Oh dear, I took a test ride on the GSA today

[torq]

Hi All,

Passed my DAC in 2008 and have been riding a VStrom 1000 GT since. I live in Great Malvern, have done a few euro tours, Monaco being the furthest so far, and a few Scotland / Skye tours and lots of commuting.

Been pondering the GS and GSA for the last 12 months and finally bit the bullet and took both for a test ride today.

Both excellent bikes but I was amazed at how utterly brilliant the GSA is. For such a big bike it just feels very natural to ride and despite it's huge appearance it felt incredibly light on the handling and of the two, it was the one I wanted to spend more time on as I was enjoying it so much.

The upshot is i've left it with the dealer to come up with a deal for me and I hope to be riding a new GSA before too many weeks have passed

 

[Duchess]

The upshot is i've left it with the dealer to come up with a deal for me and I hope to be riding a new GSA before too many weeks have passed

Hello and welcome to the forum torq

If you subscribe as a member there may be a few bargains to be had here in the FS&W section, its worth it.

Here's the link should you wish to make use of it: http://www.ukgser.com/subscriptions.htm

Good luck with your search and enjoy the GS experience and all it has to offer.

 

[alistairl]

I've only been riding a few years and had my first shot on the GSA last year - first go I wasn't so shure, then I found out a bit more about the ESA fitted on dealer demo bikes and changed the settings. Couldn't believe how something that big handled like it did. And the weather protection was good too.

And no problems with a full fuel load - on and off the center stand etc, though I believe the stand has been moved on later models.

 

[Hal]

I must be a lightweight. Was meant to take a GSA for a test ride today, managed to get on the bike but struggled to lift it from the side stand with a full tank of fuel. I am sure it was a confidence thing as I was conscious of the £1K insurance excess. Anyway got it upright but for me it just seemed so heavy and I felt a little worried if that makes sense.

But bottom line was I did not feel confident to take the bike out from the dealers. Had the wife waiting to get on the back as well! A little disappointed with myself really having ridden me Harley for 60K miles I did not thing it would be like this. So it seems it may have to be the GS which I took out a few weeks ago and really loved it.

 

[torq]

Thanks for the welcome all.

@Hal - have to say I had the same concerns as you regarding it's size and weight. Being only 5ft 9" and 12 stone and 29" inside leg I was pretty dubious. I tried sitting on the showroom one that had the standard seat and could hardly get it off the side stand. I asked the dealer to fit the low seat option for my test ride and what a world of difference it made - no issues with confidence after that seat was fitted and the bike felt very natural to me after that. The low seat option takes it down to 860mm. I filled the thing up on the way back to the dealers and was easily able to get it off the side stand with no effort.

Also bear in mind that one of the lady trainers at Si Paveys BMW off road skills school is only 5ft 6 and she teaches on the GSA with a low seat option and if you did drop the bike (even with a full tank), there is a neat way to get it back up without breaking your back by just lifting the bike by grabbing the dropped side handlebar grip with both hands (saw it on one of the off road skills vids on youtube. Have used this technique on my Vstrom a few times when fully loaded for touring and was amazed how easily it came back up.

I'd definitely say give it a go with the low seat option if that wasn;t available to you yesterday.

Have to say that the Dynamic and Premium option packs are brilliant. Loved playing around with the ESA yesterday

Cheers - Torq.

 

[Hal]

Thanks Torq I appreciate the good advice and that is certainly something to consider. Best of luck with dealer quote hope you enjoy your new ride when you make your decision.

 

[Rasher]

Buy what fits you best

I went for GS over Adventure, although at 6'1 I can wield the Adventure easy enough I did not even test one because I won't do serious off-road riding and the 200 mile range of the GS is enough for me.

I understand the ratio's are different too, but on the road the GS box seems fine to me, although I do prefer the bigger Adventure luggage having the smaller boxes will limit how much crap we load up.

 

[torq]

@Rasher I have to admit I found it really hard deciding between the two bikes after the test rides. The GS seemed really smooth and would agree that it's probably the better road going bike of the two.

The GSA to me just felt really familiar from the moment I rode off, like a friend i'd known for a long time (if that makes sense). Have to admit I was also sold on the huge tank range and top loading alu panniers which hit a chord with my touring aspirations going forward.

Also loved the fact that cars moved out the way when they saw the GSA filtering through

 

[Mightytharg]

I knew you'd like it matey

 

[Rasher]

I think you can fit the Ally panniers to the standard GS

Sure someone here will know.

 

[BBB61]

Yes you can, very easily, they are a straight fit.

