GSA owners - Would you ever downgrade to GS?
- Thread starter gsbiker
- Start date
Shep
Shep of the Dessert
A bit patronising to call the GS 'budget' and 'downgrade'.
GS is more of a sports bike. I use mine mainly for 'A' and 'B' road brisk riding/commuting, no passenger, no luggage. With proper road tyres it feels a very satisfying bike to ride in these conditions. IMHO this is the spirit of motorcycling. I personally cannot get very excited about riding a fully loaded motorcycle (+ passenger).
Occasionally I need to travel further for work issues, so I pop on the 3 vario boxes to carry a change of clothes etc. If I could guarantee no traffic jams and easy parking, I would probably take a car.
Looking on this thread at the reasons for buying a GSA seems to be mainly tank range and weather protection.The money saved by buying the GS rather than a GSA can be spent on a secondhand BMW 5 series or similar, then you have a better tank range and even better weather protection.
Perhaps it's the GSA that I would have in old age due to it's less sporty capabilities, oh and when I'm older I could afford one.....
GS is more of a sports bike. I use mine mainly for 'A' and 'B' road brisk riding/commuting, no passenger, no luggage. With proper road tyres it feels a very satisfying bike to ride in these conditions. IMHO this is the spirit of motorcycling. I personally cannot get very excited about riding a fully loaded motorcycle (+ passenger).
Occasionally I need to travel further for work issues, so I pop on the 3 vario boxes to carry a change of clothes etc. If I could guarantee no traffic jams and easy parking, I would probably take a car.
Looking on this thread at the reasons for buying a GSA seems to be mainly tank range and weather protection.The money saved by buying the GS rather than a GSA can be spent on a secondhand BMW 5 series or similar, then you have a better tank range and even better weather protection.
Perhaps it's the GSA that I would have in old age due to it's less sporty capabilities, oh and when I'm older I could afford one.....
Agree with all this.
To buy a GSA 'because of better weather protection' does not hold up - it is easy to add the screen and bracket and winglets - and a lot cheaper.
Large tank - ok if crossing Africa etc but on the two tours of Europe I could have done just as well with the GS tank capacity.
I have had numerous GSA - now considering a GS and adding the bits I require
garfield
Registered user
......
I would consider going the other way and 'upgrading' from 1200 to Adventure, however I don't have the cash. Two colleagues have just upgraded and swear the new 1200Adv with the improved engine and gearbox is awesome compared to their old 1200 models.
I wouldnt go to a GS after the GSA. Depends what you want though. Many people seem unsure of what they really want when making an initial purchase. Thus some people who have the GS seem to spend a fair bit of money on bits that are standard on the GSA so it makes me ask why didnt they get the GSA anyway for the extra £895 that mine cost?
Screens seem to be one thing, numerous posts on here ref this. Protection bars are often bought and many ask about having larger fuel capacity which for me is a big plus. As far as motorcycles in general go 200 miles plus is excellent but the 350 from a GSA is fantastic even when riding in places where it is not a must. Motorcycles can get from A to B quickly but can be less time efficient when travelling long distances due mainlyto enforced fuel stops. 600 mile trip one fuel stop versus two on a GS saves loads of time when touring abroad and being able to fill up on a Friday do 150 miles to visit family and friends over the weekend plus the 150 return then fill up in my local garage again is very satisfying. Also i just like the size of the thing now and when riding a normal GS it seems like a toy in comparison.
I wouldnt use the words downgrade though, if it was well thought through you buy the bike you want for your needs and preferences. At the moment mine are met by the GSA, when they change i will get a different bike, though it wont be a GS as what i want from the 'GS' genre can only be met by the GSA, it will probably be a completely different type of bike. Not for many years yet though as i am completely happy with what i have.
Screens seem to be one thing, numerous posts on here ref this. Protection bars are often bought and many ask about having larger fuel capacity which for me is a big plus. As far as motorcycles in general go 200 miles plus is excellent but the 350 from a GSA is fantastic even when riding in places where it is not a must. Motorcycles can get from A to B quickly but can be less time efficient when travelling long distances due mainlyto enforced fuel stops. 600 mile trip one fuel stop versus two on a GS saves loads of time when touring abroad and being able to fill up on a Friday do 150 miles to visit family and friends over the weekend plus the 150 return then fill up in my local garage again is very satisfying. Also i just like the size of the thing now and when riding a normal GS it seems like a toy in comparison.
I wouldnt use the words downgrade though, if it was well thought through you buy the bike you want for your needs and preferences. At the moment mine are met by the GSA, when they change i will get a different bike, though it wont be a GS as what i want from the 'GS' genre can only be met by the GSA, it will probably be a completely different type of bike. Not for many years yet though as i am completely happy with what i have.
How long does it take you to fill up ....takes me 15 mins max... that is not loads of time over a 600mile journey.
I think the whole thing comes down to what YOU want and whether you can sit on the GSA comfortably.
You will get so many different views on here and none of them are wrong just differing opinions on a great series of motorbikes.
Karl
Another way of looking at it, how long does it take to walk to an open fuel station on the west coast of Scotland on a Sunday? Very usefull having the option of easily doing more than 250 miles.
