Do I upgrade?

Appreciate that in certain circumstances the GSA tank does have advantages but I think you’re just as likely to get fuel range anxiety if you’ve a 20 or 30 litre tank. You’ll still guess at how long you can go til fill up, and still have the occasion when the fuel stop you were going to make is closed, there’s a diversion or whatever.

If I were buying again (1250s I’m talking about ) I’d go GS with GSA pannier system.
 
Hartley said:
Appreciate that in certain circumstances the GSA tank does have advantages but I think you’re just as likely to get fuel range anxiety if you’ve a 20 or 30 litre tank. You’ll still guess at how long you can go til fill up, and still have the occasion when the fuel stop you were going to make is closed, there’s a diversion or whatever.

If I were buying again (1250s I’m talking about ) I’d go GS with GSA pannier system.
Click to expand...
The point is you don't have to stop as frequently.
 
I went from a R1200GS to a R1200GSA in 2010. The main reason for doing so was that I got much better weather protection, especially in Winter, from the larger tank. I've had GSAs ever since.
I'm not tall at 5' 9" and a 30" inside leg, nor am I very large at 71kg and I've always managed OK, though as I get older I find them harder to move around, so in 2021 I went for a lowered suspension R1250GSA which was more manageable for me.
People say the GS is more nimble. Personally I hardly notice the difference, even when I've been given a GS whilst mine is being serviced.
 
Arsey said:
It’s impossible to do more than an hour unless you change the dreadful OE seat
Click to expand...
I think I must have a BMW shaped arse as while I'd normally stop every couple of hours on a long haul it usually takes around 3-4 hrs before I start to feel any aches (standard seat). Everyone's built differently :cool:
 
MrC99 said:
Huh? Do you never wonder if people might occasionally have different priorities to your own?
Click to expand...
Priorities? What do you mean by priorities?
Why would it be a priority to have a large fuel tank, that simply doesn’t make any sense?
Did you mean preference? 🤔
 
richardbd said:
Why on earth did you buy a lowered GS then??

Controversial view I know but IME, having done a fair few miles on both, the GSA is just an inferior RT... :D :yelrotflm
Click to expand...
I didn't realise it was lowered till I parked next to a mates normal height GSA 😂
 
Just to update those who added helpful information in here - I have decided to go ahead with the GSA.

Pick it up either this coming weekend or next, very excited!

Thanks for all the comments & feedback :)
 
I went from a Standard GS1250 to a factory lowered GSA1250 .. because I wanted the extra fuel range and the GSA had gold wheels .. yeah, yeah, some of us have Magpie DNA.

Reason for the lowered GSA was purely because I am a short arse at 5' 8" .. the lowered GSA has the same stand over and clearance as a GS and I thought it made sense ...

Things I realised:

1. I did this before some training .. I regretted a lowered version after I had improved my riding skills, especially having had Jenny Huntley as my instructor on one course
2. The weather protection on the GSA is noticeably better than the GS .. good if you ride through the winter or where it rains a lot
3. The GSA is a big bulky sod to move, especially if you ride very frequently
4. I rarely if ever filled it up because the extra fuel just added the 'last straw' of weight .. filling up every 230 miles was absolutely fine, basically I never accessed the GSA's full tank range because I didn't need to but could see the benefit if you do big long rides and an extra hour on the bike can be useful but I think a 10 min stop is probably a good 'firebreak' against avoiding tiredness, but that's personal preference
5. I think the GSA has better dynamics and throttle .. it's subtle but I found the throttle on the GSA was 'better', especially at low speeds

What I [me] would do now in that situation .. keep the GS, upgrade the weather protection and get the throttle/mapping looked at.

We all have our preferences and I reckon you have made a good decision .. The GSA is brilliant and looks the mutts-nuts.

What I did do [eventually] traded the GSA in for an F900 GS .. cue comments about chinese engines, not a real BMW etc etc .. but that is an entirely different thread/rat-hole.
 
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APHezzer said:
I went from a Standard GS1250 to a factory lowered GSA1250 .. because I wanted the extra fuel range and the GSA had gold wheels .. yeah, yeah, some of us have Magpie DNA.

