Changes to the 1250 GSA?

[APHezzer]

Yeah, I'll do that when I next pop up. It's just a curiosity thing

I have had a 1250GS (2019 model) and now have a 1250 GSA (2022 model - low chassis) .. basic ergonomics very similar .. things I have personally noticed:
1. bar risers on the GSA alter the triangle but standing position better .. I actually prefer the seated position as well
2. you do notice the bigger tank and frontage .. but the upside is better protection from elements, standing position is slightly different as there is more 'tank' between the knees .. again, I prefer it
3. Standard footpegs on GSA 'better' in my view as they have a bigger footprint .. standing position more secure
4. Protective screens are more comprehensive (you get the little tank top screens) so overall weather protection is improved
5. GSA 'low' is the same as a normal GS for stand-over height .. 'proper' GSA is definitely a bigger hike
6. Agree with the comment earlier .. there is quite a lot you can adjust, although the GSA also has the flip down footbrake spacer which improves off road/standing work

.. I love the GSA but I sometimes do think that I prefer the smaller bulk of the GS as it is easier to move about both when on and off the bike

 

[snerkler]

I have had a 1250GS (2019 model) and now have a 1250 GSA (2022 model - low chassis) .. basic ergonomics very similar .. things I have personally noticed:
1. bar risers on the GSA alter the triangle but standing position better .. I actually prefer the seated position as well
2. you do notice the bigger tank and frontage .. but the upside is better protection from elements, standing position is slightly different as there is more 'tank' between the knees .. again, I prefer it
3. Standard footpegs on GSA 'better' in my view as they have a bigger footprint .. standing position more secure
4. Protective screens are more comprehensive (you get the little tank top screens) so overall weather protection is improved
5. GSA 'low' is the same as a normal GS for stand-over height .. 'proper' GSA is definitely a bigger hike
6. Agree with the comment earlier .. there is quite a lot you can adjust, although the GSA also has the flip down footbrake spacer which improves off road/standing work

.. I love the GSA but I sometimes do think that I prefer the smaller bulk of the GS as it is easier to move about both when on and off the bike

I don't do any off-roading or standing so the ergo's when standing don't matter to me, it's all about arms and shoulders when sitting for me. I've always preferred the GSA as I'm a big guy (6'4" with braod shoulders) and find it fits me better. I do like the idea of the more agile GS, but I'm not a quick rider so think the benefits of that will be lost on me.

I like the GSA footpegs but found they chewed the soles of my boots so bought rubber inserts for mine.

 

[APHezzer]

I don't do any off-roading or standing so the ergo's when standing don't matter to me, it's all about arms and shoulders when sitting for me. I've always preferred the GSA as I'm a big guy (6'4" with braod shoulders) and find it fits me better. I do like the idea of the more agile GS, but I'm not a quick rider so think the benefits of that will be lost on me.

I like the GSA footpegs but found they chewed the soles of my boots so bought rubber inserts for mine.

I am built more like an Ewok .. slightly different starting point to you

 

[NeilCol]

I switched to a new GSA last September after 9 1/2 years on a 2011 GS.
That GS was my first having moved from an old CBR600.
At that time, the GS felt huge to me (5/9 height) but instantly a huge upgrade in terms of handling, grunt and fun. I was smitten.

That bike never let me down once over those years and 20k miles, but I had looked at getting a newer one a few times but found the then new liquid cooled a very different ride sitting more on top of the bike than in it. The LC also felt smaller and lighter and just didn’t float my boat. I tried the RS and RT but having avoided the adventure simply due to writing it off as likely too big I was eventually persuaded by the dealer to take one out.

It felt straight away to be much closer to the hexhead in dimensions, but had that extra grunt with all the latest tech. My mind was made up and I just waited my time for a few months for the better deals to start.

Almost 2k miles on it now, not a hint of the starting issues others mention and I’m very very pleased with it.
Though 2 days ago it warned of that SOS being unavailable…and today hasn’t gone off so will be contacting the dealer to get sorted.

