Newbie: speccing a GS - help please

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FHKJ

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Hello all

Newbie to the site, I am in the process of trying to spec a new GS. Obviously I - like many others - am struggling with the GS v GSA debate, but as most of my riding will be short-ish journeys, I've decided to go GS (unless someone here persuades me otherwise). However I have a few questions:

Do I want the 'Dynamic Package' with ASC, ABS and Tyre Pressure Control?
Do I want/need wire wheels?

I'll be doing road and very mild off-roading, mostly me, sometimes me plus mrs me.

All advice/help gratefully received.

Regards, Francis
 
You've answered your own question really - short journeys mostly on road = standard GS

As for wire wheels, why bother for mostly road riding use?

"Dynamic package" - u pays ure money & all that but IMHO its a waste of money

I picked up my 08GS today - absolutely bog standard apart from heated grips which IMHO are a must (once you've had em you can't do without em)

Get on and ride instead of worrying about all the bling - the bikes great as it is :)
 
spend! spend! spend!

get a 2008 R1200GSA with everything! There, thats that sorted. close the thread.. thats it! :thumb2
 
FHKJ said:
Hello all

Newbie to the site, I am in the process of trying to spec a new GS. Obviously I - like many others - am struggling with the GS v GSA debate, but as most of my riding will be short-ish journeys, I've decided to go GS (unless someone here persuades me otherwise). However I have a few questions:

Do I want the 'Dynamic Package' with ASC, ABS and Tyre Pressure Control?
Do I want/need wire wheels?

I'll be doing road and very mild off-roading, mostly me, sometimes me plus mrs me.

All advice/help gratefully received.

Regards, Francis
Click to expand...


GSa or GS? Totally a personal choice, go for the one that you really like that's it!

As for the packages, my last and first GS (2006) bike did not have ABS as I personally did not like the servo brakes, but the new one (2008) has it as I think it's a worthwhile option, as the packages which have now been introduced make it cheaper than ordering individual items I was happy to go down that route.:thumb
 
a photo will follow...

Thunder said:
Would the honorable gentleman care to tell the house just what he has added or plans to add to his new GSA with everything? :aidan:potkettle
Click to expand...

if i havnt sold the bike!
it`s changing its colour tomorrow to a pearl white, awaiting red R1200 stickers, already has several items of t/tech and BMW add ons fitted.
R1200GSA 2008 Bike has traction control, computer, abs, tyre pressure thingymbobs, chrome exh, electic suspension, abs, h/grips. Offroad 1st gear, BMW ally panniers and topbox, rails and rack. akro silencer, HID on order. as well as a few other things in the pipeline.
Done 200 miles today, so far, glad i didnt sell my deposit, and not really missing the R1150GSA. Although i must not think how expensive the thing is! :eek:
 
Orderd mine today , have had a gs1100 / 1150 adv and a 1200 adv and this time gone for a gsa again with both premium and dynamic packs and low 1st.

I had thought about the gs, but use the bike mainly for commuting and the low 1st option made the the choice easy given the walking pace of london traffic, if i could have had it on the gs i would have gone gs.

Keith
 
Jist a wee thought.........How many bikes with gizmos spend most of the time on standard settings!.............Lots of work went into achieving these!........Also despite clever pricing strategies, I'm sure that future "black book" trade prices will be based on ABS and heated grips as the norm, anything else might not see much residual value!

Huge distances with loads of "Off Road" stuff would have me chose fully loaded Adventure!................Since 99% of my riding will be tarmac...........Standard GS with ABS and Comfort should be fine!


David
 
Thanks to everyone for the thoughts. In reply to Keith, I too will be using the bike for a London commute amongst other things. Is the big tank a pain in the ar5e around town, or does the low 1st make it a good bike for london car-dodging?

Francis
 
if its mainly short trips in and around london i would not get a gs........

