From R1200GS to GSA

[monkeybrain]

Hi all

I want to share with the group

A few months ago and bought Red Rocket's 07 GS. All black with full Varios - lovely bike.... I did 5000 miles and added crash bars, higher screen, winglets... and thought to myself - hold on - I am trying to build a GSA

So found a nice 07 GSA with 11k miles and p/ex my bike today at Pidcock BMW.
I was allowed to move my newly purchased battery over to the new bike and when I noticed a hairline fracture on the GSA screen they immediately offered to order me a new one under warranty.
They included new tires and a 12k service and told me that since last week the BMW recommended oil is 10w 50 fully synth! and not 20w 50

Rode the GSA from Nottingham around the Peak district and then back to London down the A1. I had to pay an extra £2k for the GSA but in a crazy way I think it is worth it. It fits like a glove and I prefer it to the GS.
With the thinking man's hat on I can not believe I spent the equivalent of a used Wee Strom on a bigger tank, screen and fog lights... but F**** it. I work hard... I gotta play hard.

Owning something that is £7k and almost right versus something that costs £9k and is perfect. I think the only other option would be the 1150 but I needed to try the 1200GSA first.

I am 6'3'' and even though the 1200GS is a big bike it felt a little too small... the GSA is perfect and I can not really notice much of a difference in performance or weight.

I prefer the screen, the way it sits on the road, the seating position is slightly different to the GS and it seems more comfortable.
The panniers seem much better... I hated that left Vario pannier. You could fit a large banana in there if and only if you mashed it up first. Totally useless. The GSA left pannier has ample space but it does leak. I rode in some rain today and it had a puddle in it. Dont care about that though.

The fuel gauge on the GSA is useless ... it went from full straight to 3 bars to 2 bars so I thought it is time to fill up... and it was still half full. I will simply use the odometer and fill up every 250 miles.

Believe or not but I had never test ridden a GSA but it is exactly what I was looking for and what I will stick with unless Yamaha come up with an indecent proposal.

Even though I know already that the bike will break down and cause me a lot more trouble than my Wee Strom ever would have done I still think BMW have built a masterpiece.

 

[villan15]

Hi Monkeybrain, good post and I too came from the Vstrom to a GSA , (the 'dark' side!!)

I heard from the VSRI guys you were getting a Beemer. Just attended the summer meet and despite some reluctance, many had a sneaky look and im sure if given the chance , they would have one!!!! I find it amusing that many riders are a bit 'snobbish' against a GS just because its a BMW. Its a great bike that does all things brilliantly, from nipping out on a sunday blast, to touring fully loaded to anywhere you fancy!!

I agree with your comments, it is a lot of money for a bike but I havent regretted it once and still love opening the garage and see it sitting there all moody!! Its a class machine and yes , can be classed as a 'masterpiece'

I loved and spent loads on my Strom and still never quite thought it was 'complete'. The GSA is, to me.

So far on mine (08) my fuel gauge has been ok, as have the panniers and as for the dreaded 'popular' faults, none yet and to be honest, I dont worry about it, if something fails, i'm confident that my local dealer will sort it.

Glad your happy with bike m8 and a belated welcome to this fantastic forum,

 

[LBL]

welcome

Hi Monkeybrain,

I assume most of us on here have done much the same, i have. ive come all the way up on brand new big trail bikes from a Transalp, Africa Twin, 2 Varaderos, a Tiger and then to a GS( for ten months), i spent a crapload on extras and finally topped out with a new GSA 3 months ago and i love it, as you said it just fits.

I did in my time try an 1150 but just didnt like it at all, funny, cus i really wanted one cus i loved the look but hated the ride. I hope the 1150 boys aint watchin

 

[Bryn]

Glad you are happy with the GSA Monkeybrain

Ive had an 1150GS/GSA 1100 GS and now the 1200 GS. Just got me 3000 miles to Slovakia/Poland and back with no troubles....

Think I'll trade up to a 12GSA in a couple of years Pidcocks are my local dealers, I've always found them very accomodating

 

[Yonkyo]

Nice words monkeybrain

I agree with all you said. I've had few GS's an 1150 and two 1200's. I also traded in my 06 1200GS for a 09 GSA.
It just ticks every box for me, and I just can’t keep of it. In 3 months I’ve racked up almost 6000 trouble free miles.

The only mods I’ve done so far is upgraded the aux lights and headlight to HID (from Les Wassall) and fitted some Remus headers, which boosts performance.

Enjoy….

 

[monkeybrain]

Hi Monkeybrain, good post and I too came from the Vstrom to a GSA , (the 'dark' side!!)

I heard from the VSRI guys you were getting a Beemer. Just attended the summer meet and despite some reluctance, many had a sneaky look and im sure if given the chance , they would have one!!!! I find it amusing that many riders are a bit 'snobbish' against a GS just because its a BMW. Its a great bike that does all things brilliantly, from nipping out on a sunday blast, to touring fully loaded to anywhere you fancy!!

I agree with your comments, it is a lot of money for a bike but I havent regretted it once and still love opening the garage and see it sitting there all moody!! Its a class machine and yes , can be classed as a 'masterpiece'

I loved and spent loads on my Strom and still never quite thought it was 'complete'. The GSA is, to me.

So far on mine (08) my fuel gauge has been ok, as have the panniers and as for the dreaded 'popular' faults, none yet and to be honest, I dont worry about it, if something fails, i'm confident that my local dealer will sort it.

Glad your happy with bike m8 and a belated welcome to this fantastic forum,

Villain - I spotted your BMW in the photos on the VRSI forum... and thought that it probably was someone that had gone through the same process....

The Vee and Wee are great value bikes but even after spending about £1.5k on my Wee it still left me wanting for more somehow. "luckily" someone totaled my Wee for me and I got a big payout from the insurance which helped me with the purchase of the BMW.

and Yonkyo - I got a quote on HIDs already - £330 for all 4 incl installation which is very reasonable I think. My GS had HID and it was brilliant. HID is so good I can not believe it is legal.

Thanks for your comments - I am looking forward to the first UK GS ride out to meet some of you twats.

 

[ncpierce]

I've just changed from a R1200GSA after 2 R1200GS's over the past (nearly) 3 years.

There is something about the GSA which just feels a bit more planted. I am 6'4" so can still flat foot the GSA. Still running in at the moment but I think I have found a bike I will stick with for a long time. Just need to de-clit the screen adjusters so I can put the screen fully up.