Is the TC more 'Grunty' than the WC

[rodsharp]

Have ridden both and your riding style will dictate which you will prefer. If you like bimbling and touring the TC is better, if you ride it like a Jap bike the new one will be better but so will most Jap bikes. I have always thought that if I want a fast bike I would get a fast bike and at the moment I am happy with the tractor.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Don't know the actual figures below 2,500 but I can pull away in second on the LC without much clutch slipping.

 

[cookie]

a better question might be...

is the WC more "Cunty" than the TC?

 

[Engineer]

I don't make it a habit though!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I don't make it a habit though!

 

[rattler]

is the WC more "Cunty" than the TC?

What ever some people ride they'd still be cunty

 

[GrinningGSer]

This next comment is not meant as a dig at TC owners: I wonder of 'Rain' mode gives better launch ability, because it certainly make the bike feel more like the previous models
I will try it at the next set of traffic lights

 

[Hoseman]

Had a 3 hr test on new GSA today, while it felt a little quicker than my old TC, i was expecting more having read all the hyperbolic praise over the new powerplant. Perhaps im remembering my old TC with rose tinted specs or my perception is skewed after riding a K1600GT in dynamic for the last 18mths. Probably both, i guess a back to back ride of old & new is the only way to show. Did enjoy the bike though & thanks to the previous tester who left nearly 200mile of juice for my test.

 

[Titto]

I find that:-

Rain mode = heavy / early traction control activation, early ABS activation.
Road = less traction control, (but sometimes still annoying), good ABS activation level.
Dyna = less traction than above - bike can lift front end more easily without you getting whiplash from the TC, good ABS activation point.
Enduro = no ABS rear (i think?) - havent tested front for skidding, but noticed that it wheelies like a ****** in this mode so no (or little) TC.

 

[Neil W]

I had a back to back ride 2 hours on my tc, 2 hours on the new gsa then 2 hours on my tc and where it matters up to 70 mph there is not that much difference between them, imho the tc was actually nicer to ride. Also my tc with decent aftermarket suspension had the edge on handling on the twisty bits.

Had a 3 hr test on new GSA today, while it felt a little quicker than my old TC, i was expecting more having read all the hyperbolic praise over the new powerplant. Perhaps im remembering my old TC with rose tinted specs or my perception is skewed after riding a K1600GT in dynamic for the last 18mths. Probably both, i guess a back to back ride of old & new is the only way to show. Did enjoy the bike though & thanks to the previous tester who left nearly 200mile of juice for my test.

 

[Hoseman]

I had a back to back ride 2 hours on my tc, 2 hours on the new gsa then 2 hours on my tc and where it matters up to 70 mph there is not that much difference between them, imho the tc was actually nicer to ride. Also my tc with decent aftermarket suspension had the edge on handling on the twisty bits.

Aye Agree think the gulf between old & new isnt as wide as Wc owners would have you believe. Marginal improvement nothing more.

 

[sven]

Aye Agree think the gulf between old & new isnt as wide as Wc owners would have you believe. Marginal improvement nothing more.

I was trying to think of an eloquent response, but I thought "bollocks" summed up your statement up quite accurately

The LC has faster top gear acceleration, faster acceleration through the gears, higher top speed, better standard suspension (firmer and better damping), better brakes, lower seat, less intrusive traction control, looks better, sounds nicer.....the only area where the bike is worse is the gearbox and heated grips.

The improvements are only "marginal" if you don't use/enjoy the performance enhancements.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

I was trying to think of an eloquent response, but I thought "bollocks" summed up your statement up quite accurately

The LC has faster top gear acceleration, faster acceleration through the gears, higher top speed, better standard suspension (firmer and better damping), better brakes, lower seat, less intrusive traction control, looks better, sounds nicer.....the only area where the bike is worse is the gearbox and heated grips.

The improvements are only "marginal" if you don't use/enjoy the performance enhancements.

That is a fair point about the heated grips
The ones on my test bike didnt seem any where near as "hot" as my current ride and your post has just jogged my memory !!

 

[cookie]

I was trying to think of an eloquent response, but I thought "bollocks" summed up your statement up quite accurately

The LC has faster top gear acceleration, faster acceleration through the gears, higher top speed, better standard suspension (firmer and better damping), better brakes, lower seat, less intrusive traction control, looks better, sounds nicer.....the only area where the bike is worse is the gearbox and heated grips.

The improvements are only "marginal" if you don't use/enjoy the performance enhancements.

objectively, i'd say you're right on all that.

subjectively, which is all i'm really interested in, i'd agree it looks better and the suspension is better than the old OEM setup (it couldn't be worse really).

getting one on loan for a day in a couple of weeks, but only a GS, not a GSA. maybe i'll change my mind?

 

[Schtum]

.....the only area where the bike is worse is the gearbox and heated grips.

Bollocks.....! My gearbox is much better than the one on my twin cam ever was.....

 

[telbenj]

Bollocks.....! My gearbox is much better than the one on my twin cam ever was.....

Me too The Gear box on my 2013 GS wc, was fine no problems, I pick up my new GSA on the 1st May and hopefully the gear box on that will be just as good.

I personally cant beleive how much discussion has gone on regarding a wet clutch on the new GS just because the previous bike had a dry clutch. pretty much every other bike on the road has a wet clutch, get over it people

Terry

 

[Giles]

I think Wreford's original question is a good example of how what's on paper and how a bike actually performs and feels can be so radically different, and also how the feel of a bike can deceive us. (Same with drivers; all bells and whistles, a mild display of theatre and .... oh .... I thought we were going quicker than that V Calm, quiet, smooth, understated .... feck me ...... I didn't realise we were doing 140 ...)

The WC revs so quickly, it feels light and frisky. You can almost feel the parts inside the motor being made of honeycombe and going from stationary to 9,000 in tenths of seconds.

So yes - The TC motor feels heavier, gruntier, torquier ... and that to many, would be a good feeling ....

 

[Wreford Miles]

So yes - The TC motor feels heavier, gruntier, torquier ... and that to many, would be a good feeling ....

Nicely put ...so the better question would have been, does the TC 'feel' more grunty than the WC?

 

[Engineer]

Nicely put ...so the better question would have been, does the TC 'feel' more grunty than the WC?

Yeah but it is all subjective - objectively the LC is more grunty.

 

[Giles]

Nicely put ...so the better question would have been, does the TC 'feel' more grunty than the WC?

Yeah, It probably does. As somebody here has already suggested, with the slower to rev, heavier internals TC, you feel the engine wind itself up, you feel it pulling the cork out the wine bottle and laying rubber down on the floor. Because the LC is lighter and revier, I think a lot of that feel is lost ...