GS vs GSA

[Jason P]

Hi all,

After having foolishly renounced my tosserdom and sold my GS a year or so ago, I've come to my senses and decided to return to the fold...so I'm on the lookoiut for another GS. Trouble is, I really want a GSA, but I'm just a bit concerned about the gear ratios for motorway stuff (some of my usage will inevitably be M-way). I loved the E gear on my 1150 - and I understand the GSA is lower geared. Any thoughts in this? Anyone notice the difference, found it better/worse? Can it be changed? I'd appreciate the collective wisdom of the board, and its forgiveness for being so dumb as to sell my GS in the first place

JP

 

[BTBR]

Hi all,

After having foolishly renounced my tosserdom and sold my GS a year or so ago, I've come to my senses and decided to return to the fold...so I'm on the lookoiut for another GS. Trouble is, I really want a GSA, but I'm just a bit concerned about the gear ratios for motorway stuff (some of my usage will inevitably be M-way). I loved the E gear on my 1150 - and I understand the GSA is lower geared. Any thoughts in this? Anyone notice the difference, found it better/worse? Can it be changed? I'd appreciate the collective wisdom of the board, and its forgiveness for being so dumb as to sell my GS in the first place

JP

JP,

Don't get to stressed out about the gear ratios, it does not present any problems at all at motorway speeds.

In fact, I think that the sports gearing is much better than the E gear. Much better pick up in top gear rather than having to drop it down a gear.

Its the other end of the ratio that is the problem, lower first gear!

If you are going to be doing a lot of two up, fully loaded riding then you do need to find a GSA with the lower first gear, a no cost option when your are buying from new.

Those are my thoughts anyway?

BTBR

 

[Steptoe]

Most people don't even know which box they've got in their bikes, if they've bought them second hand .

 

[skybluebird]

I reckon the 5 + o/drive box is the dog's danglies, but if someone offered to swap a GSA for my GS, I wouldn't let it put me off.

 

[Fanum]

Top gear on an ADV is no prob, and as said, it's a proper gear rather than an overdrive....

The beasty will be stopped from going abny faster by wind resistance before the gear runs out so it's not an issue.

I've got the higher first gear and don't miss a lower cog on the road at all- offroad however, I do sometimes find myself wishing I had the lower gear.

 

[ag1s]

Hello there, I have no experience of the GSA gearing, but a drawback of the GSA I'm aware of, is the height. I have no problems putting my feet on the ground, but on the standard GS the centre of gravity is lower making the bike a lot more flickable sporty and confidence inspiring, both on the road and off. The lower CG makes the bike feel a lot lighter.

On the other hand the GSA is much better looking. You can always get a GSA and a pait of standard ohlins, in my opinion this is the most useful set up.

Also, if you like a bit more road ability, you can change the telelever fork brace with the one fron the r1150r which is flat rather than having an inverted U shape, which keeps the front about 15mm lower. It does wonders on the steering speed.

a.

Hi all,

After having foolishly renounced my tosserdom and sold my GS a year or so ago, I've come to my senses and decided to return to the fold...so I'm on the lookoiut for another GS. Trouble is, I really want a GSA, but I'm just a bit concerned about the gear ratios for motorway stuff (some of my usage will inevitably be M-way). I loved the E gear on my 1150 - and I understand the GSA is lower geared. Any thoughts in this? Anyone notice the difference, found it better/worse? Can it be changed? I'd appreciate the collective wisdom of the board, and its forgiveness for being so dumb as to sell my GS in the first place

JP

 

[Mick_rw]

It's ok....

I went from GS with 5+E to GS with a 6 box, and you can feel the differnce, IMHO the 6 box is better, you can feel the difference, it feels more responsive to the throttle and it does not appear to have changed my average fuel consumption at all. If I ever change my GS again it will have to have a 6 box.

 

[Jason P]

Thanks for the advice so far people - I guess the next step is to get a test drive before I start looking around for a good secondhand one... now, on to more important matters...

