Got this to play on whilst mine is in for the 12k

Daxaar

Daxaar

Active member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Messages
407
Reaction score
70
Location
Solihull, England
20160517_175255.jpg

First time on a GSA of any variety. Thoughts in comparison to my 2013 GS LC:

  • Engine pickup is much smoother at low and high speed.
  • Gearbox up and down was much smoother and no lurch forward when going from neutral into first. :clap
  • Quickshifter, meh. If I buy a GSA I'll most likely get it just for shits and giggles but I'm not hugely impressed.
  • It feels much more planted on the front and turns in at slow speed more predictably than mine. Pretty sure this will be mostly down to the Anakee 3 against the Tourance Next I have fitted.
  • There is an insane humming noise below 50mph which at first I disappointingly put down to wind buffeting. Once over 60 I then figured it's most likely the Anakee 3 tyre? If it is I can only assume the Michelin road testers are stone fucking deaf. :blast
  • The Enduro footpegs are bloody awful. 45 mile ride home and my feet were numb from the vibes. Think I'll wear my Forma's tomorrow. :rob
  • I was surprised by the combination of seat height and width. I thought it was on the high setting (which I use on my LC) but having just looked it's on low, but not a problem.
  • I expected it to provide a little more wind protection than the standard GS with that larger screen but I'd say they were identical.

When new bike time comes around the only reasons I can see for switching to the GSA are tank range and looks. I'm not hugely bothered by the increased tank range however I do prefer the looks. :thumb
 
I swapped out my 2013 to a 2016 Triple Black, all the points you raised regarding engine pick up and Handling all apply, so I guess this is down to the changes since original release rather than just being GSA specific. Gearbox is a lot smoother, but the mechanic at the dealer puts this down to the software fuelling changes aimed at helping smooth out the gear changes. Also having spoked wheels over the cast on standard LC must have an effect in the ride feel and possible tyre noise transmission.

The 2016 LC feels like a more refined version of the 2013 model.
 
I was on a virginal R1200R demo bike yesterday while my 2015 GS got 12k'd. Much better gearbox (with q.shift) , much quieter mechanically. Felt faster, much better pick-up from lower down. Pinked though. Much prefer the GS riding position, though.
 
Interesting to hear about the evolution. I'm on my first and only GS so far.

I loved the quickshifter when I went for test rides on the GSA. Done 1100 miles on mine now since taking delivery 2 April and I find I don't use it much.

Brilliant under hard acceleration and when scrubbing off speed, but when riding 'normally' my own changes are smoother and more enjoyable.

Still glad I got it though :thumby:
 
Appman said:
...I guess this is down to the changes since original release rather than just being GSA specific. Gearbox is a lot smoother, but the mechanic at the dealer puts this down to the software fuelling changes aimed at helping smooth out the gear changes. Also having spoked wheels over the cast on standard LC must have an effect in the ride feel and possible tyre noise transmission.

The 2016 LC feels like a more refined version of the 2013 model.
Click to expand...

Totally agree on the changes not being GSA specific and an interesting point on the spokes.

The dealer said they're applying a software update to mine as part of the service that's supposed to help with smoother gear changes. I'm no mechanic by any stretch but I'm sceptical how much impact an electronics update can have on gear change unless you have the QS fitted.
 
ChazzyB said:
I was on a virginal R1200R demo bike yesterday while my 2015 GS got 12k'd. Much better gearbox (with q.shift) , much quieter mechanically. Felt faster, much better pick-up from lower down. Pinked though. Much prefer the GS riding position, though.
Click to expand...


I did wonder if the QS was playing a part in the smoother changes even when I was using the clutch. :nenau
 
I've just had a new 2016 engine fitted to my 2014 GS LC and the gear change is better. The heavier flywheel is also noticeable as the engine seems slightly more refined, but it's lost some of its revvy nature, which I liked as it felt sportier.
 
Daxaar said:
[*] It feels much more planted on the front and turns in at slow speed more predictably than mine. Pretty sure this will be mostly down to the Anakee 3 against the Tourance Next I have fitted.
Click to expand...

I find the same, think its the slightly different suspension / fork geometry. Much more stable corners and at speed.
 
Daxaar said:
I did wonder if the QS was playing a part in the smoother changes even when I was using the clutch. :nenau
Click to expand...

It shouldn't have been. My comment about better gearbox was really about using the QS. The lever required significantly less pressure than my 2015 GS with QS.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom