jnrobert
Registered user
Er ... Yes ... yawl wont be disappointed don't matter, GSA but espec. GS variant
Why, what was better about the stock GS?
Has anyone ridden an '08 yet?
- Thread starter jnrobert
- Start date
Why, what was better about the stock GS?
New GS1200
Hi Guys
I have just collected my new 2008 GS today and have ridden it back tonight through some pretty crap weather. The initial impressions are that it is clearly lowered geared, revving at just under 4,500rpm for 70 mph as opposed to about 4,000rpm on the old model.
I am sure that the increase of 500rpm to the red line will compensate in terms of top end / top speed, but it feels to have a more instant kick about it in the all important mid range. The Non Servo ABS brakes feel fine with little discernable difference from the old servo type of brakes, they still feel plenty powerful enough.
The OBC and fuel guage appear to give a far more accurate reading thus far, indicating about 215-220 range at reasonable running in speeds, which what I would have got on a good day on the old model but the gauge appears to reflect a more linear approach to the fuel use.
The new handlebar position is much more suited to my personal shape giving no pain in the wrist areas at all and I have noticed in the handbook, that the handlebar clamps can be inverted to create two distinct bar heights / distances, almost like a bar riser as standard if you like.
The new side panels appear to have repositioned the fuel pump sender that caused much grief on the earlier model, still under the right hand side panel though, but I did not have time to remove it to be certain, this was just a cursory glance whilst cleaning the crap of it in the dark once back home I will confirm this in the daylight. The rear light appears bright enough but I will also have to check that it is sealed better than the earlier versions to protect the bulb connectors within, again another job to do in proper daylight.
So at this time I am happy enough, it feels good especially the gearbox which although new and possibly still a bit tight, feels light and positive enough at this time with what feels like closer ratios. All in all nothing too dramatic but a few refinements and enhancements upon what was already a good product (as long as yours had not been built on a Friday afternoon after a German beer festival; as some appeared to have been having read some of the feed back on this forum).
Any how I hope this helps those who are interested, in short nothing dramatic but enough to know that she has been evolved and thought has been put into it. Roll on the first service and the Remus header pipes!
Hi Guys
I have just collected my new 2008 GS today and have ridden it back tonight through some pretty crap weather. The initial impressions are that it is clearly lowered geared, revving at just under 4,500rpm for 70 mph as opposed to about 4,000rpm on the old model.
I am sure that the increase of 500rpm to the red line will compensate in terms of top end / top speed, but it feels to have a more instant kick about it in the all important mid range. The Non Servo ABS brakes feel fine with little discernable difference from the old servo type of brakes, they still feel plenty powerful enough.
The OBC and fuel guage appear to give a far more accurate reading thus far, indicating about 215-220 range at reasonable running in speeds, which what I would have got on a good day on the old model but the gauge appears to reflect a more linear approach to the fuel use.
The new handlebar position is much more suited to my personal shape giving no pain in the wrist areas at all and I have noticed in the handbook, that the handlebar clamps can be inverted to create two distinct bar heights / distances, almost like a bar riser as standard if you like.
The new side panels appear to have repositioned the fuel pump sender that caused much grief on the earlier model, still under the right hand side panel though, but I did not have time to remove it to be certain, this was just a cursory glance whilst cleaning the crap of it in the dark once back home I will confirm this in the daylight. The rear light appears bright enough but I will also have to check that it is sealed better than the earlier versions to protect the bulb connectors within, again another job to do in proper daylight.
So at this time I am happy enough, it feels good especially the gearbox which although new and possibly still a bit tight, feels light and positive enough at this time with what feels like closer ratios. All in all nothing too dramatic but a few refinements and enhancements upon what was already a good product (as long as yours had not been built on a Friday afternoon after a German beer festival; as some appeared to have been having read some of the feed back on this forum).
Any how I hope this helps those who are interested, in short nothing dramatic but enough to know that she has been evolved and thought has been put into it. Roll on the first service and the Remus header pipes!
