GS - GSA ?

[Jacal]

Bet this as been asked a few times and for me I've already made my mind up BUT I would love to know what others think.
The first BM that I owned was a1200RT and loved it for it's touring all day in the saddle riding capabilities, but to be honest, coming from sports bikes, it was a little bland (if that's the right word) Next in line was the 1200 GSA, WOW totally different but with the same abilities and more. I had to get rid of the bike solely because of health (knees replaced)
When I came back to biking, the only one I could ride was the RT, I couldn't physically get my leg over the GS/GSA so started out last year with the twin cam model which was replaced with the LC.
I now find I can mount ;-) the GSA with ease, and find it a more comfortable riding position, not that the RT is bad. Sooooo
I've put an order in for the 2016 spec GSA.

The question is Oh and my apologies for the long winded post and if you've read this far Thank you.

Why have I bought the GSA over the GS? Their both more than capable off road with I would say the GS a tad better. Oh and I've no intention of going "off road" unless you call a few loosely gravelled back roads, "off roading"

I obviously know why but would like to know why others prefer the GSA over the GS ?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I had the GSA because to me it looked better (subjective) and had better weather protection. The larger fuel range came in handy a few times as well.

 

[Mozz]

Looks, presence, larger fuel tank, spoked wheels just incase you need to give it some stick off road.

 

[davetripletvr]

Looks, presence, larger fuel tank,

 

[Jacal]

Happy I'm not the only one that thinks the same

 

[oxforshirerider]

Larger fuel tank simple! Oxford to S.W.London everyday, 75 miles....didnt fancy having to fill up every day, with the GSA I get 2 days return trips and can fill up in the country where I find cheaper stations.

But yeah I think it looks better too, but that bit is just my opinion ha ha

 

[sagalout]

I sometimes wish I'd bought the GSA instead of the GS, mostly for the extra fuel range as I hate petrol stations, but I got a good one so not complaining. Ironically I think the older (TC) GSA looks better than the GS, but the WC GS looks better than the WC GSA, which just looks too big from the front profile.

 

[dave hendy]

The GS is my choice, it will do 200-250 on a tank which is plenty as I will want a rest after that and as there are plenty of petrol stations in Western Europe it's not a problem. Plus the extra fuel just makes the bike heavier!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[MerrickCampbell]

I had the GSA because to me it looked better (subjective) and had better weather protection. The larger fuel range came in handy a few times as well.

Yes I think the GSA looks better and larger tank handy on occasion. I can only imagine the larger tank provides almost like a fairing so is that the biggest contribution to the better protection? I have done quite a few Luxembourg trips last year and this on my first LC GS but I am tempted by a GSA now and it may be a benefit as each way is always a 360 mile day. Also I do 400 mile days when I go to Exeter and back home in a day (and my Pal on his RT looks much less buffeted and more comfy). So I'm thinking the GSA is the way to go in that nice new 2016 blue�� oh yet to test ride but is it not much heavier? And will it be just as good in the lovely twistys such as in Luxembourg or the Alps.

 

[dogmaboy]

If your knees are a bit dicky like mine,I would have thought that the GS being a little lower and lighter would help .Lower centre of gravity much easier when stopping etc. Goodluck both are great

 

[Wreford Miles]

Looks, fuel range - once a week fill ups means not on the commute for me

 

[Jacal]

The knees are fine now I'v got new ones that's why I'm going back to the GSA, I do prefer the looks, the tank rage, all the farklies, slightly more weather protection and the weight difference isn't a lot more than the GS....6' 32" inside leg means I can get both feet down nearly flat but have to keep an eye open for those cambers that attack you when your not looking

 

[Reggie P]

May i ask a question about filtering in traffic? Have any of you purchased a GSA then struggled to weave it through queues?
Like Jacal above, I prefer the GSA looks.

Lets face it traffic is horrific. In two or three years time, it will probably be far worse. ( Don't get me started about the BBC encouraging uncontrolled immigration !)

I dislike using the vario panniers on my F800GS since they make filtering stressful.

Putting it bluntly , would I be an idiot to buy a R1200GSA instead of the R1200GS, given I worry about filtering and my rides usually encounter traffic ?

(I've only ridden a rented R1200GS in South Africa where I hardly saw any cars in 1000 km of dirt roads !)

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Only parts of a GSA are wider than a GS like the tank. The widest parts are the same on both. It's no harder to filter on a GSA.

 

[Jacal]

Only parts of a GSA are wider than a GS like the tank. The widest parts are the same on both. It's no harder to filter on a GSA.

I'm sure Marki is right but with the tin cans on I think it's slight wider than the GS's vario's, also it's not as nimble as a GS, although not a lot in it and depends on the rider ;-)

Would really like to know for a fact if it's wider than the GS with their respective panniers ?

 

[thumperbob2002]

GSA all the way- why not go the full hog- everything comes as standard- I made a point of not going down the full tank-big metal boxes route to keep the weight down. Would a GSA weigh less than a GS if you just use half a tank of fuel and a 30L roll bag for touring, if the GS had a full tank and full metal boxes that are only good for touring mongolia?

Im only 5`9 and have no problems with the weight and height.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I'm sure Marki is right but with the tin cans on I think it's slight wider than the GS's vario's, also it's not as nimble as a GS, although not a lot in it and depends on the rider ;-)

Would really like to know for a fact if it's wider than the GS with their respective panniers ?

Luggage is a different thing entirely and a large part personal choice. When I had my GSA I had Jesse boxes which were narrower than the bars. If width is the main concern when choosing boxes then get tall narrow ones whatever bike you choose. Apart from that don't commute like your kitted out for a round the world trip. If you are on a trip and kitted to the max then chill a bit, your on holiday and squeezing through every last gap isn't the first concern.

 

[Jacal]

Luggage is a different thing entirely and a large part personal choice. When I had my GSA I had Jesse boxes which were narrower than the bars. If width is the main concern when choosing boxes then get tall narrow ones whatever bike you choose. Apart from that don't commute like your kitted out for a round the world trip. If you are on a trip and kitted to the max then chill a bit, your on holiday and squeezing through every last gap isn't the first concern.

I don't ride with empty boxes but also got the bike to squeeze thro the traffic, holiday or not

Would really like to know about the widths of the respective bikes with boxes on tho.

 

[Tinytim]

Jack. (may I call you Jack, Al? ) Do you really want to be cleaning spokes at your age?

 

[Jacal]

I know, I know. I've started wearing slip on shoes so I don't have to fasten any laces Tiny (may I call you Tiny, twat? )