My new '09 GSA....first impressions

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WindyChuffer

WindyChuffer

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Picked up new '09 plate GSA yesterday having had a '06 GSA from new.

Very pleased with it. Went for Enduro Gearbox and Remus Header / Akro Carbon Can.

Initial Thoughts:

1. Enduro Gearbox
What a revelation. This is my 3rd GS. Enduro gearbox makes such a difference in traffic and transforms low speed manoeuvring. Cannot believe how much better this is than the standard 1st gear. I was initially concerned that it it may be a bit too short, and too big a step from 1st to 2nd, but that was all undue. Thank to advice from Tim here as per this thread:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175315

My verdict on Enduro gearbox: Essential for all riding. In my general experience with BMW Motorrad dealers, I don't think they understand the benefits of this; it ain't just for off-roading... I fully agree with Tim's view that the stock 1st gear is too high, and the Enduro short 1st gear could go lower for off road.

2. Suspension
No ESA (deliberate). But surprised that the suspension seems a lot firmer than my '06 GSA. I also noticed that the bike corners so much better; it's as if the bike voluntarily turns as opposed to being forced...all for the better.

But I don't understand why:
- Has there been a marked improvement in the stock BMW suspension since '06?
- Or is it just that the suspension on my '06 was not set up right, and the '09 is ?


3. 'Zorst
I had the Akro can on my last bike, and carried it over. But had the Remus headers fitted on the new one.

What a difference. A lot more noise and popping, which I love. But I can't tell what Remus headers are doing to performance as I haven't ridden and '09 bike without them, and the stock '09 is more powerful that the '06. Scared the cr** out of pedestrians running lights in London yesterday...

Verdict so far: :bounce1:bounce1:bounce1 :thumb2:thumb2:thumb2
 
Good to hear - will look forward to your longer term impressions

Are you planning on keeping it as long as your previous bike?

did you do much off road on the '06 and are you planning much on this one?
 
Dahoum said:
Good to hear - will look forward to your longer term impressions

Are you planning on keeping it as long as your previous bike?

did you do much off road on the '06 and are you planning much on this one?
Click to expand...

The last bike's off road experiences were limited to pavement hopping for London traffic queue busting. A true Chelsea tractor !

The new one will be overlanding London to Beijing and plan on doing quite a bit of off road as training for this trip. Plan on keeping it for at least 4 years, but who knows!
 
Red. To be honest, didn't like the silver and not too keen on the red either. Colour choice is a bit shite IMHO....
 
should have gone for esa,fecking brill really makes bike nicer to ride esp if you press on a bit,but hey enjoy your bike:thumb
 
autogs said:
should have gone for esa,fecking brill really makes bike nicer to ride esp if you press on a bit,but hey enjoy your bike:thumb
Click to expand...

until it goes wrong when you are in the middle of no-where and stuck on the wrong setting...
 
it would be grossly irresponsible to ride with the wrong suspension settings. imagine what could happen. what if you had a miner on the back?

think of the children.
 
autogs said:
should have gone for esa,fecking brill really makes bike nicer to ride esp if you press on a bit,but hey enjoy your bike:thumb
Click to expand...

Please explain how ESA does this any better than a correctly set up normal shock. :confused:
 
WindyChuffer said:
Red. To be honest, didn't like the silver and not too keen on the red either. Colour choice is a bit shite IMHO....
Click to expand...

If you where riding south towards Waterloo Station over the bridge at around 14OO on Sunday with an ALU top box..... then i saw you!!

Red 09 plated GS with after market can!...i thought he has'nt hung around with the bling!

we where going to the Lion King!!!:blast
 
twizzle said:
If you where riding south towards Waterloo Station over the bridge at around 14OO on Sunday with an ALU top box..... then i saw you!!

Red 09 plated GS with after market can!...i thought he has'nt hung around with the bling!

we where going to the Lion King!!!:blast
Click to expand...

Yep. That was me. On way to lunch with relatives... :blast; a waste of a nice afternoon. Hmm Lion King or lunch with relly's?
 
AdamA said:
Please explain how ESA does this any better than a correctly set up normal shock. :confused:
Click to expand...


Hmmm, single rider setting - off you go - ride along long straight "a" road in comfort mode, turn left onto twisty smooth minor road - press button, go to sport mode, rag the bike which is now nice n taught, turn right, onto bumpy rough road and press comfort and glide across top. Turn bike around and repeat.

At no point during the above description will you notice, stop bike, get off, fiddle with suspension, get back on and set off again before stopping further down the road to reset suspension (hopefully to same setting you liked before)

Its a convenient system that lets you use different suspension settings to suit whats happening there and then. How many people setup the bike to go away and leave the settings all week to incude a 2 up 500km run and then spend a few days solo riding around the twisties without changing the suspension settings ? :augie

How many of these units have failed by the way ?
 
lardyboy said:
Hmmm, single rider setting - off you go - ride along long straight "a" road in comfort mode, turn left onto twisty smooth minor road - press button, go to sport mode, rag the bike which is now nice n taught, turn right, onto bumpy rough road and press comfort and glide across top. Turn bike around and repeat.

At no point during the above description will you notice, stop bike, get off, fiddle with suspension, get back on and set off again before stopping further down the road to reset suspension (hopefully to same setting you liked before)
Click to expand...
So to answer the question, it won't "really makes bike nicer to ride esp if you press on a bit" at all.
If the suspension is well set up it will go equally well on either.
ESA will make life slightly easier to fanny around changing suspension settings for each road you travel tho.


But once a bike is set up for the weight it is carrying, why would I need to change the settings for different roads? :confused:
I haven't ever done it since I started riding, why would I want to now? :nenau
It's not a race bike where the small variations from one track to the next require small changes in suspension settings to find optimal settings.
A good base setting is pretty much all encompassing as far as tarmac road riding is concerned.
I can see the need for diffferent settings on and off road, but on smooth or bumpy roads? :nenau
The only reason I see to alter suspension is when weight is added or removed.
In which case two minutes turning a knob and a damping screw really aren't that much of a problem.

And thats without even getting to letting a computer decide what is the best susspension setting for you, and not what actually feels best.

ESA has some use, but is mainly just a gimmick for those with ATGNI.
The perfect bling for most GSs tbh.

How many of these units have failed by the way ?
Click to expand...
None that I know of electronically. I believe a few of the shocks have failed tho, but that is nothing to do with the ESA gubbins.
 
thanks lardy boyyou obviously get my drift,you havent had any picky/pedantic pills like some
 
lardyboy said:
Hmmm, single rider setting - off you go - ride along long straight "a" road in comfort mode, turn left onto twisty smooth minor road - press button, go to sport mode, rag the bike which is now nice n taught, turn right, onto bumpy rough road and press comfort and glide across top. Turn bike around and repeat.

At no point during the above description will you notice, stop bike, get off, fiddle with suspension, get back on and set off again before stopping further down the road to reset suspension (hopefully to same setting you liked before)

Its a convenient system that lets you use different suspension settings to suit whats happening there and then. How many people setup the bike to go away and leave the settings all week to incude a 2 up 500km run and then spend a few days solo riding around the twisties without changing the suspension settings ? :augie

How many of these units have failed by the way ?
Click to expand...


In theory sounds a great option to have but tell me.

how do you set the ESA for a 60kg person and then for the 100kg guy that gets on it after a few miles riding.

the buttons only say 1 person, 2 persons, etc, etc.

ESA can only be a compromise.
 
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