Sold my GSA . Will I miss it ?

I traded my 14 plate GSA for a new ZZR 1400 in March. I was a bit disappointed
with the w/c, it didn't have the build quality of my 11 plate TC GSA and didn't
feel as planted either. I had a couple of issues with the rear suspension (losing
rear damping at 70mph) and when BMW plugged it into their computer, they
couldn't find any fault.

So I turned Japanese. I love the big Z, the only thing I miss about the GSA at
the moment is the fuel range, I can only get about 200 miles out of a tank on
the Kawasaki.:augie
 
phillh said:
I traded my 14 plate GSA for a new ZZR 1400 in March. I was a bit disappointed
with the w/c, it didn't have the build quality of my 11 plate TC GSA and didn't
feel as planted either. I had a couple of issues with the rear suspension (losing
rear damping at 70mph) and when BMW plugged it into their computer, they
couldn't find any fault.

So I turned Japanese. I love the big Z, the only thing I miss about the GSA at
the moment is the fuel range, I can only get about 200 miles out of a tank on
the Kawasaki.:augie
Click to expand...

Hi Phil, would love to hear a bit more information on your transition from GSA to ZZR.I went the other way many years ago (zzr1100) and have put over 90k on my 1100gs....but every so often remember and respect that big K engine !
 
Dr John said:
Hi Phil, would love to hear a bit more information on your transition from GSA to ZZR.I went the other way many years ago (zzr1100) and have put over 90k on my 1100gs....but every so often remember and respect that big K engine !
Click to expand...

Dr John,

I had a 2008 ZZR1400 as a second bike, I was finding that every time I went out for a ride, I would choose to take that and leave the BM in the garage. In March I went to Motorcycles Direct in Watford and they offered me an unregistered 2016 ZZR1400 in exchange for the BMW and £299 so I went for it.

The riding position is totally different but I find it very comfortable. On the BM I used to get back side ache on long runs because most of your weight is on your backside and coccyx, whereas now it is more evenly spread through backside, thighs and stomach (on my tankbag). Only issue for me is that my neck gets sore on a long ride from looking up all the time (but I am over 60) but I can live with that.

Engine wise, the motor is fantastic, plenty of low down torque, instant acceleration in any gear, very smooth and refined. Very, very powerful, I have only been brave enough to take it up to 8k revs so far, it redlines at 10.5K. The acceleration is amazing but you have to keep an eye of your speed! Gearbox is very sweet , smooth changes, happy to change up without clutch if you want ( I don't). Brakes are very powerful, instruments are analogue but clear and easy to read. Info centre now accessed by a handlebar button (rather that 2 buttons on dash as on the 08 model). Handles exceptionally well. Wind protection good, the screen directs wind onto your helmet which I prefer as it clears the visor, the bike is very stable at speed. As it is so much lower than the BM, I find it much easier to move about in the garage even though it weighs about the same.

I have fitted a rack, top box, centre stand, heated grips, satnav (my old Nav V from the BM) and have just ordered a pair of Scorpion exhausts (I don't usually change exhausts but the standard ones on the ZZR really are hideous).

So in a nutshell, I love the bike to bits and am getting on famously with it.

Why not test ride one and see for yourself ?
 
Nice 'n' Fat said:
Just sold my 14my GSA and replaced it with a GS

The only things I miss are the seat and the screen, both of which can be easily changed :thumb
Click to expand...

'Nice 'n' fat', I have a 2 month old) tinted GSA screen if you are interested (£150) I also have (2 month old) tinted GS 'rallye' screen (£100) and tinted winglets £25. £250 for everything. Many thanks. LBJ.
 
telbenj said:
Just sold my 2015 GSA I had a 2013 then a 14 then an XR loved the engine but hated the vibes so sold it after 6 months and 7,000 miles. I then got my last GSA which did 25,000 miles, what a great bike the GS is but that XR got me hooked on the engine so now they have updated the S1000 R I've ordered a Sport in Black and red, it's due in early July so will I keep it long term or will I end up back on a GS ?

We will see but will I miss the GS I don't think I will this time, but I sure do miss a bike now I'm waiting for the new one

Terry
Click to expand...

Terry, funny enough, after 9 years on an oil cooled GS which I loved, I bought a new GSA TE 2 months ago. Lovely bike (obviously) and an 'upgrade' on the old bike.......but on Tuesday this week, I changed it for a new S1000R Sport in grey.....which I am currently running in. Yes, that engine! :-) One thing for sure though, it's going to need bar risers! Enjoy the new bike! By the way, I bought the stock tail pack, tank bag and 'sports' screen which all work really well. I had done 1200 miles on the new GSA which I know I will miss, but you only live once!
 
phillh said:
Dr John,

I had a 2008 ZZR1400 as a second bike, I was finding that every time I went out for a ride, I would choose to take that and leave the BM in the garage. In March I went to Motorcycles Direct in Watford and they offered me an unregistered 2016 ZZR1400 in exchange for the BMW and £299 so I went for it.

