I've made my decision

[scopevale]

Wasn't sure about whether to go for the GS or the GSA so I phoned SBW Motorrad in Hertford and booked back 2 back test rides for this morning.

And I have to say that I prefer the GSA, which surprised me because having ridden a GSA last month and loved it, I thought the lighter/lower GS would be better, especially as I've always ridden sports bikes. But it wasn't, I'm not really sure why, but the GSA just felt... ... better!

So, it's been a complete change of plan, forget the 2nd hand GS that I was thinking about a few days ago. I've just ordered a new GSA.

Need to go back the dealer next Saturday to sort the details out as I didn't have time this morning. I'm hoping I can get it before the end of the month.

I'm so excited!!

 

[wully]

Congrats!

You'll love it.

I went from a GS to GSA a couple of months ago and am really glad I did.
I loved my GS and was very happy with it but always wanted the GSA but was concerned about the extra size and weight.

But that hasn't been a problem at all- even with a full tank of fuel ( a big plus as far as I'm concerned) the weight vanishes as soon as the bike starts moving and the whole bike seems better balanced at rest as well strangely enough.

Enjoy

 

[Arsey]

Good lad.

Much better bike.

GSA-men
GS-midgets
GS 800-ginger midgets

 

[Smudger]

Hi I have also ordered a new GSA in magnesium silver, build week 27, I hope to take delivery in July. I had an 07 1200GS & basically went with a friend to test drive the new R1200GS & R1200GSA for him, what a mistake!! my friend bought nothing and i ordered a new bike.
I could not help being impressed by the new bike, excellent feel to the the new gearbox, superb screen on the GSA & faster.

 

[dannylt]

Oh no! I also test rode a GS at SBW a few weeks back and liked it more and more over the hour I rode it. I'd discounted the GSA because of the extra weight, and not being bothered about the extra range. Renting one this weekend so I can really make my mind up. Currently have a Triumph 1050 speed triple, but want to travel further with more crap at slightly reduced speeds...

 

[Arsey]

Oh no! I also test rode a GS at SBW a few weeks back and liked it more and more over the hour I rode it. I'd discounted the GSA because of the extra weight, and not being bothered about the extra range. Renting one this weekend so I can really make my mind up. Currently have a Triumph 1050 speed triple, but want to travel further with more crap at slightly reduced speeds...

Welcome !!


If you want to travel slower than the Speed Trip,steer clear of the GSA then !!!

I had mine showing 135 mph (129 on GPS) with full luggage (Panniers and top box) on the autobahn last summer.

Try that for more than 2 mins on a 1050 and you'll need to see a physio !

 

[Der Lustenauer]

Welcome !!


If you want to travel slower than the Speed Trip,steer clear of the GSA then !!!

I had mine showing 135 mph (129 on GPS) with full luggage (Panniers and top box) on the autobahn last summer.

Try that for more than 2 mins on a 1050 and you'll need to see a physio !

So that is where the GSA is best, on the Autobahn in Germany.

Out of interest, how many minutes could you hold that speed?

 

[Arsey]

So that is where the GSA is best, on the Autobahn in Germany.

Out of interest, how many minutes could you hold that speed?

I think it was about 20 mins between 120-135 mph on the unlimited stretch.

But that's obviously not where the GSA is best-was just trying to show that it can maintain a higher speed because of the wind protection than a 1050 Speed Triple,of which I've ridden a couple.

 

[Andy B]

Guys,

Make sure your bike comes with the latest part upgrade for the Ring Antenna.

See my thread from a few days ago:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148424

Enjoy your new bikes.

 

[Der Lustenauer]

I think it was about 20 mins between 120-135 mph on the unlimited stretch.

But that's obviously not where the GSA is best-was just trying to show that it can maintain a higher speed because of the wind protection than a 1050 Speed Triple,of which I've ridden a couple.

I think all these vehicles can maintain a higher speed than the driver/rider/road conditions allow.

