GSA on Motorways - Comfy at What Speed?

[cherokee]

BMW GSA

Buy one, ride it,love it,polish it,accept its quirks,walk back to it when parked and see all the babes looking at it and the old cronies wondering how you control the beast.You'll never buy these bikes for speed,but when your sitting up there watching another mountain go by you.ll be stoked you own an icon that does everything it says on the box buddy lol.................

 

[billynomates]

Since my last post I was convinced about the GS being my next bike. Since then and having read more about the bike and spoke to some friends who don't like the bike I have my doubt again which has lead me to look at other bikes. Don't get me wrong as I look at other bikes I am comparing them to the BMW GS. Main two issues are reliability and cost. I'm starting to look at the Honda VFR800, XJR1300, Honda CB1300 & Buell Ulysis at the moment. My heart wants a GS or GSA but my head is rationalising the cost and reliability.

I had a loan of a Yamaha XJR1300 and rode it to Wymouth on Sunday to see the motorcross on the beach. Went with two friends - B-King & Blade 900 and although my cautious riding kept me safe through the A roads I had lots of fun on the duel carriage ways and at one point lost them both doing about 100mph only to find that they don't like going past 80mph on open roads as to avoid police problems - stupid me

The GSA will cruise easily over the ton with no weave not like the Pan then when you get there u can dabble offroad.
Most of us are'nt bothered either way if you go for a BMW or not,personnely I'm not interested in 4 cylinder bikes fullstop they have no character at all in fact most riders would'nt be able to tell which IL4 they where sat on.
As for reliability i've down 8500 odd miles since april and if anything the engine feels smoother, definately buy another if needed.
ian

 

[gsbiker]

The GSA will cruise easily over the ton with no weave not like the Pan then when you get there u can dabble offroad.
Most of us are'nt bothered either way if you go for a BMW or not,personnely I'm not interested in 4 cylinder bikes fullstop they have no character at all in fact most riders would'nt be able to tell which IL4 they where sat on.
As for reliability i've down 8500 odd miles since april and if anything the engine feels smoother, definately buy another if needed.
ian

Yes I agree, the more I've looked at potential bikes the more I'm drawn to the BMW for it's looks and the fun element of usable power. Most sport bikes go so fast that you can easily lose your license and get a back ache at the same time - a double whammy! Although the Buell ride really well and puts a huge smile on your face I do prefer the awesome largeness of the GS or GSA - it's commands respect I think because of it's size. Is it true that the fuel controller has had a new design for 08 models?

 

[Budweiser]

Yes I agree, the more I've looked at potential bikes the more I'm drawn to the BMW for it's looks and the fun element of usable power. Most sport bikes go so fast that you can easily lose your license and get a back ache at the same time - a double whammy! Although the Buell ride really well and puts a huge smile on your face I do prefer the awesome largeness of the GS or GSA - it's commands respect I think because of it's size. Is it true that the fuel controller has had a new design for 08 models?

Buell Lots of people love them and I have no doubt it's a decent bike but you will loose a lot of money if you buy new - more than most bikes IMO

 

[Budweiser]

And buy the half dozen ariels and flags, running lights, battleship intercom, trailer, solar system satnav and dont forget the DFS sofa.
I'd rather die than be seen on one of those

Normal reaction - ever riden one

 

[GS & VFR Heaven]

Normal reaction - ever riden one

Having followed Budweiser on a ride when he was on a Wing, then Billy should really talk about things he knows something about.

And Billy before you ask, I was riding my GS1150 and I was caning it to keep up with Budweiser who was serenely gliding along with the music on.

 

[ukaloon]

I'd have thought that the cruising speed of any bike will be affected by several factors, not least by the size of the rider. I'm 6'3" and have just added 10mph onto my 1150GS comfortable cruising speed by fitting a different screen.
I like to crack on when in the twisties, and find that the GS makes sub 100mph speeds feel exciting. I limit myself to 80-85mph (GPS true speed) on motorways so I don't get caught speeding whilst I'm not paying as much attention (boredom), and so fuel economy isn't hit.
I've ridden Lands End to John O Groats in one hit, and ridden back from Genevre in one hit.
I've had VFR's, CBR's, other BMW's etc and it's very much each to their own, but for me the GS ticks the boxes. I don't want a bike that only makes sense if I'm going very quickly, I don't want to put £150 worth of rear tyre on a bike every 3000 miles and I don't want a bike pillions hate being on.
Just my opinion.

