What do you think of the GSA

[R1200GSA]

Oi! The original post asked for our opinions, so I gave mine. You gave yours - we differ. Free world isnt it?

I like my 1200 because its comfortable, reasonably light, reliable enough, rides and holds the road well, and is fast enough for me and for our traffic infested roads. Its a bike that I dont plan to change even though I could happily afford half a dozen Adv's so jealousy doesnt come into it.

Maybe I prefer trad British understatement, but to me using the Adv for everyday round town riding (as most will be used) is posing. Fine if thats your bag - its not mine.

Perfect example of a

 

[wilbjr21]

From Birdseye: Except for a few genuine long distance travellers, I really dont see the point in it.

Well you should see the point of it by now from the replies. It gives the owner pleasure - enough said?

 

[gbuckham]

Too tall...

I'm 5' 9" and found the GSA just too tall to give me enough confidence to ride it. I would love to have bought one but settled for the standard GS with the seat on the lowest setting which lets me get both toes onto the ground. Enough to manage the bike with confidence. The increased fuel capacity would be useful for mega-runs but I'm getting 55 to 60 mpg so can easily manage 150 miles before needing to fuel up. Just add a bigger screen and some H&B engine/tank guards and you've just about got a GSA!

Gary
www.ancient-stones.co.uk

 

[GS TRV]

Nice bike - maybe for the distant future but for now i prefer Old School.

 

[wilbjr21]

The increased fuel capacity would be useful for mega-runs but I'm getting 55 to 60 mpg so can easily manage 150 miles before needing to fuel up. Just add a bigger screen and some H&B engine/tank guards and you've just about got a GSA!

Someone in (I think) Canada has converted the fuel tank over as well. Cost probably prohibitive in this country as we seem to have to pay more than anywhere else.

 

[jonothan]

I dearly wanted the GSA (even had my deposit paid in August last year) but I found it was really just too big for me, too unwieldy.

It's a bike for big tall riders and/or experienced riders. I'm neither so the ordinary GS is the better bike. For me. For now. But I envy those for whom it is the perfect bike, I really do. Luck b*stards!

I love the look of the GSA too.

J

 

[Mogster]

I too have cancelled my GSA12 order and have gone with the standard GS12
My original reason for going with the GSA12 was that the difference in price wasnt enough to warrant the saving on a standard GS12. After riding both back to back I actualy preffered the standard GS12. I then went round various dealers and was very surprised at the discount available on the standard GS12. Furnished with these quotes my original dealer was able to match the price and transfer my deposit and I am now awaiting delivery of my standard GS12. The dealer was very happy for the cancelled GSA12 order and it has already been snapped up by some grateful owner to be.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Choice of bike is rarely a logical decision however hard we try to rationalise it.

Go with what you want and feels right and just enjoy it. And thank heavens there is a good and varied choice available.

Paul

 

[wilbjr21]

After riding both back to back I actualy preffered the standard GS12. I then went round various dealers and was very surprised at the discount available on the standard GS12. Furnished with these quotes my original dealer was able to match the price and transfer my deposit and I am now awaiting delivery of my standard GS12. The dealer was very happy for the cancelled GSA12 order and it has already been snapped up by some grateful owner to be.

Now that really is a win win

 

[shedracer]

Choice of bike is rarely a logical decision however hard we try to rationalise it.

Go with what you want and feels right and just enjoy it. And thank heavens there is a good and varied choice available.

Paul

 

[gbuckham]

Fuel range

Someone in (I think) Canada has converted the fuel tank over as well. Cost probably prohibitive in this country as we seem to have to pay more than anywhere else.

I looked into that as well but forking out almost a £1000 for another 18 litres capacity is a lot of cash. Unless you are doing some serious touring in countries where fuel stops are irregular, it does seem somewhat excessive. If you want additional fuel capacity cheaply check out Overland Solutions they have a range of jerry cans between 5 and 20 litres which can be mounted onto the bike with a wee bit of thought.

Gary
www.ancient-stones.co.uk

 

[Deleted account W]

If you want additional fuel capacity cheaply check out Overland Solutions they have a range of jerry cans between 5 and 20 litres which can be mounted onto the bike with a wee bit of thought.

My solution was one of those 5 litre green plastic petrol cans that you buy at petrol stations. It fitted very snuggly into the Touratech rear rack pack. Saved me when all the gits with their Adv tanks ignored my plea's to stop on a Spanish Autoroute for petrol and I ended up on the hard shoulder with an empty tank

 

[Paul S]

It's a bike for big tall riders and/or experienced riders. I'm neither so the ordinary GS is the better bike. For me. For now. But I envy those for whom it is the perfect bike, I really do. Luck b*stards!

