Beast
Registered user
Anyone give advice on owning a gsa pros .& cons. I have just put a deposit on a 2011 fully loaded gsa, never owned or ridden a BMW before. I currently ride a FJR, your opinions would be very useful.
living with a GSA
- Thread starter Beast
- Start date
Funny I went from a fjr to a gsa in 2009. I had bms before so it wasn't a culture shock. I had no problems with the change. Kinda missed the sheer grunt of the yam but made up for it with the presence of the bm. Seat on gs not that comfy. I have a 800 gsa and would have another fjr in a flash. I'd have a 1200 gsa too. And a rt. I'll wait till my current one is payed for. JJH
Pros it gets people out of the way as its huge .cons its a big fucker if you are a little fucker .once rolling it's fine easy to handle and deceptively fast .have a go on one of you are a big buggars probably the only bike you need .servicing can be expensive by BMW but plenty of specialists out there to look after it . Love mine but use the t max 530 more 
Silverlining
Registered user
You've done the hard part, now you've bitten the bullet, just savour every moment, good bad and ugly! Happy riding.
Badboybez
Registered user
Not found any cons with mine so far 
Size, but not in the most obvious way on the road or filtering....that's a doddle.
But parking at home.......forget trying to get a GS and a car into a standard garage.
If you have lots of space, no probs......I've got a 2 car sized yard that I know I can fit two Mini/Yaris/Punto sized cars onto easily, but I have a Golf estate and my GSA with boxes on it and I have to move the car to get the bike out.
The other biggest con to owning a GS nowadays is the sheer number of utter pricks who have bought them
But parking at home.......forget trying to get a GS and a car into a standard garage.
If you have lots of space, no probs......I've got a 2 car sized yard that I know I can fit two Mini/Yaris/Punto sized cars onto easily, but I have a Golf estate and my GSA with boxes on it and I have to move the car to get the bike out.
The other biggest con to owning a GS nowadays is the sheer number of utter pricks who have bought them
I had a FJ1200 and bought a 2003 1150GS. Loved it, and a year later bought a 2010 1200GS... really loved that and then bought a 2010 GSA which was also awesome, and now I have a 2014 GSA.
Pretty much guarantee you'll love the GSA (and btw, I've had no problems with any of my GSs apart from a final drive bearing that was replaced at 12000 miles on the GS, under warranty).
Pretty much guarantee you'll love the GSA (and btw, I've had no problems with any of my GSs apart from a final drive bearing that was replaced at 12000 miles on the GS, under warranty).
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
Don't use a jet wash anywhere near the final drive......in fact, don't use a jet wash
Beware the levers can foul on the hand guards.
The clutch fluid is mineral oil, not brake fluid.
Make sure the battery is in good nick. If it's struggling....change it.
Watch for corrosion around the front cover.
Most common failure is the fuel gauge. Make sure it's working before taking delivery.
By 2011 most issues were bottomed out so.......enjoy.
Beware the levers can foul on the hand guards.
The clutch fluid is mineral oil, not brake fluid.
Make sure the battery is in good nick. If it's struggling....change it.
Watch for corrosion around the front cover.
Most common failure is the fuel gauge. Make sure it's working before taking delivery.
By 2011 most issues were bottomed out so.......enjoy.
grin factor
Registered user
Wow, buying a bike without a test ride, thats brave.
I think you'll enjoy it, but I've never bought any vehicle without a good test ride/drive
I think you'll enjoy it, but I've never bought any vehicle without a good test ride/drive
I bought mine without a test ride. 
I bought it from Blackpool Honda and had actually gone with the serious intent of buying a Varadero. But, in the shop lined up were the Varadero, the GSA, a Crosstourer, a Yam XTZ1200 and a triumph Explorer. The GSA was just the best by far and I walked out having out a deposit on it. No regrets.
Great bike, immense road presence, comfy, good handling once you get used to it, carries pillions and loads and loads of gear with ease, quick enough, loads and loads of accessories available, and surprisingly quite easy to service and work on. Changing oils, plugs, filters, and doing basic checks is as easy or easier than on most bikes. Get a GS911 and checking the electronics and doing some more sophisticated (but sill simple) checks is a doddle too. Anything a bit more technical and you can take it to any of dozens of non-franchise specialists. And, finally because its been the best selling bike for several years there are loads and loads of secondhand bits available on eBay. You will enjoy the bike.
