BMW trying to hard

[tanneman]

or has the GS morphed into a bike for those old enough to not ride a sports bike.

I avoid having a GS/GSA from the dealer as a loan bike while mine is in for service or MOT. Not today. Got the GS Rallye cause that is all they have got (blame the chip shortage). It did have all the bells and whistles.

Liked the engine and gearbox, well I always liked the engine and gearbox on the 1250 particularly in the RT and R. And that is it. It has the same screen and winglets as my GSA, the same foot pegs and the same aux lights.

Brakes, good initial bite and you don't need to pull the lever very hard to get the retardation you want. Pull it proper hard and the feel from the brakes disappears. This combined with the ABS letting go over undulations in the road feels very much like the rider has no control over modulating the brakes himself. It certainly stops the bike but that float as the brake pressure is modulated over a bump by the ABS is not to my liking.

Rear brakes, I use these a lot in town and trimming entry speed into corners when my observation has been shit. Had 3 incidents where the rear brake pedal went soft for no reason. I thought I didn't step on the pedal the first instance but when it happened the 2nd time I deducted that the rear brake is playing silly bugger. Front brake was not actuated at the time.

Suspension, I set the throttle in Dynamic, same as my GSA and set the suspension on Auto. There is a floatiness to the movement of the bike akin to riding the RT but not what I expected from a GS. The front suspension isolates the feel and in the corners I wished for more feel from the front even though I wasn't riding it hard. The ripples from the tarmac translates but I can't feel what the front is doing. It robs a bit of confidence in the corner.

Still the same buzz through the handle bars, seat was better than mine and being lower a bit of a change when you stop or approach junctions. I came away thinking it certainly feel more like a RT on stilts than a GS. Not my favourite bike at all. Back to back to an ESA equipped 14 reg GSA confirms my feeling from the front. The old bike is better. The brakes are not as powerful (think more off road bike type than road bike sharpness) but I can modulate very easily how much retardation I want. ABS not so intrusive.

Would I want one? No. It certainly is not worth the money to change the bike. Pillions will like the comfort the suspension dials in but then again you can just as well buy the RT. The engine is very good and the gearbox much improved (I think it is actually a new design gearbox internals if I remember the marketing blurb correctly).

What next? Don't know. New GS/GSA out in the next year or 2. Other bikes are available or I just keep this one. It is paid for which is important.

 

[GeorgeM]

I’ll get my tin hat ,they don’t like alternative views here


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Flamair]

or has the GS morphed into a bike for those old enough to not ride a sports bike.

I avoid having a GS/GSA from the dealer as a loan bike while mine is in for service or MOT. Not today. Got the GS Rallye cause that is all they have got (blame the chip shortage). It did have all the bells and whistles.

Liked the engine and gearbox, well I always liked the engine and gearbox on the 1250 particularly in the RT and R. And that is it. It has the same screen and winglets as my GSA, the same foot pegs and the same aux lights.

Brakes, good initial bite and you don't need to pull the lever very hard to get the retardation you want. Pull it proper hard and the feel from the brakes disappears. This combined with the ABS letting go over undulations in the road feels very much like the rider has no control over modulating the brakes himself. It certainly stops the bike but that float as the brake pressure is modulated over a bump by the ABS is not to my liking.

Rear brakes, I use these a lot in town and trimming entry speed into corners when my observation has been shit. Had 3 incidents where the rear brake pedal went soft for no reason. I thought I didn't step on the pedal the first instance but when it happened the 2nd time I deducted that the rear brake is playing silly bugger. Front brake was not actuated at the time.

Suspension, I set the throttle in Dynamic, same as my GSA and set the suspension on Auto. There is a floatiness to the movement of the bike akin to riding the RT but not what I expected from a GS. The front suspension isolates the feel and in the corners I wished for more feel from the front even though I wasn't riding it hard. The ripples from the tarmac translates but I can't feel what the front is doing. It robs a bit of confidence in the corner.

Still the same buzz through the handle bars, seat was better than mine and being lower a bit of a change when you stop or approach junctions. I came away thinking it certainly feel more like a RT on stilts than a GS. Not my favourite bike at all. Back to back to an ESA equipped 14 reg GSA confirms my feeling from the front. The old bike is better. The brakes are not as powerful (think more off road bike type than road bike sharpness) but I can modulate very easily how much retardation I want. ABS not so intrusive.

