Is the GSA the best bike?

[TIJ650]

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

Shit analogy cause specific motorcycle, not m/c versus some other mode of transportation.
Buy a Tumi backpack and stand out from crowd

 

[HxH]

I'm Keeping my M&S for life shopping bag, just for the odd hiking occasion, not that i'm a proper posh git or anything.

 

[trebor]

Looks good but crap screen , very vibey and crazy top heavy .

Yet, I find the screen is good, mine doesn't feel Vibey, and whilst I know it is heavier than the 1250GSA, it doesn't feel any heavier to me.
The only issue I have is the side-stand is too short so it leans over a hell of a long way, which can sometimes make it difficult to get off the side-stand when parked on an adverse camber, but I bought it knowing this. However, this will be sorted later this week.
So far I'm finding it to be an excellent machine.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

A KTM 790 adventure with Honda reliability would suit me nicely. Lighter, simpler, less power but still more than capable for my ability and needs.

Transalp 750 would do you then

 

[MartinK]

Too big, too heavy and too complicated for me. No doubt they are good, but I don't want one. The 1250gs was ideal for me before my injury. I never wanted a gsa. My arse range is less than a gsa's tank range, so the extra 100 miles range is wasted on me. The new 1300 gs doesn't float my boat. It looks like every other big adventure bike and most of the tech would be unused.
A KTM 790 adventure with Honda reliability would suit me nicely. Lighter, simpler, less power but still more than capable for my ability and needs.

My feelings too.
Had GS and GSA briefly at same time.
I now have a GS and a V100 Stelvio

Even prefer the Stelvio for some routes (especially riding solo) it's lighter and nimble. Stelvio was awesome on the Irish Wild Atlantic Way

But. Point a bike off a ferry, with a big day ahead, and it's GS every time. .. it's a fab tool for a job, especially when that job is 300+ miles, luggage, and all sorts of roads ahead. ..

 

[Pukmeister]

I love the GSA.

Its a big comfy old bus and perfectly capable of handling the kerbs outside my local Starbucks, or carrying my shopping home from Tesco.

 

[Hartley]

I’ve said on here a few times that it’s really taking me a while to click with the GSA, it’s getting there but I do find the size a bit over the top 1up. On the one weekend away 2 up it did really shine and got the thumbs of from the misses who really wasn’t keen on the non “A”.
Hopefully this year we’ll get to try it out on a proper tour but for most of the riding I do I preferred my GS. I loved that.
If and when 2up tours are a thing of the past I’ll go smaller.

 

[TIJ650]

I’ve said on here a few times that it’s really taking me a while to click with the GSA, it’s getting there but I do find the size a bit over the top 1up. On the one weekend away 2 up it did really shine and got the thumbs of from the misses who really wasn’t keen on the non “A”.
Hopefully this year we’ll get to try it out on a proper tour but for most of the riding I do I preferred my GS. I loved that.
If and when 2up tours are a thing of the past I’ll go smaller.

Actually think you need to downsize. The size will never grow on you……….unless you grow bigger too

 

[Mr Derek]

Transalp 750 would do you then

A Transalp doesn't have oomph that a 790 KTM has. That would be like buying a Honda Jazz when you want a Fiesta ST.

My 790 Duke would be fine but for the riding position. No camshaft problems with mine either.

 

[leadfarmer]

I prefer the GS to the GSA, we all have different wants and needs

 

[GSMarky]

Looks good but crap screen , very vibey and crazy top heavy .

Quite the opposite - rock solid with x2 braces and works a treat!

 

[GSMarky]

& silky smooth too - FYI.

 

[Mzokk]

I've been riding around on this thing for the last three years. Probably not "better" than a GS by any measurable metric. But probably the first bike that I've had alongside my 23 year old R1150GS that I enjoy riding at least as much. Doing a valve check on it is a PITA though.

 

[Hartley]

Actually think you need to downsize. The size will never grow on you……….unless you grow bigger too

This years tour will be the true test. I’m in the fortunate position of having other bikes. I regularly downsize to my Himalayan

 

[TIJ650]

I've been riding around on this thing for the last three years. Probably not "better" than a GS by any measurable metric. But probably the first bike that I've had alongside my 23 year old R1150GS that I enjoy riding at least as much. Doing a valve check on it is a PITA though.

View attachment 405159

I’m assuming that’s the 750?
Heard great things about them, but not so much the 1100

 

[GrinningGSer]

I still get that happy feeling when I rode my 2014GSA around the forest of Dean , yesterday . Mine is very smooth , including the gearchange, costs £220p.a. to insure , £535.13 for the biggest of main dealer services . What’s not to love ?

 

[Mzokk]

I’m assuming that’s the 750?
Heard great things about them, but not so much the 1100

No that's the Africa twin 1100 Aventure sports.

 

[TIJ650]

No that's the Africa twin 1100 Aventure sports.

Okay, let me qualify my statement. I’ve only really heard of 2 complaints about the 1100 and one was as recent as Sunday. The first was about it being slightly underpowered (which I disregarded) and some electrical gremlins.
The guy on Sunday (whose name has eluded me) complained about oil spewing into the air box from the crankcase breather and many other little things………..that probably extended from him having to buy a bunch of 10/30 being Scottish n all

 

[Mzokk]

Yip some would say 100 hp is underpowered now but it’s grand for me. Oil in the air box will be due to overfilling. The engine is a semi dry sump design to reduce the centre of gravity and you have to use a certain checking procedure. The only electrical component that occasionally causes problems is the screen(made by Garmin) and the left hand switch gear. In 3 years and 27,000 miles mine has been trouble free. That’s put the scud on it!

 

[Spook1969]

I prefer the GS to the GSA, we all have different wants and needs

I’m the same and I prefer the 1200 to the 1250.