Reason for the lowered GSA was purely because I am a short arse at 5' 8" .. the lowered GSA has the same stand over and clearance as a GS and I thought it made sense ...

Things I realised:

1. I did this before some training .. I regretted a lowered version after I had improved my riding skills, especially having had Jenny Huntley as my instructor on one course
2. The weather protection on the GSA is noticeably better than the GS .. good if you ride through the winter or where it rains a lot
3. The GSA is a big bulky sod to move, especially if you ride very frequently
4. I rarely if ever filled it up because the extra fuel just added the 'last straw' of weight .. filling up every 230 miles was absolutely fine, basically I never accessed the GSA's full tank range because I didn't need to but could see the benefit if you do big long rides and an extra hour on the bike can be useful but I think a 10 min stop is probably a good 'firebreak' against avoiding tiredness, but that's personal preference
5. I think the GSA has better dynamics and throttle .. it's subtle but I found the throttle on the GSA was 'better', especially at low speeds

What I [me] would do now in that situation .. keep the GS, upgrade the weather protection and get the throttle/mapping looked at.

We all have our preferences and I reckon you have made a good decision .. The GSA is brilliant and looks the mutts-nuts.

What I did do [eventually] traded the GSA in for an F900 GS .. cue comments about chinese engines, not a real BMW etc etc .. but that is an entirely different thread/rat-hole.
Click to expand...
I don't get the lowered version bit ?
Mine handled just fine. Single and two up loaded to the Hilt.
 
Electronics/fueling between the GS and GSA are identical. It's all in your head.
People who say the GSA is more roomy? It's in your head. The chassis/frame/rear subframe is identical.
Seat comfort and options on both bikes are identical.
The wider tank of the GSA is less comfortable over distance compared to the GS. Unless you like keeping your legs splayed apart... it is not a natural position for most over a long period of time. Unless you're a cheap hooker...(!)
 
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Spareparts said:
Electronics/fueling between the GS and GSA are identical. It's all in your head.
People who say the GSA is more roomy? It's in your head. The chassis/frame/rear subframe is identical.
Seat comfort and options on both bikes are identical.
The wider tank of the GSA is less comfortable over distance compared to the GS. Unless you like keeping your legs splayed apart... it is not a natural position for most over a long period of time. Unless you're a cheap hooker...(!)
Click to expand...
I’m not sure if this is the case with BMW or other brands of luggage but using the same Givi topbox on a GS and now a GSA there is definitely more room on the Adventure as the topbox sits further back on the adventure rack.
 
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Spareparts said:
People who say the GSA is more roomy? It's in your head. The chassis/frame/rear subframe is identical.
Seat comfort and options on both bikes are identical.
The wider tank of the GSA is less comfortable over distance compared to the GS. Unless you like keeping your legs splayed apart... it is not a natural position for most over a long period of time. Unless you're a cheap hooker...(!)
Click to expand...
Some of this is not true. This is for the 1250s.
The other stuff is subjective. The GSA is more comfortable for me.


These small numbers make an overall difference to the ride etc.
1746539258844.png
 
GSian said:
Some of this is not true. This is for the 1250s.
The other stuff is subjective. The GSA is more comfortable for me.


These small numbers make an overall difference to the ride etc.
View attachment 407247
Click to expand...

What I have stated is factually true.

All 4 specifications you have stated: the wheelbase/castor/steering head angle/suspension travel - make zero difference to the seated comfort of the rider+pillion sitting on the bike. They do affect the way a bike handles (very subtly), but not where the bum or feet are positioned on the bike for either the rider or pillion.

As I say, the GSA's wider tank (in particular at the base) forces the rider's legs to be more spread apart. And this is not as comfortable over distance. It also makes it harder to grip the tank (as you are supposed to) if using your core muscles.

Your views are subjectively true to you, but the numbers don't lie. The GSA is, like it almost always has been, a wonderful marketing exercise and it's funny how people *think* it is the superior bike to the GS because it 'looks' more intimidating on the road due to its bigger size. The GSA has a bigger tank carrying more fuel making it heavier and less agile and rides taller with a taller CoG (unless the GS has the same sport suspension option). Physically it is less nimble/agile and harder to physically manage compared to the GS.
 
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