The best just got better.

[Number 6]

First ride today on my new 2015 GSA and I have to say it's the smoothest bike I've ever ridden and I've owned and ridden a lot of bikes in the last 40 years. The gearbox is absolutely perfect, snicks into gear without a murmur so much so that I was often checking that I hadn't got a false neutral. It's way better than the agricultural 1150 box and much better than my last bike, a 2010 twin cam that used to change gear all by itself until it had done about 10,000 miles.

A pity they weren't all like this from day one but my twin cam was far from perfect, two final drives, one front suspension unit and two rears, one fuel pump and two sets of front discs all done under warranty.

Compared to the twin cam the LC is faster, smoother, sharper handling and much more comfortable. I really, really like it

 

[Nutty]

They are fantastic, aren't they!

I was on mine all day yesterday, and a few hours this afternoon, and it's a cracking bit of kit.

 

[Engineer]

They are fantastic, aren't they!

I was on mine all day yesterday, and a few hours this afternoon, and it's a cracking bit of kit.

Looking forward to getting my 2015 new GS on April 2 my 2013 bike is great, but sounds like the the 2015 one is even better.

 

[Nutty]

Looking forward to getting my 2015 new GS on April 2 my 2013 bike is great, but sounds like the the 2015 one is even better.

It really is!

 

[Matty589]

First ride today on my new 2015 GSA and I have to say it's the smoothest bike I've ever ridden and I've owned and ridden a lot of bikes in the last 40 years. The gearbox is absolutely perfect, snicks into gear without a murmur so much so that I was often checking that I hadn't got a false neutral. It's way better than the agricultural 1150 box and much better than my last bike, a 2010 twin cam that used to change gear all by itself until it had done about 10,000 miles.

A pity they weren't all like this from day one but my twin cam was far from perfect, two final drives, one front suspension unit and two rears, one fuel pump and two sets of front discs all done under warranty.

Compared to the twin cam the LC is faster, smoother, sharper handling and much more comfortable. I really, really like it

I agree totally. I too had a twin cam '12 plate GSA and the new one is better in almost every way. Plus they now offer lowered suspension. Took it for a ride out in the sun today, happy noodling a long in traffic at 25mphbor caning it round backroads. Hence done something good withe the weight distribution too - the old bike was a pig with a full tank but the WC is effortless, only a slight touch of weight in the bars during very slow right turns.

 

[rjsmith26]

I collected my new GSA on Friday, I test rode one last year on a very wet day and I really liked it. Getting on my own one on dry sunny roads was just amazing.

Looking forward to getting it run in, but already it does seem like a stunning machine.

I was feeling sad when I said farwell to my 08 GSA to a fellow UKGSER tosser a few weeks ago, but my sadness has faded since picking up my new GSA TE

 

[Tricky]

Had a TC 2012 which was great but the LC has really moved things up another notch. My 2014 GSA which I bought in November as a cancelled order is just brilliant and is definitely a keeper which is unusual for me.

 

[jackassdave]

Had a TC 2012 which was great but the LC has really moved things up another notch. My 2014 GSA which I bought in November as a cancelled order is just brilliant and is definitely a keeper which is unusual for me.

untill you go in to the ktm shop

 

[Wrinkly]

The GS WC is without doubt a very fine and cabable motorcycle,but all this gushing about how fantastic they are does make me wonder how many actually go and try anything else before making their minds up.

I've had an extended test on a 2015 model, and whilst it was better than the 2013 model I owned it wasn't markedly better and the gearbox is still only very average.

Steve

 

[Nutty]

The GS WC is without doubt a very fine and cabable motorcycle,but all this gushing about how fantastic they are does make me wonder how many actually go and try anything else before making their minds up.

I've had an extended test on a 2015 model, and whilst it was better than the 2013 model I owned it wasn't markedly better and the gearbox is still only very average.

Steve

Why did you have an extended test ride on one, Steve? Fed up with the Stelvio already?

And this thread is about the superior GSA, not the GS.

 

[Engineer]

Why did you have an extended test ride on one, Steve? Fed up with the Stelvio already?

And this thread is about the superior GSA, not the GS.

yeah but the GS LC is just as superior to the previous GS in the same way.

 

[Nutty]

yeah but the GS LC is just as superior to the previous GS in the same way.

Don't, you'll get them all worked up again!

 

[Wrinkly]

Why did you have an extended test ride on one, Steve? Fed up with the Stelvio already?

And this thread is about the superior GSA, not the GS.

