Opinions

[petkostas]

Well after much thinking, and after falling in love with the GS "family" I am nearly ready to get my hands on the 1200 GSA...
You opinion please, should I prefer a cheaper 2006 model or a 2008 model? 2008 is obviously more expensive, they both have nearly the same mileage, and the same extras (apart from the 08 having extra the ASC and the ESA)...
I am not really nuts about the ESA, since I can setup my suspension pretty nicely (SS owner for many years) but would the extra money actually provide me anything better? I don't give a damn about price in the next few years as I am keeping the beast for at least 5 to 6 years (1150 still shines into my eyes).

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

Go for the one with warranty, if either one has it.

 

[petkostas]

Go for the one with warranty, if either one has it.

No warranty (hey this is Greece...even if you get a warranty for a used one...they always find something to feck you...)...

 

[John Armstrong]

Does the 2006 have ABS and servo? Many do not like that combination.

 

[Rasher]

I bought a 2008 because I heard they uprated the engine / chassis for 2008 and "fixed" the FPC problem.

 

[petkostas]

Does the 2006 have ABS and servo? Many do not like that combination.

2006 does have servo, but in my opinion that is a minor issue I have 3 friends with servo brakes, 1 has covered 180000Km's with no issues...
I am kind of sceptical (as my 1150 is the last non-servo version) but yet again I strive to find any servo issues in the forums, and I only find stories like "urban legends"...

 

[petkostas]

I bought a 2008 because I heard they uprated the engine / chassis for 2008 and "fixed" the FPC problem.

Do we have a link with the differences of the GSA productions?

 

[i4mike]

I traded my 2006 in for 2010, test drove 2008 and wasn't really that impressed, the 2010 however is in another class.
I really enjoyed my 2006 ADV and I don't think I would have been swayed by the 2008. I had a basic 2006, no abs, computer etc, but it was a great bike and I had a great time on it.

Mike

 

[Stevie73]

Seriously, '08's & '09's are possibly the best year of the GSA's they had (still a bit early to judge on the DOHC ones). Get over your ESA phobia, once you used it for a while, you won't want to be without it

 

[petkostas]

Seriously, '08's & '09's are possibly the best year of the GSA's they had (still a bit early to judge on the DOHC ones). Get over your ESA phobia, once you used it for a while, you won't want to be without it

No ESA phobia, just not something I wouldn't live without

 

[Stevie73]

No ESA phobia, just not something I wouldn't live without

From a greek to a drunk englishman...what you wrote is so confusing I can't get my head around it

Are you saying you could liver without ESA?

 

[petkostas]

From a greek to a drunk englishman...what you wrote is so confusing I can't get my head around it

Are you saying you could liver without ESA?

Hahaha sorry mate,
Yeah I would still breath without ESA or maybe...as a Greek drunk to an englishman...I could still drink Gin if Whisky ain't around...

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I think there is a bit more low down grunt with the e 06 model. I think the 08 has a few more horses at the top end of the rev range which is as good as useless in normal riding.

Get the 06 and spend the extra on bling

 

[Rasher]

Seriously, '08's & '09's are possibly the best year of the GSA's they had (still a bit early to judge on the DOHC ones). Get over your ESA phobia, once you used it for a while, you won't want to be without it

I avoided ESA as it meant I got a cheaper bike with less to go wrong and the money I saved is paying for a set of fully adjustable Wilburs shocks. I would rather have high quality suspension with superior comfort and handling that takes 10 seconds to adjust when a pillion climbs on board, than a buton that changes from clunky soft and wallowy to clunky hard and bouncy in an instant.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I have an 05 R1200GS. I test rode a 2009 bike, before buying my first ever Beemer.

The servo ABS brakes are fine. You get used to them, unlike like the bloody indicator switches

If you buy a bike without ASC or ESA then, as long as you don't ride a newer one, you won't miss what you've never had.

If there's nothing else to choose between the two bikes, then choose the one that's the right colour
Although it's easy to change the colour of the bike, so buy the right bike, even if it's the wrong colour (that's what I did).

 

[petkostas]

I have an 05 R1200GS. I test rode a 2009 bike, before buying my first ever Beemer.

The servo ABS brakes are fine. You get used to them, unlike like the bloody indicator switches

If you buy a bike without ASC or ESA then, as long as you don't ride a newer one, you won't miss what you've never had.

If there's nothing else to choose between the two bikes, then choose the one that's the right colour
Although it's easy to change the colour of the bike, so buy the right bike, even if it's the wrong colour (that's what I did).

The good part, is that both are silvers so no color confusion for choosing!
Probably I will be going for the 06, seems the one that doesn't sell much nowdays (market is full of '08 which sell in a few days).
Since I have to wait to the end of the month, will be looking forward which stays in the shop and collecting that one, up to now I am pretty sure that the ESA wouldn't be any upgrade to me, I have learned to live with the manually adjustable 1150 which I've setup to my needs and works pretty nicely, so the only extra that could seduce me would be the ASC, since Greek roads where constructed for ice skating especially when they are wet (motorcycle companies should test those systems in my country LOL) and even the low powered 1150 finds itself spinning from time to time...
Other than that, extras are nearly the same, both come with luggage carriers, heated grips (don't mind though, I dont have any on the 1150, and Greek weather never really demands heated grips apart from only a few days in the year), both have aux fog lights, something that is a welcome addition since the 1150 has touratech mounted and they do help when cruising on mountain roads on dark conditions.
Apart from that, I have read that those 2 models have different gear boxes, was that actually an improvement? or are the differences minor?