Owners : How do you rate your watercooled GS or GSA ? Please share.

[Motorcycle Michael]

Mike, I know my onions too and ride for a living

For the first few weeks of LC GS ownership I too struggled a with a ride that was sometimes a tad too harsh. If I softened off the rebound it didn't really cure it - the bike then wallowed but was still harsh over a poor surface.
So I played tyre pressures and it has made a huge difference. I'm running Tourance Nexts at about 33 39 and it has made all the difference - tight lines, tight chassis but a softer more pliable feel from my contact patch.

I'm surprised you complain about it's handling - it's one of the nicest handling bikes I've owned. Very flickable, holds a line like it's on rails and feels easy enough to pick up and put down again with those wide bars. (I tend to pull it about and not push it ... ).

The ESA?? That's done it once to me before, and at a guess, it was because I asked it to change to two up once my missus had sat on it and not before. Maybe there's a reluctance in the bike to alter the preload ... if you're already loading it? Helps to protect the motors from working too hard and burning out?? Dunno, but If it's one up and I'm changing to two, I now do it before she gets on and have had no problems since.

I've owned the bike for 6 months/3300 miles now.
I've played with tyre pressures and I'm around the same pressures you use. I'm fitting Michelin PR4's this week and I'm hoping this will improve the ride further.
I'll reserve final judgement until the bike's back from the dealer but if suspension can't keep tyres in contact with the road surface,a bike can't handle properly. I'm convinced that the bike has electrical/mechanical issues so I'm hoping they can find the problem and I can begin to enjoy my bike.

More to follow.......

 

[Gargy]

Owned the 2014 TE since March 1st, and have done around 800 miles so far.

Bike is more flickable than a bogey in a double maths lesson................. Holds any line I choose, and inspires me to push on.

With only 125bhp, it's easier to ride than the more powerful bikes, as I'm not worried about giving the throttle a big handful coming out of corners.

No issues as yet, but since joining this forum I'm expecting something to fall off at any time.................. I mean the bike is 3 months old now !

Can't comment on how it compares to the older models, but I did have a demo ride of one of the last air cooled models, and hated it.................. Nothing in particular, just the overall package was wrong for me.

Le Mans and a Euro trip to come in the next month, so I'll probably post up some inane drivel about my excursions on here somewhere, and I'll have a better insight into touring with the GS TE.

Bike is currently on a 10/10, but he next months riding may change that score.

 

[GS_or_bust]

I've had my 2014 1200GSA TE for 3 days and done 45 miles and I love it.

Traded my 2013 1200GS TE for it. I never had any problems with the GS but the GSA has a smoother and quieter gear change. 10/10 so far.

I'm waiting for the panniers and top box to arrive now.

 

[telbenj]

I've had my 2014 1200GSA TE for 3 days and done 45 miles and I love it.

Traded my 2013 1200GS TE for it. I never had any problems with the GS but the GSA has a smoother and quieter gear change. 10/10 so far.

I'm waiting for the panniers and top box to arrive now.

Snap Picked my 2014 GSA TE up on 01-05-14 now done 200 miles and guess what its just as good as the 2013 GS it replaced gear box is good every thing works and I guess I shall just be getting on with it and just ride the thing.

I didnt have the ESA or LED headlamp on my last one but glad I have them on this one the suspension is great and the headlamp turns night in to day Brilliant,
the reason I am on here instead of out on it is that I am at work lol roll on nock off time.

Terry

 

[sven]

I just passed the 1000 mile mark yesterday and the gearbox is improving with mileage following the oil change at the 600 mile service. The only issue I have is if the traction control kicks in in second, it's hard to change into third without first backing off the throttle for a second It's a pain as it lifts the front wheel when thrashing through the gears from 1-2-3, so spoils the fun when having a play

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I just passed the 1000 mile mark yesterday and the gearbox is improving with mileage following the oil change at the 600 mile service. The only issue I have is if the traction control kicks in in second, it's hard to change into third without first backing off the throttle for a second It's a pain as it lifts the front wheel when thrashing through the gears from 1-2-3, so spoils the fun when having a play

Quick shifter would sort that & keep it pinned without backing off, no doubt

 

[snaponphil]

Above 2 posts relevant, quick shift on order, have similar experience with a bit of weight in the top box, as the bikes loosened off its feeling livelier, a full tank of fuel helps keep the front down..

I've been using my R1200c (02 plate) for a few days recently, had a longer more urgent journey yesterday, getting back on the GS WC it felt light years ahead, in fact big grin knowing these WC's are the bike for me..

 

[prop]

GSA

White GSA TE fully loaded with gear assist.
7 weeks old today., with 4400 miles on it , I sold a 30th anniversary TC for it and have wondered if I made a mistake. The TC was a well sorted bike and that engine is fantastic. I would definitely have a long test ride on a WC before doing a deal.
Good point first:
Gear assist, brakes, suspension, cruise control and amazingly after reading all negative comments here I find the gearbox brilliant . I think it looks better than a TC, a lot more sharper and modern. Akra can looks good and sounds better. Lights are better .