Would I want one? No. It certainly is not worth the money to change the bike. Pillions will like the comfort the suspension dials in but then again you can just as well buy the RT. The engine is very good and the gearbox much improved (I think it is actually a new design gearbox internals if I remember the marketing blurb correctly).

What next? Don't know. New GS/GSA out in the next year or 2. Other bikes are available or I just keep this one. It is paid for which is important.

I think I diagnose a case of wishful thinking!

The old Gsa engine is pants compared to the new one. As is the gearbox. Suspension wise it's each to their own, but suffice to say I really do like my 2019 GSA and find it far superior to other GSAs I've ridden . I've ridden earlier 1200s- but would never buy one as the engine and box is straight out of a 1968 John Deere tractor.

As I say, each to their own!



Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[Arsey]

or has the GS morphed into a bike for those old enough to not ride a sports bike.

I avoid having a GS/GSA from the dealer as a loan bike while mine is in for service or MOT. Not today. Got the GS Rallye cause that is all they have got (blame the chip shortage). It did have all the bells and whistles.

Liked the engine and gearbox, well I always liked the engine and gearbox on the 1250 particularly in the RT and R. And that is it. It has the same screen and winglets as my GSA, the same foot pegs and the same aux lights.

Brakes, good initial bite and you don't need to pull the lever very hard to get the retardation you want. Pull it proper hard and the feel from the brakes disappears. This combined with the ABS letting go over undulations in the road feels very much like the rider has no control over modulating the brakes himself. It certainly stops the bike but that float as the brake pressure is modulated over a bump by the ABS is not to my liking.

Rear brakes, I use these a lot in town and trimming entry speed into corners when my observation has been shit. Had 3 incidents where the rear brake pedal went soft for no reason. I thought I didn't step on the pedal the first instance but when it happened the 2nd time I deducted that the rear brake is playing silly bugger. Front brake was not actuated at the time.

Suspension, I set the throttle in Dynamic, same as my GSA and set the suspension on Auto. There is a floatiness to the movement of the bike akin to riding the RT but not what I expected from a GS. The front suspension isolates the feel and in the corners I wished for more feel from the front even though I wasn't riding it hard. The ripples from the tarmac translates but I can't feel what the front is doing. It robs a bit of confidence in the corner.

Still the same buzz through the handle bars, seat was better than mine and being lower a bit of a change when you stop or approach junctions. I came away thinking it certainly feel more like a RT on stilts than a GS. Not my favourite bike at all. Back to back to an ESA equipped 14 reg GSA confirms my feeling from the front. The old bike is better. The brakes are not as powerful (think more off road bike type than road bike sharpness) but I can modulate very easily how much retardation I want. ABS not so intrusive.

Would I want one? No. It certainly is not worth the money to change the bike. Pillions will like the comfort the suspension dials in but then again you can just as well buy the RT. The engine is very good and the gearbox much improved (I think it is actually a new design gearbox internals if I remember the marketing blurb correctly).

What next? Don't know. New GS/GSA out in the next year or 2. Other bikes are available or I just keep this one. It is paid for which is important.

Agreed.
Suspension on latest bikes is horrid.it was better on my 2006 GSA !

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I've ridden earlier 1200s- but would never buy one as the engine and box is straight out of a 1968 John Deere tractor.

As I say, each to their own!

Have you ridden a 1150 GS ?

They’re a peach

 

[knutk]

or has the GS morphed into a bike for those old enough to not ride a sports bike.

I avoid having a GS/GSA from the dealer as a loan bike while mine is in for service or MOT. Not today. Got the GS Rallye cause that is all they have got (blame the chip shortage). It did have all the bells and whistles.

Liked the engine and gearbox, well I always liked the engine and gearbox on the 1250 particularly in the RT and R. And that is it. It has the same screen and winglets as my GSA, the same foot pegs and the same aux lights.

