I've done it now!

[The Nutter]

Well, that's it. After 5 years of ownership from new, I'm saying goodbye to my 2004 GS. I made the mistake of visiting my local dealer, along with a friend, to test ride the new GS and GSA. We both came back and signed on the dotted line.

I consider the offer put in by the dealer for my bike is a little short of it's worth. If anyone fancies cutting out the middle man and getting a great bike, it can be found on a certain auction site. Red 54 plate.

I am now looking forward to the next 5 years of GSing. The new twin cam engine feels great and I never imagined that I would end up buying a bike with ESA, but it was excellent in use. I did struggle to make my mind up between GS and GSA, but in the end I realised that the GS is all I'd ever need. Job done.

 

[tunnie]

good luck with it

I too was considering GS/GSA when i bought, but the GS i rode was like new and a good price so i got that. Glad i did, full tank petrol, i can barley move the GS on a slight hill, would not stand a chance with the extra 10L in the GSA

 

[The Nutter]

Thanks Tunnie,
I need all the support I can get. The price to change has come in at a very salty £8 grandish, oooer. Still ,I am looking forward again to the safety net that is the 2 year warranty. Having had a few issues sorted under warranty with the last one, the last few years have been spent holding my breath so to speak. Though, in all fairness, the bike has just had routine servicing and no issues.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Dealers should not be allowed to allow you to "sign on the dotted line" until at least 24hrs after a test ride.....

 

[The Nutter]

Too true Miff,
but I reckon 24 days wouldn't have saved the day. The bike was great to ride, I didn't realise that there would be that much of a difference from my current bike. I'll probably have to sell my soul to the Devil to justify it, but you only live once and you're a long time dead!

 

[snerkler]

Well, that's it. After 5 years of ownership from new, I'm saying goodbye to my 2004 GS. I made the mistake of visiting my local dealer, along with a friend, to test ride the new GS and GSA. We both came back and signed on the dotted line.

I consider the offer put in by the dealer for my bike is a little short of it's worth. If anyone fancies cutting out the middle man and getting a great bike, it can be found on a certain auction site. Red 54 plate.

I am now looking forward to the next 5 years of GSing. The new twin cam engine feels great and I never imagined that I would end up buying a bike with ESA, but it was excellent in use. I did struggle to make my mind up between GS and GSA, but in the end I realised that the GS is all I'd ever need. Job done.

Did you 'play' about with the ESA? If so is there a lot of difference between the settings?

 

[Mutley]

The new twin cam engine feels great and I never imagined that I would end up buying a bike with ESA, but it was excellent in use. Job done.

Did you 'play' about with the ESA? If so is there a lot of difference between the settings?

I was going to ask if you could switch it off for 'off road' but then I realised I was in the 1200 section

 

[The Nutter]

I was going to ask if you could switch it off for 'off road' but then I realised I was in the 1200 section

Ha Ha.

To answer Snerkler's question, the dealer set the bike up for rider and pillion as SWMBO came along for the ride. I did switch between comfort, normal and sport and I could feel the difference. The wife commented that from the back she felt the engine was smoother and the gear changes were better than on my old bike. The GSA is a fantastic machine and felt like a tank couldn't stop it. A truely capable touring tool but I don't need the extra tank range, weight or seat height. They both just soaked up road imperfections, although on sport mode, potholes were more noticable.

 

[Big Lee]

£8k to change! by god, it must`ve been good!! Thats why I`m loath to get a new one, I don`t think they`re £8k better. Enjoy!!

 

[snerkler]

Ha Ha.

To answer Snerkler's question, the dealer set the bike up for rider and pillion as SWMBO came along for the ride. I did switch between comfort, normal and sport and I could feel the difference. The wife commented that from the back she felt the engine was smoother and the gear changes were better than on my old bike. The GSA is a fantastic machine and felt like a tank couldn't stop it. A truely capable touring tool but I don't need the extra tank range, weight or seat height. They both just soaked up road imperfections, although on sport mode, potholes were more noticable.

Thanks for the reply. If you set sport mode does it stop the rear from 'compressing/diving' under acceleration and so behave much more like a road bike?
I've got a test ride on one on saturday and it would be nice to get a heads up on what to expect before I go. I'm so excited, and really want this bike, but don't want to be disappointed if I'm expecting something it's not.
You may have seen from my other post that I took one out a few years ago, when the 1200 gsa first came out, and I found that under acceleration the bike dipped a lot at the rear, I don't know how the suspension was set up then though.

 

[The Nutter]

Hi Snerkler,
I can't say that I noticed this rear end dive. I would suggest that you make sure the dealer sets the bike up for you before you leave for your test ride (rider, rider+luggage or rider+pillion) and then just play with the comfort, standard,sport modes as you ride. It wasn't just the suspension that impressed me, the gear change felt more precise and the clutch lever action was so much lighter.

Just get on it and ride it. I found it took whatever I threw at it. Typical GS.

Enjoy

 

[snerkler]

Hi Snerkler,
I can't say that I noticed this rear end dive. I would suggest that you make sure the dealer sets the bike up for you before you leave for your test ride (rider, rider+luggage or rider+pillion) and then just play with the comfort, standard,sport modes as you ride. It wasn't just the suspension that impressed me, the gear change felt more precise and the clutch lever action was so much lighter.

Just get on it and ride it. I found it took whatever I threw at it. Typical GS.

Enjoy

Cool, thanks a lot. Not long to go now till I find out for myself, I can't wait I think I'll ask the dealer to set it up as rider plus luggage as I'm cough cough 18 stone cough

 

[The Nutter]

Hi Snerkler,

please let me know how you get on with your test ride. I hope you find it as engaging as I did. Maybe I was just looking for an excuse to change my bike but, to be honest, I believe it really is that much better.

Cheers