GS, no GSA, no GS which one????

[LeNoir]

Firstly hello to everyone, I am Greg for the Midlands and I am coming back to biking!

I test road both bikes yesterday and loved them but here is my dilemma, I live in Brum and commute to Wimbledon once/twice a week and am sick of sitting on the M25 so another bike is the answer. The journey is 120 miles of fast motorway and then 25 miles of slow weave.

From my motorway test, I think the GSA is the far more stable at speed and more protected but it feels very wide, maybe too wide for the slow traffic weave so which compromise do I make? Do I go GSA for the fast bit and sit in the slow bit be a bit more exposed and slip through traffic easier?

Of course I will use it on a bit more adventurous terrain either way.

I am thinking new is I go GS as the dealer is offering nearly a grand off, and 12 months old if I go GSA.

Any thoughts welcome.

 

[Trippy]

Hi

If I was you I'd get the 1200GSA. If you get the standard 12 you'll be regreting not getting the bigger butcher GSA with-in weeks if for no other reason than its looks.

Jim

 

[cookie]

Hi

If I was you I'd get the 1200GSA. If you get the standard 12 you'll be regreting not getting the bigger butcher GSA with-in weeks if for no other reason than its looks.

Jim

as above if you like the GSA, it's no wider than a GS anyway. had little grief on the M25 last friday on mine.

GS probably a bit nimbler though

 

[Gazzabart]

what happened

Hi went down M25 last Fri
saw a bike accident
wasnt u was it
hope not anyway

 

[Nigel Statham]

Hi

If I was you I'd get the 1200GSA. If you get the standard 12 you'll be regreting not getting the bigger butcher GSA with-in weeks if for no other reason than its looks.

Jim

+1

 

[ROKKET71]

Go for the GSA,then you could probably make a tank of fuel last 3 days

 

[wader]

If took me ages to decide. I had about 3 test rides on each, thought about the looks, weight and those front fogs..... scratched my head for 2 weeks, ordered a GSA, next day cancelled it and ordered a GS.

I just felt that although I'm 6ft, for commuting the GSA was too high. On one test ride I stalled it while turning right out of a junction with a slight dip in the surface, and if that big tank had been full, I might just have dropped it..

Also, the GS noticeably has the edge when it comes to handling.

Mine came with free spoked wheels, so it looked a bit GSA anyway and I got the GSA luggage rack cos I will be doing some rough stuff, plus touratech engine bars. I recon the biggest difference in feel is the seat and pegs....I might even get those too, then I'll have the best of both worlds!

Hi

If I was you I'd get the 1200GSA. If you get the standard 12 you'll be regretting not getting the bigger butcher GSA with-in weeks if for no other reason than its looks.

Jim

I can say from experience this is wrong! Whichever you get you will love it.

 

[ChrisG]

GSA v GS

After several years on an 1150 GS, I've just taken delivery of a 1200 GSA. I have been looking at this for about 12 months and like you was torn between the 'standard' 1200 and the adventure.

For me the key factor was that the 'extra' kit you get with the GSA more that makes the difference worth the extra cost.

Extra kit includes, wire wheels, cyl head covers, engine bars, larger screen, bigger tank, bigger alternator.

It all depends on if these are of value to you. I'm pretty sure that the overall width is limited by the end of the handlebars, so should not be any issue, but fully loaded with fuel the GSA is obviously heavier and therefore a little less nimble.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Dave56]

ChrisG

I to am debating - 1200GS or GSA, prefer the GSA which I`m testing on Friday, just a little worried about the weight.
When you mention the weight of the GSA, how does it compare with a standard 1150gs, which I`ve just sold in readiness for the GS or GSA.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

The only benefit associated with the GSA for me would be the extra tank range, which would be useful to you doing that many miles a week, but for me would only really be a benefit on one or two longer holidays each year. And I find I'm ready for a leg-stretch and fag after 150 miles or so.

I don't ride it off road, I prefer the alloy wheels to the spokey ones, and the extra height might be an issue (especially combined with 157 gallons of unleaded in the tank).