Brakes, good initial bite and you don't need to pull the lever very hard to get the retardation you want. Pull it proper hard and the feel from the brakes disappears. This combined with the ABS letting go over undulations in the road feels very much like the rider has no control over modulating the brakes himself. It certainly stops the bike but that float as the brake pressure is modulated over a bump by the ABS is not to my liking.

Rear brakes, I use these a lot in town and trimming entry speed into corners when my observation has been shit. Had 3 incidents where the rear brake pedal went soft for no reason. I thought I didn't step on the pedal the first instance but when it happened the 2nd time I deducted that the rear brake is playing silly bugger. Front brake was not actuated at the time.

Suspension, I set the throttle in Dynamic, same as my GSA and set the suspension on Auto. There is a floatiness to the movement of the bike akin to riding the RT but not what I expected from a GS. The front suspension isolates the feel and in the corners I wished for more feel from the front even though I wasn't riding it hard. The ripples from the tarmac translates but I can't feel what the front is doing. It robs a bit of confidence in the corner.

Still the same buzz through the handle bars, seat was better than mine and being lower a bit of a change when you stop or approach junctions. I came away thinking it certainly feel more like a RT on stilts than a GS. Not my favourite bike at all. Back to back to an ESA equipped 14 reg GSA confirms my feeling from the front. The old bike is better. The brakes are not as powerful (think more off road bike type than road bike sharpness) but I can modulate very easily how much retardation I want. ABS not so intrusive.

Would I want one? No. It certainly is not worth the money to change the bike. Pillions will like the comfort the suspension dials in but then again you can just as well buy the RT. The engine is very good and the gearbox much improved (I think it is actually a new design gearbox internals if I remember the marketing blurb correctly).

What next? Don't know. New GS/GSA out in the next year or 2. Other bikes are available or I just keep this one. It is paid for which is important.

I'm happy for you, and I'm glad you are able to convince your self, but except for the luni on the little island, I think that are the only ones.

To the rest of us, we feel the 1250 is an improvement over the previous bikes, and most people are quite happy with the setup. But then of course, we are not riding gods, just fat tossers with too high BMI and too low selfesteeme (and money in the bank)

 

[Edmund Kean]

or has the GS morphed into a bike for those old enough to not ride a sports bike.

I avoid having a GS/GSA from the dealer as a loan bike while mine is in for service or MOT. Not today. Got the GS Rallye cause that is all they have got (blame the chip shortage). It did have all the bells and whistles.

Liked the engine and gearbox, well I always liked the engine and gearbox on the 1250 particularly in the RT and R. And that is it. It has the same screen and winglets as my GSA, the same foot pegs and the same aux lights.

Brakes, good initial bite and you don't need to pull the lever very hard to get the retardation you want. Pull it proper hard and the feel from the brakes disappears. This combined with the ABS letting go over undulations in the road feels very much like the rider has no control over modulating the brakes himself. It certainly stops the bike but that float as the brake pressure is modulated over a bump by the ABS is not to my liking.

Rear brakes, I use these a lot in town and trimming entry speed into corners when my observation has been shit. Had 3 incidents where the rear brake pedal went soft for no reason. I thought I didn't step on the pedal the first instance but when it happened the 2nd time I deducted that the rear brake is playing silly bugger. Front brake was not actuated at the time.

Suspension, I set the throttle in Dynamic, same as my GSA and set the suspension on Auto. There is a floatiness to the movement of the bike akin to riding the RT but not what I expected from a GS. The front suspension isolates the feel and in the corners I wished for more feel from the front even though I wasn't riding it hard. The ripples from the tarmac translates but I can't feel what the front is doing. It robs a bit of confidence in the corner.

Still the same buzz through the handle bars, seat was better than mine and being lower a bit of a change when you stop or approach junctions. I came away thinking it certainly feel more like a RT on stilts than a GS. Not my favourite bike at all. Back to back to an ESA equipped 14 reg GSA confirms my feeling from the front. The old bike is better. The brakes are not as powerful (think more off road bike type than road bike sharpness) but I can modulate very easily how much retardation I want. ABS not so intrusive.

Would I want one? No. It certainly is not worth the money to change the bike. Pillions will like the comfort the suspension dials in but then again you can just as well buy the RT. The engine is very good and the gearbox much improved (I think it is actually a new design gearbox internals if I remember the marketing blurb correctly).

