GSA Would I get bored quickly?

[Rasher]

You may find the bike changes you, until my first UK tour I used to blast around same dull local roads week after week with my mates, after that I lost interest in short runs.

The woman I am with liked going out on my last bike (ZX9R) but a weekend trip was enough so I bought a ZZR and did 3 euro-tours, but realised the bike was not perfect for this (Amazing at distance work - but only for a sportsbike)

Tried the Multi-strada and would rather have a GS, a Tiger felt more familiar to what I was used to, but still not quite right, so I got the GS.

My weekend was spent riding in weather I would not have ventured out in before, on roads I would never have ridden on except by absolute necessity, ans i will do the same every weekend it is not snowing / p**** down.

And I am tempted to do some light off-roading, never done this before, then again who would on a ZZR!

Perhaps you need that in-between step, however if you buy the Adventure you may just make a giant leap.

Oh, and do you really need an adventure ? There seemed to be more normal GS models for sale and at slightly better prices when I was looking, and my understanding is unless your doing farily serious off-road work there is not much difference.

 

[Dawg]

Hi, here's my two penny's worth. Go for it, I have been down the same route, with many sports bikes and seem to enjoy a similar riding style to you.

Two months ago I part exchanged my ZX10-R for a new 1200 GSA. Best thing I have done for a long time. They just seem to grow on you and I have done far more miles than I ever would have done on the 10.

I just keep finding reasons to go somewhere. Oh and defiantly go for a GSA bigger is better......

 

[Hal]

I don't regret selling it as it was also the worst bike for instilling a sense of paranoia about not if it would break down but when

Are they really that unreliable? Looking to buy a new GS or GSA and was hoping to read something a little more positive.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Had my 12GS for 4.6 years selling it last November (currently own an '04 Fazer 1000). The GS has to be one of the best bikes I've ever owned, although I don't regret selling it as it was also the worst bike for instilling a sense of paranoia about not if it would break down but when (probably not helped by reading loads of threads here about canbus/fpc's/antenna rings/gearboxes/driveshafts etc). Would I buy another ? No, unless I could change it every two years and even then, I've realised there's too many other bikes out there I'd like to try rather than sticking to the same one over and over again (KTM SMT and the new Triumph Tiger 800 to name a couple).

Will you enjoy GS ownership ? I'm quite sure you will.

Ah, a former 12 owner

GS's are funny things, you either take to them and their torquey but lack of "ohmyfeckingod" accelleration or you stick to big open roads and get bored. GS's are one of the best touring bikes as they actually like being loaded and can still scratch OK. Touring is going down the straights only as far enough to find the corners and that is where the GS excels.

I spent many years as a pro rider during the day and on licence losing paranoia in the evenings I thought BM's were and that was before they were cool! When i tried a GS i really wanted to change from sprts bikes as i was bored with the saminess of them all. Apart from Dukes and things like VTR/TL twins nowt felt different.

I was underwhelmed by my 1st GS ride but intriuged by how everything was different and it made biking feel different. After 10 years o GS's I still likee

A trip to the Picos in early 2000's proved the point. Peg scraping bends at 30-80mph, so many that you may actually overdose Almost limitless fun for a GS and all at altitude in the mts. At the end you can get off without the need for medical attention

My old mantra "If you want to "go" faster, ride down narrower roads!

 

[Rasher]

Are they really that unreliable? Looking to buy a new GS or GSA and was hoping to read something a little more positive.

Oh dear This terrified me too

Get newest bike you can afford with 12 month warranty, at least that's what I did.

I heard by 2008 most gremlins were ironed out, just the FD still worrying me, but with warranty and a weekly wheel wobble I am happy I will avoid any major grief

 

[Davy F]

Ah, a former 12 owner

Yes, and by all accounts a very lucky one. To be fair, my bike had a couple of minor recalls and had the gearbox seals replaced @ 12k (six days before the warrenty ran out). This alone didn't worry me too much and I really loved all the 24.5k miles the GS and I did. It was best at giving me riding pleasure but compared to the reliability of virtually all of my previous 19 Japanese bikes, it just didn't instill the feeling of being bulletproof for instance like my current '04 Fazer 1000 does. However, the Fazer doesn't give me the pleasure that the GS did, but I don't have any concerns about any of the well documented issues that the GS has suffered with.

