Me too!
Is the GSA the best bike?
- Thread starter GSMarky
- Start date
W
Was about to ask the same question.
I tried the 1250 twice. Personally I didn't really feel a performance benefit, but I found it buzzier at highway speed
After riding the 1250 I was glad to get back on my 1200
I prefer the way the 1200 revs to the way the shift cam revs.
I had a 2018 1200 Rallye with full Remus system and Hilltop map, there was zero performance increase with the new 1250 but eventually I relented and bought a 2023 GSA. That’s gone and I’ve gone back to a late model 1200GS.
I had a 2018 1200 Rallye with full Remus system and Hilltop map, there was zero performance increase with the new 1250 but eventually I relented and bought a 2023 GSA. That’s gone and I’ve gone back to a late model 1200GS.
I've had quite a few different style of bikes over the years (as I'm sure many of you have) trying to find 'the one'.
The 1250 GSA never fails to give me a smile when I get on it, whether to work or for a trip. The first time I took it to France with some mates (I was the only one on a GSA) it showed its true capabilities and performed amazingly on the twisty roads we took.
I absolutely love its size and for once I can finally feel like I fit the bike (or the bike fits me). It does everything I want and would only consider the GSX1400FE I bought many years ago a close contender.
I have never road the 1200 so can't compare. The 1250 GSA has been the best bike I've ridden so far.
The 1250 GSA never fails to give me a smile when I get on it, whether to work or for a trip. The first time I took it to France with some mates (I was the only one on a GSA) it showed its true capabilities and performed amazingly on the twisty roads we took.
I absolutely love its size and for once I can finally feel like I fit the bike (or the bike fits me). It does everything I want and would only consider the GSX1400FE I bought many years ago a close contender.
I have never road the 1200 so can't compare. The 1250 GSA has been the best bike I've ridden so far.
They ae two very different bikes, the RS Multi is more aligned to the XR, the Multi Rally is the GSA equivalent.
I loved my 1250 GSA but now ride the Multi Rally which I love also. To be fair there is very little between them, Ducati is sportier but thirstier both are all day comfy, Ducati tech is a bit more user friendly but headlights are not quite as good
The Ducati looks so much nicer, and the sound above 7k is just horny.
For sure the GSA headlight is truly excellent..
Must go over later today and try the RS..
that could be a very expensive trip
Had a sit on a 1250 GSA while my 1300 GSA was being serviced . It’s like a nice comfy pair of shoes . The 1300 is nice but I have fitted bar up and back risers and awaiting a Sargent seat to make it as comfortable as possible. As a bike the 1300 is very nice and handles a bit tighter and seems lighter in corners . The 1250 was a handful in the Dolomites the 1300 will be brilliant . I have had all models of GS and GSA and am happy with my currant one. . Just wish I could have kept the 1250 to go with the 1300 as they feel quite different . Should have sold the Harley 
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Just done 500 miles over the weekend on the GSA two-up plus a bit of camping gear.
The bike soaked up everything from the motorway slog to single-track sinuous Welsh mountain roads with aplomb.
This is where these bikes excel, there are probably dozens of other bikes out there that will do exactly the same but maybe not so easily and without the stress-free feel of the big boxer.
Even loaded up these bikes do not feel intimidating, they flick and change direction quickly and the supple, long-travel suspension prevents any swearing and wincing you might get on a lesser machine when crashing over crappy roads.
I did get numb-bum syndrome after a few hours but i get that on ANY bike so cannot lay blame solely on the BMW seat.
They may not be the most exciting of rides but they are one of the most satisfying bikes to hoon around on.
The last 60 or so miles of the trip after a stop for coffee was excellent - the temperature had dropped as dusk approached and the bike was lapping up the cool, dense air after the warm days in mid-Wales (higher altitudes and thinner air, too?).
The engine felt smooooooth and refined, responsive, eager and the exhaust note crisp.
