GSA a bit top heavy against the standard GS?

[rudgey]

I have been told that the 1200 GSA is top heavy with a full tank and a bit of a pig compared to the standard 1200GS! is this true? I used to have a 1150 standard GS and fancy a 1200 GSA as my next bike, is this a good bike to take into London each day as my old standard GS was?
Love the bike but don't want to regret buying it!
Has anyone had both 1200 bikes??

 

[Wizard]

Is it top heavy compared to a std 1200? Yup.
Is it a pig? Nope.

Had both, I'm 5'8 *cough*, and (mostly light) offroad a slightly lowered Adv. No biggie

Get yer arse down the dealers and get a test ride

Actually, come to think, it's probably about the same balance as a fuelled 1150, since the 1150 has the fuel mounted higher. But it's been a while since I've ridden an 1150..... and that's only been a few miles now and then.

 

[GSmonkey]

I've had both bikes, but not the GSA for very long. The GSA is top heavy compared to the GS, but not excessively so. I took the GSA on my regular commute through London last week and it wasn't a problem at all. I haven't really noticed much difference between a full and empty tank either, it seems to carry the weight very well.

If you want the GSA because of the tank range, etc. I wouldn't let the extra weight put you off. Only sure thing is to test ride both back-to-back. Most dealerships allow you to do that without question.

The GSA is definately no pig as well

 

[rudgey]

If there is no difference compared to the 1150GS balance wise I'm more than happy as I toured all over Europe on one fully loaded with my wife on the back, unfortunatly she is not top heavy! and the bike was fine. I'm not expecting it to be like my CBR600RR, I hope not! as thats what I'm chopping in for the new 2008 1200 GSA.

 

[Shep]

You always have the option of only half filling the tank and still get 150 miles to empty

It is a heavy bike, but its certainly no pig, its well balanced and suprisingly agile for a big bike. You will end up letting it 'have a little rest' on the odd occasion you get it wrong, but for me thats part of GSing, just something you learn to smile about, take a picture, pick it up and move on

Shep

 

[rudgey]

So I am not the only one who drops the GS? normally it was on my drive!!


So should I go for the GS or GSA? if there is not much in it ? I guess the GSA is the one to go for? How many miles do you get on a full tank, London to Germany on 1 tank?

 

[John Armstrong]

GSA, you don't have to fill the tank, but if you do it's easy to get over 300 miles from it.

 

[Shep]

Yep i often get 330 miles, hi speed motorway seems eat into the fuel, but if you stick to 80 its not so bad 44mpg, on back roads and A's i can get 50mpg without to much fannying about.

Shep

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I've ridden both and prefer the feel of the GSA. I'm sure the extra weight makes the bike more planted through the twisties

 

[Bigtwin]

on back roads and A's i can get 50mpg

?? My 1150 GSA will do about 56-58 - isn't the 1200 supposed to be about 8-10% more frugal?

 

[Wizard]

?? My 1150 GSA will do about 56-58 - isn't the 1200 supposed to be about 8-10% more frugal?

Yes, it is, but Shep doesn't ride like a big girls blouse

 

[GSmonkey]

?? My 1150 GSA will do about 56-58 - isn't the 1200 supposed to be about 8-10% more frugal?

Official figures show 4.6l/100km or 61.4mpg. Thats if you want to ride at a steady 90km/hr.

Whilst running in my GSA the computer has been showing 47mpg.

 

[Loiq]

get that clip back where the guys riding around the cones... brilliant leaning right over all slow, dog leg corners and braking at the same time...

 

[Bigtwin]

Yes, it is, but Shep doesn't ride like a big girls blouse

Frankly, I suspect that I am out riding my injectors, thus getting better mpg.

 

[GSmonkey]

get that clip back where the guys riding around the cones... brilliant leaning right over all slow, dog leg corners and braking at the same time...

that clip where the guys riding around the cones

 

[BBB61]

I've fitted the GSA tank to my standard 1200GS and I find it a touch heavier with a full tank, but it hasn't upset the handling. As others have noted it does fill a bit more planted at the front now. It hasn't made any difference to filtering through heavy traffic on my way to work and the balance is as good (to me) as the standard 1200.