I love the look of the GSA too.

J

Well Said - There are few bikes out there which lanky gits like me (6' 3") can comfortabley fit on. My earlier 1200GS had the higher seat fitted straight after my first ride, I even had the seat rebuilt a little higher on my 1150GSA!!

For me the 1200GSA is almost perfect with the seat on the highest setting, it is a vast improvement over the 1150 GSA and I find it more planted than the 1200GS and with far better weather protection. I also prefer the looks over both the 1150 and standard 1200 but as I have said before - each to their own.

 

[Smalesy]

Can anyone on here tell me, is there any diffenece in the gear ratios for the 1200ADV over a standard 1200GS. The gearboxes have different part numbers but I cannot find an answer anywhere.

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

Oi! The original post asked for our opinions, so I gave mine. You gave yours - we differ. Free world isnt it?

I like my 1200 because its comfortable, reasonably light, reliable enough, rides and holds the road well, and is fast enough for me and for our traffic infested roads. Its a bike that I dont plan to change even though I could happily afford half a dozen Adv's so jealousy doesnt come into it.

Maybe I prefer trad British understatement, but to me using the Adv for everyday round town riding (as most will be used) is posing. Fine if thats your bag - its not mine.

Unlike you I managed to give my opinion without insulting anyone that owns a bike that I choose not to buy. I see that whereas you can happily afford half a dozen Advs you still can't afford to cough up the £12 sponsorship of the site even though you have over 400 posts!

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

Can anyone on here tell me, is there any diffenece in the gear ratios for the 1200ADV over a standard 1200GS. The gearboxes have different part numbers but I cannot find an answer anywhere.

There may not be an actual difference. I have been looking at headers which again have different part numbers but Nippy Norman assures me that Remus say their headers are the same for both models

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Can anyone on here tell me, is there any diffenece in the gear ratios for the 1200ADV over a standard 1200GS. The gearboxes have different part numbers but I cannot find an answer anywhere.

I think you'll find there is not. I believe I read somewhere the original gearbox, received modification for the 06 models, and therefore may well have a different part number, but for all intense and purposes are the same gearbox.

 

[Wil]

Had an 1150 GSA, now have a 1200 GSA. Think the 1150 looks better, but the 1200 is a much better bike on-the-road. Am disappointed at the 'On-Board-Computer' though. Just looks so cheap and nasty, and 1980's. The display on my Multistrada looks seriously cool - and comes as standard!

 

[franco]

Oi! The original post asked for our opinions, so I gave mine. You gave yours - we differ. Free world isnt it?

I like my 1200 because its comfortable, reasonably light, reliable enough, rides and holds the road well, and is fast enough for me and for our traffic infested roads. Its a bike that I dont plan to change even though I could happily afford half a dozen Adv's so jealousy doesnt come into it.

Maybe I prefer trad British understatement, but to me using the Adv for everyday round town riding (as most will be used) is posing. Fine if thats your bag - its not mine.

If that's trad British, then thanks, you just reminded me why I don't want to come back to Britain. However, I know there are many fine brits out there, hell, there are even a couple of OK-ish English ones To suggest that people buy the ADV over the standard version purely for round town posing is fecking codswallop. I bought the 1150ADV over the standard 1150 because it's bigger, the seat fits me better (though my wife isn't happy with the passenger comfort), and yes, the main reason for me, was it looks much better. However, I've done 25,000 miles in two and a half years, and have never knowinlgy posed around town. I just happen to look great on it which is a happy coincidence. The fact you even mention that " happily afford half a dozen Adv's" is so 90s London, and I'm better off out of it. I can still afford a few myself mind you...

 

[Spanfly]

Did have one of the first 12GS's and picked up the GSA last week. Although I loved the two years on the GS, I am so impressed with the new GSA.
It looks better (not as sporty, but more road presence), engine feels and sounds better (believe it might be the second generation engine and gearbox which obviously is now also available on GS) and handles equally as good. Better seat height and bigger screen is making a big difference too and so does the pegs (much wider and therefore more confortable). Only real disapointment is the on-board computer! Don't do it!

Never had the spokes on the GS - they just look great on the GSA. Overall I am v pleased as I know that I would have only been jealuous if I had to park next to a GSA on the GS!