I’m not angry, it doesn’t spoil the bike in my opinion….yes it’s frustrating that it appears to be a bit of a common issue but for me these things tend to happen with new tech, and this is relatively new on bikes. I honestly believe the best version of BMW bike to get is the last iteration before the full new model comes out.
My Hexhead was that, and my current is too. I see me keeping this for at least 7 years, and certainly won’t be swayed for the latest GS as I fear they have made a huge error moving so far away from the previous looks and styling.

 

[snerkler]

I switched to a new GSA last September after 9 1/2 years on a 2011 GS.
That GS was my first having moved from an old CBR600.
At that time, the GS felt huge to me (5/9 height) but instantly a huge upgrade in terms of handling, grunt and fun. I was smitten.

That bike never let me down once over those years and 20k miles, but I had looked at getting a newer one a few times but found the then new liquid cooled a very different ride sitting more on top of the bike than in it. The LC also felt smaller and lighter and just didn’t float my boat. I tried the RS and RT but having avoided the adventure simply due to writing it off as likely too big I was eventually persuaded by the dealer to take one out.

It felt straight away to be much closer to the hexhead in dimensions, but had that extra grunt with all the latest tech. My mind was made up and I just waited my time for a few months for the better deals to start.

Almost 2k miles on it now, not a hint of the starting issues others mention and I’m very very pleased with it.
Though 2 days ago it warned of that SOS being unavailable…and today hasn’t gone off so will be contacting the dealer to get sorted.

I’m not angry, it doesn’t spoil the bike in my opinion….yes it’s frustrating that it appears to be a bit of a common issue but for me these things tend to happen with new tech, and this is relatively new on bikes. I honestly believe the best version of BMW bike to get is the last iteration before the full new model comes out.
My Hexhead was that, and my current is too. I see me keeping this for at least 7 years, and certainly won’t be swayed for the latest GS as I fear they have made a huge error moving so far away from the previous looks and styling.

The GSA is the only bike that's ever really fit me, I've had to squeeze onto other bikes, even my Road King has had to be adapted and I'd sill like more leg room.

I remember when I bought my GSA the salesman commented that I'm the only person he's seen that's made the GSA look small

 

[Boxerlust]

I switched to a new GSA last September after 9 1/2 years on a 2011 GS.
That GS was my first having moved from an old CBR600.
At that time, the GS felt huge to me (5/9 height) but instantly a huge upgrade in terms of handling, grunt and fun. I was smitten.

That bike never let me down once over those years and 20k miles, but I had looked at getting a newer one a few times but found the then new liquid cooled a very different ride sitting more on top of the bike than in it. The LC also felt smaller and lighter and just didn’t float my boat. I tried the RS and RT but having avoided the adventure simply due to writing it off as likely too big I was eventually persuaded by the dealer to take one out.

It felt straight away to be much closer to the hexhead in dimensions, but had that extra grunt with all the latest tech. My mind was made up and I just waited my time for a few months for the better deals to start.

Almost 2k miles on it now, not a hint of the starting issues others mention and I’m very very pleased with it.
Though 2 days ago it warned of that SOS being unavailable…and today hasn’t gone off so will be contacting the dealer to get sorted.

I’m not angry, it doesn’t spoil the bike in my opinion….yes it’s frustrating that it appears to be a bit of a common issue but for me these things tend to happen with new tech, and this is relatively new on bikes. I honestly believe the best version of BMW bike to get is the last iteration before the full new model comes out.
My Hexhead was that, and my current is too. I see me keeping this for at least 7 years, and certainly won’t be swayed for the latest GS as I fear they have made a huge error moving so far away from the previous looks and styling.

