GSA WC as an all year round bike?

[Lord Superbike]

Hi all. New to the site. I currently have a 2015 S1000RR which I love to tiny bits and have no intention of getting rid of. However, I don't want to use it all year round. Also, I currently have a company car that I'm considering handing back and taking the cash benefit off the company to get a GSA WC for commuting all year round and some Summer touring. Around 10,000 miles per year. Is there anything I need to know about the GSA WC if used for this purpose? I'm very good at looking after my bikes so I won't be worrying about corrosion. I'm more concerned with running costs and any known issues for the bike from similar high mileage users.

Thanks.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Cover it in ACF50 or regularly douse it in FS365 and ride it

 

[DRAIN MAN]

I have got just over 51,000 now on my March 14 GSA. I have averaged 53 MPG over this distance, the best I have managed is 71 MPG, the worst is 35 MPG. Riding is a mix of road, one up and with passanger and luggage and a good selection of gravel and off roading abroad.

Normally get 8,000 ish out of a rear tyre and 12,000 from a front before it starts to protest to much.

Brake pads I now use EBC gold and they last around 20,000

Other than having a rear shock replaced which failed ( done under warranty ) and a service by BMW every 12,000 ish miles, I buy the filter and oil and do the 6,000 oil change my self I have had no other extra running costs bar a bit of accident damage which was my own fault.

Sorry I forgot that I had to change the clutch plates at 46,000 after burning them out due to being stuck in a river in Sibiera, my fault not the bikes

The engine now feels very responsive and free reving compared to when new and the gear box is sweet.

So far so good, lets see what happens in the next 50,000

 

[Engineer]

Hi all. New to the site. I currently have a 2015 S1000RR which I love to tiny bits and have no intention of getting rid of. However, I don't want to use it all year round. Also, I currently have a company car that I'm considering handing back and taking the cash benefit off the company to get a GSA WC for commuting all year round and some Summer touring. Around 10,000 miles per year. Is there anything I need to know about the GSA WC if used for this purpose? I'm very good at looking after my bikes so I won't be worrying about corrosion. I'm more concerned with running costs and any known issues for the bike from similar high mileage users.

Thanks.

I do at least 10,000 miles a year on my GS TE and apart from Scottoiler and FS365, I just clean it and ride it. Running costs are just the normal service costs and it does 50mpg + on my commutes.

 

[Schtum]

I do at least 10,000 miles a year on my GS TE and apart from Scottoiler and FS365, I just clean it and ride it. Running costs are just the normal service costs and it does 50mpg + on my normal commutes.

You've got a Scottoiler on a GS..? How novel - you might want to tell Fraser Scott, I'm sure he'd be interested in a new business opportunity.

 

[Lord Superbike]

Thanks for the replies so far Tossers. 50,000 miles on a 14 plate GS is going some!

 

[Engineer]

You've got a Scottoiler on a GS..? How novel - you might want to tell Fraser Scott, I'm sure he'd be interested in a new business opportunity.

A superfluous 'and' crept in there

 

[Toddmeister]

I have got just over 51,000 now on my March 14 GSA. I have averaged 53 MPG over this distance, the best I have managed is 71 MPG, the worst is 35 MPG. Riding is a mix of road, one up and with passanger and luggage and a good selection of gravel and off roading abroad.

Normally get 8,000 ish out of a rear tyre and 12,000 from a front before it starts to protest to much.

Brake pads I now use EBC gold and they last around 20,000

Other than having a rear shock replaced which failed ( done under warranty ) and a service by BMW every 12,000 ish miles, I buy the filter and oil and do the 6,000 oil change my self I have had no other extra running costs bar a bit of accident damage which was my own fault.

Sorry I forgot that I had to change the clutch plates at 46,000 after burning them out due to being stuck in a river in Sibiera, my fault not the bikes

The engine now feels very responsive and free reving compared to when new and the gear box is sweet.

So far so good, lets see what happens in the next 50,000

Fantastic stuff, nice to see someone just getting out there and riding it!
You've done more miles on yours in less than two years than a number of the "1150 Awesomest Steed Ever Built" manage in over 10 years and with considerably fewer problems!
Does this mean the spectacles in the 1150 section will have gone a ligher shade of rose

 

[Nutty]

Fantastic stuff, nice to see someone just getting out there and riding it!
You've done more miles on yours in less than two years than a number of the "1150 Awesomest Steed Ever Built" manage in over 10 years and with considerably fewer problems!
Does this mean the spectacles in the 1150 section will have gone a ligher shade of rose

You're a bad man!

 

[Gnits]

Echo the above, really. Can recommend Barkbuster muffs, they are quite open but make a huge difference (thanks for the heads-up on those Toddy!).
1200 GS LC - 60k service weekend after next, so some of us have been busy!

 

[Lord Superbike]

Echo the above, really. Can recommend Barkbuster muffs, they are quite open but make a huge difference (thanks for the heads-up on those Toddy!).
1200 GS LC - 60k service weekend after next, so some of us have been busy!

Cheers. In fact I already have the Barkbuster Blizzard muffs from my now sold 1190. Will use them again, very good.

 

[Lord Superbike]

On the LC version can the rear wheel be removed without removing the end can? Looks tight.

 

[Gnits]

Yep, never seen a tyre monkey have to remove the can when they take the wheel off to replace the tyre.

 

[Engineer]

On the LC version can the rear wheel be removed without removing the end can? Looks tight.

Yeah there's loads of space, take the rear crud catcher off to make it even easier.

 

[Timolgra]

Yeah there's loads of space, take the rear crud catcher off to make it even easier.

Although in your case you'd need to remove the chain as well

 

[Engineer]

Although in your case you'd need to remove the chain as well

I took the chain off ages ago and didn't replace it as I found that it didn't do anything, saved a bit of weight too.

 

[Lord Superbike]

Thanks all for your comments. I've decided against a GS now though. Took one out today on a test ride and didn't get on with it all. Each to their own I guess!

 

[nice1myson]

How long did you have it for ? thats what i thought but the bike grows on you and it's nothing like a sportsbike , give it another go .... i am in the same position as you and i don't need the speed that a sportsbike gives you , but the everyday use the gsa gives is excellent , and i swear i would be quicker on the GSA around the twisties than i would on my gixxer i have also tried the ktm 1290 and that is just a sportsbike on stilts

 

[Lord Superbike]

Hi. I know what you mean. Lots of bikes need of time to get used to and no doubt I'd gel with it eventually. But there were a few things that put me off straight away. Telelever front end gave no feel under braking. I'm used to very good tactile front ends on bikes and the GS gave nothing back to me. I didn't like the abrupt clutch engagement. I didn't like the feel and power of the brakes compared to my RR but then it wouldn't be anywhere near the same as them as they are the best brakes I've ever used. I found the new LC engine a little uninspiring. I was also surprised at the torque output. I was expecting more coming from an 1190 Adventure I guess. I also got pretty cold no doubt because of the upright position and the bigger chest area the wind was hitting. Warmer on my RR!

And the last thing and it may seem a bit picky but the back end of the bike on todays wet ride was filthy afterwards and my Rukka trousers were covered in shite from the road. Never get that on the RR.

 

[Engineer]

Thanks all for your comments. I've decided against a GS now though. Took one out today on a test ride and didn't get on with it all. Each to their own I guess!

Exactly each to their own - the GS is only for the discerning, experienced, thoughtful and skilled motorcyclist - many lesser people aren't capable of handling it.