 

[Flipfly]

Hayabusa will cruise at 140+, I wouldn't call it comfy though.

If you like it, buy it. Feck me, life's too short to worry about if it'll go wrong, of course it will, but then so do all the other makes of bikes too. You get good ones and bad ones, you just have to be lucky and get a good one

No other bike is like the GS. My RT is a better tourer, but the GS was more fun. The RT suprises people though and for long distance it kicks the GS's arse. Still impresses me everytime I ride it.

 

[Pugsley]

Hi its quite simple if it rocks ya boat buy it. If not dont. As for things going wrong FIX them & If you can do a pre-emptive strike fix it before it breaks.

It works for me but then again My Capo rocks my boat & It does everything I ask of it tooooo.

If ya bikes got soul brill if not OOOOOPPPPPPSSSS ya got the wrong one ha ha ha ha

 

[Phil W]

Hayabusa will cruise at 140+, I wouldn't call it comfy though.

If you like it, buy it. Feck me, life's too short to worry about if it'll go wrong, of course it will, but then so do all the other makes of bikes too. You get good ones and bad ones, you just have to be lucky and get a good one

No other bike is like the GS. My RT is a better tourer, but the GS was more fun. The RT suprises people though and for long distance it kicks the GS's arse. Still impresses me everytime I ride it.

Or is that unlucky and get a bad one, my glass is half full

 

[wader]

I've just come back from a trip round Europe with two mates - both had CBRs. We swapped bikes for a day and the buffeting I suffered on the Autobahn at 100mph I could not believe. I was looking forward to getting back on the GS. Surprise surprise my mate didn't want to give it back.

As for speed, they were both very surprised to find me cruising past them at 130 on uphill sections (with full ali panniers), being able to turn my head without fear of it being snapped off. I also went round the Nurburgring and was amazed at what it would do - it felt so planted, even with the pegs scraping on the floor….

 

[Flipfly]

I've just come back from a trip round Europe with two mates - both had CBRs. We swapped bikes for a day and the buffeting I suffered on the Autobahn at 100mph I could not believe. I was looking forward to getting back on the GS. Surprise surprise my mate didn't want to give it back.

As for speed, they were both very surprised to find me cruising past them at 130 on uphill sections (with full ali panniers), being able to turn my head without fear of it being snapped off. I also went round the Nurburgring and was amazed at what it would do - it felt so planted, even with the pegs scraping on the floor….

That's all very well, but I've heard that there is a good chance it'll break down

You had fun, on a 1200, and survived, you must be the only one (of 000's)

I'd still rather have an 1150 though

 

[johnnyb0]

Just do it!

Hi, check this out.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=z3Cu8BZJ_hw

Took a GSA out on another test ride last week. did 160 miles on as many different roads as I could. Good for green laning, good for motorways at VERY high speed, (must have been nearly 70 miles an hour ). This thing is easier to ride fast than my Aprilia. ( Now gone as my knees/ wrists are fecked). It's as much fun on two wheels as you can have A couple of years ago I rode the Ulster GP circuit on one, ( country roads) and could ride it faster on the GSA than my Aprilia. Top bike!!! I would say that though, because I've BOUGHT ONE!!! YEE HA!!!.

Hello. this is my first post!

I've fallen for the 1200GS and 1200GSA. I like all the gadgets, riding height, Looks, bottom end power and grunt etc. However the more I've read on forums like this one I'm starting to think I need to look around at other bikes, just to be sure that spending £12000 on a BMW is the right thing to do. I looked around yesterday and saw Hondas, Kawasaki's, Susuki's etc but although I haven't riden any of them I keep getting drawn back to the BMW as my number one choice! As I own a small but fast sport bike I don't want another back aching ride. So sport bikes are out, that said, I hate the thought of being left behind by sport bike riders! I won't be touring much but want to have a bike that does. It will be garaged most of the time and let out after work on some evenings and weekend rideouts but I do want to travel on some occasions. The bike must be fun, fast but comfy and will go everywhere happily. I won't be off roading!