The looks are subjective, of course, and I prefer the GS to the GSA. You get expanding panniers with the GS, which I don't think you can get on the GSA. With panniers on narrow setting, they're hardly wider than the bars. The GSA boxes are a fair bit wider, I think.

Oh, the screen from the GSA seems to be universally recognised as being better than the GS item. That too might be important to you on the motorway.

Whatever you decide, enjoy it!

 

[Dave Ford]

I've had GSA for a few months; considering it's my first bike for getting on for 30 years I'm probably not qualified to comment, but will anyway. I commute on M1 every day, though thankfully only about 10 miles.

I don't know if GSA is any wider than GS, but I doubt it. It's certainly not going to be significant. If you're filtering to the extent that the difference in width between a GS and a GSA becomes an issue, then I hope you're either single or well-insured.

Surely what are much more relevant to the (bloody awful) journey you describe are the greater range and the greater wind protection offered by the GSA.

I'm a mighty 5'8" and manage OK (ish) through:

lowered seat (though get numb backside);
Daytona M-Star boots;
minimum pre-load front and rear.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[dirtydog]

The GSA is without doubt a great looking bike but totally over-kill for commuting. It's to heavy, to tall and has a shit seat!

Go for the standard 12, it's quicker, lighter, shorter, more agile and more comfortable than the GSA....FACT!

If you're as shallow as I, and go on aesthetics, then buy a GSA...

DD...

 

[LeNoir]

Thanks Gents there are some good opinions there and about 50/50 for each model, uh oh I am still going to have to make a decision!

With the panniers, has anyone put the GS panniers on a GSA? I will only be carrying a laptop, shirt and shoes with me and the ally cases seem a bit to big for this but clearly needed when I ride to Morocco!


Some more head scratching and another test ride is on order I think, I will post back when I have made up my mind!

 

[Voyager61]

Been through this myself ...

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1098541#post1098541

post #28

V61

 

[GSmonkey]

With the panniers, has anyone put the GS panniers on a GSA?

You can put GS panniers (vario) on a GSA. The only additional cost is the big plastic rack for the topbox that you have to buy that comes as standard on the GS. You also have to buy pannier brackets, but you do for the GSA boxes anyway.

If I was to go the GSA way, I too would probably fit vario panniers.

Difficult decision GS vs GSA. I too did a back-to-back test and couldn't make my mind up which one I'd choose. The GSA has it for the motorway, the GS has it for just about every other type of road IMHO.

 

[ChrisG]

1150 v 1200 GSA

Hi Dave,

I'd say that the 1200 GSA feels a little lighter than the my 1150 overall.

Since I had a standard 1150 GS, when the 1200 is fully loaded with petrol you do tend to notice the extra fuel when you start/stop - other than that its not an issue at all.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Rally]

That all makes for very interesting reading as I also have been considering updating my 1150 GSA to a 1200 and couldn't decide which one.

One point that no one else had made here is that you dont have to fill the tank up all the way! It will do the same mileage as the GS with the same amount of fuel. Also, unless you are riding with another fuel tanker, you have to stop at all the same fuel stops anyway to wait. This is very frustrating as I have done this on many occasions.

The comfort and protection and maybe image are what the GSA are more about for everyday riding. Get out to Morrocco and thats a different story.

Best of luck with your decision, I'll await the result!

 

[Matt splat]

I bought the GSA12 because i knew if i bought the GS i regret it everytime i saw a ADV!

The normal GS looks abit girly when you stand them side by side

 

[patzx12]

I have both and my view is.
Both bikes do the same job.
The GS is a sportier bike better handling and faster.
I think my GS is a real hooligan bike as good as any sports bike on real road riding.
Riding to GSA is an event you feel so good on this monster.
I can ride enything but I did struggle with the GSA even with the seat on the low setting, I was just being caught off ballance sometimes.
I use the low seat I have on the GS and that fixed the problem.
I did not like the Ali panniers and use Vario with a modified GSA rack.
We are more Hotel than camping.
I tend to ride the GSA briskly as opposed to the GS that I used to tear ass aroung on and wheelie everywere.
Anyway good luck with your choice.