A few thoughts on the Gsa Wc

[SURMANATOR]

I was lucky enough to ride the new GSA today. Here are my first impressions:
I have had two previous GSA's so I can compare these directly against the new model.
At first looking over the bike you get the feeling that it's huge, much wider than the out going model, this is made to look more pronounced by the slimmer seat. Once on board however the narrow seat makes it feel slightly shorter enabling me to have a better footing for manovering.
Starting the big GS is no problem, the starter spins over more urgently than before giving a hint of the increased performance within the new engine.
Clutch action is lighter and with a slight clonk first gear engages once under way the aparent size of the bike disappeared the engine spins up freely and gear changing is slick .
The brakes felt much better with more feel and ample stopping power, steering was light and the whole bike felt more agile, easily filtering through the Guildford traffic. On the dash is a trip computer giving info on all the functions, one of which is the fuel consumption showing 48mpg an improvement over my Gsa. The mode settings for the throttle response really do work well giving a nice sharp response in dynamic and a soft mellow feel in rain mode somewhat reminiscent of the old bikes sluggish feel. The ESA suspension was excellent and is now linked to the engine modes.
So to sum up;
a big improvement, although a couple of niggles... the mirrors aren't great, the dash reflects when the suns on it ,and the locker on the tank is so small only good for keys or coins, it would have been nice to keep your phone or passport in but overall a great bike didn't want to hand it back !!

 

[Clifton]

Thanks for sharing. To my eye, even with the radiators, the new GSA looks a little less bulky than the out going one. How do you find the gearing compared to a recent GSA? I think I'll miss the low first gear on my 2012.

 

[SURMANATOR]

The gearing seamed fine to me the extra torque avalible negates the need for the lower first gear maybe if you ride exclusively off road on tight trails you may miss it

 

[Clifton]

Thanks should be fine for me then. On this bike it will be mostly paved and gravel roads, maybe some dirt roads, but no trails.

 

[scooter paul]

Was that you Surmanator that took the bike out after me? D150 owner? My impressions; engine noise quite mechanical; balance and road holding quite light for what looks like a big bike, you feel as if the whole bike is 'flickable' and wouldn't be fased by rough roads. At 6'2" I could plant my feet flat even at the tallest seat position. Transition from seated to standing was easy. If you're slightly built the tank is wide between your legs. The handlebars feel tall. I only rode it in 'road' but it felt responsive and gutsy even with 40 miles on the clock. Speedo dial is not the easiest to read but OK. Mirrors aren't the best but OK. Easy to get onto centre stand. Gearbox slick and positive. Overall I'm really, really impressed which is a good thing as mine will be handed over on the 18th (phew).

Paul (previous owner of a million GS's but the last new one was a 1150GSA)

 

[Yonkyo]

So how comes you lucky geezers are allowed to test the bike ahead of the official launch date of the 15th March.

All the new bikes are still locked away at my local branch....

 

[SURMANATOR]

Hi Scooter Paul Yes it was me that took the Gsa out after you ,I didn't find the engine noise a problem not much different to my twincam We were able to pre ride the bike if a refunderble deposit had been paid, lots to evaluate on the bike but if you like your old Gsa/GS this is in another league, superb !!
I'd be interested in talking to you about my 150d Paul if you have time I'm in the middle of restoring it

 

[autogs]

So how comes you lucky geezers are allowed to test the bike ahead of the official launch date of the 15th March.

All the new bikes are still locked away at my local branch....

i think if you put a deposit down and will buy subject to road test you get an early ride

 

[scooter paul]

Hi Scooter Paul Yes it was me that took the Gsa out after you ,I didn't find the engine noise a problem not much different to my twincam We were able to pre ride the bike if a refunderble deposit had been paid, lots to evaluate on the bike but if you like your old Gsa/GS this is in another league, superb !!
I'd be interested in talking to you about my 150d Paul if you have time I'm in the middle of restoring it

I'd be glad to help. I fully restored mine. I'll be at Vines Launch day on Saturday morning.
Paul

 

[SURMANATOR]

Thanks Paul see you there

 

[Johanndn]

So how comes you lucky geezers are allowed to test the bike ahead of the official launch date of the 15th March.

All the new bikes are still locked away at my local branch....

Why is the GSA being launched so late in your country? We have taken delivery of the bikes here in SA already on 01 March.

 

[alp]

So how comes you lucky geezers are allowed to test the bike ahead of the official launch date of the 15th March.

All the new bikes are still locked away at my local branch....

My thoughts exactly....I checked with Ocean this morning and they won't be available to see until 15th and test ride even later??? Ah well.

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

I was lucky enough to ride the new GSA today. Here are my first impressions:

Starting the big GS is no problem, the starter spins over

Fuck me, sounds awesome

 

[WindyChuffer]

GSA Test Ride Thoughts

I took a new Watercooled GSA out for a couple of hours today. I've had 1 x GS and 3 x GSA's over the last 10 years (currently an '11 plate twin cam). Am well used to spanking a GSA on and off road.

The new GSA:
- Sitting on it, felt wide and also low.
- Started the engine, and sounds like a cross between a Jap bike and a Ducati. Not quite the Ducati bag of nails sound. Something to with wet clutch?
- On the move - fek me its quick !!!!!
- Very smooth, and found myself cursing a bit of vibration felt in the saddle on overrun.
- Did I mention quick ?
- The screen seems a bit flimsy not sure how that will fare with spills off road. Maybe remove it. Not overly impressed with the engine bars as the connection point above the beak seems a bit flimsy - grab on to them and pull them. After market opportunities all round perhaps.