I am with you...It will probably take 7 years until they get the new 1300 right like it took 7 years from the 1200-LC to the 1250 ! The new one does not feel right yet may it the lack of sound and it for sure does not have the bottom end Torque and the top end is not strong enough and 1000 rpm to early to pull the taller top gears with authority...Factor in the in real life 2 liters smaller tank and connected to the front rear brake pedal and I was out...Also I am not really sold on the cook ware finish on the drivetrain or welded steel beam frame or cast subframe or even the levers and footpegs from Gilles on the 719 dont feel as good as the old ones...They should have done 4 mm more bore as they did but also 4 mm more stroke = 1400 ccm or at least kept the old stroke = 1350 ccm instead of going 3 mm shorter and then not taking advantage of it and given it 1000 rpm more topend ! All I got out of it was 139mph without bags...pathetic LOL

 

[Boxerlust]

The GSA is the only bike that's ever really fit me, I've had to squeeze onto other bikes, even my Road King has had to be adapted and I'd sill like more leg room.

I remember when I bought my GSA the salesman commented that I'm the only person he's seen that's made the GSA look small

Hope you enjoy the new bike and yes the 1250ADV is probably the most comfortable machine for big guys ! Sometimes I am thinking going back to it because of the big tank but I also like the combination of the smaller regular GS combined with the taller ADV suspension I have...Now I see what they have done to the all new '25 GSADV before I buy anything new and of course wont to give the new '24 S1000XR a try to see if the flatter seat made a difference...The only 2 bikes left on my radar screen...LOL

 

[snerkler]

Hope you enjoy the new bike and yes the 1250ADV is probably the most comfortable machine for big guys ! Sometimes I am thinking going back to it because of the big tank but I also like the combination of the smaller regular GS combined with the taller ADV suspension I have...Now I see what they have done to the all new '25 GSADV before I buy anything new and of course wont to give the new '24 S1000XR a try to see if the flatter seat made a difference...The only 2 bikes left on my radar screen...LOL

I haven’t bought one yet, seeing if my shoulder and arm will be ok when using the risers.

 

[snerkler]

I am with you...It will probably take 7 years until they get the new 1300 right like it took 7 years from the 1200-LC to the 1250 ! The new one does not feel right yet may it the lack of sound and it for sure does not have the bottom end Torque and the top end is not strong enough and 1000 rpm to early to pull the taller top gears with authority...Factor in the in real life 2 liters smaller tank and connected to the front rear brake pedal and I was out...Also I am not really sold on the cook ware finish on the drivetrain or welded steel beam frame or cast subframe or even the levers and footpegs from Gilles on the 719 dont feel as good as the old ones...They should have done 4 mm more bore as they did but also 4 mm more stroke = 1400 ccm or at least kept the old stroke = 1350 ccm instead of going 3 mm shorter and then not taking advantage of it and given it 1000 rpm more topend ! All I got out of it was 139mph without bags...pathetic LOL

I’m not a fan of the styling of the 1300 so it doesn’t matter how good (or bad) it is for me

 

[NeilCol]

As I mentioned it on this thread, I called the dealer today about the SOS being unavailable.
The service desk said they could book it in but she would be certain it’s a software glitch.
Apparently waiting for a software update to be done which they are going will be mid June.

Obviously not sure how accurate that is, but that’s the news I got. Not gonna bother doing an 80 mile round trip for that until I know they can sort it, so will wait til I get back from our little Europe trip early June and call them again.

 

[snerkler]

I thought I'd update this thread as I've just come back from a test ride on a 2019 1250GSA.

For the first 10 minutes I hated it, it felt very alien and a very strange riding position, I was surprised how far back my feet felt. However after that it clicked and I remembered why I love my 1200GSA so much. The wunderlich risers made a big difference and there was far less pressure on my shoulders, so far it's not caused me too much pain (the next 12 hours will be the proof as it can take a while for the fibro to kick in). If I'm OK later/tomorrow I'll definitely be wanting to change my bike and then it will come down to cost and how much I can get for my bike. WBAB quote was very low

I wasn't looking at buying new, especially as my favourite colour scheme is the HP, but the 2.9% APR on PCP is very tempting, add to that I quite like the Trophy colour scheme, at least from photos I've seen as I've not managed to see a real one.