Banging through the `box on the quickshifter with a corresponding pop sounded great, and the crackle on overrun.....!
Slicing through the Wiltshire A-roads was so easy the extra weight of the pillion and luggage was unnoticeable - until i got the `slow down a bit` tap on the shoulder from the rear seat...
There`s more to a GSA than just a big tank.
The bike soaked up everything from the motorway slog to single-track sinuous Welsh mountain roads with aplomb.
This is where these bikes excel, there are probably dozens of other bikes out there that will do exactly the same but maybe not so easily and without the stress-free feel of the big boxer.
Even loaded up these bikes do not feel intimidating, they flick and change direction quickly and the supple, long-travel suspension prevents any swearing and wincing you might get on a lesser machine when crashing over crappy roads.
I did get numb-bum syndrome after a few hours but i get that on ANY bike so cannot lay blame solely on the BMW seat.
They may not be the most exciting of rides but they are one of the most satisfying bikes to hoon around on.
The last 60 or so miles of the trip after a stop for coffee was excellent - the temperature had dropped as dusk approached and the bike was lapping up the cool, dense air after the warm days in mid-Wales (higher altitudes and thinner air, too?).
The engine felt smooooooth and refined, responsive, eager and the exhaust note crisp.
Banging through the `box on the quickshifter with a corresponding pop sounded great, and the crackle on overrun.....!
Slicing through the Wiltshire A-roads was so easy the extra weight of the pillion and luggage was unnoticeable - until i got the `slow down a bit` tap on the shoulder from the rear seat...
There`s more to a GSA than just a big tank.
But rucksacks come in all different sizes, weights and designs.Imagine hiking the Pennine Way and turning up with all your gear in a Tesco shopping bag.
I didn't want a rucksack, cos everyone else has one
I like reading good news stories rather than owner's woes..Just done 500 miles over the weekend on the GSA two-up plus a bit of camping gear.
The bike soaked up everything from the motorway slog to single-track sinuous Welsh mountain roads with aplomb.
This is where these bikes excel, there are probably dozens of other bikes out there that will do exactly the same but maybe not so easily and without the stress-free feel of the big boxer.
Even loaded up these bikes do not feel intimidating, they flick and change direction quickly and the supple, long-travel suspension prevents any swearing and wincing you might get on a lesser machine when crashing over crappy roads.
I did get numb-bum syndrome after a few hours but i get that on ANY bike so cannot lay blame solely on the BMW seat.
They may not be the most exciting of rides but they are one of the most satisfying bikes to hoon around on.
The last 60 or so miles of the trip after a stop for coffee was excellent - the temperature had dropped as dusk approached and the bike was lapping up the cool, dense air after the warm days in mid-Wales (higher altitudes and thinner air, too?).
The engine felt smooooooth and refined, responsive, eager and the exhaust note crisp.
Banging through the `box on the quickshifter with a corresponding pop sounded great, and the crackle on overrun.....!
Slicing through the Wiltshire A-roads was so easy the extra weight of the pillion and luggage was unnoticeable - until i got the `slow down a bit` tap on the shoulder from the rear seat...
There`s more to a GSA than just a big tank.
Rode x2 500 mile days either end of my Scotland dash recently and for the first time used the Wind Rider seat cover. Have to say it was a huge improvement over standard on such long rides & you can still feel the bike through it unlike say the Air Hawk.
If you want to cheaply improve the OE seats then I'd recommend the Wind Rider!
I certainly preferred my 2016 MY 1200GS to my later 2018 one. I thought it reved up and pulled better (after being H*******d) than my post 2017 "updated" one did and I also found the older ESA worked better for me too, it seemed to both turn in better and the 3 rather than 2 modes did too. Getting rid of the soft/comfort option and just having road and dynamic was a retro step as both road and dynamic became softer for me at 11st and neither suited me as well as the previous ESA settings did.