Black or silver??

 

[ace59]

black or silver

black ones are faster

 

[Huey]

Black or silver??

White and Blue .....the new Special Edition.

Huey

 

[shrek 2]

got to be black

 

[GSAde]

Silver is Sooooo much more tasteful

On the important bit I've just gone from an 1150 with overdrive to a GSA and the ratios worried me, as I also loved the O/D on my previous bike. However I'd go with all the others in saying the proper 6 speed box is better, and if you're going for a late twinspark model they are now much smoother than the old single spark bikes (and I'm told smoother than the early twinsparks, from someone who's had both)

Go for a GSA, you won't regret it on the top gear front but I'd also go for the lower first IF :-

I was a lard ass rather than the 11 stone weakling that I am

I did a lot of off road

I did a lot of two up with luggage

SWMBO was a lard ass

I actually liked the GSA handling but to allow me to use the standard (more comfortable) seat I fitted the Ohlins from my standard GS, as Im a bit short in the leg dept (so SWMBO tells me )Also has the advantage of being much better suspension than the O/E Showas.

Get one and enjoy

Ade

 

[Global Rider]

Trouble is, I really want a GSA, but I'm just a bit concerned about the gear ratios for motorway stuff (some of my usage will inevitably be M-way). I loved the E gear on my 1150 - and I understand the GSA is lower geared. Any thoughts in this?

JP

Both the GS and GS Adventure are available with the Enduro or Sport transmission...at least in Canada.

I chose the Enduro transmission for my GS Adventure. Having just returned from the Alps, the taller 1st gear of the Sport transmission would have been pure hell in the tight stuff. The lower 6th worked just fine on the Autostrada.

If you want to compare the two transmissions, go to the Technical Stuff page on my web page and check out the Excel spreadsheets and graphs for both transmissions.

Ideally, the GS transmission should have the low 1st and tall 6th. What was BMW thinking?

 

[MikeP]

If you have the option go for one with the low 1st gear.

It's option 631. A dealer will be able to confirm if it has this option from BMW records via the VIN.

Only found it a problem when the bike was brand-new and everything was tight (selecting first while on the move nearly had me over the bars!). After it has loosened up you can trickle in first on tick-over almost like a proper Boxer (one with twin shocks and a heavy fly-wheel).

A late twin-spark will lug itself and a full load from 2,500 rpm in 6th without protest provided you don't want hyper acceleration.

Just ride the fat torque.

 

[Jason P]

Thanks for all the input - I rode a GSA yesterday at Vines 'BikeFest' open day. Met a few Tossers (hello Steptoe, sorry to corner you as you were leaving) and saw some lovely GS's (including a gorgeous 100 GS with many trick bits with a stunning blue frame and see-thru Acerbis tank), and i now DEFINITELY want another GS - but am still not sure. I liked the ADV, though I didn't much go for the servo brakes - very powerful but too wooden IMHO, but I'm a luddite that likes a direct connection twixt me and the pads with no computer intervention. The model I rode was also TALL, even for me (6' with a 33 inseam) Sooo... I think I'm now in the market for an 02/52 or earlier GSA - but might be persuaded by a regular GS if the right one came along...more money to put trick bits on and 'pimp my ride'! Just gotta sell the Bandit now...

Bugger, there goes the bank balance.

Jason

 

[wolfboy]

Jason, Hi, just seen the thread, heres my 2p..

I just bought a black GSA, sport box, I think... any way I am also 5'11" with a 33 inch inside leg. and I was out on the bike with a lowered seat (840mm, down from 900) and it made riding possible, Riding around the bike was fine, but I couldn't reverse as I couldn't get enough purchase on the ground to push back, my local dealer (Mill, Sunderland) are having a low seat sculpted down further so I get an extra 1"- 1.5". This should mean I can get close to 3/4 of my foot down.

Might be worth investigating if yu really want an ADV?