As I said - there will be many opinions on this subject and none of them wrong.
If i was by myself then i would agree can do it in 15 mins, in a group or with a pillion though by the time you have had coffees, comfort breaks etc it stretches to a good half hour. Even with 15 minutes though it can see you 15 miles down the road, 20 plus on the motorway. I would be in the bar waiting for you to buy my second beer over a long haul.
As you said lots of different views, but as to the original OP question i would miss that extra capability tremendously now i have sampled it.
BegesRus
Registered user
1200GSA and I traded up to a R100GSPD - best thing ever
If i was by myself then i would agree can do it in 15 mins, in a group or with a pillion though by the time you have had coffees, comfort breaks etc it stretches to a good half hour. Even with 15 minutes though it can see you 15 miles down the road, 20 plus on the motorway. I would be in the bar waiting for you to buy my second beer over a long haul.
As you said lots of different views, but as to the original OP question i would miss that extra capability tremendously now i have sampled it.
This is the point I think. I cannot see anyone doing 600 miles with no stops for coffee etc and also the 'whole group' has to be on a GSA to get the full benefit. On all my trips so far there have been other bikes other than a GSA and they were the limiting factor unless you go it alone.
Personally I would get the GSA - nothing like playing devils advocate
Backroader
Registered user
Paul,
My ramblings are not going to answer your question about GS v GSA but I myself am in a similiar position. I am selling my beloved R100GS as after sixteen years it's time for a change. I've ridden both 2008 GS's and I prefer the looks and style of the Adventure. My "predicament" is that when I go on my travels mainly in Europe I only ever use smaller roads, never motorways and use hardly any main roads. So whilst the extra tank range is a bonus, as out in the sticks petrol stations are few and far between, the one negative point for me is the extra weight.
It's a decision I am really struggling with !
Cheers
My ramblings are not going to answer your question about GS v GSA but I myself am in a similiar position. I am selling my beloved R100GS as after sixteen years it's time for a change. I've ridden both 2008 GS's and I prefer the looks and style of the Adventure. My "predicament" is that when I go on my travels mainly in Europe I only ever use smaller roads, never motorways and use hardly any main roads. So whilst the extra tank range is a bonus, as out in the sticks petrol stations are few and far between, the one negative point for me is the extra weight.
It's a decision I am really struggling with !
Cheers
gsbiker
Registered user
I'm not suggesting for one moment that the GS is less of a bike than the GSA but there are differences that I like in both. GS mainly for it's sportiness and GSA for it's sheer size & the extras such as the fuel capacity and wind shield. The GS wind shield wasn't bad but with my helmet visor up it was windy but quiet on the GSA.
So far i've test ridden Buell Ullysis XB12X, Suzuki V Strom 650, Honda VFR800, BMW GS + GSA and my beloved Yamaha RD350R. Not test ridden the Honda Varadero 1000 or Suzuki V Strom 1000, Triumph Tiger 1050 or Buell XB12XT 1200 yet. Best rides so far has been BMW GS but that was because it was longest ride on a nice sunny day! My top 3 three is between Buell Ullysis and GS & GSA. So far all other bikes just seem bland by comparison!
I've read some bad reviews about the Buell and BMW and just feel there are good and bad in all manufacturers. Buell was a blast full stop but lacked the road presence of the BMW and the electronic goodies - I love me gadgets! I have some time before I decide but I wish I could just make my mind up now.
So far i've test ridden Buell Ullysis XB12X, Suzuki V Strom 650, Honda VFR800, BMW GS + GSA and my beloved Yamaha RD350R. Not test ridden the Honda Varadero 1000 or Suzuki V Strom 1000, Triumph Tiger 1050 or Buell XB12XT 1200 yet. Best rides so far has been BMW GS but that was because it was longest ride on a nice sunny day! My top 3 three is between Buell Ullysis and GS & GSA. So far all other bikes just seem bland by comparison!
I've read some bad reviews about the Buell and BMW and just feel there are good and bad in all manufacturers. Buell was a blast full stop but lacked the road presence of the BMW and the electronic goodies - I love me gadgets! I have some time before I decide but I wish I could just make my mind up now.
Well, not an issue for me..... the GSA is just too tall and too heavy. Looks good though and like most of you, I really want to look like Ewan.......or is that Charlie? 
Shep
Shep of the Dessert
Well, not an issue for me..... the GSA is just too tall and too heavy. Looks good though and like most of you, I really want to look like Ewan.......or is that Charlie?
Don't worry if you ride a Budget 1200GS you WILL look like a 'Right Charlie'
Shep
the weight issue is just an excuse for those who cant afford the extra for the gsa. Once rolling you dont feel the weight
the weight issue is just an excuse for those who cant afford the extra for the gsa. Once rolling you dont feel the weight
This is rubbish - cost was not an issue for me and I considered the GS over the GSA solely because of the height / weight when stationary.
I can pick up a GSA, fully loaded with panniers etc, without an issue but it is still a heavy bike.
For some people height/weight will be a major problem.
However in the end I got a GSA
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