gs or gsa & panniers

[rossi46]

hi, can't decide between a 08/09 1200gs or 08/09 1200gsa. what are the pros & cons for each. i'm 6"2" so the size of the gsa shouldn't be a problem. also, if i went for the gs i'm not a lover of the bmw vario panniers so what would my other choices be ? i prefer the all aluminium cases/box of the gsa.
thanks

 

[Thunder]

hi, can't decide between a 08/09 1200gs or 08/09 1200gsa. what are the pros & cons for each. i'm 6"2" so the size of the gsa shouldn't be a problem. also, if i went for the gs i'm not a lover of the bmw vario panniers so what would my other choices be ? i prefer the all aluminium cases/box of the gsa.
thanks

The GSA panniers are a straight fit to the GS so don't worry on that score.

Welcome to the collective BTW

 

[Slowdown]

Money - it's all about money. The only difference I see is a bigger fuel tank and a price differential. They both tour, both are heavy, both are great bikes, it's just I couldn't justify the GSA and the GSA panniers.

 

[Koopz]

For me the only panniers that I will use are the Metal Mule balanced system, ok expensive but in my opinion worth every penny as they can be removed easily and are totally water and dust proof without liners. Can be fitted to any GS or GSA.

 

[Wrinkly]

GS orGSA

Hi Rossi
I am in the same situation as you.
Cant make my mind up.
One day its definatley the gs next day its the gsa.
Problem is i have now spent about 6hrs each on both bikes and in their own way think there both fantastic bikes.
Anyway with my limited experience of both bikes here are my pros and cons

GS pros
Better looking IMO
Lighter. Slightly better mpg. Slightly sportier handling.
Feels much easier to manhandle
Lower seat height (only got short legs)
800 quid cheaper(but i would want wire wheels and pannier rails for alloy panniers. Which takes care of that)

GScons
Screen not as good as GSA
Does not feel as planted as GSA on motorways etc.
Shorter range (my pet hate is filling up,bikes or cars)



GSA pros
IMO 800quid for the extras is good value.
You can see so much sat in that seat.
Has real presence on the road.
Great screen for me no buffeting much quieter than the gs
Felt really planted on fast roads.
Jo my wife liked it better on the back(but said she could do with a ladder to get off) we have a VFR 800 at the moment.
Felt slightly more relaxing to ride (possibly reduced noise)

GSA cons.
Much more difficult to manouvere when sat on the bike (my short legs again)

I also think it depends on what your use for the bike is going to be.
If i was commuting, the usual 1day ride outs and occasional week away, i would go for the GS.
We are going to be doing at least 2 european trips per year and several shorter trips inbetween,which is swaying me toward the GSA, although i know the gs is more than capable.
Today its the GSA but we will see what tomorrow brings.

 

[GSband]

I own my second R12GS, and have testridden a R12GSA before buying the second one.
The GSA is over the top for me. Higher, so mounting is not as easy. More weight, so handling is less. The GS is definitely nimbler.
As far as trips go, done the Alps, Wales, Pyrenees, Stelvio pass, etc ... GS is an excellent traveller's bike, don't know what a GSA would have done better.
GSA has the bigger tank, which I don't need. I don't mind stopping after some 240 miles of highway.
GSA has better screan, but to be honest, you can buy a perfect solution for the GS screan afterwards, and that 'll be cheaper.
I think the Vario cases are brilliant, and I prefer the alloy wheels (cleaning !).
The looks are a personal matter. Good luck on your choice !

 

[Ollie GBR]

GScons
Screen not as good as GSA
Does not feel as planted as GSA on motorways etc.
Shorter range (my pet hate is filling up,bikes or cars)

You can put the Adventure screen on the GS;

Might help out in your decision process, (or not)

Ollie

 

[springonion]

Hi Rossi
I am in the same situation as you.
Cant make my mind up.
One day its definatley the gs next day its the gsa.
Problem is i have now spent about 6hrs each on both bikes and in their own way think there both fantastic bikes.
Anyway with my limited experience of both bikes here are my pros and cons

GS pros
Better looking IMO
Lighter. Slightly better mpg. Slightly sportier handling.
Feels much easier to manhandle
Lower seat height (only got short legs)
800 quid cheaper(but i would want wire wheels and pannier rails for alloy panniers. Which takes care of that)

GScons
Screen not as good as GSA
Does not feel as planted as GSA on motorways etc.
Shorter range (my pet hate is filling up,bikes or cars)



GSA pros
IMO 800quid for the extras is good value.
You can see so much sat in that seat.
Has real presence on the road.
Great screen for me no buffeting much quieter than the gs
Felt really planted on fast roads.
Jo my wife liked it better on the back(but said she could do with a ladder to get off) we have a VFR 800 at the moment.
Felt slightly more relaxing to ride (possibly reduced noise)

GSA cons.
Much more difficult to manouvere when sat on the bike (my short legs again)

I also think it depends on what your use for the bike is going to be.
If i was commuting, the usual 1day ride outs and occasional week away, i would go for the GS.
We are going to be doing at least 2 european trips per year and several shorter trips inbetween,which is swaying me toward the GSA, although i know the gs is more than capable.
Today its the GSA but we will see what tomorrow brings.