I'm doing the stretch between Brussels and Lake Constance (approx. 800 km) frequently these days (before that it was London-Lake Constance).
The little single Cylinder F650 is an hour slower than my car, might be the stops for a cigarette break when on the bike or that my car is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Found out as well, that it does not make any difference at all which route I take, German highspeed Autobahn or the way through the countries with speed limits on the motorway (Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland) despite both routes being almost the same distance.
Anyway, motorways, when on holiday, are not that much fun for me, I steer well clear of them and allow more time for the journey.

 

[dannylt]

I found the GS gives more satisfaction at lower absolute speed, if you see what I mean. And I loved the ESA on rough country roads which I'd initially thought was just a gimmick. But maybe I should try the GSA also!

 

[GS TRV]

I think it was about 20 mins between 120-135 mph on the unlimited stretch.

Just stay in the middle lane and leave the outside for the big boys

 

[chubs]

Nice one!
I also went for the gsa, just like you did back to back tests, just felt at home straight away on the gsa. Get mine a week on saturday after 3 month wait, so if you can get one by the end of the month you've done really well!!

 

[scopevale]

Welcome !!


If you want to travel slower than the Speed Trip,steer clear of the GSA then !!!

I had mine showing 135 mph (129 on GPS) with full luggage (Panniers and top box) on the autobahn last summer.

Try that for more than 2 mins on a 1050 and you'll need to see a physio !

I had an indicated 130mph 2 up on the GSA on the test ride, just over 125mph on the GS

The GS was a 2007 demonstrator and the engine had clearly seen better days

I suppose the 2008 model has slightly more power anyway, but the GS did feel a bit more reluctant

 

[Arsey]

or that my car is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
.

That'll be one of those slow BMW cars,I take it !

 

[scopevale]

Nice one!
I also went for the gsa, just like you did back to back tests, just felt at home straight away on the gsa. Get mine a week on saturday after 3 month wait, so if you can get one by the end of the month you've done really well!!

Haven't got a delivery date yet, so maybe that's just wishful thinking. But the dealer said if I wanted a GSA without heated grips it would take 3 months - so I'm going for the wimp option!

 

[Der Lustenauer]

That'll be one of those slow BMW cars,I take it !

Audi, I'm afraid. But it has to go. The wifes car with less than half the horsepower (and fuel consumption) does the same journey in the same time.

 

[scopevale]

Nice one!
I also went for the gsa, just like you did back to back tests, just felt at home straight away on the gsa. Get mine a week on saturday after 3 month wait, so if you can get one by the end of the month you've done really well!!

All ordered - R1200GSA Magma Red with Dynamic & Premium Packages + a FREE BMW Aluminium Top Box

Delivery - week starting 30th June!


YAY!!!

 

[Budweiser]

Great choice m8 enjoy

 

[Pukmeister]

Haven't got a delivery date yet, so maybe that's just wishful thinking. But the dealer said if I wanted a GSA without heated grips it would take 3 months - so I'm going for the wimp option!

If the deal should fall through e.g. shortages, why not get the dealer to add/enable a set of genuine BMW heated grips once they get the new bike without heated grips? Call it a deal-closer, sweetener or whatever on their part. Why lose a customer for about £200?

It can be (easily) done, despite a few postings on this site to the contrary by those who haven't seen it done:

My R1200GS was one of the earliest UK demo bikes (assembled Jan2004) and had no heated grips fitted when built. I bought the parts required (two heated grips and the right handlebar switchgear) for about £230, fitted them myself (takes 40 minutes with a set of small torx screwdrivers, hardest part is undoing the loctited big torx bar end weight bolts with a suitable socket and breaker bar) then got the dealer to 'enable' the grips as part of the CANBUS computer software when they did a software update as part of my 18000 mile service.

I don't use them often (especially since moving the bike to Australia with me) but they are excellent when the temperature drops, I wouldn't be without them.