Should I get rid of the GSA?

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Pornstar

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I have an 03 GS Adventure which replaced an 01 GS, so I like my GS's. However, recently I've been having dark thoughts about changing for something else. I find the GSA underpowered for 2 up work, get annoyed at the gearbox clunks, find the servo brakes grabby and hate the flat sound of the engine (despite Remus Revolution fitted). I seem to be drawn to something like a Blackbird for the extra power and better gearbox.

Having read through lots of posts I've found people who've made the switch from big jap fours (sports tourers) who love the GS but miss the power so PLEASE, IS THE GRASS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE? Or should I live with what is just a few minor points against an otherwise superb bike?

I thought the 1200 may be the answer but boy is it ugly imho.

(PS, Just in case: yes the gearbox CAN be quiet, but it still catches me out and is definitely not up there with some of the jap stuff. No, I don't want to a Y piece as I've heard this plus pipe will melt black panniers and I like to remain strictly road / warrenty / insurance legal).

Tell me it's all in my mind and that Blackbirds rot in winter / cripple 6'2" riders after an hour's riding / eat small children if left unsupervised.

Ta!
 
Sat on a Blackbird with my wife (we do a lot of two up riding), and she hated it. She loves the GS. Oh, and think about the length of ban you will get for 160 mph, instead of 100 mph.

David
 
you do keep legal/warranty/and panniers with a y piece !!

just dont take the baffle out and the panniers wont melt .

oh and if you have spare points on your license......can I have them ??;)
 
re: insurance

carole nash don't seem to care what you do in the way of exhaust mods/techlusion.
 
IMHO........... Get rid of it immediately! I'll be around with £5k ASAP coz if it's got to go, then I'll do you a favour! :beer:
 
Have you tried a 12? Better performance etc
Maybe it`s time for a change, you could always run a Blackbird etc for a year or two then come back to the GS if you feel the need.
When I had my sportsbike I felt very constrained with the performance of the bike & the speed limits allowed. I think my 12GS is better insofar as I can use more of the bikes performance & ride places It would be too uncomfortable/ dangerous to ride on my last bike (Hardknott pass springs to mind :yikes )

Try a few bikes, one might just light your fire!
 
Iv'e got both a GS and a Blackbird and they are both different in their own way, I like the comfort of the GS on long runs but I like the power of the Blackbird as well, I don't find the Bird uncomfortable at all its just different, but when they get the K1200 S sorted out that may be a different story, its a real comfy riding position, handles like a GS but with a Blackbird motor in it, way overpriced though and the VFR 1200 will probably eclipse it.
 
Pornstar said:
I have an 03 GS Adventure which replaced an 01 GS, so I like my GS's. However, recently I've been having dark thoughts about changing for something else. I find the GSA underpowered for 2 up work, get annoyed at the gearbox clunks, find the servo brakes grabby and hate the flat sound of the engine (despite Remus Revolution fitted). I seem to be drawn to something like a Blackbird for the extra power and better gearbox.

Having read through lots of posts I've found people who've made the switch from big jap fours (sports tourers) who love the GS but miss the power so PLEASE, IS THE GRASS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE? Or should I live with what is just a few minor points against an otherwise superb bike?

I thought the 1200 may be the answer but boy is it ugly imho.

(PS, Just in case: yes the gearbox CAN be quiet, but it still catches me out and is definitely not up there with some of the jap stuff. No, I don't want to a Y piece as I've heard this plus pipe will melt black panniers and I like to remain strictly road / warrenty / insurance legal).

Tell me it's all in my mind and that Blackbirds rot in winter / cripple 6'2" riders after an hour's riding / eat small children if left unsupervised.

Ta!
Click to expand...

Sounds like you would not be happy with any bike. I can not beleave you think the adventure is underpowered 2 up. The gear box is sweet and a lot smoother than the standard GS gear box.

The low first gear makes ridiing trails at low speed great and tricky up hill sections easy in first gear as the bike is able to ride at low speed without having to use the clutch.

The sound of the 1200gs is tiny compared to the smooth sound of the adventure.

I would buy go and buy a blackbird;)
 
Could just be a case of WantaNewBike-itus?

I'm lucky to have a mate who lends me his Blackbird at anytime I fancy a blast, of course I get tempted (especially as the local Honda dealer has a brand new 03 model in the showroom and he'd do anything to shift it :) ), but I've been there and I can remember thinking there had to be more to biking than a sportsbike can offer, I took my son out on the Blackbird and he hated it after the initial accelleration rush was over, he said it was too uncomfortable for more than a 30 min spin, ditto the Mrs:eek:

..and that's before we get to the matter of bad/dirt road riding :)

BTW, my mates actually come off the BB trying to keep up with my GSA through the mountains, and I was carrying a pillion at the time.

My advice is take the GSA out for a good long ride and you'll love it all over again, or trade it in for a new one:beerjug:
 
Thanks folks, you can always rely on this forum for a wide range of views! I think I'm being blinded by the goddess horsepower so have decided to stick for the time being. I'll take the 12 out if the urge for more go creeps up again.

Cheers and Happy New Year to you all!

PS Silver Adventures are the fastest ones, right? ;)
 
Sounds like you need a swap for a beautiful, monstrously powerful Kawasaki ZX12R to me....

...not that I've got one here for sale of course, and not that i want an Adv. Oh no....

;-)
 
What about putting one of the go faster chips in it? Does anyone have any experience of these>>
 
I've got a techlusion, 'y' and 'road legal'remus fitted, as mentioned if you dont remove the baffle its fine with the plastic panniers, although i did fit the foil bmw RT heatshield just in case. IMHO it makes the bike go loads better, and its just so much smoother and revvier..... an excellent value for money mod....
 
You buy a bike for a purpose or at least a particular type of riding. A GS will do things that a BB wont - and vice versa. So if you can seriously consider a BB, it seems to me that you have the wrong bike in the first place.

Its a bit like the Disco driver thinking about buying an E series Merc coupe. The Merc will only do the job if he never takes the Disco off road. In which case, he only has the Disco for the image in the first place.

So forget the image, forget the appearance - what do you want to do with the bike? Motorways and A roads - get the BB. B roads and lower - keep the Adv.

Posing - get a Duke
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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