The riding position is totally different but I find it very comfortable. On the BM I used to get back side ache on long runs because most of your weight is on your backside and coccyx, whereas now it is more evenly spread through backside, thighs and stomach (on my tankbag). Only issue for me is that my neck gets sore on a long ride from looking up all the time (but I am over 60) but I can live with that.

Engine wise, the motor is fantastic, plenty of low down torque, instant acceleration in any gear, very smooth and refined. Very, very powerful, I have only been brave enough to take it up to 8k revs so far, it redlines at 10.5K. The acceleration is amazing but you have to keep an eye of your speed! Gearbox is very sweet , smooth changes, happy to change up without clutch if you want ( I don't). Brakes are very powerful, instruments are analogue but clear and easy to read. Info centre now accessed by a handlebar button (rather that 2 buttons on dash as on the 08 model). Handles exceptionally well. Wind protection good, the screen directs wind onto your helmet which I prefer as it clears the visor, the bike is very stable at speed. As it is so much lower than the BM, I find it much easier to move about in the garage even though it weighs about the same.

I have fitted a rack, top box, centre stand, heated grips, satnav (my old Nav V from the BM) and have just ordered a pair of Scorpion exhausts (I don't usually change exhausts but the standard ones on the ZZR really are hideous).

So in a nutshell, I love the bike to bits and am getting on famously with it.

Why not test ride one and see for yourself ?
Click to expand...

Cheers Phil for the info....yeah, I feared you were gonna love it!...don't get me wrong,I'll never part with the old GS which I'm looking to take over the magical 100k in the near future and a better handling bike I've yet to ride. I also have a 999 Ducati so the ZZR would feel luxurious in comparison!!!.. and like yourself I'm the wrong side of 60, so it's now or never to relive and enjoy reigning in that big turbine 1400!! ...right I'm off to YouTube to put a few miles up on a 1400 performance sport!:thumb
 
Dr John said:
Cheers Phil for the info....yeah, I feared you were gonna love it!...don't get me wrong,I'll never part with the old GS which I'm looking to take over the magical 100k in the near future and a better handling bike I've yet to ride. I also have a 999 Ducati so the ZZR would feel luxurious in comparison!!!.. and like yourself I'm the wrong side of 60, so it's now or never to relive and enjoy reigning in that big turbine 1400!! ...right I'm off to YouTube to put a few miles up on a 1400 performance sport!:thumb
Click to expand...

I had a ZZR1400 Performance Sport last year. Brand new.

Very fast, long gears so up into silly speeds quickly.

Great bike, good fun.
 
LBJ GSA said:
'Nice 'n' fat', I have a 2 month old) tinted GSA screen if you are interested (£150) I also have (2 month old) tinted GS 'rallye' screen (£100) and tinted winglets £25. £250 for everything. Many thanks. LBJ.
Click to expand...

I can't PM you so give me a call on 07879 454171 :thumb

Paul
 
Picture of my old ZZR1400 Performance Sport. :cool:

I sort of miss it, and then again I sort of don't...
 

Attachments

  • ZZR1400.jpg
    ZZR1400.jpg
    169.4 KB · Views: 291
Isn't it funny looking back sometimes you forget the duff times with bikes you've had. My soft spot was with my little Honda Benly 125 it took me every time I could get off to see my grandad and families at Fisherrow ( Edinburgh) that little chromed thing never ever let me down, and it was cheap (I think) and never missed a beat in all the time I had her. I wish I could say that about my BM's. Sorry to say, really no soft spots for them miss it well not sure. Perhaps old age takes you back to happy times.
 
LBJ GSA said:
Terry, funny enough, after 9 years on an oil cooled GS which I loved, I bought a new GSA TE 2 months ago. Lovely bike (obviously) and an 'upgrade' on the old bike.......but on Tuesday this week, I changed it for a new S1000R Sport in grey.....which I am currently running in. Yes, that engine! :-) One thing for sure though, it's going to need bar risers! Enjoy the new bike! By the way, I bought the stock tail pack, tank bag and 'sports' screen which all work really well. I had done 1200 miles on the new GSA which I know I will miss, but you only live once!
Click to expand...

Cheers, yes I've done the same I've got lots of bits ready to fit like the screen, rad guards and navigator 6 and a rear seat bag, all I need now is the bike.

Terry
 
I had a 2012 ZZR from new,bought a GS in Sept 2015 couldn't part with ZZR so ended with 2 bikes.It was the opposite for me I always went for the GS as brilliant as the ZZR is it just wasn't comfy enough,neck ,wrist and knee ache was too much to bare.Sold it back in March as I'd only done 200 miles in a year and done 8000 on the GS.I miss it for the adrenalin rush that the GS just doesn't give you.Sold the GS got another One even after trying the might new KTM 1290 S
 
Had a great friend who always got caught out with his misnomers. But it happens to the best of us I'm glad they didn't have iPads with autocorrect / suggestive text!! when I sent reports to my big chiefs in the sky, or maybe they wouldn't notice.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

2007 GSA Will I ? Should I?
Replies
6
Views
2,781
shedboy
shedboy


Back
Top Bottom