What next? Don't know. New GS/GSA out in the next year or 2. Other bikes are available or I just keep this one. It is paid for which is important.

Curious. I find too much feel to being intrusive and if anything occasionally saps a wee bit of confidence when on certain surfaces. Surely your 2014 can’t feel all that different to more recent GS’s… it’s nearly the same. What tyres do you ride on?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

or has the GS morphed into a bike for those old enough to not ride a sports bike.

I avoid having a GS/GSA from the dealer as a loan bike while mine is in for service or MOT. Not today. Got the GS Rallye cause that is all they have got (blame the chip shortage). It did have all the bells and whistles.

Liked the engine and gearbox, well I always liked the engine and gearbox on the 1250 particularly in the RT and R. And that is it. It has the same screen and winglets as my GSA, the same foot pegs and the same aux lights.

Brakes, good initial bite and you don't need to pull the lever very hard to get the retardation you want. Pull it proper hard and the feel from the brakes disappears. This combined with the ABS letting go over undulations in the road feels very much like the rider has no control over modulating the brakes himself. It certainly stops the bike but that float as the brake pressure is modulated over a bump by the ABS is not to my liking.

Rear brakes, I use these a lot in town and trimming entry speed into corners when my observation has been shit. Had 3 incidents where the rear brake pedal went soft for no reason. I thought I didn't step on the pedal the first instance but when it happened the 2nd time I deducted that the rear brake is playing silly bugger. Front brake was not actuated at the time.

Suspension, I set the throttle in Dynamic, same as my GSA and set the suspension on Auto. There is a floatiness to the movement of the bike akin to riding the RT but not what I expected from a GS. The front suspension isolates the feel and in the corners I wished for more feel from the front even though I wasn't riding it hard. The ripples from the tarmac translates but I can't feel what the front is doing. It robs a bit of confidence in the corner.

Still the same buzz through the handle bars, seat was better than mine and being lower a bit of a change when you stop or approach junctions. I came away thinking it certainly feel more like a RT on stilts than a GS. Not my favourite bike at all. Back to back to an ESA equipped 14 reg GSA confirms my feeling from the front. The old bike is better. The brakes are not as powerful (think more off road bike type than road bike sharpness) but I can modulate very easily how much retardation I want. ABS not so intrusive.

Would I want one? No. It certainly is not worth the money to change the bike. Pillions will like the comfort the suspension dials in but then again you can just as well buy the RT. The engine is very good and the gearbox much improved (I think it is actually a new design gearbox internals if I remember the marketing blurb correctly).

What next? Don't know. New GS/GSA out in the next year or 2. Other bikes are available or I just keep this one. It is paid for which is important.

Why do people quote the whole of the OP and then reply with just a few lines?

Andres

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Dont let Boxerfrogs see this thread he will have a meltdown

 

[tanneman]

I think I diagnose a case of wishful thinking!

The old Gsa engine is pants compared to the new one. As is the gearbox. Suspension wise it's each to their own, but suffice to say I really do like my 2019 GSA and find it far superior to other GSAs I've ridden . I've ridden earlier 1200s- but would never buy one as the engine and box is straight out of a 1968 John Deere tractor.

As I say, each to their own!

The engine and gearbox is definitely an improvement. The shift cam has torque from very low revs and it really gets a move on. I was thinking when I opened the taps on one particular stretch of privately owned tarmac it it very quickly got to 130 mph uphill. The RT has the same feel but with the different final drive it makes good use of the engine.

As for 1968 John Deeres. They launched a new series of tractors that year. Me, I would like to have a 7810.

Just for interest, what is your biking history and why did you end up buying a GSA?

I'm happy for you, and I'm glad you are able to convince your self, but except for the luni on the little island, I think that are the only ones.

To the rest of us, we feel the 1250 is an improvement over the previous bikes, and most people are quite happy with the setup. But then of course, we are not riding gods, just fat tossers with too high BMI and too low selfesteeme (and money in the bank)

It is just my personal experience of how the bike feels to me. My requirements and what I want from it differs to other people.

Curious. I find too much feel to being intrusive and if anything occasionally saps a wee bit of confidence when on certain surfaces. Surely your 2014 can’t feel all that different to more recent GS’s… it’s nearly the same. What tyres do you ride on?

