test rode a 09 GSA today, keeping the 07

[Jeremy]

Stopped at Vines for a Bakerman pork bap and a chat and took the opportunity to ride a new model 1200GSA. It was fully specced with ESA etc. What I noted:
1. smooth in town chugging along in 3rd
2. plenty of urge when revved
3. more vibey at 75mph on the motorway than my one
4. what do BMW put in their seats? I have obviously been spoiled with my Sargent seat
5. red or silver don't look as good as white
6. ESA - nice but I wouldn't pay for it, could think of other things I'd buy

And a big vote again for Vines. Duncan, Chris, Kathy, Keith - the friendliest and most helpful dealer I've come across.

Came to the conclusion that my 07 GSA with 20k miles, full BOS system, Sargent seat, HID50s was unbeatable.

 

[cookie]

i do like that post.

cookie (07 GSA)

 

[bmwrich58]

i do like that post.

cookie (07 GSA)

I double that..!

Rich ('07 GSA)

 

[rob mac]

but it's shiny and new and in the toy shop and stuff (07 GSA by the way!)

 

[bmsouls]

i have to agree,had a 06 1200 gsa for 2 and a bit years and fancied the 09 model but didnt try it 2000 miles later i wish i had kept my old one,the new one is smoother up to 80 mph then it vibrates like a cement mixer, you can rev through it but it means you are doing 100 mph + or you can keep it in fifth were it is not as noticeable. Before anyone tells me its me i have had 5 gs over the years so i know what to expect i have also been back to Rainbow who set it up again,slight improvment but still not nice, for the first time in 12 years i am possibly going to have something other than a bm. R oad test before you buy if poss.

 

[GSTourer]

Interesting................I too have a 07 GSA (21000 miles) and was only saying to the dealer earlier today that I may think of changing mid 2011 when I retire. I mentioned a 2009 bike as a possibility too.

Any ideas what the difference is to make them act like this?

Ta.

Ian

 

[Jeremy]

Interesting................I too have a 07 GSA (21000 miles) and was only saying to the dealer earlier today that I may think of changing mid 2011 when I retire. I mentioned a 2009 bike as a possibility too.

Any ideas what the difference is to make them act like this?

Ta.

Ian

Someone with a more mechanical mind might be able to tell you but I'd assume squeezing more power from the engine has taken it to its limits.

 

[bmsouls]

Talking to different people about it and it could poss be that they are trying to get more and more power out of a horizontal twin ,they poss will vibrate when you think of the size of the pistons? ps had a go on a k1300 s while they were looking at mine very nice.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I test rode an 09 demo bike. I too got lots of vibration at 80mph ish. My 05, doesn't do this.

I know the 09s have higher compression, but it might not be the only cause.

 

[AdamA]

S'funny, cos I have a 09 spec bike and spend most of my time sat between 80-90 and don't notice any vibes.

Could be a running in thing, as mine's 8500 miles into it's run in.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Stopped at Vines for a Bakerman pork bap and a chat and took the opportunity to ride a new model 1200GSA. It was fully specced with ESA etc.

Came to the conclusion that my 07 GSA with 20k miles, full BOS system, Sargent seat, HID50s was unbeatable.

iIthink its the fact yours is well run in that makes it seem smoother.these engines take ages to run in and 20000 is when it should be perfect.i went from an 07 model GSA to an 09 Model GSA and I feel its a better bike for me as the ergonomics are better and my engine is pretty smooth.It also seems faster and pulls loke a train.I always thought the white was best ,but now love the Red ,but heh wouldn't it be dull if we all had the same opinion

 

[wilbjr21]

S'funny, cos I have a 09 spec bike and spend most of my time sat between 80-90 and don't notice any vibes.

Could be a running in thing, as mine's 8500 miles into it's run in.

+1 - and valve clearances are important (found this out with an '07 one)

The 08/09 is the better bike.

