Newbie - GS or GSA?

[Irlanski]

Hi All,
I got back into biking 5 years ago on a honda Deauville Have done 50,000 miles around Europe in that time and all RoSPA gradings and so on . I have to say that in its own way the Deauville is a real workhorse and has stood me very well.

However, a mate of mine has a GSA and I have rode it several times and on long journeys with 2up. I really think its a cracker, a lovely bike to ride. When I get back on my Deauville it has the same feeling as after trying on a new pair of shoes and then having to put back on your old crappy ones! I then find the handlebars of the Deauville so stubby in comparison as where with the GSA you can pick your exact spot on bends and countersteer with confidence because of lovely the wide bars. Its a nice sit up straight bike and it has a great presence on the road. A real allround pleasure with lots of grunt if needed.

Anyway, I'm about 5'11" and 32" inside leg (I probably was 6' but i'm shrinking with age ) Whilst I'm comfortable riding the GSA I find it to be "a lot of bike" particurlarly when loaded. One day as I stopped at a set of lights I plonked my two boots down to the road surface. There was a recessed manhole under my left boot and it took my all to hold the damm bike up! I know too that the seat height is adjustable - i'm not sure what setting it was on.

Maybe I should go for the standard GS instead as what advantage will I have on the GSA? I'm not going on a Ewan and Charlie adventure and even if I was the GS would be fine - any thoughts?

Declan

 

[Simon_h]

tank range was the only thing that made me buy the GSA over the GS. I do 600 miles per week on commuting alone and I hate having to stop and fill up.

 

[Nico]

GSA all the way and no look back!

I'm 5'10'' with 32'' inside leg and no problem at all. It's true it's a bit heavy especially with a full tank but quite easy to manoeuvre while moving. I come from a standard GS, the difference is not massive IMHO.

 

[JJH]

tank range was the only thing that made me buy the GSA over the GS. I do 600 miles per week on commuting alone and I hate having to stop and fill up.

Same here incindently I get 540 kms between fill ups on my current 1200 rt that's with a slight mod to the filler neck JJH

 

[Pip_UK]

Hi Declan, as with any massive bike, you very quickly get into the habit of checking your anticipated foot-planting point for holes, slipperiness, and slopey-ness.

Same applies for the place where the sidestand foot goes down.

 

[Irlanski]

Other than tank range and a few adventurised bits what else is the difference? Where are those extra KG's coming from? I believe the frame or/and forks have about 2" longer travel? Is this of much advantage on smooth terrain?

 

[boatman]

i have had the standard gs and am now just about to go onto the 3rd gsa imho it seems to have more stable road manners ie it feels very stable and "planted" nothing seems to faze the thing!!!! an ASTONISHING machine imho. The extra weight seems to not be noticable after a short while

 

[iandavid]

GS for me. I came from an RT1200 which I found top heavy, especially two up. Dropped it twice and had many sphincter tightening moments when stopping. Felt the same with the GSA I tried, especially fully fueled. The GS, (I bought a new twin cam) seemed much lighter and the C of G seemed lower. I'm sure it's only a perception, but I'm so confident on the GS, especially two up and loaded. Really is a personal choice, try testing each one for a day, dealers will do this. Tank range was not an issue for me so I went for the GS and spent the difference on the ESA, ASC plus extra goodies.

 

[iandavid]

BTW I'm a short arse - 29"" inside leg, but I have the low seat and can easily plant both feet flat on the ground.

 

[Irlanski]

BTW I'm a short arse - 29"" inside leg, but I have the low seat and can easily plant both feet flat on the ground.

H'mmm, most votes seem to go to the GSA and I with a 32" leg should be within the comfort range. Like some of you say its a matter of getting comfortable and used to it. I reckon I'll take my ass to the BMW dealer and try both with the differing seat heights etc and see how I get on. Thanks for the help...

 

[Ceri JC]

I don't own either, but I prefer the GSA. I don't really notice the extra weight, it doesn't cost much more. I prefer the higher up seat height, I like the aesthetics better and I like the bigger fuel range. I think it's a fair bit more bike for very little more cash. I've heard a few people say that the GS is the better bike if you only ride paved roads, but personally, even if I only rode on the slab, I'd still opt for the GSA.

