GSA Model Advice

[Storm99]

Hi, Apologies if this has been asked before !

I am looking to buy a GSA and I was advised to try get one no older than a 2008 but Im not sure if my Budget will allow me to get a 2008. I would probably be ok to stretch to a 2006/2007 but I am not sure what the main differences are between the 3 different years and if those differences would really have a huge impact ?

I recently hired a 2012 model and it was amazing, would a 2006/2007 be vastly different Or would I need to go 2008 or higher for a similar ride ?

I want a GSA over a standard GS as I drove both and I much preferred the GSA.

Thanks !!

 

[Yonkyo]

AFAIK.. The Mk1 1200GSA was a 2006, and had horrible linked Servo brakes, that felt wooden, and were prone to reliability issues.

In 2008 the GSA MK2 (MU) was released. It had propper brakes, and a bit more power, plus a few other small enhancements.

2010 on, and the new DOHC GSA is here. Exectly the same as the 2008, but with a DOHC engine tuned for a small increase in torque and power (but not much).

My pick of the bunch is the 2008/9 GSA MU...

 

[Storm99]

Sound !! Thanks for the info !!!

 

[Gunner1911]

2007

I have a 2007 GSA and am very pleased. The 2007 model has the improved brakes over the 2006 model. No whizzy servo brakes here. The engine is rated at 5 hp less than the 2008 model but I can't tell the difference myself. Especially
After installing a booster plug a few weeks ago. I wouldn't rule out a clean low mileage 2007 GSA at all. In fact the "improvements" on the 2008 are a turnoff for me. I like the handlebars and control layout on the 07 GSA much better
However I am 6'4" tall and. 300 pounder. The 2007 fits me better than a later model.

Good luck, they are great bikes

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

2007 MU the one to have if you can't stretch to a twin cam . No servo no ESA easy to look after make sure ring antenna and fuel pump upgrades are done , should last forever .

 

[rocky burns]

I have just sold my 2006 gsa and opted for a 2010 model. the new twin cam motor is fantastic but i would say that my old bike was better quality, these were the first 1200gsa's and they were trying to prove a point after the 1150.
Its almost as if its quality over quantity on the newer machines....

A 2006 model is still a fantastic bike in my books

 

[Big Nick]

AFAIK.. The Mk1 1200GSA was a 2006, and had horrible linked Servo brakes, that felt wooden, and were prone to reliability issues.

In 2008 the GSA MK2 (MU) was released. It had propper brakes, and a bit more power, plus a few other small enhancements.

2010 on, and the new DOHC GSA is here. Exectly the same as the 2008, but with a DOHC engine tuned for a small increase in torque and power (but not much).

My pick of the bunch is the 2008/9 GSA MU...

Wot he said!

 

[Beemerman59]

Wot he said!

Wot he said

 

[Goose]

Wot he said

zigzactly!!
sold my 2009 GSA in SA after leaving.......... tried hard to get same here as a secondhand bike but deals fell through and I ended up getting a 2011....... still miss the 2009 though - was a good one!

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I specced my 06 deliberately without ABS partly down to cost, partly down to suspect reliability issues. To date (38,000 miles) it has blown one dip beam bulb and last week blew a tail lamp bulb. It has no corrosion (apart from the two cap head bolts that came with the Touratech headlamp grill) and is still on it's original battery

All in all I'm very pleased

 

[farmhand]

I have just sold my 2007 bike and got a 2010 twin cam it has a little more power and sounds a bit better and thats about it.
My 2007 was a cracker and would recomend one if that is what your budget alows I don't think you will be disapointed.

 

[Wilsdorf]

I would try and get a 105bhp version if the budget will stretch - cheaper than the DOHC and a better ride than previous models.

I don't think you can go too far wrong model wise, as long as the bike is a good'un.

 

[phillh]

I own a 2011 Twin Cam GSA and bought it after testing the twin cam and single cam GSA's back to back. The twin cam engine makes a big difference but there is a big difference in price too.

Suggest you test a couple and see what you think

 

[Beemerman59]

I own a 2011 Twin Cam GSA and bought it after testing the twin cam and single cam GSA's back to back. The twin cam engine makes a big difference but there is a big difference in price too.

Suggest you test a couple and see what you think

I own one and have ridden the other...can't say I noticed any difference between them let alone a big one. Maybe the twin cam was running 95 RON and outputting less power than my '08 when I rode it

 

[cookie]

Owned both. Twin cam is a much nicer engine.

Worth the extra? I must have thought so.

 

[APE]

Yep whist the twin cam is probably 5% more powerful the the previous model I'd say its 10% better because of the stronger midrange and better fuelling

 

[Westy]

The servo's were dropped on later 2006 models, so a September 06 on a 56 plate should be servo free. As anyone will testify, the servo brakes were either on or off with no 'feel'. I've had an 06 GSA (without servo) and I currently run a 09 GSA... can't really tell much difference in the motor except it rev's more, only reason to get an 08 onwards is if you want ESA. A DOHC though is a different beast... you can tell the difference in that motor, much more grunt in the mid range.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

My 2005 GS (non adventure) has the servo brakes. They are absolutely fine. They do not lack any feel compared to the well set up brakes on my Kawasaki. 35,000 miles and no troubles at all...

 

[Storm99]

Thanks everyone. Food for thought ! If I can stretch to an 08 I will. But I won't feel to hard done by on an 07 by the sounds of it !!

 

[Mav]

My 2005 GS (non adventure) has the servo brakes. They are absolutely fine. They do not lack any feel compared to the well set up brakes on my Kawasaki. 35,000 miles and no troubles at all...

I have the servos on 06 GSA - I wouldn't choose to have them, but I've had no problems with them and my bike is coming up to 70k. Biggest issues is if you stall, you lose most of your braking too... so don't stall