I have test riden 2x GSA 1200 from BMW dealer for about 1.5 hours on each. So far I was not impressed with motorway comfort. The bike really vibrates about 85mph+ badly in my opinion. The bike is fast on A roads no problem but didn't seem to be comfy on open fast roads. Mirrors were blerry, and wind turbulence was very noticeable. I ride an RD350R with full fairing which rides smoother than the BMW at these speeds.

So my question is do many of you here ride alot on motorways and at what average speed? Are you happy with top speed? Don't get me wrong, I don't want to do 150+MPH but 85-90-100 MPH should be better from a bike of this size / cost surely?

 

[hectorUSA]

Vibrations on an 07 GSA

I have just ridden 1200 miles in two days at speeds up to 124mph and sure it vibrates in patches and the mirrors blur at certain rpms. The secret here is to vibrate at the same frequency and all becomes clear! The bike is a great mile eater. Mine has covered almost 17,000m in 13 months and apart from some warranty issues is great. Nuff said IMHO.

 

[longdog]

I'm up and down about the BMW. I test rode a Buell Ulysis 07 on Saturday and was blown away by how powerful it was. WAY more bottom end than the BMW. Came away thinking I could afford this now! Then the doubts came back - but it's not a BMW, it's not as tall, it doesn't have petrol range, ABS, electronic suspension, gear indication, all of which I've come to love about the BMW. Spoke to a GS owner today and he has a 08 model and he loves it. He previously had a 07 last year but his fuel controller cause him to break down. BMW told him the new 08 model has a different design so he part ex to 08 just for that reason alone. He started the bike up and although it didn't have the Buell grunt, it did sound very nice! BMW is still at the top of my list followed by a close 2nd to the Buell. All other bikes are a very distant third - but I still love my RD350 YPVS!!

I went from a R1150GS to a Buell Ulysses 12 months ago. The Buell is a terrific bike.

Yes it shakes at tickover, but it is smoOther than any GS when you open the throttle. It has so much grunt and instant throttle response, that a GS feels positively sedate when ridden in comparison. I get about 160 - 165 miles before reserve with 30 - 35 miles reserve in the bag. SWMBO came along with me to Ireland in the summer and proclaimed it much more comfortable than the GS. It also requires far less in the way of servicing, yes, 5000 miles vs 6000 GS miles, but less to do.

Oh yes, the treatment I have had from Harley Davidson dealers is SUPERB!!! B*W dealers could learn so much!!

But I loved my 1150GS with it's telelever suspension and the way it sits there on the road. In fact, I loved it so much I'm thinking of buying another 11**GS to keep my Buell company! The Buell is a keeper too!!!!

 

[markg0vbr]

if you have been a sports bike rider you might wont to look at the r1200r. with the right screen of course, cheaper than the gs or adv, rewording on the back roads.




mmm and

well


there not as common as muck, you know every third bike you see a gs

 

[mark2jag]

As I'm currently riding a GS1200 I feel qualified to comment (gs800 is not well and being fettled by coopers)and would say that i tend to sit on the Motorway at around 90 to 95, but do tend to look in my mirrors for ECILOP quite often. Oh apart from M25 where the scameras, sorry GREED CAMERAS are (CNUTS)hidden. Still cant get me boots on top of the cylinders to warm me feet up though............

 

[Achim]

As I'm currently riding a GS1200 I feel qualified to comment [...]

What might that be: another Honkawasukimaha?

Should you refer to a BMW: its official name is R1200GS, or 12GS or 1200GS for short.

More info here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91797&highlight=gelande

Achim

 

[deaninkl]

ph, I have a 2006 GS 1200, I ride weekly to Singapore from KL door to door about 380km, takes me about 3.5 hours including a fuel staop and an old fashioned border crossing including passport stamps and customs. I cruise at about 120-130kmh. I have a beadbum fitted as stock seat is numbing, and have recently fitted a throttle lock which realy aleviates wrist ache on motorways. Sure its not an RT but is very smooth and returns good mileage at those speads. I can only reccomend it, they eat miles.

 

[mark2jag]

bloody hell Mr Pedantic......

What might that be: another Honkawasukimaha?

Should you refer to a BMW: its official name is R1200GS, or 12GS or 1200GS for short.

More info here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91797&highlight=gelande

Achim

I refer of course to a BMW R1200 GS, Pardon me for breathing tut tut tut................................!!!!!!

Dont work in health and safety or local government do you ffs!!!!