ago when they also updated the software the problems were gone. It was like riding another bike after I picked it up after the service.

Anyone else that have experienced the same thing?

 

[BrokenPaw]

2017 Up Dates

Yep, about one month ago I had to have a new GSAP fitted, and I complained about the fuelling at the same time.
New GSAP works as I imagined it should always have done, and the engine is a lot smoother, especially at low speeds. A lot nicer to ride in town traffic.
However, I have not ridden a 2017 model, so cannot say how close it is to that motorcycle; it is just a lot better than it was after being plugged into the mother ship.

 

[scorp888]

Anyone ridden the 1200 2016 GS vs the 2017? Did three long ride outs (admittedly, I have an 1100GS 02 so the gap to either is huge) but one, this feels the like the first "proper" replacement, it's planted, confidence inspiring, whereas for me, the earlier 1200's weren't. However, I couldn't tell the difference between the 2016 and 2017 model from riding them

 

[zoltan]

Thing is guys after all that trouble with the other bikes why would you want another? Im not sure id ever have another 1200...wierdly my r nine t runs like a watch perfect fueling and cassette like gearbox...

Had the same problem as the OP, on my fourth GS LC now. The overall package suits me and the dealer backup was brilliant. The new 2017 GS LC behaves just like the OP described, mine is a standard bike so I can't comment on TE package. I had a look at alternative makes and they all have some issues, I had BMW for over 25 years and the present one is the best I have...

 

[zoltan]

Anyone ridden the 1200 2016 GS vs the 2017? Did three long ride outs (admittedly, I have an 1100GS 02 so the gap to either is huge) but one, this feels the like the first "proper" replacement, it's planted, confidence inspiring, whereas for me, the earlier 1200's weren't. However, I couldn't tell the difference between the 2016 and 2017 model from riding them

Yes, I had on loan GS LC 2016 pre Aug reg. the gear change on the 2017 is much better.

 

[Stevie4scoops]

I hated the gearbox on my 2014 GS so much I changed it for a XR. It's great to read BMW have rectified the problem because I loved everything else about the GS and it's likely I have another. A friend has a 13 LC and his gearbox has always been good so I don't know why my and many others were not.

 

[daviedevs]

Nice to hear as I pick up my GSA TE on Saturday. My first ever BMW

 

[Nutty]

I hated the gearbox on my 2014 GS so much I changed it for a XR. It's great to read BMW have rectified the problem because I loved everything else about the GS and it's likely I have another. A friend has a 13 LC and his gearbox has always been good so I don't know why my and many others were not.

The gearbox on my 2017 GSA is better than on any of my GS's (including the twin cam), and is very smooth, however, it's still not as smooth as on my XR. From what I understand, inline 4 bikes will always have smoother gearboxes. I'd still choose the GSA as an only bike, any day of the week.

 

[theop]

150miles in on mine mostly in town and I am also very impressed, although the last long term boxer in my book was a 1200GS from 05....
So yes the bike is very nice. I d forgotten how agile they are with low down cg. Engine is also very smooth (up to the 4-5k) rev limit imposed by running in...mind you I don't feel they are particularly faster than my memories of the 05 bike back then and I think the smoothness takes something off the excitement too. I did notice they rev higher though as modern boxers seem to have 2k more revs available top end vs the 05 model, so let's see what the future brings... Low down it does feel positively pedestriani have to admit ve my most recent K1600 I traded in for and I am in no doubt any 1000 xr. version must be on another planet speed wise.
Saying all that I am also sure point to point th GS runs rings around most things with an average rider on board like me. Confidence innit?
Last and most impressive item so far: the transmission... lack of shaft play and cog slack or whatever you call it, v smooth and quiet everywhere down there unlike all other shafts I have experienced incl yam 1300 fz, once the best shaftie in smoothness... v impressed there....
More to come