R1200gs triple black to r1200gsa triple black ?!?

[ryan0708]

Dear friends,

I am enjoying very much of my first bmw, R1200gs triple black.
I only had ducati bikes before and I got this GS 5 months ago because of the road condition of where I live(I moved to Brazil three years ago).

Well, GS has become my favorite bike and I love everything about it except the fact I feel little short for GS(5'11).

I bought the new one with the financial program. Paid 30% and rest in 36 months.

Here is the situation. My friend also bought a 1150gs after seeing me enjoying it a lot. He bought an used one because he was not sure about this tall bike.
He got used to it after few drops and he finally decided to upgrade to r1200gs.

He wanted to try mine and unfortunately he dropped it in the parking. I have crash bars so it didn't really damage anything except scratches on cylinder head.

Now he feels sorry and he wants to buy mine. But the thing is that there is no more r1200gs but only r1200gsa left. They have promotion on gsa and it is same price as R1200gs triple premium model I bought.

He wants to pay the 30% for new GSA and take over left 31 months payments.

So I basically lose 5 payments and get new GSA.

I don't think it is bad deal but I am only worried about the height and weight of GSA.

I am not comfortable with r1200gs when I stop at the traffic and go slow between the cars.
Will I feel a lot of difference in weight and height?
If you were me, would you take that offer and get a gsa?

I mean I am 100% happy with mine now but GSA looks really good too. Hahah
Plus, I didn't like new r1200gs wc. I did test drive but I prefer last air cooled gs much more.

What do you guys think?

 

[Nutty]

If you're not comfortable with the height of a GSA, I think you'll struggle. You could try having a few extended test rides but ultimately it is a big bike, and only you can decide.

 

[tanneman]

I'm 5'10'' and very happy with my GSA. Fits me perfect. Did take a while to adjust to the height of the bike.

WRT to the scratches and marks and dropping your bike. BMW GS range is made for that. It is the very reason the crash protection is so comprehensive. The standard kit BMW offers is tough. It will handle off road spills, drops fully loaded and even the odd track day involuntary dismount (DAHIK) with out a problem. The only advice I can give you is that you should know where the cut off switch is when the bike takes a nap. Engines don't like running lean on oil. When it all gets too much for you or it is time to sell just replace the crash protection.

 

[Bendy toy]

I'm 5ft 8ins (173cm) and find the GSA seat is just a bit too tall for me even on its lowest setting, but the GS seat on low setting is 20mm lower and fine for me. I also stop with only one foot down (right foot in uk**) as I can get a more secure balance that way. If I fitted a lower seat the footrests and handle bars would be too high for comfort.

** I know that's contrary to what the riding schools teach. However, putting my foot into a drain cover or finding the road camber slopes too much is a worse compromise than having to do do the final stop on front brake only.

 

[masterman21]

You need to try the GSA . You should also see if you can try one with a lower seat.
Im 6'2, 32" leg and have a TB GSA, but I have the standard seat on its lowest setting, to get both feet flat on the ground!!. I know if you are a good rider that is not necessary but the GSA is a heavy bike especially when full of fuel, and at a standstill it only needs to lean over a bit far, to make recovery hard work !!

 

[JerseyNeil]

Like BendyToy I am 5'8 and am very happy with my GS on the low seat setting.

Prior to buying the GS I tried a couple of GSA's and found them too tall for me. In a perfect situation I would be okay but if there was any adverse camber or a hazard then I would be at risk of not being in control. I did not like approaching a junction at the crown of a hill and thinking "I hope I can keep rolling cause I don't think I can reach the floor!!"

I appreciate that you can get lower seat etc but after riding the GS I new it was for me I did not need to look like I was off through the desert on my way to work and we have petrol stations within several miles of each other so no need for extended tank range.

Interestingly enough a mate lent me his BMW low seat to try. I was interested to see what it was like...................... After about 8 miles I took it off and gave it bake. Whilst it did make 'walking the bike around' a little easier the ergonomics left me feeling that I was a jockey on a race horse with my knees up around my ears.

After nearly 5 months of ownership I am very happy with the balance (famous last words eh!)

Incidentally I have recently changed by boots from A stars SMX (a fantastic boot but wore out the soles after 6 years) to a pair of BMW Santiago's The slightly chunkier sole has improved my control even more

Neil

 

[WindyChuffer]

Just buy a new cylinder head cover if the scratches bother you.

 

[Bendy toy]

Because its so tall, the GSA worries folks about dropping it but 90% of the worry is in our heads. Any bike bigger that a 125 (ok a 250) will be too heavy to hold if it leans too far. Feet either side give far too little mechanical advantage for our legs to stop the bike going down. Trying too hard just risks injury - pulled adductor muscles at the least.