 

[Pip_UK]

The GSA has charisma. Just look at it. There's nothing else like it on the road. And yet it's not a toy - it has real ability. It's a pleasure to look at, to ride, and to own, and the 'adventure' moniker is sincere, not cynical marketing BS. Just look at some of the inspirational trip reports on this site.

It may not be the fastest or sharpest bike on the road, but it satisfies in a much more profound way than the diminishing returns of more horsepower, less weight, and ever more insectoid styling each year.

Just my 5c HTH!
-Pip

 

[AA388]

GSA Would I get bored quickly

I've had 3 wives but only one GSA and I have no plans to get rid of it.

 

[stevec]

From the way you ride

You may find the straight GS the better option.

the GS is a little lighter, less top heavy, more flickable on narrow lanes and in S bends

One thing you'll probably find is that your rides will become longer.... at 100 miles on a GS you're only just getting into your stride.

 

[zico]

Not been on this site for a while, but thought I would add my tuppence worth anyway. Has a GS12 for nearly 5 years before trading in for a new VFR1200. As an all rounder that flatters anyones riding style it is a hoot to ride. It can be loaded up with full panniers top box and passenger and perform really well. Its a blast on all types of roads, but the bends are the places where the smiles are. My only gripe with the GS was the following. Even though I never had any of the recognised failures (FPC/ Ring antenna / final drive) I got paranoid waiting on them to happen. Silly I know, but being mechanically inept it was a worry as I tended to ride the GS more than any of my previous bikes. The real pain though was the battery failures. Flat after a few days in the garage. Most annoying. Even after 3 batteries still happened. BMW checked bike each time and could find nothing wrong. Oh and the other thing that really annoyed me was the salesman at local dealer. Went about his business as if they sold themselves. Most people who wanted them bought despite of this. Trade in deals were not as good as what they should have been, despite being told that they retain their resale value. True if you sell privately. As for the VFR1200, a truly great bike to ride. Still recalibrating the brain every time I twist the wrist. Im not a riding god by any means, but it just asks to be ridden fast. Unfortunately I let it down on most occasions. A lot better than it looks, but completely different from the GS. When I change it, the new VFR12 traillie will hopefully be available. That may take away some of the GS sales. Will be interesting. Just buy the GSA, you wont be disappointed.

 

[Merv]

i bought a gsa as i reckoned if i bought the gs id still be hankering after a gsa .about a month ago i swopped with my mate for a hour who has a gs and while it felt fine i was glad to be back on mine and this confirmed to me that i made the right decision,9000 miles of bliss this year and as good as my 1150 adventure was il stick with my 12[and feck the final drive,ive got a spare]
just my opinion of course







PS GET THE GSA

 

[Stretchamus]

The GSA has charisma. Just look at it. There's nothing else like it on the road. And yet it's not a toy - it has real ability. It's a pleasure to look at, to ride, and to own, and the 'adventure' moniker is sincere, not cynical marketing BS. Just look at some of the inspirational trip reports on this site.

It may not be the fastest or sharpest bike on the road, but it satisfies in a much more profound way than the diminishing returns of more horsepower, less weight, and ever more insectoid styling each year.
Just my $100 Worth
-Pip

Fec Pip ya just nailed it
GS Adventure. Anything else is less

 

[Balders1450]

I've gone through 30 odd bikes in my time and have never bought the same bike twice, except for the GSA, and in two years have done over 29,000 miles.

They are so much fun to ride and comfortable, albeit with an aftermarket Sargent seat, touring, scratching or whatever. It doesn't matter what the weather is, you just go out and ride.

I mean would you ride 1000 miles over a weekend in rain hail and 4 degrees on a sportsbike just for the fun of it...NO, but on a GS....... of course you would, I just have!

 

[Rasher]

They are so much fun to ride and comfortable...... It doesn't matter what the weather is, you just go out and ride.

Yep, I am definately not getting bored, sometimes miss the sheer speed of last bike, normally when close to gettin gback home and remember how I could hyperspace the last few miles, but then remember I spent the next two hours peering out window when I heard a car pull up and the next two weeks crapping myself when I saw post on the floor when I got home.