A few 'gripes' I had with the test ride were the seat, screen and the ESA. Firstly the seat, why do they insist on making them out of concrete, are the comfort seats much better? With regards to the screen I can't believe after all of these years that they haven't managed to design one that doesn't make it sound as though your inside a Vulcan's jet engine at anything over 55mph It didn't seem to make much difference whether it was on high or low, or anywhere it between, although I preferred it in low to get some airflow to my helmet vents. Has anyone tried the rallye windscreen of low windscreen on the GSA and does it make any difference?

Lastly the ESA, when I had my 1200GSA I could set the suspension to comfort, road and sport IIRC but with the new one it only had auto, for which you could select dynamic or road. I also couldn't find a way to change preload. Can you not manually select comfort/soft suspension anymore, and is preload now also automatic and can't be manually adjusted?

 

[Pukmeister]

I find the standard GSA seats have been too soft for all day comfort. I’ve used Sargent seats on both my GSAs as they are very firm yet supportive. I have a cool cover on my 1250 which saved me from sitting in a puddle all week on my recent tour. A mate gave me a pair of gel pad riding shorts as he got an extra pair free, I was skeptical but having tried them i am now a fan.


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[snerkler]

I find the standard GSA seats have been too soft for all day comfort. I’ve used Sargent seats on both my GSAs as they are very firm yet supportive. I have a cool cover on my 1250 which saved me from sitting in a puddle all week on my recent tour. A mate gave me a pair of gel pad riding shorts as he got an extra pair free, I was skeptical but having tried them i am now a fan.


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That's surprising, as I say I felt like I was sitting on concrete compared to what I'm used to and caused a lot of pressure on my ischium and coccyx. I must have a sensitive derriere

I was also surprised how little leg room I had, although I did have the rear of the seat in the low position. If I do make the purchase I'll definitely be buying footpeg lowerers.

 

[GSMarky]

I thought I'd update this thread as I've just come back from a test ride on a 2019 1250GSA.

For the first 10 minutes I hated it, it felt very alien and a very strange riding position, I was surprised how far back my feet felt. However after that it clicked and I remembered why I love my 1200GSA so much. The wunderlich risers made a big difference and there was far less pressure on my shoulders, so far it's not caused me too much pain (the next 12 hours will be the proof as it can take a while for the fibro to kick in). If I'm OK later/tomorrow I'll definitely be wanting to change my bike and then it will come down to cost and how much I can get for my bike. WBAB quote was very low

I wasn't looking at buying new, especially as my favourite colour scheme is the HP, but the 2.9% APR on PCP is very tempting, add to that I quite like the Trophy colour scheme, at least from photos I've seen as I've not managed to see a real one.

A few 'gripes' I had with the test ride were the seat, screen and the ESA. Firstly the seat, why do they insist on making them out of concrete, are the comfort seats much better? With regards to the screen I can't believe after all of these years that they haven't managed to design one that doesn't make it sound as though your inside a Vulcan's jet engine at anything over 55mph It didn't seem to make much difference whether it was on high or low, or anywhere it between, although I preferred it in low to get some airflow to my helmet vents. Has anyone tried the rallye windscreen of low windscreen on the GSA and does it make any difference?

Lastly the ESA, when I had my 1200GSA I could set the suspension to comfort, road and sport IIRC but with the new one it only had auto, for which you could select dynamic or road. I also couldn't find a way to change preload. Can you not manually select comfort/soft suspension anymore, and is preload now also automatic and can't be manually adjusted?

I have found the Puig Touring screen with double Puig brace to do the job nicely & having ridden up to Scotland, around & back over a few days agree that after a few hundred miles the standard seat does get you.. Cracking bike overall mind..

 

[GSMarky]

I have the screen in almost its lowest position with for my 5’11” means I don’t look through it and it deflects air just over my head.


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[snerkler]

I have found the Puig Touring screen with double Puig brace to do the job nicely & having ridden up to Scotland, around & back over a few days agree that after a few hundred miles the standard seat does get you.. Cracking bike overall mind..

