So that's what I've done and permit me some musing space as I rejoin active service on this fascinating madhouse called Ukgser.
Apart from some teething problems with cam sensor my 2010 GS was fantastically reliable for 18k miles. I was faster on it than on a sportsbike and loved the forward view and ease of tipping into corners. Eventually I became weary of the lumpy engine at town speeds and practicalities of a high seat and felt the need for a change. Hence the pan - super smooth, very low seat and great wind/ weather protection. After 18 months and 15K miles I was flying around on the Pan - it is so quiet and effortless at 90+ that unfortunately these speeds become the norm. But it wasn't really my fear of getting nicked that caused me to think of a change but a growing level of discomfort which is not something usually associated with Pans. The tank is very wide and the seat to footpeg distance small and it was doing something wrong to my spine. Plus a lot of riding up here is on twisty B roads and the Pan is a bit lardy - the relative lightness and ease of slow maneuverability of the GSA felt really good.
A test ride on a GSA soon made me realise once again the comfort that comes with a relaxed lower body seating position and with the excellent deal going on New GSA with panniers/ sat nav etc and a fair price from Richard at Alan Jeffries for my Pan the deal was done.
After 800 miles on the GSA I am generally very pleased with it. The TC engine is fast enough - it seems much smoother than I remember at town speeds so my previous issues may have been down to set up though it was serviced meticulously at a main dealer. The GSA ride is softer and more planted than I remember the GS but still plenty agile enough in the twisties.
I love the big tank - such a pleasure to be refuelling less frequently and it doesn't seem to upset the balance of the bike when full. I have fitted a nippy norman side stand foot extender which is helping me to get it off the stand on adverse camber. Cymarc crud catcher,NN mudsling and front mudguard extender all duly fitted. The side panniers did their job of propping it up when my missus with a bad knee got stuck getting off and fell down grabbing onto my shoulder and pulling me and the bike over.
It is not in the same league of effortless cruising at 80mph on motorways as the Pan but thankfully this is not the way I plan to use it. I am perplexed by a slight roughness in the exhaust note that is not there when cold but overall it seems smooth when riding so I am probably just worrying about nothing and need to pile on some miles to loosen the engine up. I do remember thinking that the previous GS seemed to get smoother at 5K and then again at 10k but how much of this is subjective heaven knows. I have got a sargent low seat on order which I am sure is going to help with getting more secure foothold when paddling the bike and long distance bumnumbness.
I did test ride a WC GS but was as bit less than convinced by the engine management which seemed to set you off like a rabbit but then ride you into treacle as the revs climbed. Too clever by half.
Perhaps it's wishful thinking but I do wonder if the last of the aircooled GSA 's may in future become regarded as a high point in the GS story, in the same way that the 1150's seems to be. Has some of the essential character of a Gs been lost in the move to higher performance water cooled bikes ?
Overall glad to be back in the fold and having retired this summer have some plans for long distance transcontinental rides simmering away very nicely.
Sorry can't post any pics as I am on holiday in spain but I guess you know what a triple black GSA looks like by now.
If you've read this far thanks for viewing my ramblings of all things GS owning
Apart from some teething problems with cam sensor my 2010 GS was fantastically reliable for 18k miles. I was faster on it than on a sportsbike and loved the forward view and ease of tipping into corners. Eventually I became weary of the lumpy engine at town speeds and practicalities of a high seat and felt the need for a change. Hence the pan - super smooth, very low seat and great wind/ weather protection. After 18 months and 15K miles I was flying around on the Pan - it is so quiet and effortless at 90+ that unfortunately these speeds become the norm. But it wasn't really my fear of getting nicked that caused me to think of a change but a growing level of discomfort which is not something usually associated with Pans. The tank is very wide and the seat to footpeg distance small and it was doing something wrong to my spine. Plus a lot of riding up here is on twisty B roads and the Pan is a bit lardy - the relative lightness and ease of slow maneuverability of the GSA felt really good.
A test ride on a GSA soon made me realise once again the comfort that comes with a relaxed lower body seating position and with the excellent deal going on New GSA with panniers/ sat nav etc and a fair price from Richard at Alan Jeffries for my Pan the deal was done.
After 800 miles on the GSA I am generally very pleased with it. The TC engine is fast enough - it seems much smoother than I remember at town speeds so my previous issues may have been down to set up though it was serviced meticulously at a main dealer. The GSA ride is softer and more planted than I remember the GS but still plenty agile enough in the twisties.
I love the big tank - such a pleasure to be refuelling less frequently and it doesn't seem to upset the balance of the bike when full. I have fitted a nippy norman side stand foot extender which is helping me to get it off the stand on adverse camber. Cymarc crud catcher,NN mudsling and front mudguard extender all duly fitted. The side panniers did their job of propping it up when my missus with a bad knee got stuck getting off and fell down grabbing onto my shoulder and pulling me and the bike over.
It is not in the same league of effortless cruising at 80mph on motorways as the Pan but thankfully this is not the way I plan to use it. I am perplexed by a slight roughness in the exhaust note that is not there when cold but overall it seems smooth when riding so I am probably just worrying about nothing and need to pile on some miles to loosen the engine up. I do remember thinking that the previous GS seemed to get smoother at 5K and then again at 10k but how much of this is subjective heaven knows. I have got a sargent low seat on order which I am sure is going to help with getting more secure foothold when paddling the bike and long distance bumnumbness.
I did test ride a WC GS but was as bit less than convinced by the engine management which seemed to set you off like a rabbit but then ride you into treacle as the revs climbed. Too clever by half.
Perhaps it's wishful thinking but I do wonder if the last of the aircooled GSA 's may in future become regarded as a high point in the GS story, in the same way that the 1150's seems to be. Has some of the essential character of a Gs been lost in the move to higher performance water cooled bikes ?
Overall glad to be back in the fold and having retired this summer have some plans for long distance transcontinental rides simmering away very nicely.
Sorry can't post any pics as I am on holiday in spain but I guess you know what a triple black GSA looks like by now.
If you've read this far thanks for viewing my ramblings of all things GS owning
