Nearly There...

[PhilS]

Hello All,

I'm thinking of taking the plunge for a new GSA on Monday, but haven't yet made my mind up as to whether to go for yellow or one of the 30 years anniversary models. I'm hoping to get it in time to ride down to Spain in August.

I currently ride an 09 Varadero and would be interested in comparative views of anyone here that has made the move from a Varadero to a GSA.

Regards,
Phil.

 

[thor1340]

Just check the spec of your GSA, the yellow one will have spotlights as standard, the anniversary ones don't. This will be an extra to pay for unless you can strike a deal with your dealer. I personally have a yellow one after having a red one before and I love the colour. I like the white a lot also but wasn't keen on the red seat detail. Good luck in what ever you choose, they both will ride the same and are great fun.

 

[Glyno]

It has to be yella, fella

 

[Sam555]

Colour is a really personal choice, I prefer main colour schemes rather than anniversary specials but its your bike so trust your instincts and choose the one you like, both are fine.

 

[Bryn]

Anniversary model makes it slightly more special, so in the future may hold its value even better IMHO

 

[oldrascal]

Anniversary model makes it slightly more special, so in the future may hold its value even better IMHO

I saw a 30th Anniversary GS Adventure in Chandlers in Shoreham last week and it looked bloody marvellous in white with its bi-colour red seats. It's much, much better 'in the flesh' than the photos make it appear and some of the detailing is georgeous. The embossing on the flanks of the seat for example is deep, beuatifully contoured and coachbuilt classy. .

In fact and in spite of the fact that I am happy as punch with my '08 GSA, I am seriously considering buying one. It is bound to be a 'keeper' and a classic with enhanced value down the road a spell as Bryn points out, as it harks back to traditional BMW sporting colours and designs. For my taste, yellow is a 'now' colour with a relatively limited market which may become a 'then' colour just when you need to sell. But then I suppose that no one buys a GS with a view to selling it, although its always worth while considering residual values.

That said, if it 'floats your boat', sod the logic and buy the damned thing.

 

[PhilS]

Hi All,

Many thanks for your thoughts and tips - very much appreciated. I gave-in and ordered one of the Anniversary models with premium and dynamic packs. The colour choice was a tough one - I like both the yellow and smoke grey, but, like Bryn and Oldrascal, I leaned towards the Anniversary model's colour scheme.

Hopefully picking it up next week.

I was thinking about fitting a Mudsling, but noticed while in the dealers last night that there is already a plastic cover over the shock - it looks like it won't protect it completely but definitely provides more protection than the Varadero had as standard.

Regards,
Phil.

 

[cherokee]

Hi All,

Many thanks for your thoughts and tips - very much appreciated. I gave-in and ordered one of the Anniversary models with premium and dynamic packs. The colour choice was a tough one - I like both the yellow and smoke grey, but, like Bryn and Oldrascal, I leaned towards the Anniversary model's colour scheme.

Hopefully picking it up next week.

I was thinking about fitting a Mudsling, but noticed while in the dealers last night that there is already a plastic cover over the shock - it looks like it won't protect it completely but definitely provides more protection than the Varadero had as standard.

Regards,
Phil.

Fit the mudsling fella trust me it does an ace job,you take off the oe plastic spring cover and fit in 5 mins............

 

[PhilS]

Thanks Cherokee, I'll go with the Mudsling.

Regards,
Phil.

 

[Ash]

Thanks Cherokee, I'll go with the Mudsling.

Regards,
Phil.

mudsling a must

 

[Bryn]

On my 09 I followed the instructions and took off the oem spring cover, then put it back on a few days later, as the mudsling still fits with it on

 

[SilverFish]

Hello All,

...

I currently ride an 09 Varadero and would be interested in comparative views of anyone here that has made the move from a Varadero to a GSA.

Regards,
Phil.

I went from a 02 Varadero to a GS (different models). My experience was that the 12GS & A handle a lot, lot better (esp. when pushed hard through very twisty B roads). They (the 12s) also have a bit more top end and a lot more mid range.

Suspension is lots better on the GSs, as I found the Varaderos stock units to be underdamped to the point when braking hard for a bend, the rear would start to wobble...

Weather protection is better on the GSA, and servicing is cheaper over the whole term - surprisingly!

Lots of other things to, but above all, what did it for me was the fact that it's a GS; kinda like the difference between having an original of something, or a cheap rip off...

Have fun!

Mike

 

[snerkler]

Just check the spec of your GSA, the yellow one will have spotlights as standard, the anniversary ones don't.

