Twin cam or single

[Clifton]

Keep in mind the newer bike will also be worth more in a few years when you sell or trade so you’ll likely get most of that $3K difference back. Still about a toss up IMO but if I had the extra 3,000 I would lean toward the newer one with it’s improvements; larger valves and throttle bodies, vented final drive and more mid range torque. Also the cool throaty sound, so you don't need to buy an after market exhaust.
As far as riding, the 08 will feel about the same and valve adjustments are simpler. Once properly set after 12-18K the OHC valves will likely stay in spec for a long time though.

 

[Clifton]

I remember reading a few of the US tests, and there was only 2/3 bhp difference between the old and new model when tested.

While true look at the torque comparison up to 5,000rpm, the range we mostly are in.

 

[cookie]

Correction, It's not ALL about the horsepower - but if they released a less powerful GS at the same weight, how many people would be up (or is that down) grading?

There is no real difference performance wise, and I would say most of that is down to the change in gearing.

correction: it's not about the horsepower at all (to me). it's just a much nicer engine.

 

[Wilsdorf]

correction: it's not about the horsepower at all (to me). it's just a much nicer engine.

I like them both. It would be hard to compare properly without putting a quieter exhaust on the single cam. I prefer the gearbox on the twin cam - and they handle differently for some reason - but pure engine wise, there is very little in it.

 

[Wilsdorf]

While true look at the torque comparison up to 5,000rpm, the range we mostly are in.

That's a good comparison, win some lose some - a tweak would make all the difference to the single cam - I'm sure you would still see similar power, bhp and torque with similar tuning.

 

[birdseye]

On a riding experience only level, having had both (as well as 1100s and 1150s), I find the Twin Cam is a much better engine. Marginally faster than the single cam perhaps but it just feels "right".

I would say the same having had two singles and now a TC. Not interested in the faster biot at all but it feels a nicer engine somehow. As for the ESA, I would avoid if you can. It does absolutely nothing worth having and just adds complication and extra unreliability IMO.

 

[Bendy toy]

I like the ESA but wont like the costs when it needs new shocks. On the other hand a pair of Wilbers WESA is about £1300 but a standard pair could be over £1000.

 

[Nick V]

I am considering buying a 1200 GSA


What is the view of the good and the great as to
Twin cam versus the single cam model

If for instance you have two bikes same mileage

lets say 15k miles one is a twin cam and tother is single

a 2008 and 2011 the difference in price is approx 3k

What do you reckon

Also any year that you would avoid or favor

No... I can't afford a WC


Search is NOT my friend

Most comments gratefully received

I own both a 2009 GSA (hex) and 2010 (DOHC).

IMHO, the DOHC engine has a better 'flavour'. Smoother and more rideable all round than the OHV, although not by an awful lot.

I chopped an '06 GS in to buy the '10 GSA, and having had direct experience of it, I would avoid any BMW equipped with the servo-assisted brakes. An expensive, unnecessary PITA.

For a price difference of 3000 Pounds, with all else equal, I would take the earlier bike. No question. The differences are not sufficient to make up for the difference in price.

 

[Twempie]

Twin. No brainier IMHO.

 

[phillh]

I tested both, bought the twin cam. I thought it was smoother, slightly torquier, nicer engine but a lot more expensive

 

[deathfartofawarthogg]

came from riding inline 4s,never ridden the single cam gs but when I test rode the twin cam I loved it from the off. Can't imagine going back to inline 4s

 

[Wilsdorf]

OK what prices are we talking here - Twin Cam £9,000 - Single Cam £6,000. If the prices are similar to that, are all the people telling you to go twin saying that it is 50% better? I owned them both at the same time for around a year and whilst the twin cam was my preferred bike, there really wasn't much in it - whereas I happily pay 40-50% more than an 04-07 bike for a twin cam.

 

[Bendy toy]

OK what prices are we talking here - Twin Cam £9,000 - Single Cam £6,000. If the prices are similar to that, are all the people telling you to go twin saying that it is 50% better? I owned them both at the same time for around a year and whilst the twin cam was my preferred bike, there really wasn't much in it - whereas I happily pay 40-50% more than an 04-07 bike for a twin cam.

The Mk2 (08-09) sits in the middle. You get most of the TC benefits without (all of) the costs.

 

[slimpickings]

The Mk2 (08-09) sits in the middle. You get most of the TC benefits without (all of) the costs.

Is there an easy way to tell a MK 2 bike ?

 

[autogs]

08 on has an led rear lamp as standard

 

[tspivey]

Easiest way to tell the difference is;
Mk1 _ Plastic petrol tank side panels at front.
Horizontal spark plug caps.
Mk2 _ Metal petrol tank side panels at front.
Horizontal spark plug caps.
Mk3 _ Metal petrol tank side panels at front.
Vertical spark plug caps.
Mk4 _ LC has downward pointing exhausts instead of coming out the front.

Hope this helps,
I've had Mk 1, 2 and now 3 and really like my twin can but there is nothing wrong with the Mk2 and I would be happy with either.

Tim

 

[bod]

OK what prices are we talking here - Twin Cam £9,000 - Single Cam £6,000. If the prices are similar to that, are all the people telling you to go twin saying that it is 50% better? I owned them both at the same time for around a year and whilst the twin cam was my preferred bike, there really wasn't much in it - whereas I happily pay 40-50% more than an 04-07 bike for a twin cam.

That is the best bit of advice on this thread!

 

[MalcGSA]

I have just gone from a 08 to a 13 plate twin cam.

Had my first ride yesterday and although it was wet and a bit slippery on the back roads, the difference in the way the engine pulls and behaves generally were in themselves worth the cost to change.

Its not a chalk and cheese thing but in my opinion the twin cam just seems more sorted and a bit more refined.

Wouldn't choose to go back to a 08 bike, but if it was that or nothing I wouldn't be complaining.

Not sure if that helps at all

 

[oldnfat]

I have just gone from a 08 to a 13 plate twin cam.

Had my first ride yesterday and although it was wet and a bit slippery on the back roads, the difference in the way the engine pulls and behaves generally were in themselves worth the cost to change.

Its not a chalk and cheese thing but in my opinion the twin cam just seems more sorted and a bit more refined.

Wouldn't choose to go back to a 08 bike, but if it was that or nothing I wouldn't be complaining.

Not sure if that helps at all

I agree with your general findings however, having owned both i think I would still be tempted to go for the Mk2 with a Hilltop remap. Save a fortune and very difficult to tell the difference other than the remapped single cam is smoother

 

[MalcGSA]

I agree with your general findings however, having owned both i think I would still be tempted to go for the Mk2 with a Hilltop remap. Save a fortune and very difficult to tell the difference other than the remapped single cam is smoother

Tell me, did you have the tc remapped also. If you did was there a marked difference after?