 

[Simon_h]

I don't own either, but I prefer the GSA. I don't really notice the extra weight, it doesn't cost much more. I prefer the higher up seat height, I like the aesthetics better and I like the bigger fuel range. I think it's a fair bit more bike for very little more cash. I've heard a few people say that the GS is the better bike if you only ride paved roads, but personally, even if I only rode on the slab, I'd still opt for the GSA.

I think you nullified your comment with your opening statement.

 

[Oldrat]

If I'm honest I bought my GSA because I like the appeal and presence the machine has. I've no intention of going around the world it's just that the poser in me won out.

I thought of the GS but preferred the Addy. I'm 5'11" and 32 inside leg, and it was OK but then I had my front seat lowered by an inch including gel inserts by Tony Archer- £80 incl P&P . This way I feel more confident that I can handle those "foot down on a marble/pothole moments"

I'm usually anal about the condition of my machines, but one thing I've found which is a PITA, its a real bugger to clean, no shiney fairing to wipe down. It's a good job it looks better covered in crap.

It's down to personal choice at the end of the day. Do a set of test rides back to back, and take SWMBO

 

[Rasher]

I never even tested a GSA as I was coming from sports bikes and did not want all the extra weight and longer travel suspension, however I am now intrigued, if starting again I would test both.

However I am perfectly happy with the stock GS and the only thing I have against it is the crap reliability and extortionate service costs - which applies equally to both models.

 

[Pip_UK]

If I'm honest I bought my GSA because I like the appeal and presence the machine has. I've no intention of going around the world it's just that the poser in me won out.

And why not eh? All part of the fun.

Plus the GSA has real ability, as well as being cool to see, and be seen on.

-Pip
('roadster' GS rider who is becoming A-curious lately)

 

[OscarIndia]

Buy a GSA. From what you say you're keen on them and, I suspect, if you buy a GS you'll only end up trading in and it costing you money.
I suspect you like the look of the thing too - something in most buyers' minds which it seems a sin to say on here is that they look ******* cool compared to a standard GS. If you prefer it for that reason, buy it.
In terms of size, I'm 5' 9" and (so far) all's well with my GSA. You just need to be careful, but then that's true of a quarter ton bike if you play point guard for the Chicago Bulls too. Yes it's heavy and yes, at some point, I'll almost certainly drop it. But bikes smaller than GSAs get dropped every day.
My experience with both is also that the GSA is more planted, thanks to all that weight but loses very little in terms of handling (just behaves differently). One of my early near-misses was after fuelling it for the first time and then braking into a corner - just didn't stop. Lesson: 33 ltrs of fuel weights a lot and the bike behaves differently.
I'd say you have no issues with your height at all. Just grab it by the horns.
I blatted mine in and out of a deep gravel car park today, with lots of front ends wibbling and so on and just kept gunning it. The bike's hugely capable, vastly more than I am, and I'm learning to trust it*

*obviously I'll drop it tomorrow....

 

[OscarIndia]

H'mmm, most votes seem to go to the GSA and I with a 32" leg should be within the comfort range. Like some of you say its a matter of getting comfortable and used to it. I reckon I'll take my ass to the BMW dealer and try both with the differing seat heights etc and see how I get on. Thanks for the help...

BTW, I run mine on the low seat. SOlves 99% of issues but is actually too low most of the time. Your dealer may not tell you but you can fit a standard GS seat which is between the (very high) GSA seat and the low seat.
North Oxford three all of them in for free for me, so I've got three!

 

[BD]

gsa all the way

don`t know what the price diff is nowa days but i bought mine in 06 over the gs `cause it was 700 quid more but the extras out weighted the diff,crash bars,bigger pegs, uprated suss,better screen is a must and the extra fuel range was a defo must!!! 5`7", 11stone wet

 

[OscarIndia]

don`t know what the price diff is nowa days but i bought mine in 06 over the gs `cause it was 700 quid more but the extras out weighted the diff,crash bars,bigger pegs, uprated suss,better screen is a must and the extra fuel range was a defo must!!! 5`7", 11stone wet

Fantastic pic!

 

[Irlanski]

Thanks again guys - I have read all with interest and really appreciate the responces. Looks like the GSA is the true winner and height will not be an issue for me. I'll bear in mind the difference on full fuel tank!!