 

[torq]

I knew you'd like it matey

Ahh, there you are Mightytharg - wondered what you're forum name would be ;-) thanks for the cuppa and GSA chit chat yesterday bud

 

[Wrinkly]

Alloy panniers fit the standard 1200 but you need to fit the frames, and change the rear rack if you are going for the alloy top box?
Fitted them to mine when I bought it last September.
There are some photo's on page 10 of this section about halfway down.
Thread title is "1150v1200 a personal opinion"
I've since added Sargent seats Adventure screen and a mudsling and now consider it sorted.
After having the 1150gsa I'm so glad I went down the road of the standard 1200 vs the adventure, although at times I do miss the tank range.

Welcome to the forum,enjoy.

Steve

 

[Twotter]

It will be interesting to see what how the cost to change compares to how much better the GSA is over your Strom

 

[Wrinkly]

Hi torq,
One or two things to think about whilst you considering GSA or GS.

If you intend to go to faraway places where the terrain is very rough, fuel stops are few and far between and you are reasonably long in the leg then the GSA is the machine for you.

On the other hand consider a 10 day 2000ml jaunt around Europe with some occasional rough or unpaved terrain.

Both bikes will carry the same weight.

In 2000mls you will have to fill up the GS around 9/10 times in the same distance you would have to fill the GSA 6/7 times at 10mins a stop you save a whole 30mins in 10days?

The standard GS with ESA suspension set to rough terrain will give you as much ground clearance as the standard GSA.

The standard GS is lighter and easier to pick up if you drop it.

The standard GS is a much easier bike to live with day to day,it's lighter more nimble and imho a better bike for those local days out or just a w/e away

I don't know if you carry a pillion or not but would suggest that the GSA seat negates any fuel advantage you would have over a standard GS.

Just my thought's and at the end of the day they are both great bikes.
Which ever you choose I'm sure you'll love it.

Happy hunting,

Steve.

 

[torq]

Solid feedback and very much appreciated - it's definitely given me more food for thought and I have some time to consider both (and take them both out for a test ride again )

Regarding costs Vs the Vstrom - from what I saw from one of the members posts here regarding year 1 to 3 costs (Thanks Dave) - they looked pretty identical to what i'm paying on the VStrom at present. The big difference was that that VStrom was only £6799 all in compared to the OTR prices of the GS/GSA. However, the build quality between the two brands is worlds apart.

Based on feedback here i'll look into the GS options further and get the dealer to knock up some quotes on that basis too. There's likely some significant savings to be had, especially if they're desperate to shift some stock.

Cheers all.

 

[Mightytharg]

In 2000mls you will have to fill up the GS around 9/10 times in the same distance you would have to fill the GSA 6/7 times at 10mins a stop you save a whole 30mins in 10days?

Apart from anything more adventurous, I'm thankful for the big tank on the GSA just for commuting. Ok my commute isn't the 750 miles a week it used to be, it's a more reasonable 400 miles a week. But compared to my old GT I'm spending a lot less time in petrol stations and have not yet been caught needing fuel when I'm already running late.

I don't disagree that the standard GS is more sensible on oh so many levels but who needs sensible when considering a 1200cc Adventure Motorbicycle.

Besides, Torq already has that gleam in his eye.

 

[torq]

Well I went and did it - I'm now the proud owner of a new 1200GS Triple Black Edition which I picked up on Saturday and i'm ruddy chuffed to bits with it

Have ordered headlamp protector, Machineart mudsling and fender extender combi and radiator grill to keep the crud and stones from hitting it and looking for black engine guards now.

Also going to get the side-stand extension to highten and widen the footprint a little as that lean is very unnerving and I suspect she would topple over on a campsite if the ground was soft.

Now to find a way to hardwire my 5v mini usb Navman S50 into that 12v canbus accessory socket behind the beak

 

[snerkler]

Well I went and did it - I'm now the proud owner of a new 1200GS Triple Black Edition which I picked up on Saturday and i'm ruddy chuffed to bits with it

Have ordered headlamp protector, Machineart mudsling and fender extender combi and radiator grill to keep the crud and stones from hitting it and looking for black engine guards now.

Also going to get the side-stand extension to highten and widen the footprint a little as that lean is very unnerving and I suspect she would topple over on a campsite if the ground was soft.

Now to find a way to hardwire my 5v mini usb Navman S50 into that 12v canbus accessory socket behind the beak

Very nice, hope you enjoy it.
What made you change your mind and go for a GS rather than a GSA?
It's a tough call between the two, and everyone will have their own opinion on which one's best. I went for the GSA despite the fact that I'll only be doing very very light off-road in the forseable future, and can't afford the time off work for some long distance touring. People kept telling me for the sort of riding I will be doing the GS is the better bike, but I just feel the GSA suits me better. I remember my dealer's comment when he saw me sat on the GSA; "bloody hell, you make it look small"
I've no doubt that the GS is probably the better road bike, but the GSA suits my build better. Plus I like the fact that my bike can go around the world, even if I never do. I can always daydream

 

[Georgeeboi]

Torq pictures please.....
congrats