Buying A 2012 GS?

[The Young Man]

Hi Again Everyone!

It has been a while since I last said anything on here but I have been lurking in the shadows so to speak

Now its getting soon to the point where I'm going to be taking that trip to the dealers to order my new GSA. But before I do so I would like to ask a few questions to anyone whose bought a new BMW from the dealer.

My first main gripe with the new GSA is the colour, I'm not a fan of Red, Nor do I like the triple black. I Loved the 30th Anniversary White Model. Do you think BMW Would do me a 2012 Anniversary White GSA? I ask this as I would get a 30th anniversary GS but essentially I would prefer a NEW bike. ( Warranty and what not )

Ive read that the Enduro gearbox is the best option, and honestly I was already siding with the enduro box as I do want to take this bike off-roading. Perhaps even Rallying if me and pal get our fingers out of our bottom.

Ive Now since sat on a GSA and I fell in love instantly its the perfect size for my 6'4'' body, even on the centre stand I was still able to keep a foot on the floor

Now im left as to what toys I want, for package wise im pretty set on the premium package, dynamic & Enduro package. Has Anybody got these and how useful are they. ( mainly concerned about the ASC? )

And Lastly is the BMW navigation system any good. I like the look of it, but due to never using it nor being able to find much info about it I would like to know if anyone here has used or uses one and what is the operation like, functionality etc.

Many Thanks,
Ben.

EDIT:

Since popping onto the BMW Motorrad site whilst writing this it seems that they have released another white GSA for 2012 *drools intensely* Link to BMW Motorrad GSA

 

[Big Nick]

You won't get a new Anniversary model they have all been sold

If you're that determined to change the colour it's only the beak and tank panel that need painting which will be £100-£200 at a decent spray shop. You can source tank decals from two wheel humvee on here

Most go for the premium and dynamic pack but personally I only have the premium and don't miss the abs etc

I wouldn't bother with the BMW sat nav it's just a bog standard Garmin with a BMW badge on

 

[pathfinder]

OOOOOH I say,do like the alpine white one.Have started to drool myself.Go on treat yourself have the whole package dear,you deserve it.

 

[GS_or_bust]

I bought a new GSA in 2010. I got the Premium and Dynamic packs, I can't understand why anybody would not have ABS. You don't notice it's there until it stops you throwing it down the road. You can switch the ABS and traction control off when you take it off road.

I think it also makes it easier to sell on as a fully loaded bike.

I have a Garmin 660 fitted on my GSA and find it very good but I fitted it and wired it myself. The advantage of buying the BMW unit is they will fit it for you, saving you the trouble. It depends how wealthy and handy you are.

 

[GS_or_bust]

mainly concerned about the ASC

I have only had the ASC cut in once when I cracked it open on a wet white centre line for an overtake and it caused a brief hesitation and flashed the ASC warning light.

I believe you can turn off the ASC separately from the ABS if you want to.

 

[Lighty]

I have the white and Sandrover, I love it, but everyone else takes the piss.

 

[Nutty]

They don't do the Anniversary any more, but you could get the white GSA, Anniversary decals, and the red Anniversary seat.

 

[Dainese Brave]

They don't do the Anniversary any more, but you could get the white GSA, Anniversary decals, and the red Anniversary seat.

This seems your best option, either that or spray the panels to whatever colour you want

...I'd go for the packs too, they definately help resale values. And I've got the enduro box, and I think it's worth having..and it's free anyway!

Hope you enjoy the GSA

 

[TheBergers]

You're unlikely to find a new anniversary GSA but as already mentioned, with a red seat and some decals from Humvee, you could pimp a 2012 white GSA to look pretty close.

Two months ago, I was where you are now, in the showroom (Bahnstormer ) and drooling over what has always been my dream bike. Since then I've taken delivery of a new GSA, ridden every weekend, rain or shine, and loving every moment.

In response to your various questions:

Colour - As you can see, I chose the white. Not to everyone's taste but so far I haven't seen another 2012 white GSA in 'the wild' and far too many triple blacks to mention.