I bought it from Blackpool Honda and had actually gone with the serious intent of buying a Varadero. But, in the shop lined up were the Varadero, the GSA, a Crosstourer, a Yam XTZ1200 and a triumph Explorer. The GSA was just the best by far and I walked out having out a deposit on it. No regrets. Great bike, immense road presence, comfy, good handling once you get used to it, carries pillions and loads and loads of gear with ease, quick enough, loads and loads of accessories available, and surprisingly quite easy to service and work on. Changing oils, plugs, filters, and doing basic checks is as easy or easier than on most bikes. Get a GS911 and checking the electronics and doing some more sophisticated (but sill simple) checks is a doddle too. Anything a bit more technical and you can take it to any of dozens of non-franchise specialists. And, finally because its been the best selling bike for several years there are loads and loads of secondhand bits available on eBay. You will enjoy the bike.
Beast
Registered user
Sorry not had chance to reply before, When i said i had put a deposit on the bike it was a holding deposit until i went for a test ride. Went for a test ride yesterday for half day, at Roy Pidocks @ Long Eaton. At first didn't like it after an hour i was beginning enjoy riding it.
What i liked about the bike, It felt so planted on the road and really handle well, so easy to get the correct line very easy to ride in slow moving traffic also filtering was a doddle the extra hight made overtakes so easy, very impressed with the way it handles.
Cons, Didn't like the indicators they will take some getting use to, didn't think much of the mirror position does not give you a all round view unlike my FJR, very limited space under seat to fit autocom never mind my Kenwood bike to bike radio, i have enough space under my FJR seat to keep both of these items. I felt a of wind noise under my helmet and buffeting @ 100+mph perhaps screens needs in a different position.
On the whole i did like the bike and i have decided to buy it, although wife not happy lol.
What i liked about the bike, It felt so planted on the road and really handle well, so easy to get the correct line very easy to ride in slow moving traffic also filtering was a doddle the extra hight made overtakes so easy, very impressed with the way it handles.
Cons, Didn't like the indicators they will take some getting use to, didn't think much of the mirror position does not give you a all round view unlike my FJR, very limited space under seat to fit autocom never mind my Kenwood bike to bike radio, i have enough space under my FJR seat to keep both of these items. I felt a of wind noise under my helmet and buffeting @ 100+mph perhaps screens needs in a different position.
On the whole i did like the bike and i have decided to buy it, although wife not happy lol.
Wife not happy!!! Brave man. Very few people seem to keep their bikes standard and many have little work arounds for instance you can modify the adjusters to make the screen go more vertical. If you mind it you won't want to change and if you do they hold their value so well. Jjh
elefantman
Registered user
My GSA was an 09 , I kept it for 18 months and did 12k on it in that time, although it never stopped it had 2 final drives under warranty and the fuel guage was a waste of time , I was disappointed with build quality and corrosion was setting in when I sold it despite ACF 50 and SDoc 100 cleaning with a hose and bucket and being kept in a warm dry garage .
Check pads before services as in my experience they can be used as a cash cow for dealers , twice tried you know who you are .
In general I bought what I thought was a premium product but felt let down by quality of product and dealership experiences although I did like the ride and the way it used it's limited power .
Sold it and bought a KTM that was pinched on a trip to France despite being chained up in an underground hotel carpark !.
Right now I've just got my 2000 Honda X11 that I've had from new while I decide what's next .
09 XSE where are you now ???
Check pads before services as in my experience they can be used as a cash cow for dealers , twice tried you know who you are .
In general I bought what I thought was a premium product but felt let down by quality of product and dealership experiences although I did like the ride and the way it used it's limited power .
Sold it and bought a KTM that was pinched on a trip to France despite being chained up in an underground hotel carpark !.
Right now I've just got my 2000 Honda X11 that I've had from new while I decide what's next .
09 XSE where are you now ???
Name and shame. Jjh
Bendy toy
Registered user
I have an 08 the paint finish is rubbish (a mid 1990s Aprilia 650 is miles better). The GS from 2010 on is much better.
I ended up getting a lot of stuff powder coated., but I still love the bike
Road handling is amazing and my shocks must be well past their best. I can ride almost as quickly on soggy off road settings as on any of the three road settings. The bike does not sway or weave like bikes with normal forks. It just rocks a little.
Stopping - find a quiet stretch of road and hit the brakes. HARD. Make sure you brace against the bars because it STOPS even in the wet I don't worry about losing the front on brakes. Grease oil diesel obviously excepted.
Suspension benefits from a professional rebuild of shocks or better fit Wilbers or other units. But what bike does not benefit from better suspension.
It is very heavy but probably less than an FJR. A low speed tumble is annoying but causes very little harm.