Thanks, my worry with the Puig touring screen is that I'd get no airflow to the head to keep me cool hence why I've been looking at smaller screens hoping that I'd get nice airflow without too much air/noise turbulance.

I have the screen in almost its lowest position with for my 5’11” means I don’t look through it and it deflects air just over my head.


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Very nice. Have you ridden with the stock exhaust and if so how much difference does the Akrapovic make? The guy at the dealership says it's not really any louder, just makes it sound a little "fruitier"? I'd definitely want an aftermarket can but I'm undecided which. The Akra looks the best imo, but I do like the sound of the Remus 8, well from videos anyway. I'm not too keen on the look of the s-shaped connection pipe on the remus though. I've also looked at the Jekyll and Hyde but without hearing these things in person it's really hard to know which is best.

Also, can a full face helmet fit inside the top box?

 

[GSMarky]

Thanks, my worry with the Puig touring screen is that I'd get no airflow to the head to keep me cool hence why I've been looking at smaller screens hoping that I'd get nice airflow without too much air/noise turbulance.

Very nice. Have you ridden with the stock exhaust and if so how much difference does the Akrapovic make? The guy at the dealership says it's not really any louder, just makes it sound a little "fruitier"? I'd definitely want an aftermarket can but I'm undecided which. The Akra looks the best imo, but I do like the sound of the Remus 8, well from videos anyway. I'm not too keen on the look of the s-shaped connection pipe on the remus though. I've also looked at the Jekyll and Hyde but without hearing these things in person it's really hard to know which is best.

Also, can a full face helmet fit inside the top box?

Air flow = noise, so it's a compromise you'll need to make.

Never ridden this GSA with the stock can and the baffles came out as soon as it was home, plus it's had a map. The can alone without the baffles is significantly 'fruitier' and my previous 1250 GS felt more responsive with it's Akra compared to the standard can. The Akra was BMW supplied so no drama in the future with anything warranty wise. I think the Akra is the best looking can and with the baffles out the QS/Blipper sounds sweeter.

 

[snerkler]

Air flow = noise, so it's a compromise you'll need to make.

Never ridden this GSA with the stock can and the baffles came out as soon as it was home, plus it's had a map. The can alone without the baffles is significantly 'fruitier' and my previous 1250 GS felt more responsive with it's Akra compared to the standard can. The Akra was BMW supplied so no drama in the future with anything warranty wise. I think the Akra is the best looking can and with the baffles out the QS/Blipper sounds sweeter.

Thanks. I'm not sure air flow necessarily means noise, I don't have a screen on my Harley and it's quieter than with the screen, and much quieter than the GSA with the screen. It's turbulent airflow that causes noise imo

I do think the Akra looks the best, well the BMW motorrad version. The Akra titanium looks nice too but not as nice as the BMW one imo. I didn't think the Akra baffles were removable without grinding off the spot welds, is that correct? I don't have the tools for that unfortunately so would have to take it somewhere to be done. Once the welds have been removed can the baffles go back in, or would they need welding back in? Lastly, does it affect performance at all? On my Harley removing the baffle reduces low end torque?

 

[GSMarky]

Thanks. I'm not sure air flow necessarily means noise, I don't have a screen on my Harley and it's quieter than with the screen, and much quieter than the GSA with the screen. It's turbulent airflow that causes noise imo

I do think the Akra looks the best, well the BMW motorrad version. The Akra titanium looks nice too but not as nice as the BMW one imo. I didn't think the Akra baffles were removable without grinding off the spot welds, is that correct? I don't have the tools for that unfortunately so would have to take it somewhere to be done. Once the welds have been removed can the baffles go back in, or would they need welding back in? Lastly, does it affect performance at all? On my Harley removing the baffle reduces low end torque?

Agreed that turbulent air = noise as does your helmet design.

What's the difference on the 2 cans? Yes, grind off a small weld and remove the screws & OK to reinstall as you wish.

Bring it here & I'll do it for you!

 

[GSMarky]

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