The bike is on 2000 mile old Michelin Road 5. The loan bike was on Bridgestone tyres. It doesn't matter much on bikes like these, you'll find the limit of the chassis before you find the limit of the tyres on track. Unless you are ruthless with the throttle, DAMHIK.

The semi-active suspension reacts to something that has already happened. Same with ABS but it can actuate much faster that a human can react. The ESA and Dynamic suspension are very different. The ESA sets the suspension to a predetermined setting that is accessed through a menu by the rider. The Dynamic can also be set by the rider to the style of riding and the Dynamic bit is constantly adjusting and measuring the preload, damping and rebound. I write this from memory so someone will point out my error if I'm not correct.

In short for me, having a suspension that translates rather than reacts to the road conditions would be better. Not that the telelever actually have much feel to it but it was very much noticeable riding the 2 bikes back to back.

My biking history is more off road orientated. Getting on one at the age of 16 (never needed a licence in SA if you ride of road) and I passed my Direct Access in 2008 before the new rules came in. I have never owned a small capacity road bike. 1st was a Yamaha Thunderace, then sold that to buy the R1100S I still have and had modify it to be an excellent piece of kit. It will be for sale soon, again. 2x GSA. The 1st a hexhead MU model of 2009 vintage (I should have bought the twincam, they were excellent machines) and then a 2014 LC which was a bargain at the time. It has proven to be mostly reliable, but with the wear items and mileage increasing the maintenance items is a bit more expensive. Both the R1100S and LC GA had their suspension reworked and has been very much better for it. Both have also had tuning done, the GSA at that infamous place.

Not a riding god but have ridden enough bikes to have an idea of what I like. The conclusion is that there is no bike that can be a true allrounder. The GSA comes close but it has limitations. Like a tool box, your garage should be equipped with the correct tool for the job. Not a set of pliers and hammer for everything. Currently my toolbox looks like this.

R1100S - very good sports tourer. I have fond memories of taking it back to Germany to attend Garmish with BMW. It really comes into its own above 90 mph on open roads. Compromised on track because it is heavy and underpowered but very fast and stable in the corners thanks to the telelever. Yet they raced them rom 2000 -2003.

GSA, morphed into a tourer for the less frequented roads. Bad roads or good roads it is perfect as a rider on its own or with a pillion. Given the origins of the GS series was almost Golf GTI like in history. A few guys building an off road capable bike and winning on it. It even won the Dakar and has changed the bikes the competitors used during its time.

To me the GSA is not worth the money to upgrade to a newer one. I have time and when it will be replaced I don't know but will keep on looking at different manufacturers until such time. Simplicity is sometimes the answer, not more tech. The GSA has moved away from what I want or it has changed from what I expect it to be. It will still do the same but it will feel very different doing it and every time I ride it that will always be what I feel. The customer service at my local (not the sales team as I rarely deal with them) is 2nd to none, and that will be hard to beat.

 

[tanneman]

I see what you did there Andres

 

[chablis]

or has the GS morphed into a bike for those old enough to not ride a sports bike.

I avoid having a GS/GSA from the dealer as a loan bike while mine is in for service or MOT. Not today. Got the GS Rallye cause that is all they have got (blame the chip shortage). It did have all the bells and whistles.

Liked the engine and gearbox, well I always liked the engine and gearbox on the 1250 particularly in the RT and R. And that is it. It has the same screen and winglets as my GSA, the same foot pegs and the same aux lights.

Brakes, good initial bite and you don't need to pull the lever very hard to get the retardation you want. Pull it proper hard and the feel from the brakes disappears. This combined with the ABS letting go over undulations in the road feels very much like the rider has no control over modulating the brakes himself. It certainly stops the bike but that float as the brake pressure is modulated over a bump by the ABS is not to my liking.

Rear brakes, I use these a lot in town and trimming entry speed into corners when my observation has been shit. Had 3 incidents where the rear brake pedal went soft for no reason. I thought I didn't step on the pedal the first instance but when it happened the 2nd time I deducted that the rear brake is playing silly bugger. Front brake was not actuated at the time.