 

[bmsouls]

Mine is a red one,i find it a lot quicker than my 06 model,but the vibration is doing my head in,it is only noticable in 5th then gets worse in 6th but only as you get to 4 / 5000rpm once you get it revving you dont notice it but you are going fairly quick by then.Any info would be appreciated,thanks.

 

[Jeremy]

The one I rode had c 4k miles on it so had at least opened up a touch. I'll admit that with 20k miles and a free flowing exhaust on my 07, it flies. But the vibration on the 09 was very noticeable. I've just ridden 4200miles on mine in 9days and mine was as smooth as a baby's bottom.

 

[Pukmeister]

By the time I arrived at Vines all the buns had gone and most of the meat too. I bet a few peoples bikes felt slower on leaving that they did on arrival, bloody Gannets.

Ice cream was nice though but a poor substitute for lunch.

Didn't test ride anything as I can't afford it so why tempt and torture myself ?

Stopped to help a new 09 Reg 12RT at the lights in Guildford as I presumed he had been involved in an accident. Turns out he had stalled it and didn't know where BMW put the starter buttons, bike was in 1st gear so all the manic button prodding in the world was no use to him.

Poor chap seemed embarrassed when I got his engine started for him.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

So he should be

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

He should be!!

 

[Flipper_Man]

i have to agree,had a 06 1200 gsa for 2 and a bit years and fancied the 09 model but didnt try it 2000 miles later i wish i had kept my old one,the new one is smoother up to 80 mph then it vibrates like a cement mixer, you can rev through it but it means you are doing 100 mph + or you can keep it in fifth were it is not as noticeable. Before anyone tells me its me i have had 5 gs over the years so i know what to expect i have also been back to Rainbow who set it up again,slight improvment but still not nice, for the first time in 12 years i am possibly going to have something other than a bm. R oad test before you buy if poss.

Thats like music to my ears, 100mph is my standard m'way speed (traffic and conditions permitted). My '09 GSA has just gone through 2wks and 800miles - back in tomorrow for new clutch probably (they tried the master clutch cylinder last Wednesday at first service but it hasn't sorted the problem).

I thought the ESA might be a gimmick but I'm really using it. I'm not mechanically minded at all and so I never touched the shock etc. Having it under a button is fantastic. In my simpleton mind - its like adding or removing a few psi in the tyres - comfort setting on the motorway, sport in the twisty bits - fantastic ! Having a setting with the little suitcase on makes all the difference for my 16stone frame as well

I know, I know - I should have learnt how to adjust my bike the 'mechanical' way without waiting for a couple of electric motors and a button - but I'd have never stopped my 122m commute half way and twiddled as I came to a m'way section....

I havent had chance to see if the few extra bhp makes much of a difference over my 2.5yr old '06 model that I'd completed 44k on b4 it was written of by man in Lexus 4x4 as I've been running in.....its been like driving Miss Daisy...

 

[chad]

Stopped at Vines for a Bakerman pork bap and a chat and took the opportunity to ride a new model 1200GSA. It was fully specced with ESA etc. What I noted:
1. smooth in town chugging along in 3rd
2. plenty of urge when revved
3. more vibey at 75mph on the motorway than my one
4. what do BMW put in their seats? I have obviously been spoiled with my Sargent seat
5. red or silver don't look as good as white
6. ESA - nice but I wouldn't pay for it, could think of other things I'd buy

And a big vote again for Vines. Duncan, Chris, Kathy, Keith - the friendliest and most helpful dealer I've come across.

Came to the conclusion that my 07 GSA with 20k miles, full BOS system, Sargent seat, HID50s was unbeatable.

i'll stick with my fast black 1150 GSA thanks

nice meeting you today mate stick with your 07 she sure is purty

 

[Jeremy]

i'll stick with my fast black 1150 GSA thanks

nice meeting you today mate stick with your 07 she sure is purty

Good to meet you Chad, but I bet you wouldn't sell that cracker of an 1150GSA for mine!