But....I definitely prefer the 1250. It pulls better under 5k and the flat spot the 1200s suffered from around 4-4.5k is no longer there. Also with the standard exhaust and headers the 1200 used to run out of puff at the top end (at least mine did) where as the 1250 doesn't. But each to their own and ridden in isolation both do the job nicely
Globetrotter
Registered user
GSA's do it all exceptionally well... great through busy cities or getting lost in the dolomites off road, keeping up with superbikes on the autobahn or crossing streams for fun... the best mileage I got was coming back from Scotland a few weeks ago with 355miles on a full tank and they look absolutely stunning! Plus a major bonus is most drivers on the road actually see us unlike the smaller bikes I've ever ridden. Great machines
septikangel
Registered user
Just done 500 miles over the weekend on the GSA two-up plus a bit of camping gear.
The bike soaked up everything from the motorway slog to single-track sinuous Welsh mountain roads with aplomb.
This is where these bikes excel, there are probably dozens of other bikes out there that will do exactly the same but maybe not so easily and without the stress-free feel of the big boxer.
Even loaded up these bikes do not feel intimidating, they flick and change direction quickly and the supple, long-travel suspension prevents any swearing and wincing you might get on a lesser machine when crashing over crappy roads.
I did get numb-bum syndrome after a few hours but i get that on ANY bike so cannot lay blame solely on the BMW seat.
They may not be the most exciting of rides but they are one of the most satisfying bikes to hoon around on.
The last 60 or so miles of the trip after a stop for coffee was excellent - the temperature had dropped as dusk approached and the bike was lapping up the cool, dense air after the warm days in mid-Wales (higher altitudes and thinner air, too?).
The engine felt smooooooth and refined, responsive, eager and the exhaust note crisp.
Banging through the `box on the quickshifter with a corresponding pop sounded great, and the crackle on overrun.....!
Slicing through the Wiltshire A-roads was so easy the extra weight of the pillion and luggage was unnoticeable - until i got the `slow down a bit` tap on the shoulder from the rear seat...
There`s more to a GSA than just a big tank.
now forever known to me as NO FRIGGIN WAY
For a tractor they are very versatile and entertaining. Can do it all. Cant do it all the best but it can do it all.Just done 500 miles over the weekend on the GSA two-up plus a bit of camping gear.
The bike soaked up everything from the motorway slog to single-track sinuous Welsh mountain roads with aplomb.
This is where these bikes excel, there are probably dozens of other bikes out there that will do exactly the same but maybe not so easily and without the stress-free feel of the big boxer.
Even loaded up these bikes do not feel intimidating, they flick and change direction quickly and the supple, long-travel suspension prevents any swearing and wincing you might get on a lesser machine when crashing over crappy roads.
I did get numb-bum syndrome after a few hours but i get that on ANY bike so cannot lay blame solely on the BMW seat.
They may not be the most exciting of rides but they are one of the most satisfying bikes to hoon around on.
The last 60 or so miles of the trip after a stop for coffee was excellent - the temperature had dropped as dusk approached and the bike was lapping up the cool, dense air after the warm days in mid-Wales (higher altitudes and thinner air, too?).
The engine felt smooooooth and refined, responsive, eager and the exhaust note crisp.
Banging through the `box on the quickshifter with a corresponding pop sounded great, and the crackle on overrun.....!
Slicing through the Wiltshire A-roads was so easy the extra weight of the pillion and luggage was unnoticeable - until i got the `slow down a bit` tap on the shoulder from the rear seat...
There`s more to a GSA than just a big tank.
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After a “spirited” run to Ullapool and back at the weekend; the bottom corner of my soft pannier can testify that they take right hand bends very well 
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JB’s 1150 GSA’s are amazing and incredibly capable. For me, I’d just need to be 20 years younger and probably at least 20% bigger and stronger to consider one. Weight is becoming a bit of an obsession at the moment and of course, it has way less relevance when on the move, but bugger, when you have to haul the blighters around ……..
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