I had the same issues and almost similar pros + cons list as you have now. In the end I went for the GSA and its brilliant. I made the right decision for me.

Looking at your list, count up the pros (ignore the cons - lol) for each bike in your lists and you'll see which one you REALLY want !!

 

[Brian ROSEN]

I own my second R12GS, and have testridden a R12GSA before buying the second one.
The GSA is over the top for me. Higher, so mounting is not as easy. More weight, so handling is less. The GS is definitely nimbler.......
I think the Vario cases are brilliant, and I prefer the alloy wheels (cleaning !).
The looks are a personal matter. Good luck on your choice !

I also am on my second GS and I agree entirely with these comments; On my previous 2004 model I had fitted the GSA screen and found it very good - but not really worth the extra cash. I think that the GSA is more 'imposing' and really does stand out, but so many of my trips are relatively short and often on autoroutes that I would feel a bit of a fraud on this 'round-the-world-machine.' Not to mention that the 1200GS, fully fuelled is ENOUGH weight and although I am over 6' tall quite high enough for both myself and my pillion rider.

 

[karlp]

Money - it's all about money. The only difference I see is a bigger fuel tank and a price differential. They both tour, both are heavy, both are great bikes, it's just I couldn't justify the GSA and the GSA panniers.

There are a lot more differences than just the fuel tank. If that is all you have seen then you have not looked close enough.

If you want to put lots of lights and other electrical items then the higher output of the GSA will help.

Better drop protection on the GSA - if you are into that sort of thing.

Screen - but as stated above.

If going offroad - then height, spoke wheels - but if not then these are of no use

 

[Wrinkly]

Nice looking bike Ollie.
The GSA screen does look really good on the GS.
Although i am led to believe that the standard screen with winglets works very well. Its also a much cheaper option.
Just learned today that my impending retirement(early i may add only 53)may be put back till Jan 09 so i may have longer to make up my mind
Although to be honest i think its already made up and it comes with wire wheels as standard.
Promised Jo my better half, that i wouldn't order until lump sum is safely in the bank.
But how safe's that these days

 

[Wrinkly]

Having said all this.
Astle at Grimsby have got an 04 AC Schnitzer 1100ss 13000mls, i'm half tempted to P/X my VFR now and have a look for an 08 low milage GS in the new year.
Used to have an 1100ss,i really liked it.

 

[SVENA]

You can put the Adventure screen on the GS;

Might help out in your decision process, (or not)

Ollie

How much of the GS original fittings can be reused if fitting a GSA screen? From what I see it's only a matter about the new screen and the high support

 

[Brian ROSEN]

How much of the GS original fittings can be reused if fitting a GSA screen? From what I see it's only a matter about the new screen and the high support

You are right in principle but there are more screws, washers, spacers and the adjusting screws each side need to be changed for longer ones. There was a lot on this forum in about it in September 2006. I also fitted the winglets as well (and on the 2008 GS the underneath supports, as on the Adventure, are provided it all came to around £300 (in France.) If you want more info I could scan & send you the official BMW drawings but you should be able to get them from any BMW agent. Don't hesitate to e-mail me ([email protected]) if you have any problems.

 

[THE DOCTOR]

...if i went for the gs i'm not a lover of the bmw vario panniers so what would my other choices be ?
thanks

Rossi, hi bro
I'd push my new varios on you seeing your just a few miles away but I see you're not a fan of them so let me tell you about my replacements..

redcap's ARD panniers.

 

[VAL. H.]

How much of the GS original fittings can be reused if fitting a GSA screen? From what I see it's only a matter about the new screen and the high support

£152.00 ish, plus the price of the screen.

 

[SVENA]

You are right in principle but there are more screws, washers, spacers and the adjusting screws each side need to be changed for longer ones. There was a lot on this forum in about it in September 2006. I also fitted the winglets as well (and on the 2008 GS the underneath supports, as on the Adventure, are provided it all came to around £300 (in France.) If you want more info I could scan & send you the official BMW drawings but you should be able to get them from any BMW agent. Don't hesitate to e-mail me ([email protected]) if you have any problems.

Hi Brian,
thanks for the reply. I'll se study this parts fische http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/MainDiagrams.asp?mospid=49382

and it shows the different mounting parts. I'll for sure get back if needed.