GS Vs GSA Is there a world of difference (Thread moved from Newbie section)

believe me, a GSA will be a lot harder to pickup than a GS (1100/1150). With the GSA being taller, top heavier and with a higher COG, they are a pig. I needed help to lift mine.

I bought the GSA because I thought I wanted one. They are cooler, tougher looking etc but I just couldn't live with the day to day of it. Basically I bought it for the image. Not saying the GSA is not a great bike, because it is, but it just didn't suit my small frame. You are taller than me so you should be ok with it.

You need to ride both without question. Also try laying them on the side and picking them up. If you go off road, you WILL be picking it up.

But I love my 1100GS so I would be biased to the those. Have a look at some photos of 1100GS's with the touratech tank & TT (KTM 640 Adv) fairings. Now they look cool....

Note all the above is my opinion, not saying one bike is better than the other. Don't want to be starting a war!!!!
 
2 wheel humvee said:
Re; 1150GSA

1; correct
2;lower 1st was optional (may have become standard on later models...)
3;optional,02 and 03 bikes could be specced with either tank,later models large tank only
4;all came with single seat unit,some may have been swapped for GSlite version by previous owners
5;engine bars optional at first,became standard on later models
6;beak extender
7;subjective,swapping the cat convertor for a y piece will lose a few kg's and gain roughly the same number of horsepower,not to mention smooth out the power delivery and,from memory,have no detrimental effect on mpg

pedant mode now off :augie
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Hahahahahahaha I just clocked your name; 2 wheel Humvee, I love it LMAO... :thumb2

So it appears there are only two 'relatively' unchangeble differences between the GS and GSA its the "ride height" / suspension AND possibly (depending) the first gear ratio?

Everything else I could be bolted on later if I REALLY missed it that much??? :nenau
 
Bikerbaz78 said:
Hahahahahahaha I just clocked your name; 2 wheel Humvee, I love it LMAO... :thumb2

So it appears there are only two 'relatively' unchangeble differences between the GS and GSA its the "ride height" / suspension AND possibly (depending) the first gear ratio?

Everything else I could boly on later if I REALLY missed it that much??? :nenau
Click to expand...

Shocks are very very easy to change. The gearing is the only tough one to change I reckon.
 
OK, according website sources the GSA seat height is 900mm and the GS seat height is 860mm... So with only 4cm difference between the two I have to consider how much the seat foam compresses when you sit down? Does 4cm REALLY make that big difference between falling of at walking pace or not?

Having said that 4cm of extra ground clearence when off road will work wonders!

Holy cow!!! That Varadero I breifly owned only had a seat height of 838mm... That puts it all into prespective for me...

I need to find one in the flesh....

Thanks guys, with out you lot I could have made some bad decissions here!!!! :beerjug:
 
essjay said:
Shocks are very very easy to change. The gearing is the only tough one to change I reckon.
Click to expand...

Essjay... good point but i assumed that the additional height was caused by something like the shock linkage or more complicated possibly frame alterations?

If what you say is all that makes the dfference then its a no brainer for me... Get the GS and Mod it when I stack up more funds??? I need to investigate this concept further... :type
 
nope - just longer shocks.

Did you find the varadero tall? Think if it 6cm taller. The saddle might have been wider on the varadero than the gsa which would make the biker feel taller.
 
essjay said:
nope - just longer shocks.

Did you find the varadero tall? Think if it 6cm taller. The saddle might have been wider on the varadero than the gsa which would make the biker feel taller.
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Hey mate, yeah I do remember finding the vardero tall but not un-managable... That concept alone has really hit home BUT then again the Varadero seat was big enough for a small family!

Thats excellent news regarding the longer shocks, really appreciate that. Stuff worrying about the 1st gear being lower on the GSA as I dont mind fitting a new clutch every now and then.

You have swiftly changed my mind and walked me through the logical point that i was not aware of... Thanks guys...