08 gs/gsa
I found the opposite when I test rode the 08 GSA, the revs were 4000 at 70 mph, much the same as my 06 GSA.
This was on knobblies so they might have a larger rolling radius than road tyres giving rise to a higher mph for any given rpm?
Thought they were led lights, no bulbs?
.
I found the opposite when I test rode the 08 GSA, the revs were 4000 at 70 mph, much the same as my 06 GSA.
This was on knobblies so they might have a larger rolling radius than road tyres giving rise to a higher mph for any given rpm?
Thought they were led lights, no bulbs?
Summer
Registered user
I can confirm that its all in April's edition of RiDE as its just come through my door this morning, will have a proper read of it later. A good 13 page write up with pics not forgetting a bit in the very back as well 
So whats it like to be famous 
So whats it like to be famous Kenny
I have had a chance to get out in daylight so I can see the graduations on both the speedo and tacho more clearly, my 1200 is showing about 66mph at 4,000rpm and for 70 mph it is about 4,300rpm. This is lower geared than I had on my 05 GS1200 which was much nearer 4,000rpm for 70mph subject to the variations of the individual instruments on each bike of course. This is on trailwing tyres.
The rear light is of course 'Light Emitting Diodes' or LEDs, but the important bit was are they likely to vulnerable from corrosion to the internal connections as some people suffered on the earlier 1200's. I shall go and check. I hope that makes things a bit clearer and is of some help.
I have had a chance to get out in daylight so I can see the graduations on both the speedo and tacho more clearly, my 1200 is showing about 66mph at 4,000rpm and for 70 mph it is about 4,300rpm. This is lower geared than I had on my 05 GS1200 which was much nearer 4,000rpm for 70mph subject to the variations of the individual instruments on each bike of course. This is on trailwing tyres.
The rear light is of course 'Light Emitting Diodes' or LEDs, but the important bit was are they likely to vulnerable from corrosion to the internal connections as some people suffered on the earlier 1200's. I shall go and check. I hope that makes things a bit clearer and is of some help.
streaky
Registered user
I can confirm that its all in April's edition of RiDE as its just come through my door this morning, will have a proper read of it later. A good 13 page write up with pics not forgetting a bit in the very back as well
Got my copys of ride today myself ,Bit at the back is quite good
streaky
Registered user
JOCKSER did get your ride magazine yet
streaky
Registered user
No I bl**dy didn't
Might be just our postie havin' a wee read though
Are we proper famous now Streaky
Rosahane said:...can you autograph mine
Certainly can Tom
When I find out what the 'going rate' is for celebrity mag signings I might organise a proper event so everyone can come along & get their mag signed for a small fee
Certainly can Tom
When I find out what the 'going rate' is for celebrity mag signings I might organise a proper event so everyone can come along & get their mag signed for a small fee
That's great
Presumably, with with the newfound fame it's appropriate that "a proper event" is a rideout next Sunday to the Wicklow Heather, breakfast courtesy of the royalties as per JD otings and a tin to rattle under our noses as we enjoy a second cup of coffee and small cigar
I would be up for that
streaky
Registered user
All i can say is the english and scottish boys got two pages,And the boys from Ireland= You and I got FOUR pages eachNo I bl**dy didn't
Might be just our postie havin' a wee read though
Are we proper famous now Streaky
Certainly can Tom
When I find out what the 'going rate' is for celebrity mag signings I might organise a proper event so everyone can come along & get their mag signed for a small fee
And you got the best write up of all,You wont be dissapointed jochen
My '06 1200 GSA is being serviced by Vines of Guildford tomorrow. They are giving me a New '08 1200 GSA with ESA as a loan bike for the day.
Back to back riding I should see if it is anything to write home about.
Darren did show me the ESA at work last week- soft or hard, up and down...ooh err missus!
Back to back riding I should see if it is anything to write home about.
Darren did show me the ESA at work last week- soft or hard, up and down...ooh err missus!