With one foot down the bike is a stable triangle (wheels and foot) and the other foot adds stability by pressing down on the footrest. With 2 feet down, its a wobbly pudding with weak bendy struts holding it up. The ONLY way its really safe is with the seat so low we cant use the bike. Maybe this is why the American choppers evolved with low seats and forward footrests. The bikes are big and heavy so this is the only way to control them at low speeds.

Its a compromise

1. Low seat feels safer at low speed/stopped, but knees are around your ears like a sports bike
2. High seat comfy and easier to control the bike but accept only one leg down when stopping.

(1) allows the bike to be paddled backwards but in all honesty how often do we NEED to do this. I simply park the bike so I can ride it out or push backwards from the side with the side stand down.
(2) allows the leg on footrest to improve stability. Both legs down can be wobbly unless seat is very low.

95% of the time my feet are on the footrests so I accept some compromise on how much of my feet I can get down when parked. I can get both balls of feet down but TBH the only bike where I can get both feet flat is my friend's Suzuki GT185 and that's so small it feels like a toy with my knees between my elbows. It's very capable but I could never ride very far on it.

Larger bikes (of any type) will always be a bad compromise for seat height and leg comfort unless they have one of the following

• forward footrests, low seat, look like a chopper or scooter and dont do any cornering
• suspension that adjusts on the fly
• seat height that adjusts on the fly
• side stands on both sides of the bike that deploy at low speeds.

My idea to use Citroen style hydraulics (apart from giving smaller brakes and suspension parts) would allow all of these and more for minimal costs. But bike makers never think out of the box and build bikes in costly ways so it will never happen. If they built and sold cars like they do bikes they would go broke.

If you are 173cm tall or more (and like the bike's size), buy the GSA. You may need to try a lower seat from a GS but you will cope with the height. You will almost certainly not be able to get both feet flat. But TBH that's not a big issue.

 

[solidstate100]

That ^^

I'm 6' exactly with a 33'' inside leg. With a full tank of fuel I can just flat foot both sides, but when near empty I can only comfortably flat foot on one side. I just eye the road when stopping and put my foot out on the highest side, jobs a good 'un.

 

[Nutty]

Good post Bendy.

 

[ryan0708]

guys!!

I just tried r1200gsa and I loved it too.

Not much different from what I have. Yes, it is heavier and taller but I could handle it.

Now Here is another problem!!!

Triple black edition or 90th Edition !!!

Triple black has more discount than 90th but 90th looks freaking nice!!!

What would you choose!!???

 

[Nutty]

guys!!

I just tried r1200gsa and I loved it too.

Not much different from what I have. Yes, it is heavier and taller but I could handle it.

Now Here is another problem!!!

Triple black edition or 90th Edition !!!

Triple black has more discount than 90th but 90th looks freaking nice!!!

What would you choose!!???

Glad you liked it. Now you have a dilemma.

Personally, I'd go triple black, but the 90th will probably be more desirable come resale time.

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Triple Black - no question

It's well worth trying a standard seat if height is an issue, in fact the Sargent seat is a popular mod to the GSA.

I hope you know your friend very well or you could end up paying for his bike as well as yours

Good luck

 

[Nutty]

I hope you know your friend very well or you could end up paying for his bike as well as yours

Good point. OP, can the bike and finance agreement be transferred into his name, with the finance company?

 

[GrumpyTwo]

If someone who is 6' tall has problems putting both feet on the ground it makes me wonder who BMW were marketing the GS towards when they designed it?

 

[Mad_Accountant]

People who don't put both feet on the ground?

 

[GrumpyTwo]

People who don't put both feet on the ground?

Thanks for clearing that up, marketing is not my forte and being 6’ 6” I had never thought about it from a shorter persons point of view.

 

[Bendy toy]

guys!!

I just tried r1200gsa and I loved it too.

Not much different from what I have. Yes, it is heavier and taller but I could handle it.

Now Here is another problem!!!

Triple black edition or 90th Edition !!!

Triple black has more discount than 90th but 90th looks freaking nice!!!

What would you choose!!???

I like both TB and 90th. The question is which will date most quickly?

I would personally go with the 90th based on the fact its the last special model of the last proper boxer. Check out the values of a Meriden Triumph Bonneville Jubillee Edition compared to the other junk they turned out.

 

[ryan0708]

I like both TB and 90th. The question is which will date most quickly?

I would personally go with the 90th based on the fact its the last special model of the last proper boxer. Check out the values of a Meriden Triumph Bonneville Jubillee Edition compared to the other junk they turned out.

Wow.. I was thinking about selling my ducati monster s4 916 and get the new bonneville t100 as my second bike.
Do you think new bonnies are junk? Why?

 

[Mad_Accountant]

I like both TB and 90th. The question is which will date most quickly?

I would personally go with the 90th based on the fact its the last special model of the last proper boxer. Check out the values of a Meriden Triumph Bonneville Jubillee Edition compared to the other junk they turned out.

I really can't agree with that

The r100r was the last proper Boxer (and I have one of those)