The GSA seat it too hard and narrow
The GS seat is soggy and for me the back edge hit my coccyx
The Kahedo standard seat suits me well
Sargent dug into my thigh.
Don't stress about flat footing on both sides when stopped. The bike will trickle along feet up at very low speeds. One foot down with the other on footrest is all you need. I use right foot as I'm only average height.
The GSA screen caused me too much turbulence solved by a Givi AF-330 screen that also keeps the pillion happy.
I ended up getting a lot of stuff powder coated., but I still love the bike
Road handling is amazing and my shocks must be well past their best. I can ride almost as quickly on soggy off road settings as on any of the three road settings. The bike does not sway or weave like bikes with normal forks. It just rocks a little.
Stopping - find a quiet stretch of road and hit the brakes. HARD. Make sure you brace against the bars because it STOPS even in the wet I don't worry about losing the front on brakes. Grease oil diesel obviously excepted.
Suspension benefits from a professional rebuild of shocks or better fit Wilbers or other units. But what bike does not benefit from better suspension.
It is very heavy but probably less than an FJR. A low speed tumble is annoying but causes very little harm.
The GSA seat it too hard and narrow
The GS seat is soggy and for me the back edge hit my coccyx
The Kahedo standard seat suits me well
Sargent dug into my thigh.
Don't stress about flat footing on both sides when stopped. The bike will trickle along feet up at very low speeds. One foot down with the other on footrest is all you need. I use right foot as I'm only average height.
The GSA screen caused me too much turbulence solved by a Givi AF-330 screen that also keeps the pillion happy.
Deleted account 251212001
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Touratech screen extension is a great mod to stop any buffeting, easy to clip on,they sell on here for about ,£50
Beast
Registered user
Had a change of plan, after a serous amount of thought i have decided to go for the standard gs instead of the gsa, The dealer didn't mind swapping my deposit from the gsa to the standard gs. The gs i’m now having is 2011gs triple black fully loaded including full aluminium luggage and spoked wheels with 10000 miles & full service history.
The main reason i have decided to go for the gs rather than the gsa is that it is a tad lower and i can touch the floor, without been on tiptoes the 2nd reason this has full hard luggage and it was proofing difficult to find reasonably priced luggage for the gsa, it goes on ebay for silly money.
The post should now be called, Living with a GS
The main reason i have decided to go for the gs rather than the gsa is that it is a tad lower and i can touch the floor, without been on tiptoes the 2nd reason this has full hard luggage and it was proofing difficult to find reasonably priced luggage for the gsa, it goes on ebay for silly money.
The post should now be called, Living with a GS
patzx12
Registered user
You made the right decision.
All pro's
no con's
All pro's
no con's
I agree. The GS with full luggage is perfect for all your needs. I have it on good authority that there are petrol stations dotted around everywhere these days 
Enjoy your new bike. I know you will.
Neil
Enjoy your new bike. I know you will.
Neil
Enjoy the new bike, i have just put down a deposit moving from a 2011 GS to a 2012 GSA tripple black.
I want the ESA for when riding two up as the standard one i have which doesnt have ESA i find bottoms out even with fully adjusted suspension. So on word from some pals the ESA is the way to go so you shouldnt have any problems. Also wanted the larger tank, i have been close to the bone on some runs back and forth over the lecht.
Biggest problem you will have is stopping buying all the extras (i love it) and when i stripped mine down the other week i got to number 9 of additional parts to remove.
Great bikes and no problems with corrosion if you keep her clean, for me i wash it down after most long runs especially through the winter and then twice a year a going over with ACF50 so no issues. I keep the bike outside all year round (no garage) and no problems.
I too bought the GS without a test ride and was worried for the first few miles, but like most say you get used to it really quickly.
Looking forward to getting out on the new bike.
I want the ESA for when riding two up as the standard one i have which doesnt have ESA i find bottoms out even with fully adjusted suspension. So on word from some pals the ESA is the way to go so you shouldnt have any problems. Also wanted the larger tank, i have been close to the bone on some runs back and forth over the lecht.
Biggest problem you will have is stopping buying all the extras (i love it) and when i stripped mine down the other week i got to number 9 of additional parts to remove.
Great bikes and no problems with corrosion if you keep her clean, for me i wash it down after most long runs especially through the winter and then twice a year a going over with ACF50 so no issues. I keep the bike outside all year round (no garage) and no problems.
I too bought the GS without a test ride and was worried for the first few miles, but like most say you get used to it really quickly.
Looking forward to getting out on the new bike.
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