Choosing new GSA specifications

[andy14049]

Hi there all, not sure if this topic has been covered before but if you where buying a new GSA for a long trip and ownership what spec would you order?
I'm thinking along the lines of heated grips (wonderful invention) and additional fog lights (cause when it comes to being seen bikes need all the help they can get). Nothing else no ABS, no ESA or ASC my thinking being there is less to go wrong and need fixing.

What’s your opinions’?

Regards Andy

 

[Paul S]

You certainly do not need to buy "all" the bells and whistles and yes in theory the less extras you have the less to go wrong.

Personally I specified my 08 GSA with the following:

ABS - cos I like it
ASC - cos I was interested to see what it was like
Tyre presure monitors cos it was free with the above 2 in a package
Heated grips cos I hate cold hands
Fog/running lights cos it realy makes you seen.
Trip computer - something to play with
Low first gear - for tight hair pin bends

Particularly did not go for ESA cos I think all BM standard supsension is suspect and prefer to fit Wilbers instead

In the end think about what you want out of the bike and specify accordingly

 

[Andy_E]

The other consideration is that the major reliability issues are/have been with the ring antenna, fuel pump controller and various leaking seals / final drive issues. Looking around this and other sites (e.g. Advrider) there are no consistent failure reports for other options.

I'd spec the bike similarly to Paul S. I don't think an ASC/ABS failure is going to be a show-stopper. I've ESA on mine and really rate it because of the way I use the bike, but if I was going to look at a very long trip I'd not bother but look at other upgrades to standard suspension that might be simpler to fix in the event of failure somewhere remote.

 

[red1]

Heated grips and ABS as per my 07 GSA.

That's after a K12GT-SE with ASC, ESA, ABS, tyre monitors, heated grips and seats, zenon headlights, cruise control (this I would have if an option) et al!!

 

[Toad]

Just get everything

Then add a load more

 

[The smudger]

Comfort pack, (Heated grips,chrome exhaust,trip computer,LED indicators, think thats it!) That would be all for me.

Most things can be added on at a later date. If youre thinking about fog lights for there functionality, forget it, there useless. They do get you noticed more, by oncoming drivers who flash you cause your fog lights are on?

Plus......you haven't got a rear one?

 

[JJH]

I went for everything because they were in the package for a long trip I might think about not getting an alarm but then mayby it is the last thing you would do without. JJH

 

[elefantmanshawn]

I prefer to keep it simple,do you need heated grips? good gloves will not break at -10 when you need them most,done many trips to elefanent reffen and never used then on old bike,a friend on the other hand used his through out and ended up with blisters on his palm-explain that to the missus!,same with all the rest sooner or later they will let you down,chrome! as the saying goes don't get you home.
Do get the enduro box option though,great in rough stuff and traffic alike

 

[The smudger]

"Chrome wont get you home" Now that must have been invented by a Harley rider!!!

 

[Yonkyo]

I figured that if I was going to buy my dream bike (a new GSA), then I might as well get it fully loaded.

ESA: Fantastic, really does work well, recommended.
ABS: Well its ABS, hope it works when I need it.
ASC: Not the most sophisticated system, but should be useful on lippery
winter roads. I always have it switched off when I ride, because it
stops me popping the occasional wheelie.

Heated Grips: Essential
Extra spot lights: To supplement the feeble main light.
Enduro Gearbox: Useful for filtering through traffic at low speed.
LED indicators: Cause they is cute.
Tinted Screen: Cause it look mean.
Bigger Handguards: Better wind protection
Fender Exdender: Helps protect the front engine cover

Plus. Fit a decent hugger e.g Ilburger it will help keep the crud off your rear suspension.
Remus 'Y' headers: ads a few more HP and improves general engine performance (i also have a Akra can, but i prefure the sound of the standard can)
I also fitted the Vario boxes from my old 1200GS
Have i missed anything

 

[pathfinder]

I figured that if I was going to buy my dream bike (a new GSA), then I might as well get it fully loaded.

ESA: Fantastic, really does work well, recommended.
ABS: Well its ABS, hope it works when I need it.
ASC: Not the most sophisticated system, but should be useful on lippery
winter roads. I always have it switched off when I ride, because it
stops me popping the occasional wheelie.

Heated Grips: Essential
Extra spot lights: To supplement the feeble main light.
Enduro Gearbox: Useful for filtering through traffic at low speed.
LED indicators: Cause they is cute.
Tinted Screen: Cause it look mean.
Bigger Handguards: Better wind protection
Fender Exdender: Helps protect the front engine cover

Plus. Fit a decent hugger e.g Ilburger it will help keep the crud off your rear suspension.
Remus 'Y' headers: ads a few more HP and improves general engine performance (i also have a Akra can, but i prefure the sound of the standard can)
I also fitted the Vario boxes from my old 1200GS
Have i missed anything

And a low seat off E bay

 

[Phil Clarke]

One thing to bear in mind is the availability of bikes in the UK - pretty much all of them are built with the premium and dynamic packages (ie everything) so if you want something different it will have to be a special build. BMW close their factory in July for the hols so you may end up waiting until August. Do what I did - say you want a simple spec wait for them to try and sell you the full spec and haggle it down to the price of the simple spec.

 

[LBL]

What spec

As said before, if you want a basic bike you may wait for ages, i brought mine 2 weeks ago and i didnt want ESA so ordered a comfort pack but i wanted the fog lights added, there were none in the country so they sourced the foglights and fitted them.

once you decide phone some dealers and see what they have.