R1300GSA ASA

[leadfarmer]

Just been out for a not very sedate ride out on a GSA ASA, my dealer from St Etienne had organized a “road show” in my town

First surprise , the pegs felt lower than my GS, legs were slightly less cramped, not a problem on mine but still a bit nicer on the GSA

Bars felt further back, again, not a problem on mine but still a bit nicer on the GSA

Riders seat seemed better than mine, wifey felt she had more room on the back but no better or worse than my GS

Wind protection seemed about the same as the standard GS surprisingly, maybe a tad better for the knees but the screen on the standard GS is ridiculously good

Handling, surprisingly easy, didn’t really feel that much different to mine, it did have Michelin Anakees on which I find more sprightly than the Metzellers on my GS ( I’ve tried both on a standard GS) so maybe they helped

ASA - pulling away was perfect, no problems for slow, tight maneuvers even 2 up (I’ve had a DCT in the past and never had difficulty with that either)
It did chug around the car park in second but not a problem
Set it to dynamic and left it in auto mode, found the gear changes pretty coherent, reasonably close to what I would have done myself, no nasty surprises or WTF moments
Criticisms ? Not what I’d call buttery smooth by any stretch of the imagination, it’s acceptable, but some of the changes are quite clunky or jerky, my quick shifter is a fair bit better
Would I spec it ? Probably yes to be honest, the pros outweigh the cons

Overall very impressed, maybe a slightly better bike for touring than the standard GS which is something that I didn’t find with the previous model

Wifey liked it and even thought it looked better than the GS (but then she did marry my ugly mug) who knows…..Inch’ Allah

 

[WhiteLightning]

/de-lurk

Hello-

I'm not much of a poster, but I do feel I have to come forward and also share my thoughts. Frankly I'm amazed. I used to race (street, unless you count SuperMoto as dirt), and the concept of something else running the clutch (other than me) is very odd. However I bought (and now ride) an ASA R13GS. I can still wheelie the bike, and it just works. I find it smooth, fast and hasn't made a 'mistake' in my experience.

My favorite feature is more an approach than a feature. And I'd say its all over the bike. Its agreeable. I have driven plenty of cars with various levels of driver aids. 95% percent of them scare easily. Meaning, if you steer, or interfere in any way, or don't pay attention in the way it wants you to... they bail out, fast and hard. The GS, you can shift it when its in automatic or cruise, throttle it when its in cruise, push though the collision warning with only a light and a blip in power delivery, starting the bike you can just hold the starter button and wait for the bike to get ready (bootup, shifting etc) without being told no and having to push it again, when throttling 'too' close to another vehicle when distance based cruise is on it doesn't freak out and turn off or worse brake real hard when you let off, etc. etc.

WL
\re-lurk

 

[Tyzer]

Just been out for a not very sedate ride out on a GSA ASA, my dealer from St Etienne had organized a “road show” in my town

First surprise , the pegs felt lower than my GS, legs were slightly less cramped, not a problem on mine but still a bit nicer on the GSA

Bars felt further back, again, not a problem on mine but still a bit nicer on the GSA

Riders seat seemed better than mine, wifey felt she had more room on the back but no better or worse than my GS

Wind protection seemed about the same as the standard GS surprisingly, maybe a tad better for the knees but the screen on the standard GS is ridiculously good

Handling, surprisingly easy, didn’t really feel that much different to mine, it did have Michelin Anakees on which I find more sprightly than the Metzellers on my GS ( I’ve tried both on a standard GS) so maybe they helped

ASA - pulling away was perfect, no problems for slow, tight maneuvers even 2 up (I’ve had a DCT in the past and never had difficulty with that either)
It did chug around the car park in second but not a problem
Set it to dynamic and left it in auto mode, found the gear changes pretty coherent, reasonably close to what I would have done myself, no nasty surprises or WTF moments
Criticisms ? Not what I’d call buttery smooth by any stretch of the imagination, it’s acceptable, but some of the changes are quite clunky or jerky, my quick shifter is a fair bit better
Would I spec it ? Probably yes to be honest, the pros outweigh the cons

Overall very impressed, maybe a slightly better bike for touring than the standard GS which is something that I didn’t find with the previous model

Wifey liked it and even thought it looked better than the GS (but then she did marry my ugly mug) who knows…..Inch’ Allah

 

[Tyzer]

Just been out for a not very sedate ride out on a GSA ASA, my dealer from St Etienne had organized a “road show” in my town

First surprise , the pegs felt lower than my GS, legs were slightly less cramped, not a problem on mine but still a bit nicer on the GSA

Bars felt further back, again, not a problem on mine but still a bit nicer on the GSA

Riders seat seemed better than mine, wifey felt she had more room on the back but no better or worse than my GS

Wind protection seemed about the same as the standard GS surprisingly, maybe a tad better for the knees but the screen on the standard GS is ridiculously good

Handling, surprisingly easy, didn’t really feel that much different to mine, it did have Michelin Anakees on which I find more sprightly than the Metzellers on my GS ( I’ve tried both on a standard GS) so maybe they helped

ASA - pulling away was perfect, no problems for slow, tight maneuvers even 2 up (I’ve had a DCT in the past and never had difficulty with that either)
It did chug around the car park in second but not a problem
Set it to dynamic and left it in auto mode, found the gear changes pretty coherent, reasonably close to what I would have done myself, no nasty surprises or WTF moments
Criticisms ? Not what I’d call buttery smooth by any stretch of the imagination, it’s acceptable, but some of the changes are quite clunky or jerky, my quick shifter is a fair bit better
Would I spec it ? Probably yes to be honest, the pros outweigh the cons

Overall very impressed, maybe a slightly better bike for touring than the standard GS which is something that I didn’t find with the previous model

Wifey liked it and even thought it looked better than the GS (but then she did marry my ugly mug) who knows…..Inch’ Allah

Did a few miles on one today while mine was being serviced.I agree with your comments,in auto it's very clunky but I tried it in manual ,what a difference it was super slick best of both worlds .If they could get the auto to be as smooth as it is in manual I might consider one.

 

[BusterDan]

Just be wary and do some research.... I loved ASA and until a few weeks ago I would have recommended it entirely.... now, I just think it's too soon and the technology needs further development. I pick up my new non-ASA bike next week -

 

[Arsey]

Just be wary and do some research.... I loved ASA and until a few weeks ago I would have recommended it entirely.... now, I just think it's too soon and the technology needs further development. I pick up my new non-ASA bike next week -

Must be rider error. I can’t believe BMW would release a £25k bike that wasn’t fully tested

 

[grantmac]

Another 10 pager at least I’ll wager……..