Standard GS1200 vs Adventure

[ts2]

Its all in the looks

I'm happy to admit the GSA is my Chelsea tractor of the bike world. I'm tall enough not to drop it, so the GS barely got a look in. Have to admit I found my 06 suspension too soft, so bought a second hand set of Wilbers. Since then I've not looked back. If I'm honest the GS was probably the better bike, but I bought with my heart, not my head.

Buy whatever you like, but don't worry about justifying it. Otherwise we'd all be riding 600s, they're plenty good enough these days.

TobyS

 

[elefantmanshawn]

Yes, I especially like the "much better built" one.

"Now guys, when you are bolting together the GSA, make sure you use the correct torques. For the GS, just go with whatever feels right, stick a bit less grease in the bearings, and make sure that you stick your greasy fingers all over the metal before it goes for painting. Anyone here feeling a bit hungover, or a bit ill? Smashing, you get to put the GS engines together today, whereas efficient Hans, our employee of the month with deal with the GSAs."

Do you work for BMW?,they don't call the entry level for nothing!,only little men buy the stocker,is that why your posts are quite short?

 

[BuBbLe Bl0wEr]

at the end of the day you have to go with what feels right.

go with the one that you think looks best, thats what i did and havent looked back.

my head way saying GS because of the better "road handeling". buti hated the tank on it, it looked to small at every angle.

so here i am with the gsa and look it

 

[NorthernBoy]

Do you work for BMW?,they don't call the entry level for nothing!,only little men buy the stocker,is that why your posts are quite short?

They don't call it the entry level at all. I am afraid that you lost any credibility on this subject when you claimed with a straight face that they use different engine components.

Run along now, and maybe try learning bit about the bikes to stop yourself looking so silly in future.

And of course, if you want to discuss small man syndrome, then I think that you'll find that if you need a big bike to prove your manhood, well, you've kind of lost that argument.

By the way, do you also have the top of the range car to prove that you're a big man?

 

[Account removed]

By the way, do you also have the top of the range car to prove that you're a big man?

I must have a big willy then, I drive a toyota IQ. Can't wait to tell her.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Do you work for BMW?,they don't call the entry level for nothing!,only little men buy the stocker,is that why your posts are quite short?

Out of interest, if the 1200 GS is "entry level", would that not suggest several models after it? I only know of the 1200 GSA, perhaps I'm not as well informed as I should be.

 

[nedflanders]

I'm never 400 miles from a petrol pump. Perhaps I shouldn't have got one.


But then I do like to be able to CHOOSE when and where I stop, regardless of whether there is petrol availible and not NEED to stop every couple of hours cos I won't make it to the next petrol station.....

I too can CHOOSE, all I need to do is strap a couple of jerry cans to the back but that would be just STUPID carrying all that extra fuel for nothing

 

[NorthernBoy]

I must have a big willy then, I drive a toyota IQ. Can't wait to tell her.

I'm thinking of getting a Smart for around town, so that must absolutely prove to Mr "ElephantMan" that I am smaller than he in all important respects.

I have a horrifying image of him now with two dobermans, a combat jacket and a subscription to Soldier of Fortune, sneering at all of us metrosexuals with our weedy (but faster) GSs.

 

[AdamA]

I too can CHOOSE, all I need to do is strap a couple of jerry cans to the back but that would be just STUPID carrying all that extra fuel for nothing

Quite. You CHOOSE not to, and I CHOOSE to do so.
Get over it.

 

[Shep]

I've had both the budget GS (x2 04 05) and a full fat GSA(06) all were very different bikes to ride, as with AdamA the large tank on the GSA gives you the chance to ride the longer distances with ease, the GSA is comfortable enough to do 320-350 miles non stop if you wish. There is no need to fill it to the top if you feel its going to be too heavy for you.

For me, the biggest advantage of the GSA is the longer suspension, on the basic GS I needed the rear shock set almost fully hard to ensure the bike didn't touch down the pegs, stand or crashbars, this left the ride a little harsh on normal road stuff, on the GSA though the extra ground clearance allows a softer more comfortable ride but with still enough ground clearance to prevent most of the grounding.

Weather protection is also far superior on the GSA

The GS will win on handling and performance, biut there is'nt that much between them the biggest gap being the performance advantage of the GS.

