How come the R1200GSA is so tall?

[Gog yn y De]

I've a 2004 GS with the super low seat. I assume that if I were to put that on the GSA it would not be as low. If so, why is this? Is the bike just higher anyway or something?

 

[Shep]

I took a 1200gsa out for a test on saturday, yep, its taller, has longer travel suspension front and rear and i would guess is maybe 1-2" taller than my standard 12GS, I thought it rode nicely, much plusher suspension, maybe a bit underdamped at the front, but I only had an hour test so did not have a play with any settings, much better ground clearance though weight with a full tank did'nt seem an issue, then again it never does untill its too late

Nice bike I thought

Shep

 

[Tim Cullis]

I bought a low seat with my 12GS but now my balance has improved I run touring trips with the normal seat in the high position. I've had a couple of hours on the 12GSA and the seat in the low position is probably very slightly higher than the 12GS with normal seat in the high position.

My 12GS low seat does fit the 12GSA, and this would be fine for off road where it's a good idea to be able to touch the ground occasionally.

Tim

 

[Camo Jo]

Maybe they lifted the suspension to try and stop the bottom engine casings from cracking when it bottoms out.

But that did not help one of my friends,

This weekend he hit a rut on a gravel road at about 80km/h and bent the centre stand, only realised this when we stopped at the next town to refuel and the bike would not stay on the centre stand.

Needless to say, he was not impressed. Brand new ADV, first gravel trip and this happens.

 

[MartinW]

Ive just moved up to the Adventure from the 1200GS and do find it a little higher. Im still playing around with the seat heights, currently on the high setting which seems good for me for the seat to pedals height probably at my limit though for feet to floor and im 6'2". Does feel a little heavier with the full tank but then it is ! Im well impressed so far and not had it a week yet. No probs yet and its even got panniers

 

[Captain Pugwash]

Ive just moved up to the Adventure from the 1200GS and do find it a little higher. Im still playing around with the seat heights, currently on the high setting which seems good for me for the seat to pedals height probably at my limit though for feet to floor and im 6'2". Does feel a little heavier with the full tank but then it is ! Im well impressed so far and not had it a week yet. No probs yet and its even got panniers

Martin,

How do you find the screen vis a vis buffeting/smooth air etc ?

I'm 6'1" and have only ridden a GSA12 briefly-and it has the seat lowered as the owner was a midget.

My GSA12 should be here next month and I was wondering whether it would be worth getting Tobinators ?

 

[MartinW]

Ive been fine so far, I havent adjusted the screen as yet. Picked the bike up last Thursday and it was quite windy then. Noticeable difference between the 1200gs and the adv in respect of the wind deflection.I feel more stable in cross winds on the adv so its impressive what a bigger screen can do.

Ive never had tobinators so can't really say what effect they would have.

Anyway enough of this im off for a ride , the open roads call

 

[Captain Pugwash]

Ta for the quick reply.

Anyway enough of this im off for a ride , the open roads call

Have to agree.We're off to potter down the west coast of France tomorrow for 6 days.Shame the weather forecast is so shite-not !!

 

[silvermog]

I'm 6' 2" or so and find that with the seat in the upper position I get a better seat to peg position and can just squeeze a flat foot position on flat ground (inside leg is 33").

I tried riding around with the seat in low position and although the extra inch makes flat footing more comfortable I found it adversely affected my comfort on rides. Now I'm more used to the bike and ride quite a lot with the panniers on for work, the upper position on the seat has become natural, just give it a day or two ...

With regard to buffeting from the screen, I mod'ed the screen adjusters (by cutting off the retaining lugs and grooving the washer) to enable me to get an extra two notches of adjustment out of the adjusters (more upright). This has made my time behind the screen much more comfortable as it seems to deflect more air away ... I now find myself doing more riding around with my visor open without suffering unduly from wind-blast and also more comfortable at speed on long runs. Ten minute hack with hacksaw and a few more minutes to re-attach.

My GPS is mounted onto the upper screen bar as well and the hack doesn't seem to have unuly affected stability in any way ... with the GPS unit being rock solid and much better positioned for my eyeline.

All told a much improved experience for me ...

HTH

 

[Jockser]

How do you find the screen vis a vis buffeting/smooth air etc ?

Its far better than the 'basic' 12 .. IMO

Even at only 5' 10' I always had a problem in cross winds & particularly coming up behind anything taller than a car as well as passing trucks going in either direction

Having clocked up 1250km on the demo bike & about 800km on my own one I positively relish meeting high vehicles now The bike is transformed

Currently my screen is set at the lowest & I did try (very briefly - it was HOT & I started to feel like 'boil-in-the-bag' rice ) to adjust it upwards while out yesterday but to no avail. Is there a different trick to adjusting the GSA screen Don't particularly want to break anything just yet