When I was at Touratech a couple of weeks back they had a GS for sale with a couple of bolt-ons. They want £6.5k for it but at least I could go get a feel for the seat height. (No chance of buying it as £3K is close to my maximum!)

That would at least allow me to buy a GS sooner rather than later. I actually enjoy rebuilding bikes and fitting bolt-ons etc so it could work well... :thumb2
 
Gs Vs GSa

Bikerbaz78 said:
Hey bailey, thanks for that thread and I promise I did search before posting my question. ;)

Elevensies... Good point witht he 1100 and thanks!

Indecisive, thanks; I thought that was the case but wasn't sure. Now I think I probably maybe deffinitely may want the GSA unless someone makes me think otherwise.............. :confused:

Great input guys, seriously; THANKS ;)

Indecisive, have you got any more opinon like that? I need more convincing that I want to wait another five months for find the extra money to buy a GSA??? :thumb
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Have just sold my GSA. Bought the std GS. These are both good bikes but it depends on your main use i found that the GSA looks the dogs. but found it a sod when loaded with fuel and stuff. I', 6.0ft withthe std seat I just could not paddle it about so got alow sargent which did make my life easier. good luck hope this is of help to you. Seat and alloy full kit going. :D:augie:beerjug:
 
elevensies said:
differences are as follows

gsa is higher, taller suspension,unit is same as standard just with a taller body

gsa has a lower 1st gear, better for some things

gsa has bigger fuel tank, 22lts vs 31 lts

some come with slightly different seat (single unit) and not as good for pillion

comes with some goodies like crash guards extra lights, etc etc

has plastic bits added
Click to expand...

Not all GSA have the low first gear - some don't.

Some GS have a larger tank (fitted as an option)
 
Bikerbaz78 said:
Hey mate, yeah I do remember finding the vardero tall but not un-managable... That concept alone has really hit home BUT then again the Varadero seat was big enough for a small family!

Thats excellent news regarding the longer shocks, really appreciate that. Stuff worrying about the 1st gear being lower on the GSA as I dont mind fitting a new clutch every now and then.

You have swiftly changed my mind and walked me through the logical point that i was not aware of... Thanks guys...

When I was at Touratech a couple of weeks back they had a GS for sale with a couple of bolt-ons. They want £6.5k for it but at least I could go get a feel for the seat height. (No chance of buying it as £3K is close to my maximum!)

That would at least allow me to buy a GS sooner rather than later. I actually enjoy rebuilding bikes and fitting bolt-ons etc so it could work well... :thumb2
Click to expand...


With that budget you could get a very nice 1100GS or a early 1150GS. Subscribe to the site and you'll get full access to the buying and selling forum where there is a great turn over of bikes.

A very nice W reg one sold on Friday with some great accessories. Listed for £3500 but don't know the price it sold for, another blue and white one for £3200 last week sometime (both bikes 1150's). Always lots of bikes coming and going.

I recommend buying from the site as more than likely the bike has been looked after.
 
I bought an 08 GS, ran it for a year and traded it for a GSA. The GSA is taller but as you are an inch taller than me you would have no problems with it.

Regarding weight and C of G, provided you use the correct technique either bike is manageable to pick when dropped.

The standard GS is lighter, with a smaller tank and is more responsive in roll on the tarmac.

The GS being lighter and slimmer is slightly better on fuel economy.

The lower first gear is handy on the GSA if you are going to venture off tarmac with it.

If you look at the new price differential on the two standard bikes you'll notice that you get all the extra bits on the GSA that you'll probably end up adding to the GS but for a lot less money.

The GS screen buffet is a nightmare and will drive you up the wall.

The GSA screen is not perfect but a lot better than the GS screen. The big screen and wide tank combination on the GSA means that it's comfortable in winter temperatures 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the GS. And the wet weather protection is better too.

I think both bikes are fantastic but if I were you I would go for the GSA. Obviously it's subjective. You need to ride both and decide for yourself.

