What GS to get?

RJT_Berlin

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Hi!

I have been wanting a 1200GS for a long time. I kept trying to avoid it due to the price, but realise after a few losses in trade ins after buying the wrong bikes, I could have used that money for a GS all along!!

The only thing that ever came close was the KTM Adventure 990. Loved it, was awesome with lots of character BUT I had an issue with the front wheel that was annoying, and I simply gave up and moved on.....

So anyway..... GS is back on my mind. Question is, is it worth paying the extra for the adventure. I am looking at 2 bikes, both 2011 models with minimal mileage. The Adventure is 1500 Euro more. Is that justified in price?

Due to work I dint ride as much as I want, so a 2 week tour per year plus a few ride outs is all I get.....

I love the spoked wheels and the Big Boy looks and the lights on the Adventure, but otherwise I doubt I justify having this bad boy - cant realistically justify owning a bike!!

Any advice would be gratefully received :-)

Thanks
 
...if you really want an Adventure, you might as well buy one. The major thing that the 1500Euro gets you is better wind protection from the screen and a bigger tank.

Downside is that they don't handle quite as well as the standard, the wire wheels are a pain to clean (if you're into that type of thing) and they are a bit taller (which for people under 6' can be a problem)

Best thing to do is ride both back-to-back.

Oh - the adventure looks like a Tonka toy.
 
I am 5'11 but did think after seeing the Adventure that it may be a little too tall for me. Do want some good feeling at manouvering that monster!!

I guess wind protection can be solved using alternative screens, and although the tank means less stops, that again can be solved

The spokes look great, but yep, cleaning is an issue, was the same on my KTM....

Am gonna go and see them both tomorrow and maybe make a decision based on that.

I test rode a 1200 normal about 2 years ago and thought it was great and probably the easiest bike I have ever ridden.... Is the reason I keep going back.

Alternative is the Triumph 800 Tiger - rode that and was also very impressed from the short trip, but somehow, the GS keeps coming back to me and asking me to take it :)
 
I'm 5'11" and ride the adventure on the more comfortable standard GS seat, no problems at all. Test ride using the standard GS seat.
 
I would suggest that you go and test-ride both.

We managed to get the GS for a day, so wife and I did around 400km around Cape Town... mountains, some gravel as well. Loved the bike!

Back at the showroom, she spotted a GSA and asked whether we could try it as well (love my wife) . the test-ride was booked for 3 days later and we did the same route. Although she commented on the pillion seat not being as comfortable as the normal GS - the GSA got her vote and she told me that it was the one to get - not that I needed convincing at all being 6"4 - and weiging up the additional costs of the extended screen and larger fuel tank + spotlights, quickly justified the GSA (and we preferred spokes as they are better and more practical for the use we wanted)

in short - ride both as each rider has his/her own preferance.... :thumb

good luck - they are both stunning bikes!
 
Am gonna try to do this..... Showroom visit tomorrow all being well and then take it from there....

Is a lot of cash for either, so is just a case of what fits best

Will be fun no doubt!
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
Barking up the wrong tree:blast

You need a R80G/S Monolever, ask Proff
Click to expand...

Now I am confused!!!

Am happy to hear your thoughts though!

I previously had a R850 GS - loved it, needed more go though and the gearbox was crude, but was great fun to ride.....
 
If you decide on a standard 1200GS but still want the spoke wheels then there are bikes like that about. There have been 3 Special Editions fitted with spoked wheels from the factory, the current Triple Black version, The 30 years version and a previous White version. They all looked good.
 
MikeS said:
If you decide on a standard 1200GS but still want the spoke wheels then there are bikes like that about. There have been 3 Special Editions fitted with spoked wheels from the factory, the current Triple Black version, The 30 years version and a previous White version. They all looked good.
Click to expand...

I know they are available - just not on the used ones I have been looking at.... It isnt a must, just a nice to have really.... IMO it improves the look of the bike, but the others are certainly more practical!
 
If you are worried about the wind protection on the standard GS, get the GIVI AF330 screen. The difference it makes in amazing.
 
I'm 5'11" and have absolutely no problems with the height - often jack the ESA up to max ride height for extra ground clearance even with the seat on highest setting. I'm 12st wringing wet so not exactly stocky either. True the GS is the easier of the two to ride IMHO, but for me at least, its not quite as much GS without the 'A'.

Go enjoy.

You will pronably need a different seat, but try high front low back setting as this seems to work for some. I can recommend Corbin.
 
Hey RJT, I'm 5'9 with 29 inch inside leg and I have a 2011 GSA 30 Yr model.

I've had no problems riding it and I think it is brilliant, I had a 2007 GS prior to my Adventure and always looked at the GSA with a thought of "I wish I had one of those".

If you have doubts ride both, whatever you choose they are both great.

Have a nice day tomorrow, let us know which one you get.

JimmyMac :flag
 
Definately try and ride both, they feel quite different.

As stock bikes the GSA felt a bit more comfy over bumps, but at the expense of the chuckable feel of the normal GS.

I prefer the sportier feel of the stock GS, I have a taller screen and better suspension (wilburs) and reckon I have the comfort of the Adventure and better handling than stock GS, the bike is just set up how I like it.

The only thing I would really like from the Adventure is the extra range.
 
Well I did it!!!!

Signed on the line for a 2009 gsa......

Was a toss up between that and the 2011 standard. Both were actually the same price

Tough call to make...... Obviously the adventure has mor kms on the clock - 18 tkm compared to 3tkm but he assured me this is no isssue

He is throwing in new tyres and the 20tkm inspection too.....

The gsa was fully loaded with cases too and the guy before has an aftermarket zach exhaust and a different seat which was lower, comfortable and made me feel closer to the bars too.....

In a very short ride i could feel the better wind protection on the bike too

Hope i have made the right choice..... Bloody expensive these beemers but guess and hope i will more satisfied than i have previously with my bikes....

Please tell me i made the rit decision :thumb
 
Yep right decision i have had both
GSA ALL THE WAY for various reasons i am onto my 3rd one now!!!!!!!!
each one an improvement on the previous one :beerjug:
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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