New member,

[homew151]

Hi all,

Happy to join your forum, I look forward to long and far away rides, any one near biggleswade?

Whilst am at it, can I ask 1200GS or GSA 2019? I want the bigger fuel tank but am worried its tonheavy for every day commute,

I have never owned a touring bike but I would like to go touring at some point..

Matthew

 

[twizzle]

Only fill it up as required...

Hi all,

Happy to join your forum, I look forward to long and far away rides, any one near biggleswade?

Whilst am at it, can I ask 1200GS or GSA 2019? I want the bigger fuel tank but am worried its tonheavy for every day commute,

I have never owned a touring bike but I would like to go touring at some point..

Matthew

 

[ymfb]

Welcome, I’m no where near Biggleswade although I worked at the quarry on and off for a number of years and breakfasted at the Sainsbury’s near the roundabout.

GSA for me

 

[JJH]

I’ve had both. Never noticed any difference full or empty. Their categorised adventure bikes. A touring bike is something different pan rt fjr ect. Of course you can tour on an adventure bike and vice versa. Welcome to the forum. Bye the way a gs 850 is every bit as good as a 1250. Again I’ve had both. Not 1250 but a few 1200s. JJH

 

[Wapping]

There is no particular advantage of a huge tank. I have taken mixed groups into Europe, with bods with 14 or 16 litre tanks (me) through the high teens, into the 20 litres, right up to 32 or whatever litres. We all got to the same place, at the same time at the end of each day. Go to the top of any Alpine pass and you’ll find bikes of all sorts, some having driven miles and miles to get there.

Buy what you want. Buy what you like.

 

[JJH]

I prefer a bigger tank for commuting as I don’t like stopping. 3 days out of a gs. 5 days out of a gsa. As someone said there’s no need to fill the tank if you find it a bit heavy. I’m on a 850 at the moment and enjoying it immensely. Might chop in for a gsa850 JJH

 

[Warlord]

There is an advantage of a huge petrol tank when all your mates are on GSA's with huge petrol tanks.

That way you can ride fast, get shit fuel consumption, and still not have to keep filling up all the time.

GSA for me

 

[Dougie Danger]

I’m in Gamlingay with a LOW chassis 1250 GSA. I’m a tad over 6ft but much prefer this to my previous std ht. GSA’s. Completely flat footed on it with knees slightly bent thus in full control and no struggling when shuffling it around on the loose gritty stuff or uneven ground.
According to my mates it’s the girls model but this bike is just so much easier to handle.
I have ridden GS’s but bought another my 3rd GSA just because I prefer the GSA.
Not riding at the moment as I broke my back in two places four weeks ago. Lord knows how long it will take before I can ride it again?
My advice is get which you prefer but don’t get one that’s too big for you. I constantly see riders struggling and falling over with bikes that are just too big and top heavy for them.
Cheers.

 

[homew151]

Thank you for your reply,

 

[homew151]

I’m in Gamlingay with a LOW chassis 1250 GSA. I’m a tad over 6ft but much prefer this to my previous std ht. GSA’s. Completely flat footed on it with knees slightly bent thus in full control and no struggling when shuffling it around on the loose gritty stuff or uneven ground.
According to my mates it’s the girls model but this bike is just so much easier to handle.
I have ridden GS’s but bought another my 3rd GSA just because I prefer the GSA.
Not riding at the moment as I broke my back in two places four weeks ago. Lord knows how long it will take before I can ride it again?
My advice is get which you prefer but don’t get one that’s too big for you. I constantly see riders struggling and falling over with bikes that are just too big and top heavy for them.
Cheers.

Thank you for you reply, get well soon, ��

 

[homew151]

Thank you for your reply,

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

I have never owned a touring bike but I would like to go touring at some point..

Firstly... It's not a tourer see RT and GT the T standing for tourer. If all you want to do is ride on the road then there are better suited models solely for this purpose however they do not match the GS's manliness.

Unlike many of the pseudo adventure bikes it is very capable offroad. Unlike say the Honda cross tourer.

That said it makes a good tourer and it is very good at it. With that point order addressed.

On weight it doesn't make much difference of Gs over Gsa I commuted on my Gsa...I stopped because I was burning through knobbly tyres too quick and I couldnt be bothered to keep cleaning it for work after a Sunday getting it muddy.