Bad points
The switch gear feels cheap and nasty, the screen is crap, very flimsy, that should have no place on a £16k bike. The indicator switch is awkward to reach . The seat covers are cheap and look naff after only 4 k miles. Although I like the idea of fly by wire throttle, It does take some getting used to, eg 12% of movement at throttle equates to about 25% of movement at the throttle bodies. It gives the sense of urgency, but on a bumpy road it’s a pain. The panels are a bad fit on the top of the tank. The heated grips are crap. Rear pads lasted 4200 miles!. The std headers already look like the ones on my TC that had 30k miles on, sadly all aftermarket ones eliminate the valve. It does lack the grunt at the bottom of the rev range that the TC has. I have had it hill topped as per my TC. Yes loads more mid range grunt, but just missing something at the bottom end rev range.

Summary.
I would wait for the next upgrade in a few years, It is a great bike, but it could be so much better and no doubt will be, a bit like comparing and 06 gsa with a 10. I am sure it will help make the TC a future classic

7/10

Prop

 

[Motorcycle Michael]

As I wrote last week,my bike went back to the dealer on Friday the 2nd. I explained my concerns (suspension & the throbbing transmission) and the service manager was quite firm in his request that I rode the GS lc demonstrator,which I did. The demo bike was much softer than my bike and just felt very "different"
I returned the demo bike just as my bike came back from the workshop so I had a chat with the technician who explained to me some of the differences on the latest lc twins. Modifications include another damper in the gearbox and a heavier layshaft-I suspect that these mods are to eliminate the transmission harmonics so BMW must know there is a problem there!! Other mods include heavier crank and heavier clutch.
I was told my bike now had all the latest software installed which should help everything I'd mentioned. I couldn't get anyone to have a direct discussion about the vibration or throbbing transmission though! The bike did seem really compliant on the way home.
I went out on the bike on Saturday morning with some pals and rode it like I'd nicked it. The suspension was fabulous,handling everything I threw at it. Great,I thought,suspension fixed. That was until I came back into town and wanted some comfort again. I was under the impression that the semi active suspension monitored riding techniques and road conditions and adjusted accordingly,which it did whilst I'm thrashing the living daylights out of it. Problems seem to lay with the suspensions ability to come down to a soft setting-it doesn't. It rattled all my fillings out riding back through town to my home! It seems all the damping is still on "max" The new software hasn't helped the suspension or transmission (which is of course a mechanical issue)and I've informed the shop who are waiting for BMW technical to get back in touch.

The new Michelin Pilot Road 4's are OK. Good grip and stable.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Best Bike I have owned/ ridden , that will be my GSA WC . Had the 1100 , 2 X 1150GSA and 4 1200 GSA's oil/air Cooled . The new WC GSA is an evolution of all of them , Fast as Feck and sublime in every way . I can't find fault with it . got some rad protectors which it was all it was lacking . Love it to death

 

[snaponphil]

Fantastic bike getting better & better..
Done 3K miles now, fitted akrapovic exhaust, rad guards, small BMW tank bag, top box on 90% of time, extra bungee securing brackets, adjusted handlebars upwards a tad to suit my arm position.. I'm sure a few other trivial bits.. Oh, nav 5.. & the GSA footpeg to left side (other on back order)
Well, it's made the bike fantastic, everything's settling in nicely, it's noisier, faster, smoother, & the mpg at normal speeds is averaging 56mpg, (that's not economy run either)
It's not perfect, but pretty close.. (For this style of bike)
Wow..!

 

[Schtum]

Well, it's made the bike fantastic, everything's settling in nicely, it's noisier, faster, smoother, & the mpg at normal speeds is averaging 56mpg, (that's not economy run either)

Must try harder.... Mine, also with an Akrapovič can, is currently showing an average of 49 mpg on the computer......

 

[snaponphil]

Must try harder.... Mine, also with an Akrapovič can, is currently showing an average of 49 mpg on the computer......

Wasn't trying, warm weather, little traffic, 80 mile run, some duel carriageway, other A&B roads, I did wonder if it was tail wind today tho.. (That prob explains it) also kept the speed more reasonable today..

 

[Schtum]

All kidding aside, I think even 49 mpg which was achieved while being followed by an HP4 and two K1300S (down from a previous 50 mpg) is pretty good for a tall bike pushing a large frontal area through the air and producing the best part of 130 bhp on its Akrapovič can. That's more than any of my previous four 1200s achieved on anything other than long 80 mph motorway runs. I'm also reminded that my old VFR 800 never returned more than 41 mpg, no matter how I rode it.