Anyone seen a lowered suspension LC GSA?

[Matty589]

After a very long time waiting BMW have finally offered the GSA with lowered suspension, like the regular GS. Has anyone encountered one yet? As a previous brief owner of a 12 plate GSA I found it just that bit too tall for me, even with stack heel boots. I like my regular GS but am probably a GSA person and actually prefer the GSA look and presence to the GS. The suspension only comes down by 4cm but given that the seat shape on the LC models seem to be a touch narrower I'm hoping the 84cm seat height (or even 82cm with the GS seat as it is plenty comfortable) might be just the ticket.
Just please don't remind me about the cost to change

 

[DC]

one of the lads in our group has one in the green colour 2015 model , he picked it up last week …looks exactly the same as my white one , but you can tell the difference in seat height as soon as you sit on it ..he is rather short in the leg and the bike is perfect for him …I'm meeting him Sat ,so will try get some side by side pics if you like ?

 

[Matty589]

That would be brilliant, thanks! I'm 5'10", not too short, but the previous GSA was just that bit too tricky especially in London

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

It's not about your height, it's about how short your legs are?

 

[Wrinkly]

Really don't see the point,the only great advantage to the gsa is it's suspension height,so you buy a bike that is the same suspension height as the gs,but is slower and much less agile ????

Steve

P.S plus costs a load more.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Really don't see the point,the only great advantage to the gsa is it's suspension height,so you buy a bike that is the same suspension height as the gs,but is slower and much less agile ????

Steve

P.S plus costs a load more.

Is that all you see?

What about the greater fuel range?

What about the better wind/rain protection?

What about the greater road presence?

What about the higher spec such as crash bars, fuel tank rally bars or spoked wheels which are a £350 cost option or the fact that the TE Spec bike comes with £400's worth of driving lights as standard?

Slightly more of a difference than just lowered suspension

Just saying like

 

[sven]

Really don't see the point,the only great advantage to the gsa is it's suspension height,so you buy a bike that is the same suspension height as the gs,but is slower and much less agile ????

Steve

P.S plus costs a load more.

The biggest disadvantage of the standard GSA for a road rider is the longer travel suspension and higher centre of gravity - I for one would like the larger fuel tank and windscreen, but without the handling disadvantages and unwieldy seat height.

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Surely with lowered suspension it'll gain quite sharp handling .... compared to the GS it'll have a steeper head angle and I expect gain a slightly shorter wheelbase?

 

[Matty589]

I mentioned it because BMW afaik never offered a lowered GSA before and I'm sure there are people shorter in the leg who would like one. I too thought that there's not much of an advantage to the GSA other than a 50% larger tank but for the amount of riding I do it would cut down the times I have to fill up (esp as my local petrol stations are closing and I currently take along two 5L jerry cans anyway), plus the extra presence and weather protection. However I'm not too stupid to realise changing a GS for a GSA is anything other than a vanity exercise for me; at the moment it's only speculation

 

[Wrinkly]

Is that all you see?

What about the greater fuel range?

What about the better wind/rain protection?

What about the greater road presence?

What about the higher spec such as crash bars, fuel tank rally bars or spoked wheels which are a £350 cost option or the fact that the TE Spec bike comes with £400's worth of driving lights as standard?

Slightly more of a difference than just lowered suspension

Just saying like

All add on's,apart from the fuel range,and lets be fair it's the difference between filling up 3 times instead of twice every 6oo mls. No great fundamental change in the bikes geometry.
What on earth is "greater road presence" !!!

I would suspect a very large number of gsa purchases are pure vanity.

I owned a standard 1200wc for 6k and had a number of extended test rides on the gsa. No doubt in my mind,unless you are a very big lad or intend doing big miles in isolated places the standard gs is the much better bike.

Steve

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I would suspect a very large number of gsa purchases are pure vanity.

That's a bit of a sweeping statement based on nothing but your suspicions. It's about as valid as me saying that I suspect a very large number of GS purchases are made by poorer people who can't afford a GSA

The fact that BMW offer a shorter GSA as an option should be welcomed

 

[trebor]

I would suspect a very large number of gsa purchases are pure vanity.

I owned a standard 1200wc for 6k and had a number of extended test rides on the gsa. No doubt in my mind,unless you are a very big lad or intend doing big miles in isolated places the standard gs is the much better bike.

Steve

In your opinion.

I had a standard GS in 2008, loved the bike, except for the small screen and lack of wind protection. By the time I'd added a bigger screen and crash bars I'd nearly spent the same as on a GSA.

In 2010 I took out a GSA for a prolonged test ride, fell in love with it, the wind protection was much better and the handling was much better than I thought, or had heard, it would be, so I traded in my 2008 GS.

Last year I took out the WC GS. I didn't like it compared to my GSA, for many different reasons.

In June I took out the WC GSA for a long test. Absolutely loved it, it was, in my opinion, much better than the WC GS I'd ridden a year earlier and, more importantly, an advancement on my TC GSA.

In my case my decision in choosing a GSA over a GS is purely down to my own practical reasons (and enjoyment), and certainly nothing to do with vanity. Why would anybody buy a bike for vanity reasons? Mind you it takes all sorts.

Bob

 

[Matty589]

What on earth is "greater road presence" !!!

Steve

Big tank, wider and when I had my previous GSA idiot drivers just seemed to notice more due to the size (and now I'm back on a regular GS I appear to be invisible again )
From an aesthetic point of view (and if anyone says part of buying any bike isn't the way it looks they're kidding themselves) I think the GSA looks better - but of course you can't see that when you're riding!

 

[UK Jon]

That would be brilliant, thanks! I'm 5'10", not too short, but the previous GSA was just that bit too tricky especially in London

At 5'8" I have no problem with the standard suspension and seat - until I select two up with luggage. Then I need a Sargent or similar. I cannot remember but is the seat height the same on the LC as the previous model when solo and two up with luggage??

Thanks

 

[thumperbob2002]

Love my wc GSA. Had a gs for a few years. The reason I bought a GSA is that it seemed better value. Once you have added all the farkles and weight in the normal gs you might as well have bought a GSA. Why buy a gs when you can buy the GSA and go the whole hog. Got no problem with the handling or seat height. I think there is a technique dealing with such a top heavy bike. it truly is a great bike.

 

[thumperbob2002]

It's a monster!!

 

[Nutty]

View attachment 268060

It's a monster!!

Nah, it's a pussycat.

 

[thumperbob2002]

Not when it's about to fall over.

 

[Nutty]

Not when it's about to fall over.

True. Or when your trying to wheel it backwards uphill!

 

[thumperbob2002]

Absolutely.