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

[Bikerbaz78]

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.

Hey J, thanks for the honest feed back and input, its really apprecited! The fact of the matter is; you're right... I dont have the extra money to burn on the GSA so I may as well get on with a GS and take it from there.

I'm starting to see through the cloud of differences between models and equipment and quickly becoming a member of the 'get on it and ride campaign"!

Cheers, Baz

 

[essjay]

yeah, to be honest your height is not the main factor, it's inseam length. Mine was around 31" and the GSA was tall.

 

[Voyager61]

I would suggest test riding both bikes and make your decision based on that experience.

I rode an 1150 GS ages, and ages ago. I liked it's bulk, its 'road prescence' if you like ... and its weight.

I tried the 1200 GS when it came out and loved it ... and thought I might buy one as it appeared to be the more practical option ... just felt it was a bit light ...

But I got an opportunity to test ride the Adventure and I was instantly smitten ... my experience is related here (plus posts on my first two years of ownership and 23000 miles):

http://www.maximumbikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6685

post #12 onwards, really.

I think the bike is definitely worth the extra money. But you must make up your mind based on the ride. BMW are really generous here, I had two hours on the Adventure - plenty of time to come to some clear conclusions.

Cash is another matter ... but in my experience it tends to follow my heart!

Hope that helps.

 

[monkeyboy]

GSA is the way to go no question. And they won't cost a couple of grand more than a regular GS. One spanky one with 11k on in Jersey recently went for 3800 on ebay. GSA's just have the look. In my modest experience they're like anything - you get used to the weight, on or off road. You'll not notice much difference picking either up providing they're not fueled up - in fact with the GS being 20mm taller, don't the laws of physics say you can get more force through a longer fulcrum for the same effort - so they should be easier to pick up. Parked next to each other, they look like husband and wife, and you know which one the GSA is The Daddy

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I didnt see anyone mention another GSA benefit, better weather protection. Bigger screen wider tank all help to keep the weather out a bit. The extra hight and supposed better off road ability wasn't why I got my GSA. Larger fuel range, better weather protection were the main things and to me anyway it just looks so much better.

 

[L'Escargot]

I've got a GSA wiv a GS front seat and I have no probs at all ! I'm 5.10" weigh 13 stone and so far (Going in for its 12000 service soon,bought it in April ! ) no worries . If you test ride one ask for a GS seat to be put on it I did and got a free one into the deal.I put the GSA seat on sometimes if carrying SWMBO and Luggage and its fine,try it !! The spoked wheels,bigger Tank and a few other bits made the GSA my choice,personally I dont think the GS looks as good ! A personal opinion of course !!!
Good luck !

 

[karlp]

Just my input.

I have had many GSA and I cannot get both feet on the ground so bought a GS - added all the bits (screen, cylinder guards).

I was not happy - the GS just does not ride like the GSA. All the talk on this site about the GSA felling more ' planted' on the road is true. The GS does not feel right when you have ridden the GSA.

So my opinion is get the GSA - you will not regret it. If weight is an issue just do not fill the talk up every time - just put 20 litres in it then you have the same range as the GS.

If it is too tall - then go to a specialist and get the shocks lowered - that is what I intend doing.

 

[Jays]

Haha........you guys! All I can see here are comments that the the GSA looks great... you really are a load of posers! And as for comments advising to buy a GSA and run with the tank at the same level as a standard GS to keep the weight down really says it all!

 

[bigsandy]

I am completely new to this site and i have been reading the GS v GSA posts with interest. I am a previous 1150GS owner so I know and love the GS but I am in a bit of a dilemma and looking for some advice. I am just about to place an order for a brand new 1200 but I am not sure wether to go for the GS or the GSA. I will be using it mostly for touring, mostly two up, some long distance, alps etc and some weekend away stuff all on road. I am 6'4" so the height issue is not a problem, I thought the extra load carrying capacity of the GSA would be and advantage (with a wife who insists on carrying everything bar the kitchen sink) but I also thought the GS would be more nimble onroad and handle better, quicker etc, also it's about 2G cheaper which is a consideration but I would stretch my budget to get the right bike. Any advice thoughts would be much appreciated

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I think it has all already been said to be honest and what you go for depends on your personal taste. Are you going to go off road, do you need the extended fuel range, Can you put up with the extra weight, do you prefer the looks of the GSA and need the better weather protection? If yes then the GSA is for you if no then the GS is a better choice. Both are damn fine bikes and will do the job whatever you decide.

 

[boatman]

my take
i had first a varadero, then tiger955 then varadero again always found the dero a bit unweildy then!!!! a standard gs not so much grunt but handling streets ahead ! then after fuel issues (way up north) i bought gsa, in my mind a much more stable easier to ride better sorted bike more fuel more wind protection more suspension (floats over crap roads like you would not belive)i have had pan euros (still have for 2 up cos its better than gsa) but hardly use it. It is a heavy bike to lift up cos i dropped it recently.
having said all that i have had loads o bikes but this is the first one i have ever really bonded with!!!!!!
cheers n aw the best

 

[bigsandy]

I think it has all already been said to be honest and what you go for depends on your personal taste. Are you going to go off road, do you need the extended fuel range, Can you put up with the extra weight, do you prefer the looks of the GSA and need the better weather protection? If yes then the GSA is for you if no then the GS is a better choice. Both are damn fine bikes and will do the job whatever you decide.

Thanks for the reply Marki, never going off road, but I like the idea of the better weather protection, don't think the extra weight will be an issue, I think I am leaning more to the GSA but I can't decide(I used to be indecisive but now I am not so sure), you are right both of them are great bikes.

 

[Beemerman59]

Thanks for the reply Marki, never going off road, but I like the idea of the better weather protection, don't think the extra weight will be an issue, I think I am leaning more to the GSA but I can't decide(I used to be indecisive but now I am not so sure), you are right both of them are great bikes.

Agree with most said. The two main selling points for a GSA to me was the extended fuel range and extra inch on the ride height. I wanted to be able to decide when I stopped to fuel up rather than having to, plus I'm 6'3" so the extra leg room is invaluable for me. Having had one for 10 months now I would also say the fog lights are also worth it for visibility plus the extra screen height although even here I have had to add a Laminar Lip to stop the buffeting. Take a test ride on both and see how they compare.

 

[Voyager61]

I would suggest test riding both bikes and make your decision based on that experience.

I rode an 1150 GS ages, and ages ago. I liked it's bulk, its 'road prescence' if you like ... and its weight.

I tried the 1200 GS when it came out and loved it ... and thought I might buy one as it appeared to be the more practical option ... just felt it was a bit light ...

But I got an opportunity to test ride the Adventure and I was instantly smitten ... my experience is related here (plus posts on my first two years of ownership and 23000 miles):

http://www.maximumbikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6685

post #12 onwards, really.

I think the bike is definitely worth the extra money. But you must make up your mind based on the ride. BMW are really generous here, I had two hours on the Adventure - plenty of time to come to some clear conclusions.

Cash is another matter ... but in my experience it tends to follow my heart!

Hope that helps.

That url has changed:

http://www.maximumbikes.com/forum/index.php?/topic/5936-bmw-r1200-gs-adventure/