Commuting through London on a 1200GSA

[bottleofred]

Has anyone any experience of commuting in and out of London on a 1200GSA versus a 1200GS?
Is the adventure noticeably much more cumbersome and difficult to manoeuvre in and out of traffic? I am used to a GS and am thinking of moving onto a GSA.

Obviously it is bigger and heavier, but would love to know in practice what impact that has.

Many thanks for any advice.

 

[agent2494]

I use a GSA to travel in/around and out of London daily with boxes on all the time, (full of work kit)sometimes get stuck but car drivers there pretty at getting out of the way, just be careful.

Ps never ridden a smaller bike in London so don't know any difference!

 

[Wreford Miles]

I've gone from a standard 1150 to using a 1200 ADV TC.

I'm not yet nipping around like I use two but Im sure Ill get there, the width is carried a lot higher on the ADV.

Watch out for your clocks

 

[Magwych]

I commuted into London for nearly 3 years on a 1200GS, and am into my 6th year on the 1200 GSA. The only notable difference is that I now fill up once every 3 days. No problems playing with the traffic on the GSA, I think the size of it can intimidate some drivers who allow more space than they normally might.
The extra few millimetres in the height of the bars also helps when filtering through cars; it can hinder when filtering through vans..

Sent from my GT-S7710 using Tapatalk

 

[notadrop]

On an 1150 gs til 2007. From 2007 on a GSA (no panniers). High Wycombe to E14 each working day (90 mile round trip). Once you know your width as with any bike - no problem. If filtering, obviously you won't get through where sports bikes do! I just pull in and let them take advantage of their width. Watch out though the handlebars are a good height for destroying a transits mirrors!

 

[bottleofred]

Thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated.

 

[Stujw70]

Been doing it on/ off for years not much of a problem and just learn when to hang back so you don't get wedge in and let the smaller bikes through if needs be.

Top box only though

Good luck and enjoy

 

[Nico]

I have been commuting for 4 years on a GSA, no problem at all. Before I had a standard GS and didn't notice a big difference. Top box only is much better IMHO.

 

[JJH]

Top box and Pelli cases. Wish I still had one. Can't afford one at moment. I would have one with givi e55 top case and those expandable cases somehow fitted. Used in Dublin. Probly not as mental as London but I find drivers in UK are more disciplined than here. JJH

 

[Wreford Miles]

You can't beat a big Givi

 

[birdseye]

I guess its the Chelsea Tractor syndrome.

 

[Bendy toy]

Road salt will take it's toll whatever you use. So for a boring commute, I'd rather use something cheap like a Diversion 900. General running costs about the same as a GS but clutch plates cost £50 and final drive doesn't fall apart. Just fit a brace of blue spot brakes & it's well up to the task. It's even got a crappy fuel gauge.