Had the Twin Cam 1200GS as a courtesy bike today and.......

[snerkler]

absolutely loved it.

I must start by saying I was taken by surprise by just how much different it felt to my GSA, they're almost like 2 totally different bikes. I was really impressed by the speed and agility of the GS, felt a proper quick bike. IMO it's miles ahead of my old 05 GS in terms of poise, speed, noise, agility etc etc.

The negatives for me that was it felt small, too small for me, almost like a kids bike. It would probabley feel better with the high seat, or even the GSA seat though. The biggest negative is the wind noise, I found it absolutely deafening at motorway speeds, much much worse than any bike I've ever ridden (and yes I wear ear plugs). I tried adjusting the screen, but this didn't help. I had to keep slowing down to give my ears a rest. Also, I got a lot of vibes through the footrests. These negatives aside, the GS is an absolutely cracking bike, much quicker and more agile than I was expecting. The difference in these areas between the GS and GSA are like night and day imo.

Getting back on my GSA it felt big heavy and clumsy, and nowhere near as perky. Although it probalby wasn't a fair reflection as the GS had very little fuel in, and my GSA had been brimmed by the dealer so much heavier. However, after a few minutes I felt at home again, and although the GSA is big and clumsy in comparison, there's something special about it that makes me love it. And it's much more suited to my height, and more comfortable.

So to that never ending debate, which is better the GS or GSA? For me neither, 2 totally different bikes and experiences. For a Sunday afternoon hoon around it would be the GS everytime (providing I could get the wind noise sorted, there's no way I could cope with it, I can't begin to tell you just how noisy it was). But for a day to day bike for me it has to be the GSA. The size and presence of the bike made me much more comfortable riding around town and through traffic, and the vantage point is great for town riding. Also for me the size and comfort make it a winner. After 90 mins on the GS today I was done in, I ached all over. In an ideal world I'd have both and would choose the right one to suit my mood, or the riding I would be doing. Or even better would be a GSA with the speed and handling of the GS

 

[cookie]

yeah. it was an expensive loaner for me too

GS or GSA?

GSA with proper suspension and have the best of both worlds

 

[Big Si]

Although it probalby wasn't a fair reflection as the GS had very little fuel in, and my GSA had been brimmed by the dealer so much heavier.

Wish my dealer was that generous!!

 

[cookie]

i did wonder about that. the best i get is not filling up their bike

 

[Mr K]

GS vs GSA.

7 years on, still the same GS.

 

[Wicker]

Fit GSA screen to GS; straight swap and provides better wind / noise protection than fiddling with the standard GS screen.

 

[Yonkyo]

The 06 GSA is about 40+kg heavier and 15 bhp down on the DOHC GS, so its no wonder the new GS feels more lively.

But my 08 GSA (with full system etc..) is faster everywhere, than my mates standard DOHC GSA.

I would say, that my GSA is the best bike i've ever owned, er, ever.

 

[Dr.KC]

Yesterday, I went my GS (09) to the dealer for the typical 5.000km oil change. The place was crowded so he offered me a R1200GSA DOHC 2011 for 1 hour.

Nice bike. The engine seems to have this extra something…..and the sound is also deeper…..

I am 6.5” and replaced the stock screen on my GS with a Kappa / Givi. Very happy until 135Km/h, after that I get some noise. No problem if I have a second person or languages….probable suspension is more loaded then and the riding position goes back and down something like 5cm….Unfortunately, even with the GSA screed on the DOHC I had the same problem after 135-140Km/h…..so I saw no difference on the “wind protection” aspect.

For me, at the moment, no reason to swap to a DOHC…and also so far I found no need, compare to my riding still and also my travelling priorities to left GS for a GSA.

 

[snerkler]

Wish my dealer was that generous!!

Don't get too excited I still had to pay for the fuel Apparently you need to put a full tank in to recalibrate the fuel gauge.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

I went from GSA 58 plate to GS SE then back to GSA 30yr Anni for all the above reasons. GS great for flitting about,GSA for big miles in comfort if yer a big buggar!!