Options - I took one with all the toys (ASC, ABS, ESA, heated grips etc.). Yes, it's more things that can go wrong but that's what warranty/extended warranty is for. ASC has definitely come in handy a few times in the wet and ESA is a plus for me as I can easily adjust for when I ride two up with SWMBO. Heated grips - it was down to zero degrees C when I hit the road the other weekend and since I was wearing summer gloves, those grips were a plus.

I also got a BMW Navigator IV as part of the deal - essentially a rebadged Garmin Zumo 660 - and while both the satnav and mapping software (BaseCamp) have their quirks, once you get the hang of them, they are both pretty good.

So what are you waiting for Young Man? You won't be young forever. Do it!

Don't forget, if you're looking at a BMW finance option, the £800 dealer contribution ends at the end of this month.

 

[cheap'n'cheerful]

You can turn the ASC off but when you switch the ignition of it resets itself as i found out .

cheers C'n'c

 

[EggChaser]

The lower first gear in the enduro gearbox can be useful filtering (lane splitting) in traffic as well as off road. I find the 1st gear can be a might too high in low speed (stop-start) traffic on the standard GS. Have to do a lot of clutch slipping at times

 

[Nutty]

Nice looking bike. Where was that picture taken?

 

[TheBergers]

Nice looking bike. Where was that picture taken?

Thanks. That was taken in deepest darkest Surrey - near the village of Shere.

Lot's of nice back roads all around there.

Here's a little video of my last bimble around the Surrey Hills

 

[Nutty]

Thanks. That was taken in deepest darkest Surrey - near the village of Shere.

Lot's of nice back roads all around there.

Here's a little video of my last bimble around the Surrey Hills

I recognise all of those roads. Why did they have to turn Forest Green into a damn 40mph zone? They are doing it everywhere; all out the back of Newdigate over towards Gatwick, and all the villages in between.

 

[Country Bumpkin]

question

have you modified your gear change lever, it looks as though you have in the video ?

CB

 

[TheBergers]

have you modified your gear change lever, it looks as though you have in the video ?

CB

Nope, gear change lever should be bog standard - unless Bahnstormer did some kind of pre-delivery mod they didn't tell me about.

 

[The Young Man]

Two months ago, I was where you are now, in the showroom
and drooling over what has always been my dream bike. Since then I've taken delivery of a new GSA, ridden every weekend, rain or shine, and loving every moment.

In response to your various questions:

Colour - As you can see, I chose the white. Not to everyone's taste but so far I haven't seen another 2012 white GSA in 'the wild' and far too many triple blacks to mention.

Options - I took one with all the toys (ASC, ABS, ESA, heated grips etc.). Yes, it's more things that can go wrong but that's what warranty/extended warranty is for. ASC has definitely come in handy a few times in the wet and ESA is a plus for me as I can easily adjust for when I ride two up with SWMBO. Heated grips - it was down to zero degrees C when I hit the road the other weekend and since I was wearing summer gloves, those grips were a plus.

I also got a BMW Navigator IV as part of the deal - essentially a rebadged Garmin Zumo 660 - and while both the satnav and mapping software (BaseCamp) have their quirks, once you get the hang of them, they are both pretty good.

So what are you waiting for Young Man? You won't be young forever. Do it!

Don't forget, if you're looking at a BMW finance option, the £800 dealer contribution ends at the end of this month.

Sorry For the late reply everyone, After seeing yours TheBergers, Im quite confident that I am going down the route of Stickering it up and changing the seat, Never thought of doing that.

Thanks for making me almost ruin my laptop in the process though

Thanks to everyone who replied, Wont be soon till I can say I'm a proud GSA owner

 

[rattler]

Yellow

Everybody knows the yellow ones are best

 

[The Young Man]

I cant say I dont like the Yellow GSA's, I was originally setting my sights on a Yellow one, but then I saw the Sand Rover colours and it really set it off for me