Suspension, I set the throttle in Dynamic, same as my GSA and set the suspension on Auto. There is a floatiness to the movement of the bike akin to riding the RT but not what I expected from a GS. The front suspension isolates the feel and in the corners I wished for more feel from the front even though I wasn't riding it hard. The ripples from the tarmac translates but I can't feel what the front is doing. It robs a bit of confidence in the corner.

Still the same buzz through the handle bars, seat was better than mine and being lower a bit of a change when you stop or approach junctions. I came away thinking it certainly feel more like a RT on stilts than a GS. Not my favourite bike at all. Back to back to an ESA equipped 14 reg GSA confirms my feeling from the front. The old bike is better. The brakes are not as powerful (think more off road bike type than road bike sharpness) but I can modulate very easily how much retardation I want. ABS not so intrusive.

Would I want one? No. It certainly is not worth the money to change the bike. Pillions will like the comfort the suspension dials in but then again you can just as well buy the RT. The engine is very good and the gearbox much improved (I think it is actually a new design gearbox internals if I remember the marketing blurb correctly).

What next? Don't know. New GS/GSA out in the next year or 2. Other bikes are available or I just keep this one. It is paid for which is important.

Why do people quote the whole of the OP and then reply with just a few lines?

Andres

I know, what is that all about.


In other news, I'm not keen on Raisins, try to avoid them if I can, but don't go out of my way if they are in whatever I'm given.

My advice to OP, is don't buy one. Problem solved.

 

[tanneman]

My advice to OP, is don't buy one. Problem solved.

Yes, obviously.

But I think the GS/GSA range has taken on a different philosophy than the original. Driven by the market, vehicle legislation and competitors closing in the consumer wants more tech or it is just added to the bike. The suspension tech hasn't added anything to the bike for me and the ABS is very much intrusive. The ABS is required by legislation and can't be turned off on the new bikes. Will see what the new one is like and how it feels.

Very few of us buy a bike to use year round as our only form of transport and then join a forum to discuss the make and model. So for those fortunate enough it is about how the bike feels and what it does. I have ridden the 1150 GSA, hexhead GSA and now all the LC GSA models and in truth there is a massive difference from early LC models to the current series and it is not (the negative again) what I expect it to be. Something has been taken from it.

 

[SBD]

Is the same true of Land Rovers? Started out a bit agricultural, ended up technowhizzkids, and, I suspect, far more profitable for the manufacturer.

I don’t find the electronics on the GS obtrusive, maybe I don’t ride hard enough, but I’ve only had it on once from memory, and that was a bit of gravel that I should have seen earlier. I’m very happy to have all the tech in the world if it is reliable and it makes me safer.

 

[Steptoe]

or has the GS morphed into a bike for those old enough to not ride a sports bike.

I avoid having a GS/GSA from the dealer as a loan bike while mine is in for service or MOT. Not today. Got the GS Rallye cause that is all they have got (blame the chip shortage). It did have all the bells and whistles.

Liked the engine and gearbox, well I always liked the engine and gearbox on the 1250 particularly in the RT and R. And that is it. It has the same screen and winglets as my GSA, the same foot pegs and the same aux lights.

Brakes, good initial bite and you don't need to pull the lever very hard to get the retardation you want. Pull it proper hard and the feel from the brakes disappears. This combined with the ABS letting go over undulations in the road feels very much like the rider has no control over modulating the brakes himself. It certainly stops the bike but that float as the brake pressure is modulated over a bump by the ABS is not to my liking.

Rear brakes, I use these a lot in town and trimming entry speed into corners when my observation has been shit. Had 3 incidents where the rear brake pedal went soft for no reason. I thought I didn't step on the pedal the first instance but when it happened the 2nd time I deducted that the rear brake is playing silly bugger. Front brake was not actuated at the time.

Suspension, I set the throttle in Dynamic, same as my GSA and set the suspension on Auto. There is a floatiness to the movement of the bike akin to riding the RT but not what I expected from a GS. The front suspension isolates the feel and in the corners I wished for more feel from the front even though I wasn't riding it hard. The ripples from the tarmac translates but I can't feel what the front is doing. It robs a bit of confidence in the corner.