 

[sven]

How can a GSA be more comfortable than a GS when the seat/peg/handlebar positions are exactly the same? The only difference is the height of the bike due to the longer travel suspension and that spoils the handling IMHO

I've ridden them back-to-back and the only difference to comfort is the screen - the GSA screen is much better than the GS, but not as good as my Givi Airflow

 

[snerkler]

How can a GSA be more comfortable than a GS when the seat/peg/handlebar positions are exactly the same? The only difference is the height of the bike due to the longer travel suspension and that spoils the handling IMHO

This is not true. The GS seat is lower than the GSA seat, meaning the seat to peg distance is less, making your knees more cramped. It also felt like the pegs were further back on the GS, whether they are or whether it just due to the seat height I'm not sure. Also, as you're sat 'lowe' in the bike' it has the effect of raising the bars up in relation to you

 

[cookie]

the ride is more compliant on the GSA. also there is considerable wind protection provided by the large tank.

 

[Windblast]

On the screen issue - I find the biggest difference to the amount of noise at your ears is your helmet. The screen affects head turbulence and so does make a difference to noise but I found for example: My Shoei Syncrotech (I think that is the name) is hugely noisy compared with with my BMW helmet. And the difference appears to be mostly the seal around the visor and the visor attachment points.
On recent test rides I found very little difference in noise between the GSA and the GS - but slightly less turbulence on the GSA - and I think that was mostly down to the winglets!

 

[snerkler]

The 06 GSA is about 40+kg heavier and 15 bhp down on the DOHC GS, so its no wonder the new GS feels more lively.

But my 08 GSA (with full system etc..) is faster everywhere, than my mates standard DOHC GSA.

I would say, that my GSA is the best bike i've ever owned, er, ever.

Just to clarify, my old 05 was the GS, not the GSA, so was actually 4kg lighter (dry), albeit down on power and torque.
My current bike is the 2010 GS so same power and torque, and about 25kg heavier (dry)

 

[snerkler]

On the screen issue - I find the biggest difference to the amount of noise at your ears is your helmet. The screen affects head turbulence and so does make a difference to noise but I found for example: My Shoei Syncrotech (I think that is the name) is hugely noisy compared with with my BMW helmet. And the difference appears to be mostly the seal around the visor and the visor attachment points.
On recent test rides I found very little difference in noise between the GSA and the GS - but slightly less turbulence on the GSA - and I think that was mostly down to the winglets!

Your helmet does make a big difference imo, but for me the wind noise on the GS was truly unbearable, and that was using my Shoei XR1100, the same helmet I use on the GSA. Obviously size and build of the rider plays a large part as well as it depends where in the air stream you are sat. Unfortunately for my, 6'4" isn't ideal in terms of wind noise and buffeting when riding.

 

[sven]

This is not true. The GS seat is lower than the GSA seat, meaning the seat to peg distance is less, making your knees more cramped. It also felt like the pegs were further back on the GS, whether they are or whether it just due to the seat height I'm not sure. Also, as you're sat 'lowe' in the bike' it has the effect of raising the bars up in relation to you

Ah yes, I put my seat on the Gsa I tested as it was slightly lower and the pillion seat is more horizontal than the Gsa meaning Trudi didn't slide forwars as much under braking - being a shortarse meant that 1/2" difference in seat height made no difference, I didn't notice the tank width improving wind protection, my Airflow screen was better and the standard GS handles better. Ideally I'd like a Gsa tank on mine to improve the fuel range, the rest you can keep

 

[weavo]

Took my 2010 GSA for its 12000 mile service at Ocean this week. They gave me a 1200 GS for the return trip to Taunton and then back down to Plymouth.
The GS definitely felt a lot lighter and was fine around the city but by the time I got home I was glad to get off it.
Riding the GSA back over Dartmoor it feels more planted on the road and I reckon it seems to hold a better line through the corners. I know it heavier but it just feels right.
I know you get used to what you ride regularly but for me it’s the GSA every time.

 

[alex_rsa]

I got a 2011 Triple Black for a day and half while the final drive was replaced (under warranty) on my very scruffy 2004 GS will just short of 70 000 miles.

The new bike felt new (it should with less than 1000 miles), sounded nicer and felt a bit lighter but getting back onto my old bike did not feel much different at all and convinced me there is no need for me to get one.

It had the adjustable suspension which did not seem to make any difference on any setting. The trip computer was a nice touch for a few miles. The speedo was terrible though, looks like they got a bulk discount on extra lines.

2004 GS vs 2011 GS. Not worth the £7000 it would cost to change!

 

[wully]

it feels more planted on the road and I reckon it seems to hold a better line through the corners. I know it heavier but it just feels right.
I know you get used to what you ride regularly but for me it’s the GSA every time.

'Zactly.

I got a loaner twin cam and was surprised how much better it went, got one in the garage now..