On Friday my GSA 30 was in Southport Superbikes for its 24k service and some warranty work. I was there all day so a friend (Marty) and I took the new LC out for a run up to Kendal. A decent route with a good mix of roads.
Once shown all the controls, I fired it up, first thing I noticed what a rattle from the motor, I expected it to be quieter with it being LC, but I suppose its not a full water jacket.
The bike was in Rain Mode as I dropped it into first, “clunk” and I was off , mirrors different, I liked them and found clear at all speeds, The gearbox is only noisy on selecting first gear the rest of the time it was perfect, better than the out going TC. Seat position was very good for me and I found the screen amazing both in operation and protection. I am used to the barn door of the GSA’s so was well impressed.
The throttle is lovely and light and about the same turn as my quick action throttle on my TC. Only criticism was in Dynamic mode, I found it surging a little as if it was over fuelling. The clutch is really light, only criticism from the bars for me, would be to take a little off the weights and bring everything in a little, I would also fit a cross bar, but remember this is just my personal view, we are all different, its nothing wrong from the bike.
As we got near Preston and the roads dried out I decided to try the Dynamic setting , Oh my god what a machine, I had my own treated to a tune over a year ago at Hilltop Motorcycles and it pulls like a train in every gear . I am well aware of all the doubters here, but the tune was the best money I have ever spent on a bike. That said, the new LC would annihilate mine, pulling from any gear it would pull to a indicated 145mph obviously on a private road..
As we pulled up for some lights, Marty shouted over “what do you think?” My answer was “the engine is awesome the handling is better.” and it is, the handling is sublime it was only a few weeks here I posted a thread on the article in bike mag. I am not saying they cant have had tanks slappers on test, we have all seen the photographic evidence from the aftermath, but if it was the bike, they have certainly sorted it. The demo bike I was on, was shod with Tourance Next and they were impressive wet crappy roads out of Southport , dry further north. I remember on the A6 hitting a pot hole coming round a bend at a good rate of knots, it never moved, absolutely solid.
At Forton services we swapped over, I rode Marty’s bike a 04 gs, what a come down,(sorry Marty) but he obviously enjoyed it, because that was the last I saw of him until Crooklands. His comments were same, looks wise they have made it very modern but still kept that GS look. I jumped back on it in Milnthorpe and headed back to Southport, we had set off with a full tank and as I pulled in for fuel just near the dealer, the gauge showed 1 mile left, it had averaged 30.9mpg!! Over 133 miles, In its defence we had ridden it very hard.
I had intended to wait for the GSA, but I am very tempted to have one for a year, it is that good. I
handed the keys back to the salesman and shook his hand, I said they don’t need you anymore, these will sell themselves.
Prop
Once shown all the controls, I fired it up, first thing I noticed what a rattle from the motor, I expected it to be quieter with it being LC, but I suppose its not a full water jacket.
The bike was in Rain Mode as I dropped it into first, “clunk” and I was off , mirrors different, I liked them and found clear at all speeds, The gearbox is only noisy on selecting first gear the rest of the time it was perfect, better than the out going TC. Seat position was very good for me and I found the screen amazing both in operation and protection. I am used to the barn door of the GSA’s so was well impressed.
The throttle is lovely and light and about the same turn as my quick action throttle on my TC. Only criticism was in Dynamic mode, I found it surging a little as if it was over fuelling. The clutch is really light, only criticism from the bars for me, would be to take a little off the weights and bring everything in a little, I would also fit a cross bar, but remember this is just my personal view, we are all different, its nothing wrong from the bike.
As we got near Preston and the roads dried out I decided to try the Dynamic setting , Oh my god what a machine, I had my own treated to a tune over a year ago at Hilltop Motorcycles and it pulls like a train in every gear . I am well aware of all the doubters here, but the tune was the best money I have ever spent on a bike. That said, the new LC would annihilate mine, pulling from any gear it would pull to a indicated 145mph obviously on a private road..
As we pulled up for some lights, Marty shouted over “what do you think?” My answer was “the engine is awesome the handling is better.” and it is, the handling is sublime it was only a few weeks here I posted a thread on the article in bike mag. I am not saying they cant have had tanks slappers on test, we have all seen the photographic evidence from the aftermath, but if it was the bike, they have certainly sorted it. The demo bike I was on, was shod with Tourance Next and they were impressive wet crappy roads out of Southport , dry further north. I remember on the A6 hitting a pot hole coming round a bend at a good rate of knots, it never moved, absolutely solid.
At Forton services we swapped over, I rode Marty’s bike a 04 gs, what a come down,(sorry Marty) but he obviously enjoyed it, because that was the last I saw of him until Crooklands. His comments were same, looks wise they have made it very modern but still kept that GS look. I jumped back on it in Milnthorpe and headed back to Southport, we had set off with a full tank and as I pulled in for fuel just near the dealer, the gauge showed 1 mile left, it had averaged 30.9mpg!! Over 133 miles, In its defence we had ridden it very hard.
I had intended to wait for the GSA, but I am very tempted to have one for a year, it is that good. I
handed the keys back to the salesman and shook his hand, I said they don’t need you anymore, these will sell themselves.
Prop
I too will go for the basic model so if this only happens with the bling version it's ok - although I thought surging was put to bed with the twin spark 1150 
hence why I've ordered an Akro