I was asked if I would like to so I thought I would.

It was the GSA, and no denying it was a very nice bike (gearbox is still very average though)

Having been a lifelong biker and GS stalwart for many a year I can understand where folks are coming from, but I can honestly say after a couple of hours I was bored of it.
Yes it's quickish for a big lump handles reasonably well, but for me it's lost most of that big twin charisma and feels more like a Honda than a BMW.

I remember swapping a VFR 750 for a VFR 800 and felt much the same, the 800 was a faultless bike but had lost most of the 750's charm

Fed up of the Stelvio...not saying I'll never change it and no it's not perfect, but for now it's still the best bike I've ever owned, and still putting a massive smile on my face.

Good job we're not all looking for the same thing.

Steve

PS. It's all a bit of banter I just like winding you lads up a bit now and again.

 

[Engineer]

Don't, you'll get them all worked up again!

Oooooops sorry - thought this thread was a bit risky from the start - I mean telling people that the LC (in either guise) is better than all the previous GSes - anything that I can add isn't going to make much difference

 

[Arsey]

Or perhaps this thread should be called "The best just got beaten" seeing as the new KTM 1290 Soooooper Adventure seems to have wiped the GSAs fat arse !

 

[Matty589]

The GS WC is without doubt a very fine and cabable motorcycle,but all this gushing about how fantastic they are does make me wonder how many actually go and try anything else before making their minds up.

I've had an extended test on a 2015 model, and whilst it was better than the 2013 model I owned it wasn't markedly better and the gearbox is still only very average.

Steve

Nope, that's exactly what I did first. Crosstourer, tiger explorer, 1190 adventure and stelvio. None of them were a patch on the GS.

 

[Number 6]

Or perhaps this thread should be called "The best just got beaten" seeing as the new KTM 1290 Soooooper Adventure seems to have wiped the GSAs fat arse !

£16000 ...........without luggage?

My GSA cost me £14300 on the road with full luggage inc. tankbag, so £3000 less than the KTM

and what would the KTM be worth in 2 years time?

 

[Arsey]

£16000 ...........without luggage?

My GSA cost me £14300 on the road with full luggage inc. tankbag, so £3000 less than the KTM

and what would the KTM be worth in 2 years time?

But if you equip your GSA to the same standard as the KTM 1290 then it will cost you more !!!

The GSA 1200 TE retails at £15510 so a whopping £489 less than the KTM !! There's no point comparing your budget special to the current retail price for the model most aligned with the KTM.

And judging by some of the comments on here,the KTM will be worth a lot more than the GSA in 2 years time.

You only have to do a quick search to see people with 2013 year GSAs being asked to fork out 6k plus to upgrade to the latest version.

I've had over a dozen KTMs over the years and about 8 BMWs.The KTMs have always kept a higher resale value,mainly due to the better build quality I think.

I've had 2 news BMWs- a GSA1200 and a K1300S.

The GSA came from the factory with rusting brackets and the K13 indicators failed 5 minutes after collecting it from the dealer.

Good job that the lemmings keep on coming !!!

 

[Number 6]

But if you equip your GSA to the same standard as the KTM 1290 then it will cost you more !!!

But I don't want all that shite! I would have had it without ABS and ASC if that was still an option and saved another £1000 off the price.

Even if the KTM was exactly the same price as my bike I wouldn't want one, if it was £3000 cheaper I might consider it but it would be doubtful.

The first ever new bike I bought was a KTM, it cost me £218

 

[Arsey]

But I don't want all that shite! I would have had it without ABS and ASC if that was still an option and saved another £1000 off the price.

Even if the KTM was exactly the same price as my bike I wouldn't want one, if it was £3000 cheaper I might consider it but it would be doubtful.

The first ever new bike I bought was a KTM, it cost me £218

I don't want all that shite either.

That's why I ride my KTM 950 Superenduro.

No shite,no ABS,just the nicest carbed power delivery combined with the roomiest riding position and 300 mile range.

I tried the GSA LC but was unimpressed-I thought the engine in the older non LC bikes was nicer,as have a few others how have sold up and gone back.

I've also tried a KTM 1190.

Great bike but not enough to tempt me.

I'll no doubt try the 1290 when my local dealer gets a demo soon.

But I certainly won't spend £16k on one.

If it's as amazing as all the reports say,then I might be tempted next year when the dealers have targets to meet and do some deals.

Enjoy your new bike-keep applying the ACF50 though !!