That's great
Presumably, with with the newfound fame it's appropriate that "a proper event" is a rideout next Sunday to the Wicklow Heather, breakfast courtesy of the royalties as per JD otings and a tin to rattle under our noses as we enjoy a second cup of coffee and small cigar
I would be up for that
And I'd be only too happy to do that, except I'm away (not biking
) 'til Sunday nite. Now, if you'd given me a bit of notice I'd have left money behind the counter in the Heather for youse to have a 'do' in my absence. And it wouldn't be just a small cigar either streaky said:All i can say is the english and scottish boys got two pages,And the boys from Ireland= You and I got FOUR pages each
Seriously Ya wouldn't rip the pish outta a fellow GSer, would ya 
Oh, it better arrive in the morning. Either that or I'll have to spend me own hard earned & pick one up in the airport on me way out tomorrow
streaky
Registered user
And I'd be only too happy to do that, except I'm away (not biking
No way jochen! Seriously ,You wont be dissapointed
streaky
Registered user
My '06 1200 GSA is being serviced by Vines of Guildford tomorrow. They are giving me a New '08 1200 GSA with ESA as a loan bike for the day.
Back to back riding I should see if it is anything to write home about.
Darren did show me the ESA at work last week- soft or hard, up and down...ooh err missus!
Not enough of a differance to make me jump just yet,But when i do it will be another 1200 gs, Main differance ,it dont wheelie with the traction control on just goes up and straight down again,supension is good but on hard i cant touch the ground
,I dont have abs on my gs now and i dont know that i would have it on the next one,Gearbox has closer ratios,dont notice any big change in smootness of the change ,Your test ride and price to change will make your mind
No way jochen! Seriously ,You wont be dissapointed
Just in & found a big envelope with a Ride stamp on it
Only had a quick flick through it but it does look good
Even Daithi gets a mention - when I rang him he was raging there's no late nite newsagent in Cork Off to the bog now to have a good read
Time: Today, 00:15
Off to the bog now to have a good read
Nearly a full hour later, yer still in there aren't ya, legs gone dead yet ?
I suppose I could do signings too, at a reduced rate since I'm not as famous as you two.
Can't wait to see it tomorrow morning.
nick
Registered user
I borrowed a new 2008 model 1200 GS while my bike (2006 model) is in for a service.
Is it better ? Is it worse ? Hard to say in a short time.
There is definitely more power - and it is noticable.
It has an Akropovic sport exhaust, but it didn't seem any louder than my bike which has a standard exhaust, maybe this just boosts performance and not noise.
I tried a few of the suspension settings (ESA) Normal, Comfort and Sport.
Comfort feels like my bike - maybe my suspension is soggy after 12,000 miles!
The bike (or was it me) felt nervous on the Sport setting on wet roads. I wasn't getting much feedback from the front end. Didn't like it. Maybe it would be better in the dry.
I didn't get to try the traction control or ABS !
All the toys on the dashboard computer are good - fuel range, mpg, tyre pressures, average speed, etc..
It is not a drastic change, but lots of little things look better finished and more modern. Tinted screen, better hand guards etc..
It will be interesting to get back on my bike again and see how it feels going back.
Is it better ? Is it worse ? Hard to say in a short time.
There is definitely more power - and it is noticable.
It has an Akropovic sport exhaust, but it didn't seem any louder than my bike which has a standard exhaust, maybe this just boosts performance and not noise.
I tried a few of the suspension settings (ESA) Normal, Comfort and Sport.
Comfort feels like my bike - maybe my suspension is soggy after 12,000 miles!
The bike (or was it me) felt nervous on the Sport setting on wet roads. I wasn't getting much feedback from the front end. Didn't like it. Maybe it would be better in the dry.
I didn't get to try the traction control or ABS !
All the toys on the dashboard computer are good - fuel range, mpg, tyre pressures, average speed, etc..
It is not a drastic change, but lots of little things look better finished and more modern. Tinted screen, better hand guards etc..
It will be interesting to get back on my bike again and see how it feels going back.
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