Now here's the rub:
- Got back on my '11 GSA. Felt like a cross between an asthmatic tractor crossed with a Dildo. I had no idea the outgoing GSA vibrated so much - through the bars, pegs and saddle. Felt so slow. Up 'till know I always thought my GSA was plenty quick enough!

Verdict:
- Smiles all round I think.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Interesting to hear your views on the new GSA . I was out on mine today , a 13 plate "old GSA" and I must say I find it hard to think how it could be a lot better than the old bike . It's got more power , looks massive and has a water cooled engine with fairly exposed radiators which must make it a bit more vulnerable to stranding you if you hole one . The new copy of Adventure Motorcycling has a review of it and though they liked it they felt the standard WC GS was a better go anywhere bike . The Engine/tank guards look a bit in your face but I like the general look of the bike . Mine is less than a year old so I cannot justify a change yet , I will give it a go though .Riding my TC today in the first bit of sunshine we've had for 4 months was fantastic ( I use a T Max for the daily grind) And having had 6 GSA's over the years it felt like the best Bike I've ridden . We will see , if I got one it would have to be white and hope the Mrs doesn't notice

 

[Trekker3]

I took a GSA out for a couple of hours today. I've had 1 x GS and 3 x GSA's over the last 10 years, and currently an '11 plate twin cam. Am well used to spanking a GSA on and off road.

The new GSA:
- Sitting on it, felt wide and also low.
- Started the engine, and sounds like a cross between a Jap bike and a Ducati. Not quite the Ducati bag of nails sound. Something to with wet clutch?
- On the move - fek me its quick !!!!!
- Very smooth, and found myself cursing a bit of vibration felt in the saddle on overrun.
- Did I mention quick ?
- The screen seems a bit flimsy not sure how that will fare with spills off road. Maybe remove it. Not overly impressed with the engine bars as the connection point above the beak seems a bit flimsy - grab on to them and pull them. After market opportunities all round perhaps.

Now here's the rub:
- Got back on my '11 GSA. Felt like a cross between an asthmatic tractor crossed with a Dildo. I had no idea the outgoing GSA vibrated so much - through the bars, pegs and saddle. Felt so slow. Up 'till know I always thought my GSA was plentry quick enough!

Verdict:
- Smiles all round I think.

I always thought that I would keep my 30th Anniversary GSA TC, it always felt safe and secure and came into its own on long journeys, that was until the purchase of my KTM 1190R, I thought I would run both together but after riding the KTM the GS felt so dull and uninspiring it was never going to be ridden so it had to go. The other problem I had whilst owning the GSA's is that I always needed a second bike to satisfy a feeling it couldn't give me, so I had a string of super moto's, with the KTM I haven't needed anything else. It will be interesting to see if the WC GSA has moved the game on enough for me to contemplate changing back but it will have to be really good.......

 

[SURMANATOR]

It is fills the gap very close to the multistrada now, much quicker than the old tc gsa with the throttle mode in dynamic its dynamic ! Try it and see

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

When i got back on my 12 plate gsa after an extended test ride on the watercooled gs last year, it felt like the brakes were seized.

The new engine is a real livewire, i would quick shift up to 65ish on the b roads on my 12 gsa and not bother braking for the corners, on the watercooled i was thrashing the t!ts off it down the same roads, it encourages you to cane it.

I have a feeling 90 percent of folk trying the new bikes will reckon they've moved the game on.

 

[Rusape]

I rode the New GSA today, having ordered one in Jan. I have a 2010 TC GSA that has had a remap at Hilltop. I have decatted and and Akra pipe.

I so wanted to love and be enthralled by the new WC bike, so was looking forward to the ride:
I love the look of the new bike.
Yes it is much more punchy than the std TC bike, but the difference isn't that much of a gulf between my bike and the new one.
Sounds like a bag of spanners, not nice IMO
The screen is rubbish and the wind blast is horrendous.
I felt like I was sitting on top of the bike rather than being part of the bike and it didn't feel very natural for me.
I don't like the new "Jap style" indicator switch.
The cruise is a nice feature.
It felt more "vibey" than I expected.
Gearbox isn't that great and struggled to find neutral several times.

A lot of people love this bike and believe it is a huge step forward, but I'm really struggling with the concept. If I was looking for a pocket rocket, I certainly wouldn't buy a GSA, there are many faster bikes out there if you want more speed. I'm missing the point of this extra speed and more complicated electronic wizardry on a GSA.

The older model remapped, is plenty fast enough for this type of bike, and the new RT is a quantum leap better as a touring bike... and feels considerably faster!
So although I have ordered one and it's due soon, I came away without the feeling of "I've gotta have this bike" and quite flat.

Many on here disagree, but personally I'm not quite sold on this one and all the hype.

 

[patzx12]

My GSA twincam was near perfect, i had it nicely set up with full akra and PC. plenty fast enough.
The performance did suffer a bit when fully loaded 2 up and high speed cruising was viby.
My WC is a superb bike, suspension, handling, breaking is so secure and a great load lugger.
I have no issues with the ergonomics, the seats are all day comfortable.
I have a different screen but the standard was good for me.
on the comment about the flimsiness of the screen, it has to be if the bike was involved in a collision the last thing you need is a 6mm thick blade of polycarbonate in front of you.
The handling is exemplary, i did a lot of Sunday morning rides on the Ronda road and this bike was the right tool.
I had the gearchange sorted by BMW last week, that was the only issue i had with the bike in 8000 miles.
I also did a BMW track day and the bike blew me away fast and stable, all day knee downs and i didn't even touch down the pegs.
I will probably go the GSA route just because its more blingy but i will fit Varios.
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