Enjoy :)

Cheers, Ken.
 
If you're on a budget, go with an 1100 or 1150 as suggested above. I bought my first gs 2 months ago from a member of this forum, it's an 1150, year 2000, paid £2400 plus a bit more for some spares.

It's higher mileage but everyone will tell you it's just a bit more run in. Unless you're going out into the serious wilderness I doubt the bigger tank will be of much use to you. Likewise is the extra ground clearance going to be that big an issue? People have ridden round the world on these things for a couple of decades now.

Get one you can afford, spend any extra money on riding it as much as you'd like. Figure out the extras you want as you find it's and your limitations. So far I've added muffs (brilliant things), an autocom intercom (girlfriend likes this), mount for my iphone (tomtom is handy) and I'm about to fit the centech fusebox I picked up on ebay for £12 so I can wire in power for the phone and the heated jacket liner I just built this weekend.

I'd rather spend my limited money on riding it and going places. I looked at GSA's but they were all at least a grand more than the bike I bought. That's a lot of fuel and tyres.

J.
 
GS typically has overdrive 6th gear, GSA typically lower ratio "sports" 6th. Some people think this is an advantage of the GSA, I don't understand why they can't just leave the bike in 5th when it matters and enjoy the more relaxed cruise and better fuel consumption on a long motorway run with the higher 6th.

If money is tight, buy a GS. They're one of the best all-round bikes you'll ever find. OK, the high first gear isn't ideal off road, but neither is 200+kg. Neither GS nor GSA will ever be an enduro bike, but both will get you a lot further than a VFR would and be more fun everywhere.

Just one opinion from the "get on it and ride" camp.
 
good'oleboy said:
Have just sold my GSA. Bought the std GS. These are both good bikes but it depends on your main use i found that the GSA looks the dogs. but found it a sod when loaded with fuel and stuff. I', 6.0ft withthe std seat I just could not paddle it about so got alow sargent which did make my life easier. good luck hope this is of help to you. Seat and alloy full kit going. :D:augie:beerjug:
Click to expand...

Thanks Good'oleboy... ;) Thats alarming news as you being 6ft and couldnt paddle it around.... I get told that despite my height I have short legs??? I really think the GS will be the way forwards now and bolt on the seductive gear at a later date. HID will be one of the frst bolt ons!!!
 
Wingit said:
I bought an 08 GS, ran it for a year and traded it for a GSA. The GSA is taller but as you are an inch taller than me you would have no problems with it.

Regarding weight and C of G, provided you use the correct technique either bike is manageable to pick when dropped.

The standard GS is lighter, with a smaller tank and is more responsive in roll on the tarmac.

The GS being lighter and slimmer is slightly better on fuel economy.

The lower first gear is handy on the GSA if you are going to venture off tarmac with it.

If you look at the new price differential on the two standard bikes you'll notice that you get all the extra bits on the GSA that you'll probably end up adding to the GS but for a lot less money.

The GS screen buffet is a nightmare and will drive you up the wall.

The GSA screen is not perfect but a lot better than the GS screen. The big screen and wide tank combination on the GSA means that it's comfortable in winter temperatures 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the GS. And the wet weather protection is better too.

I think both bikes are fantastic but if I were you I would go for the GSA. Obviously it's subjective. You need to ride both and decide for yourself.

Enjoy :)

Cheers, Ken.
Click to expand...

Hey Ken... I think yours is the first post that points me to the GSA?? :-S
Point taken with the money and bolt ons that come with the GSA BUT... I'm gagging for a GS and unless I get a wind-fall the GSA will take alot longer to grab...

The concept of height seems to be very 'case by case' BUT your point about first gear and off road doesnt give me warm fuzzy feelings... The bottom line is; if I can handle the height and weight ok AND find the money the GSA is the way forwards...

(I'm sure I have just contradicted one of my earlier posts?? :blast )
 
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