GS or Africa twin?

fireblade reject

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I've just traded in my 08 GS for a tricolour AT. After 300 miles on my gs in the last few days i thought I was making a mistake....... 1 day of AT ownership, not a bit. Fast, comfortable, handles, more compliant suspension, better off the tarmac and 10.5k. Its a bloody good bike. Not sure if its BETTER than my GS, but certainly different....... and more fun
 
You will be burnt at the stake for that!
To be fair you are comparing a brand new bike to an 8 year old one or even 12 if you go back to when the Hexhead was originally release. The AT should be better!
 
I had a test ride on a 18 month old gs, and I found it was significantly better/different than my 2009 gs.
 
Riding my 2008 GSA back to back with my brother's 2008 GSA shows a few things.

Mine has a power commander. The accurate engine response makes it feel better handling. Not to mention the way it goes. :D
Mine has 55K and was run in properly (as in not cosseted) so my engine spins freely.
His has 25K and was cosseted from new so he is still feeling the effects of tight cylinder clearances. It's not as spritely as mine even before I fitted the PC.
I use Conti TKC-70 tyres which are quick handling
He uses Metzler Tourance (ordinary versions) which feel comparatively slow and heavy handling.

On the down sides - his suspension is still ok, while mine is definitely on a downward trend. My gearbox rattles in neutral, his does not.

So if two similar age GSs can be so different, a new Honda compared to a used BMW are like comparing chalk and cheese.
 
Africa Twin

Just got back from the Dave Thorpe Honda Experience. Two days off road instruction on brand new Africa Twins. I did not know it was possible for a reasonably big bike to do what the AT does. A brilliant couple of days off roading in Wales with fantastic tuition. The AT is one of the most capable 'all round' bikes that I have ever ridden. Awsome!
 
Bendy toy said:
Riding my 2008 GSA back to back with my brother's 2008 GSA shows a few things.

Mine has a power commander. The accurate engine response makes it feel better handling. Not to mention the way it goes. :D
Mine has 55K and was run in properly (as in not cosseted) so my engine spins freely.
His has 25K and was cosseted from new so he is still feeling the effects of tight cylinder clearances. It's not as spritely as mine even before I fitted the PC.
I use Conti TKC-70 tyres which are quick handling
He uses Metzler Tourance (ordinary versions) which feel comparatively slow and heavy handling.

On the down sides - his suspension is still ok, while mine is definitely on a downward trend. My gearbox rattles in neutral, his does not.

So if two similar age GSs can be so different, a new Honda compared to a used BMW are like comparing chalk and cheese.
Click to expand...

Certainly haven't been cosseting the AT! After a couple of hundred miles it feels a bit pokier than the demo.
 
The rule with most engines these days has work them but avoid full revs thrashing and certainly don't slog them at low revs. Watch the oil level, some can burn a bit until the rings have bedded in.

My Audi diesel was a pain for stalling when brand new but would spin the wheels when the turbo woke up - not much fun in traffic. By 1 K miles all that had sorted itself out. By 10K miles it felt quite zippy** and better again at 20K miles.

** as much as a 140bhp turn diesel ever can do ;)
 
fireblade reject said:
I've just traded in my 08 GS for a tricolour AT. After 300 miles on my gs in the last few days i thought I was making a mistake....... 1 day of AT ownership, not a bit. Fast, comfortable, handles, more compliant suspension, better off the tarmac and 10.5k. Its a bloody good bike. Not sure if its BETTER than my GS, but certainly different....... and more fun
Click to expand...

Certainly not as good as the GS LC as an all rounder ;)
 
Says the man who (I suspect) still hasn't ridden one .....
 
I really like the look of the AT and could be tempted. Snags for me are its weight (same as GSA) and I really do like the BMWs minimal dive front suspension. I wish manufacturers would follow Norman Hossack's lead. Better suspension, better road feel, more effective brakes, less all up weight, low cost manufacturing (fewer precision parts) easy upgrade by fitting a fancy shock absorber. http://www.hossack-design.com/#!the-ducati/c3t

Sadly, out of the box thinking seems to be restricted to BMW and they have some blind spots. The Duolever is a Hossack copy, but made it over complicated and costly. The whole point was low cost manufacturing and less weight.
 
It's a great bike for ten grand but it's not a GS. It has a chain, it has tubes in the tyres and it in no way has the luggage sorted out, nor the gizmos of the Beemer.

I hope you love the bike, I fully understand why you have brought it but to a GS chaLk and cheese. If you are in the BMW Club stay involved, there's no need to worry about turning up on another make, plus someday you may come back to us. Enjoy and ride safe.
 
Mad_Accountant said:
It's a great bike for ten grand but it's not a GS. It has a chain, it has tubes in the tyres and it in no way has the luggage sorted out, nor the gizmos of the Beemer.

.....................
Click to expand...

For many people those are all plus points :cool:

What's wrong with the luggage? Whilst I hold Varios in very high regard I thought the standard AT luggage was very good.

Andres
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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