Really? They weren't standard on mine, they came as part of either the dynamic or comfort pack

 

[PhilS]

Mike, thanks for your views over the Varadero - the improvements that you noticed in suspension/handling, performance and weather protection are exactly what I was hoping for. Cheaper servicing wasn't something I was expecting, but will be most welcome!

Thor, I didn't notice if the anniversary model in the showroom had spotlights - I thought they were an optional accessory on all models, but could be wrong.

Best regards,
Phil.

 

[SilverFish]

Cheaper servicing wasn't something I was expecting, but will be most welcome!

A couple of years ago I worked it all out, compared servicing for a R1200GSA and a Varadero, both at main dealers.

I worked it for 12,000 miles pa for three years giving a total of 36,000 miles
I got the prices for major and minor services and loan bike hire.

I dont have the numbers anymore, and they'd be out of date anyway, but the GS was cheaper over the longer term as it had fewer more expensive services (every 6,000 miles), whereas IIRC the Varadero servicing was cheaper, but more frequent at every 4,000 miles.

There are only two things that put me off about a GS, and pushed me towards getting a GT:

1. To overtake at about 70mph plus, you need to drop a couple of cogs, nail the throttle and hope for a long enough gap. I think they've now fixed that on the DOHC engine.

2. There's just too damn many of them!! The M25, M3 and M4 were full of them when I used to commute that way. They're in the middle of London, the Outer Hebrides, at every campsite, alpine pass, mountain top cafe, car ferry, everywhere!

As it happens, I've had enough of the GT's ludicrously high speed and ponderous low speed handling and am getting another GSA, in Yellow I think I'll name it Ubique...

Mike

 

[PhilS]

Mike,

I started out thinking I would go for a GT, the power and refinement was a serious draw, but my dealer didn't have a GT demo and the extra stretch in the legs sold the GSA for me. I also like the little bit of extra character that comes with a twin - not that I would imagine the GT is lacking in character!

The GSA is probably a better bet for some of the roads that I will encounter on the way down to Spain.

It's good to hear of folks moving from seriously fast machines like the GT to the GSA.

GSAs are popular in Northern Ireland, but surprisingly I don't see them too often on my travels. The GT is definitely a much rarer site on the roads of Northern Ireland.

Regards,
Phil.

 

[PhilS]

Picked up my GSA on Friday - it was a wet night but I went out for a run with a friend and put the first 100 miles on the bike.

Some initial thoughts on differences I immediately noticed between the GSA and my previous bike, a Varadero:

Screen:

The stock screen on the GSA seems to be just right for me in its highest setting - no buffeting at all, just smooth air. Definitely an improvement over the stock or Givi tall screens on the Varadero.

Engine:

The engine is a big improvement, much smoother and more low down and mid-range power. I haven't explored the upper reaches of the rev range yet as I'm still in the early stages of running-in. Some vibration between 4 and 5k RPM but I'm hoping that will smooth out as the engine loosens up.

Gearbox:

The gearbox is nice and smooth, definitely less clunky than the Honda. I'm going to need to move the lever down an inch or so as I currently need to lift my foot off the peg to down the gears. First gear seems quite high in comparison to anything I've ridden before - expect slow traffic will be hard on the clutch.

Suspension/Handling:

The suspension feels a lot more plush. ESA is excellent - comfort and normal damping settings seem to meet my needs, I haven't yet tried sport. In general, I would say that the GSA feels a lighter on its feet than the Varadero. It's handling really does belie its size!

Seat:

In general, I think the seat is a little more comfortable, but still induced fidget syndrome after an 90 minutes or so in the saddle.

Brakes:

No complaints there - the brakes feel very strong.

Not GS specific, but the dealer fitted an Autocom for me as part of the deal; the PTT button is currently on the inside of the right grip. This takes up too much grip space - I think I'll try moving it to the mirror arm - probably not the ideal position, but not a big deal as I don't plan to use it that often.

So far, I'm delighted with the bike - an excellent combination of performance and handling - manages to be both practical and fun at the same time.

Regards,
Phil.

 

[Bryn]

Screen:[/B]

The stock screen on the GSA seems to be just right for me in its highest setting - no buffeting at all, just smooth air. Definitely an improvement over the stock or Givi tall screens on the Varadero.

How tall are you Phil?

 

[PhilS]

Hi Bryn,

186 cm - I was surprised how good the screen is. My seat is still on the lowest setting, which seems to be fine for me. I'll try it on the highest setting the next time I'm out, just to see if it makes a difference.

Phil.

 

[Bryn]

Got my adventure screen about half way at the moment, but 5'9"... will mess about and see if fully up is better