Still the same buzz through the handle bars, seat was better than mine and being lower a bit of a change when you stop or approach junctions. I came away thinking it certainly feel more like a RT on stilts than a GS. Not my favourite bike at all. Back to back to an ESA equipped 14 reg GSA confirms my feeling from the front. The old bike is better. The brakes are not as powerful (think more off road bike type than road bike sharpness) but I can modulate very easily how much retardation I want. ABS not so intrusive.

Would I want one? No. It certainly is not worth the money to change the bike. Pillions will like the comfort the suspension dials in but then again you can just as well buy the RT. The engine is very good and the gearbox much improved (I think it is actually a new design gearbox internals if I remember the marketing blurb correctly).

What next? Don't know. New GS/GSA out in the next year or 2. Other bikes are available or I just keep this one. It is paid for which is important.

Why do people quote the whole of the OP and then reply with just a few lines?

Andres

I fully agree.

 

[Neil W]

Waiting until next year to see what the new Triumph 1200 Explorer turns out like

 

[Flamair]

Yes, obviously.

But I think the GS/GSA range has taken on a different philosophy than the original. Driven by the market, vehicle legislation and competitors closing in the consumer wants more tech or it is just added to the bike. The suspension tech hasn't added anything to the bike for me and the ABS is very much intrusive. The ABS is required by legislation and can't be turned off on the new bikes. Will see what the new one is like and how it feels.

Very few of us buy a bike to use year round as our only form of transport and then join a forum to discuss the make and model. So for those fortunate enough it is about how the bike feels and what it does. I have ridden the 1150 GSA, hexhead GSA and now all the LC GSA models and in truth there is a massive difference from early LC models to the current series and it is not (the negative again) what I expect it to be. Something has been taken from it.

Sounds to me like you enjoy the agricultural nature and vibration of the older 1200s. The suspension is pretty decent on the earlier machines, but personally I find the newer one (2019 1250) far better. But then as I've already said, each to their own.
I've ridden a sorts of bikes and the new GSA has the edge on everything except perhaps the utter reliability of a Jap bike. But then again, I've had no issues with my 1250 as yet.

I'm going to regret the last sentence as I'm currently in France on it....

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

[Edmund Kean]

The engine and gearbox is definitely an improvement. The shift cam has torque from very low revs and it really gets a move on. I was thinking when I opened the taps on one particular stretch of privately owned tarmac it it very quickly got to 130 mph uphill. The RT has the same feel but with the different final drive it makes good use of the engine.

As for 1968 John Deeres. They launched a new series of tractors that year. Me, I would like to have a 7810.

Just for interest, what is your biking history and why did you end up buying a GSA?



It is just my personal experience of how the bike feels to me. My requirements and what I want from it differs to other people.



The bike is on 2000 mile old Michelin Road 5. The loan bike was on Bridgestone tyres. It doesn't matter much on bikes like these, you'll find the limit of the chassis before you find the limit of the tyres on track. Unless you are ruthless with the throttle, DAMHIK.

The semi-active suspension reacts to something that has already happened. Same with ABS but it can actuate much faster that a human can react. The ESA and Dynamic suspension are very different. The ESA sets the suspension to a predetermined setting that is accessed through a menu by the rider. The Dynamic can also be set by the rider to the style of riding and the Dynamic bit is constantly adjusting and measuring the preload, damping and rebound. I write this from memory so someone will point out my error if I'm not correct.

In short for me, having a suspension that translates rather than reacts to the road conditions would be better. Not that the telelever actually have much feel to it but it was very much noticeable riding the 2 bikes back to back.

My biking history is more off road orientated. Getting on one at the age of 16 (never needed a licence in SA if you ride of road) and I passed my Direct Access in 2008 before the new rules came in. I have never owned a small capacity road bike. 1st was a Yamaha Thunderace, then sold that to buy the R1100S I still have and had modify it to be an excellent piece of kit. It will be for sale soon, again. 2x GSA. The 1st a hexhead MU model of 2009 vintage (I should have bought the twincam, they were excellent machines) and then a 2014 LC which was a bargain at the time. It has proven to be mostly reliable, but with the wear items and mileage increasing the maintenance items is a bit more expensive. Both the R1100S and LC GA had their suspension reworked and has been very much better for it. Both have also had tuning done, the GSA at that infamous place.