(i am lucky enough to have a 1200gs and an 1100gs, i do alot of riding round london)

if i had space for a third bike i would get a "london" bike - probably an 800st or 800s.... the gs is just too big - although the view is good when filtering.....it's just a pain to park - too wide - i always end up riding around for ages trying to find a bay where i can shuffle 2 or 3 scooters to make a space - my 1200 is coming up to 3 years old - great bike as it is, i may well trade it for something more "london friendly"...:mmmm
 
New GSA

Hi
I've just collected a 08 GSA with everything except the knobbly tyres. Cost a bomb but it's my retirement gift to myself. It probably seems very extravagant but I've got about £4K worth of extras (if bought separately) for about £3k and I reckon that this and the low depreciation rate (semi) justify the outlay.

This is my first GS and I've covered just over 200 miles. Although the height's a bit daunting I have to say that I've never felt so at home and in control of a bike as I do on this one. In the past I've travelled all over Europe on bikes and I just can't wait to start trying the GS out on some continental roads and trails.

My questions is - I've got the standard road tyres fitted. Will these be adequate for light off road use - trails and tracks rather than mountainsides and rivers?
 
I went for an '08 GS with all the toys. It will do the commute every morning through Tokyo traffic and then it will also be used for 2-up touring at weekends or longer holiday times. I went for cast wheels as unless you are going to be doing any serious off-roading these will suffice. I will probably be doing very little off-roading.

I was deterred by the GSA as it is just too big and I don't need 33 litres of fuel when my furtherst gas station is about 1km at any time here in Tokyo. I also don't think I would need an even lower 1st gear for commuting. I use my other bike, K1200S, at the moment for commuting and never had a problem with the 1st gear on that, which I suspect is significantly higher geared (or is that lower geared :nenau ) than the GS. Pretty much anything else from the GSA can be added to the GS if you really wanted it.

Oh and I pick it up on Saturday. 5 more days to go and I can't wait. This'll be my first GS, but I have been eyeing them up for a very very long time now. :bounce1

Cheers,
Delirious.
 
Stegsr1200 said:
Hi

My questions is - I've got the standard road tyres fitted. Will these be adequate for light off road use - trails and tracks rather than mountainsides and rivers?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the collective and congratulations on the new bike. :thumb

The "road" tyres will be perfectly adequate for the type of riding you describe, they are dual purpose and can handle that sort of riding perfectly.:aidan
 
Keep the fuel level low at first!

Thanks for that.

One thing I noticed is that when I picked the bike up it was 'fully fuelled' - big mistake. I don't know how much 33 litres of petrol weighs but it's a hell of a lot and for a GS novice like me it was very awkward for low speed manoeuvring with all that weight (probably about half a tonne) so high up. Now the tank level's dropped a bit and I've become a little more confident it's a lot better.

If you are picking a new GS up (particularly the GSA) and you haven't had a great deal of experience on one I recommend that you ask the garage to only half fill the tank and keep the suspension on it's lowest setting initially (ESA - rider only/soft).

It's amazing how quickly you become accustomed to the height and bulk but as I said, initially it's just a bit daunting.

I don't find the weight a problem in itself (dry weight of the GSA is only 15kg greater than the VFR I traded in).

As I said earlier I'm just blown away by the GSA. I've never ridden anything that felt as 'right'. Shame I didn't get one a long time ago.

Steve
 
I have just been told that my GS (my first BMW) will be ready on Saturday:)

I "specked" both the Premium and Dynamic packages along with wire wheels.

Can't wait to get it (my other bike is a Ducati).

My only reservation is the reputation of the Vario Panniers.
 
Nick Marshall said:
if i havnt sold the bike!
it`s changing its colour tomorrow to a pearl white, awaiting red R1200 stickers, already has several items of t/tech and BMW add ons fitted.
R1200GSA 2008 Bike has traction control, computer, abs, tyre pressure thingymbobs, chrome exh, electic suspension, abs, h/grips. Offroad 1st gear, BMW ally panniers and topbox, rails and rack. akro silencer, HID on order. as well as a few other things in the pipeline.
Done 200 miles today, so far, glad i didnt sell my deposit, and not really missing the R1150GSA. Although i must not think how expensive the thing is! :eek:
Click to expand...

who is painting this for you - fancy a white job myself
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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