Test rode a 2011 12GSA again

[JohnnyBoxer]

Dropped my 2005 1150GSA in for a 30k service at the BMW dealer

They loaned me a 700 mile yellow 2011 12GSA and I put 180 miles on it, mixed riding from country roads and motorways

I tried a 12GSA TwinCam last year and thought the motor was very responsive and a definite improvment in the 1200 stakes

The bike is fast for a GS and she spun up to an indicated 3 figures no problem ................much faster acceleration than an old 1150GSA

Handling was good, with only a slight bit of understeer detectable

Traction control was a pain in the rump

Screen caused major turbulence, either up or down and the MRA screen on the 1150GSA is much better

Nice bike.....................some great deals to be had, due to the recession

Is it twice the bike of a 1150GSA (pricewise), probably not

Jumping back on my 1150GSA, it felt more 'planted' in corners and would cruise at similar speeds, but acceleration was slower, but less frenetic and built up slower......................but she's 25bhp down on the TwinCam, so to be expected

I'd like to try a 12RT, better value for money than GSA and you don't have to have Traction Control, but can still have ABS and a nice highway bike

If I changed, it would be for a TwinCam 12RT

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

I think Secretly you want a 1200GSA .Sell those 2 old nails and you could just about afford a nice new DOHC

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I think Secretly you want a 1200GSA .Sell those 2 old nails to me and you could just about afford a nice new DOHC

Fixed it for you

At the moment you'd have some change too

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

True!!

 

[Andy B]

Everyone to their own but when I rode an RT back-to-back with a GSA I found the RT too tuetonic. The GSA has so much more character in my mind. Guess which I bought!!

 

[rattler]

Yellow ones are always the fastest

 

[ianran]

Ive got ABS without traction control on 59 plate, sur you can do the same with 2010 model

 

[ianf]

Or turn TC down or off... Not that I'd bother.

 

[Toad]

What probs did the TC cause you JB?

 

[harry]

What probs did the TC cause you JB?

This will be interesting

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

What probs did the TC cause you JB?

When I was 'airborne' after going over a hump backed bridge.....................the TCS cuts the ignition and stutters, not what you want when you want to maintain forward velocity, so that you can land nicely on the back wheel with the front wheel in the air

Nosediving, kinda upsets the poise of the bike

Had the ABS activate too a few times, very sensitive

 

[petkostas]

When I was 'airborne' after going over a hump backed bridge.....................the TCS cuts the ignition and stutters, not what you want when you want to maintain forward velocity, so that you can land nicely on the back wheel with the front wheel in the air

Nosediving, kinda upsets the poise of the bike

Had the ABS activate too a few times, very sensitive

You can always turn off the ASC or the ABS, personally I found the 1200 ABS much more fun and safe than the 1150 (1150GS 2002 model, Non servo), the ASC has saved me at least 2 times when on lovely Greek roads the 1200 started loosing traction under soft acceleration (if you ever been in Greece you know how roads are).
I find the HP way more fun from the 1150, used to be on SS bikes (last one 2005 CBR 1000RR) and used to mock bikes with traction control and ABS stuff, until I got my arse on a GS and even though not a SS (in terms of HP) I found real use of all the electronic stuff.
Surely when I was for example in Italy, not once did the ABS fire, but in Greece? every mile (Km) is an adventure.
Personally I find the 1200 a true upgrade to the 1150, yes more blink, more electronics, but which bike has not evolved?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

You can always turn off the ASC or the ABS

Not when you're moving, you can't

Bit late then

 

[petkostas]

Not when you're moving, you can't

Bit late then

come on how many times will you need to turn off the blinky things? we are not talking about the next GSXR

 

[ianf]

The book says you can turn off ASC on the move, but the procedure is a bit complicated to do in mid-air, you'll need to plan ahead a bit more.

 

[snerkler]

The traction control doesn't get in the way of us mere mortals. It's never interfered with my riding, but then I've never got airbourne, nor do I intend to

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

tc and abs are great imo - not intrusive at all and I dont hang about.

What deals are there to be had apart from panniers on the GSA?, I'm off for another test ride tomorrow.

No way in the world will I try a 12RT though, my wife said it looked like a goldwing it was hard to argue otherwise.

 

[petkostas]

tc and abs are great imo - not intrusive at all and I dont hang about.

What deals are there to be had apart from panniers on the GSA?, I'm off for another test ride tomorrow.

No way in the world will I try a 12RT though, my wife said it looked like a goldwing it was hard to argue otherwise.

RT? Why do you need an RT when there is a GS available

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The traction control doesn't get in the way of us mere mortals. It's never interfered with my riding, but then I've never got airbourne, nor do I intend to

Your not trying hard enough

They like 'air'

 

[WindyChuffer]

Not when you're moving, you can't

Bit late then

well there is a way to do this....not standard though