Went out again yesterday with leaves and damp patches on the road, then went down B-Roads and Lanes where there are bumps, pot-holes and crap in the road, loved every minute, as soon as road dries out a bit and temperature comes up a few degrees I will be heading out for Sunday lunch, via more "crap" roads.

Handling is great, bike is light and flickable, great riding position, loads of grunt, easy overtaking power (more than nost sportsbike owners would imagine) superbike beating top gear roll on up to about 90.

Compatible with 80% of roads as opposed to 20%, which opens up a lot more riding opportunities even without going far from home.

Only thing I think anyone could miss is high speed thrills (and bragging rights) so if you love going way over the ton this bike may dissapoint, apart from that it is perfect.

 

[ade3371]

GSA Virgin

Well, this is my first time posting. I have recently made the transition to the world of the GS.

Got my lovely little yellow number last week. Been on 600 Honda's and most recently 2 years on Sprint ST.

I too have always admired the GS, but was a little afraid of the big bike, so I was worried when I finally took the plunge and did the test ride. Within 30 mins of getting on it, I loved it so much , I bought it there and then.

I can quite honestly say I don't think I have ridden a bike that feels so big and heavy moving it around the garage, but handles so well on the road.

If in doubt....just buy one!

 

[mark2jag]

You will be able to ride quickly along lovely tight and twisty roads that will be free of spurtsbikes going for their usual bacon buttie run to the dealers. In fact you may even enjoy doing the same roads in the rain

Mind, the bullshit quotient will have to go down a little when sheeksin whi di mates...

You wont regret it.I'm on my 3rd GS. I even had a K1300GT SE but that turned out to be a Friday afternoon assembly job. so it went and i bought yet another GS and I dont even mind riding it in the rain!!...

 

[Yonkyo]

Well, this is my first time posting. I have recently made the transition to the world of the GS.

Got my lovely little yellow number last week. Been on 600 Honda's and most recently 2 years on Sprint ST.

I too have always admired the GS, but was a little afraid of the big bike, so I was worried when I finally took the plunge and did the test ride. Within 30 mins of getting on it, I loved it so much , I bought it there and then.

I can quite honestly say I don't think I have ridden a bike that feels so big and heavy moving it around the garage, but handles so well on the road.

If in doubt....just buy one!

Welcome to the fold Ade

why not introduce yourself in the 'I'm new here' section, and tell us a bit about yourself.

 

[BAKERMAN]

The GSA has charisma.

wish I`d bought one now

 

[costellon]

To GS or not to GS

I'm 42 and have had fifty odd bikes to date, similarly, i've had a shit load of cars. Most of my conveyences have been low slung and very highly tuned and tweaked but I always had a soft spot for the sheer practicality and reliability of BMW bikes. Last year I swapped an old mini cooper that I had restored for a spotless 00' reg 1100GS and never looked back. I also have a 96' Thunderbird, an 850RT, Landcruiser and a Mitsubishi FTO that have hardly seen the road since the arrival of the GS. I'm going to sell all but the Landcruiser and the GS .... The comfort, practicality, simplicity, longevity and sure - footedness (is that a word ?) of the GS has me hooked. I have a tuning chip that I have yet to fit to make it more responsive, have a 1150 beak that I have fitted to update the looks, along with an Acerbis Cyclops headlight unit, HID auxillary lights, Corbin seats, an Mra screen, hand and leg protectors, wally flaps and a few other bits and bobs that add to the comfort and handling ... The objective ?
This ...... http://ibaireland.org/default.aspx - And loads of long distance touring on inhospitable terrain ..... Get a GS mate ..... They have "I want to drive to Beijing" written all over them, and when you get one and tailor it to suit your needs, so will you.

 

[andyclift]

Even pillions get hooked

45 years with a bike licence and 40 years marriage and my wife has sat on the back of a lot of bikes for a lot of miles with never a suggestion that she got on the front - until I got a GS.

After the first Euro Tour she decided she wanted a licence so took a Direct Access at 58. She can't reach the deck on a 1200 GS but after a couple of years on a CS which she has driven to France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Czech Republic she now has a brand new 650 GS.

My GS has also been swapped for a 1200 GSA. BMWs may not be the the best built, fastest, cheapest or any other "est" but they do seem to be life changing !!