Both bikes are no wider than the heads.
The Gsa sits an inch higher I think so be mindful if you need to tippy toe around cars.
The bigger tank puts you more in a bubble so is better for commuting all year.....but... Bmw are renowned for corrosion so if the council use the wrong salt and you use the wrong type of cleaner expect it to corrode before your eyes and the dealer to blame you...

ACF50 a must!

 

[homew151]

Good point

 

[homew151]

Your right, I didn't just want it for touring i am hoping to travel on it on road off road if the opportunity presents it self, thank you for taking the time to explain it to me,

Best

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

i am hoping to travel on it on road off road if the opportunity presents it self,

There are a lot of offroad events ideally suited to novice offroad riders look up Rallymoto. The hadrian adventure run by Northumbria TRF used private roads in Kielder forest this year. These are gravel fire roads easily navigable on modest tyres. Haggs bank do some good events too. Finally look out for the BMW gs trophy. Details on the offroad skills website.

Jim Greenhill who runs Adventure Rider Training in Peterborough I think and sorts rides and is able to offer some training too.

Whilst the GS is very capable it does not suffer fools lightly offroad. The best venue for training Imho is sweetlamb adventure bike academy where the KTM school is based but you can use your own bike.

I'd recommend using your own bike for training as it gets you over the fear of dropping. The BMW oem crash bars really take a beating.

Many will say your mad for taking a Gs offroad but to not misses out on so much good stuff. If you can't write off 3months to go and ride the stans then you can condense it into a weekend. Ride a couple if hundred miles with camping gear....have a razz around offroad for a bit... Ride home after a great weekend.

Finally look up the Adventure Bike rider festival it was a great event this year. The Trf will likely be leading offroad rides for all levels.

Have fun..

 

[stick]

There is no particular advantage of a huge tank. I have taken mixed groups into Europe, with bods with 14 or 16 litre tanks (me) through the high teens, into the 20 litres, right up to 32 or whatever litres. We all got to the same place, at the same time at the end of each day. Go to the top of any Alpine pass and you’ll find bikes of all sorts, some having driven miles and miles to get there.

Buy what you want. Buy what you like.

Must agree with that , your group is a good as the smallest tank, been away with a friend with a range around 100 miles per tank and we always found or donated fuel so the group remained a touring group. . The additional fuel would , for me be an additional weight I would not like to carry. But the offroad of the GSA is better than the GS due to suspension travel etc. The GS a better road bike as less weight , lower road presence and suited to the task . Either way choose the bike that , 1. you like the look of and 2. the one that makes you feel happy on and meets the challenges you require.

Stick

Ps : Welcome

 

[stick]

I’ve had both. Never noticed any difference full or empty. Their categorised adventure bikes. A touring bike is something different pan rt fjr ect. Of course you can tour on an adventure bike and vice versa. Welcome to the forum. Bye the way a gs 850 is every bit as good as a 1250. Again I’ve had both. Not 1250 but a few 1200s. JJH

Quote :Bye the way a gs 850 is every bit as good as a 1250

But you would be wanting on the power and the luxury of torque and ease of mile munching.
You cant compare the the two , that like saying an Escort XR3 is as good as the Cosworth

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

Yes but the 850 has a 21" front wheel amongst its other advantages offroad...that said I'd take the boxer everytime till it gets gnarly or muddy!

 

[stick]

Yes but the 850 has a 21" front wheel amongst its other advantages offroad...that said I'd take the boxer everytime till it gets gnarly or muddy!

Fair comment , but if you can stretch , get a dedicated off roader , ie KTM to scratch the itch of the green lane / rally , otherwise , as I said the 850 will always be second best if your more road than the occasional off road chap.
I did the strata Florida on my GS with of road tyres on and it was fine , okay it was a dry day (ish) and even did the recently opened Sore Minge and it was great , ok big but ……… it did the job , like I say better on a dedicated off roader.
We all like different things and I like that … the world would be a gray place if we all agreed lol

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

I'd describe the 1200Lc Gsa as a 99% bike...it's brilliant most of the time. But it struggles a lot in that 1% when really you want something half the weight. If you've had a big litre plus bike and come from a road background I agree you'll always want the bigger bike.

100% agree on the smaller bike a 1200cc adv bike won't teach you anything it will just punish mistakes....
The big bikes are great though for getting out and being able to explore easier greenlanes further afield and get back in a day in comfort.

Having fitted a 21" front wheel to my 12gsa it's solved the poor tyre choice on the front and it handles much better offroad. Just need to rebuild the rear now to take a 150/17.