Ride them both They are both great bikes, also try an 1150 as well they are a great yardstick to measure just how much better the 1200 has become

 

[trebor]

Higher output gen,

To the best of my knowledge it's the same one as on all the GS models from 08 onwards

man sized suspension,

I don't think there's that much difference, its a bit higher but I think the components are pretty much equal

tougher spoked wheels,

True, which is great for off roading, but since the vast majority of purchasers stay on tarmac, if they do stray off it's on to nothing more than a dirt track, so I see little point in claiming it as a big plus factor. There again, having seen the potholes round here maybe spokes are the way to go

tougher black frame paint,

Is this all black paint that's tougher (similar to how some say red is faster) or just GSA black paint

just tougher

OK, I'm convinced, next time I change bikes I'll get one

 

[seakay]

So many responses.. so many opinions.. thanks guys - really interesting stuff! I reckon I'm duty bound to arrange a test ride and find out for myself which I'm going to do next week.

Maybe I'm wide of the mark here but what I quite like about the standard bike is that it doesn't stand out that much compared to the Adventure and therefore doesn't make a 'statement'. I'm planning a solo trip to Jordan (country not slappa) later this year for a couple of months (my first biking trip abroad!) and am keen to blend in best as poss rather than look like a hardcore traveller and am therefore wonder whether an Adventure carries more of a 'presence' attracting more attention etc? I'm not saying that's bad but there's no getting away from the fact that the Adventure looks like it's had a good dose of steroids!!

Thanks again for all the comments.

Clive

 

[wheelnut]

Well, just done the first 1500 miles on my GSA. Never rode a GS so can't really comment on comparisons.

The reasons I chose it over the GS were fuel capacity, I stop for fuel one day in three instead of two days in three. The top opening panniers were a biggie for me as they're a lot more practical for what I need (carry loads of IT clobber for work). The weather protection looked a bit more substantial on the GSA and is much better than the vstrom I had previously.

By the time I fill the panniers and brim it with fuel it is a bit heavy to move around out of parking spaces, turning it round in the garage etc, but fine once it's moving under its own power.

Only got shortish legs as well so it's a tiptoe job - just need to be mindful where I put my feet down.

The ESA is a lot more effective than I thought it would be. I though it would be a bit of a gimmick, but it really does make a noticeable difference.

I do sometimes feel a bit of a ewan boorman wannabe but small price to pay for what's a great bike.

 

[Funners]

Well, just done the first 1500 miles on my GSA. Never rode a GS so can't really comment on comparisons.

The reasons I chose it over the GS were fuel capacity, I stop for fuel one day in three instead of two days in three. The top opening panniers were a biggie for me as they're a lot more practical for what I need (carry loads of IT clobber for work). The weather protection looked a bit more substantial on the GSA and is much better than the vstrom I had previously.

By the time I fill the panniers and brim it with fuel it is a bit heavy to move around out of parking spaces, turning it round in the garage etc, but fine once it's moving under its own power.

Only got shortish legs as well so it's a tiptoe job - just need to be mindful where I put my feet down.

The ESA is a lot more effective than I thought it would be. I though it would be a bit of a gimmick, but it really does make a noticeable difference.

I do sometimes feel a bit of a ewan boorman wannabe but small price to pay for what's a great bike.

Oi ! get out of here heathen !

 

[wheelnut]

Oi ! get out of here heathen !

Be quiet.

Thought you'd gone to Norway?

 

[AdamA]

Be quiet.

Thought you'd gone to Norway?

We don't get there till Sunday. Life is just so unfair.
Why don't we have teleportation yet?

The prices DFDS charge we bloody well should have.

 

[David Nimrod]

They don't call it the entry level at all. I am afraid that you lost any credibility on this subject when you claimed with a straight face that they use different engine components.

Run along now, and maybe try learning bit about the bikes to stop yourself looking so silly in future.

And of course, if you want to discuss small man syndrome, then I think that you'll find that if you need a big bike to prove your manhood, well, you've kind of lost that argument.

By the way, do you also have the top of the range car to prove that you're a big man?

Couldn't have put it better myself

 

[wheelnut]

We don't get there till Sunday. Life is just so unfair.
Why don't we have teleportation yet?

The prices DFDS charge we bloody well should have.

Just read the thread (properly).

Stop bitching about ferry prices and go and enjoy it.

It's a shame tney stopped the newcastle ferry.

 

[Funners]

Just read the thread (properly).

Stop bitching about ferry prices and go and enjoy it.

It's a shame tney stopped the newcastle ferry.

isn't it just....
it's a nice ride to Newcastle.....now I've got to go to Harwich....

 

[AdamA]

isn't it just....
it's a nice ride to Newcastle.....

Not from Fareham it bloody well isn't.