Not a riding god but have ridden enough bikes to have an idea of what I like. The conclusion is that there is no bike that can be a true allrounder. The GSA comes close but it has limitations. Like a tool box, your garage should be equipped with the correct tool for the job. Not a set of pliers and hammer for everything. Currently my toolbox looks like this.

R1100S - very good sports tourer. I have fond memories of taking it back to Germany to attend Garmish with BMW. It really comes into its own above 90 mph on open roads. Compromised on track because it is heavy and underpowered but very fast and stable in the corners thanks to the telelever. Yet they raced them rom 2000 -2003.

GSA, morphed into a tourer for the less frequented roads. Bad roads or good roads it is perfect as a rider on its own or with a pillion. Given the origins of the GS series was almost Golf GTI like in history. A few guys building an off road capable bike and winning on it. It even won the Dakar and has changed the bikes the competitors used during its time.

To me the GSA is not worth the money to upgrade to a newer one. I have time and when it will be replaced I don't know but will keep on looking at different manufacturers until such time. Simplicity is sometimes the answer, not more tech. The GSA has moved away from what I want or it has changed from what I expect it to be. It will still do the same but it will feel very different doing it and every time I ride it that will always be what I feel. The customer service at my local (not the sales team as I rarely deal with them) is 2nd to none, and that will be hard to beat.

I was interested to know about the tyre not from their cornering ability but more to do with wall stiffness.

 

[Giles]

Curious. I find too much feel to being intrusive and if anything occasionally saps a wee bit of confidence when on certain surfaces. Surely your 2014 can’t feel all that different to more recent GS’s… it’s nearly the same. What tyres do you ride on?

Feel is everything isn't it??

If I sit here now, close my eyes, and put myself on a bike, maybe on a nadgery b road .. and re-live the experience in my mind .. the thing I re-live and imagine more than anything else, is the feel of the bike. That feel is is in my hands, my feet, my arse .... it's ... everything!

Feel, certainly for me (cant speak for anybody else), gives me confidence. Braking, turn in, mid corner, corner exit, getting on the gas, gas v lean angle, brakes V lean angle! .... if you cant feel it .... ??

My aprillia has very, very good electronic suspension. But as good as it is, I still think that you cant beat a very good manual set up. And thats mostly because the feel is 'live' and right now. Very good suspension has a lovely organic feel to it. Electronic suspension can often have quite a binary 0's and 1's feel about it.

(cue conversation about telelever separating braking and suspension but maybe at the cost of feel ??!).

Feel is not just the preserve of those that want to spank it! Wet days? Cold days? Off camber urban roundabouts on a January morning commute?

Maybe the thing to examine here would be what are you feeling?! Then understanding that (too slow rebound, too fast rebound, too high compression, low tyre pressures, high pressures, overbanding, a genuine little front end slide ..... whatever .. ) would be a good thing!

 

[Winjar]

Feel is everything isn't it??

If I sit here now, close my eyes, and put myself on a bike, maybe on a nadgery b road .. and re-live the experience in my mind .. the thing I re-live and imagine more than anything else, is the feel of the bike. That feel is is in my hands, my feet, my arse .... it's ... everything!

Feel, certainly for me (cant speak for anybody else), gives me confidence. Braking, turn in, mid corner, corner exit, getting on the gas, gas v lean angle, brakes V lean angle! .... if you cant feel it .... ??

My aprillia has very, very good electronic suspension. But as good as it is, I still think that you cant beat a very good manual set up. And thats mostly because the feel is 'live' and right now. Very good suspension has a lovely organic feel to it. Electronic suspension can often have quite a binary 0's and 1's feel about it.

(cue conversation about telelever separating braking and suspension but maybe at the cost of feel ??!).

Feel is not just the preserve of those that want to spank it! Wet days? Cold days? Off camber urban roundabouts on a January morning commute?

Maybe the thing to examine here would be what are you feeling?! Then understanding that (too slow rebound, too fast rebound, too high compression, low tyre pressures, high pressures, overbanding, a genuine little front end slide ..... whatever .. ) would be a good thing!

if I must think of so many things, i would stop riding my bike