Had my first ride on an 08 GS12 yesterday, and to cut a long story short I was impressed
I'd dropped the GSA into Barnstormers for a little work, and was given the keys to an 08 1200GS, first impressions was that the colour was a little odd, i'd seen the 'orange' before and was unimpressed, this time with the bike being dirty it looked a little better, i'd guess it would grow on me eventually.
Jumped on board, how small is it
(compared to the GSA) the cockpit area was very sparse, the bars and risers at an odd angle sort of swept down a little and back a bit, i was unsure of this, but as on my previous GS's and GSA the bars were not the most comfortable i'd used, I was willing to give them a go. Turned out I got used to them over a few miles and all was OK, only a long trip would
prove weather the new set up was an improvement.
Started her up and moved off, very smooth power delivery, the screen was a big disapointment after the GSA and the overall feeling was of alot less weather/wind protection than the GSA. Speedo was harder to read the dial looking 'busier' than my 06.
Brakes were OK but failed to produce the bite and power of my 06 servo model, I'd get used to them but it was an interesting comparison (for me anyway) .
Handling, as you would expect this GS definately has the edge over the GSA in the handling department very smooth, held a line to almost perfection (well as good as i can do anyway) very impressive indeed.
The real peach is the engine and gearbox, top stuff, smooth pulling power absolutely everywhere and a real improved urgency from 4K on and the engines ability to rev appears to be improved, the gear box is very smooth with little or no clatter on changes up or down the box, footpeg to gear lever distance is much less cramped than the GSA, gear ratios appear to be slightly different to my 06, giving, with the extra go in the engine, a real feeling of extra performance, those extra 5 horses must be great big carthorses, not riding school hacks.
Whether or not it is that much different, i don't know, but it FEELS a much longer legged bike IYKWIM, roll on from 50 ish is impressive for a GS all the way to 70mph
rolleyes:it was a loan bike
)
Little bits and bobs are improved all over the bike
Looks like a good un
I'm just glad they didn't lend me an 08GSA cos if its improved anything like the GS has, my bank account would be in for some serious pain
Shep
I'd dropped the GSA into Barnstormers for a little work, and was given the keys to an 08 1200GS, first impressions was that the colour was a little odd, i'd seen the 'orange' before and was unimpressed, this time with the bike being dirty it looked a little better, i'd guess it would grow on me eventually.
Jumped on board, how small is it
(compared to the GSA) the cockpit area was very sparse, the bars and risers at an odd angle sort of swept down a little and back a bit, i was unsure of this, but as on my previous GS's and GSA the bars were not the most comfortable i'd used, I was willing to give them a go. Turned out I got used to them over a few miles and all was OK, only a long trip would prove weather the new set up was an improvement.
Started her up and moved off, very smooth power delivery, the screen was a big disapointment after the GSA and the overall feeling was of alot less weather/wind protection than the GSA. Speedo was harder to read the dial looking 'busier' than my 06.
Brakes were OK but failed to produce the bite and power of my 06 servo model, I'd get used to them but it was an interesting comparison (for me anyway) .
Handling, as you would expect this GS definately has the edge over the GSA in the handling department very smooth, held a line to almost perfection (well as good as i can do anyway) very impressive indeed.
The real peach is the engine and gearbox, top stuff, smooth pulling power absolutely everywhere and a real improved urgency from 4K on and the engines ability to rev appears to be improved, the gear box is very smooth with little or no clatter on changes up or down the box, footpeg to gear lever distance is much less cramped than the GSA, gear ratios appear to be slightly different to my 06, giving, with the extra go in the engine, a real feeling of extra performance, those extra 5 horses must be great big carthorses, not riding school hacks.
Whether or not it is that much different, i don't know, but it FEELS a much longer legged bike IYKWIM, roll on from 50 ish is impressive for a GS all the way to 70mph
rolleyes:it was a loan bike)Little bits and bobs are improved all over the bike
Looks like a good un
I'm just glad they didn't lend me an 08GSA cos if its improved anything like the GS has, my bank account would be in for some serious pain
Shep
Mind you, if you carried out those mods to the new engine .......................... 
