will 08 GSA solve my problems

[ahg]

Some advice from GSA owners who have owned pre 08 GS 1200 would be most welcome.

My 05 GS1200 is great apart from the screen which fails to offer motorway speeds protection - the lights which just don't - and the seat which gets a little hard after 200 miles.

My question is - will an 08 GSA with a higher screen, factory additional lights and a deeper seat allow me to avoid 80mph wind blast, see where I am going at speeds of over 60MPH and sit with a little more comfort.

I have two choices - upgrade the bike I have, but add little to its value, or trade it in for a new GSA.

Cheers

 

[gfspencer]

I can't tell you much about a GSA but I did add a GSA windscreen to my 08' GS and I noticed an improvement.

 

[Narcoda]

I have just traded in my 05 GS for the 08 GSA, I did consider mods to my 05GS but after reading reviews decided to go for the GSA; Number of reasons include:

1. every modification i have made so far to the GS the GSA has as standard
2.every mod i want to make next on the GS the GSA has already
3. ESA, ASC and better pannier systems lure me
4. larger fuel tank - i drive long distance for a living on my bike
5. I got a great price for my 05 GS traded in against the GSA
6. The GSA looks twice as mean as my GS

SOLD!

Good luck with your decision

 

[VAL. H.]

I have just traded in my 05 GS for the 08 GSA, I did consider mods to my 05GS but after reading reviews decided to go for the GSA; Number of reasons include:

1. every modification i have made so far to the GS the GSA has as standard
2.every mod i want to make next on the GS the GSA has already
3. ESA, ASC and better pannier systems lure me
4. larger fuel tank - i drive long distance for a living on my bike
5. I got a great price for my 05 GS traded in against the GSA
6. The GSA looks twice as mean as my GS

SOLD!

Good luck with your decision

I went the other way, and did the mods 'well some of them'
I like my 1200 and I haven't finished with it yet. I'd love an 08 ADV too. But if it's just so I get the bits as standard that I can add to mine for about 5K less than the cost of changing bikes, I'm better off sticking with the one I've got. I can do my own servicing without having to find £2-£400 every three months just to keep the warrenty up to date too.

.

 

[Tim Cullis]

I had a tall screen (from Nippy Norman) on my 54 GS. When I sold the bike I put the original screen back on before collecting the GSA, so in one day effectively had three screens back-to-back. The GSA screen is a great improvement over the GS, but to be honest the Nippy Norman screen was better (however didn't look so good).

I already had auxilliary fog lights on the GS for road presence, so as standard the GSA was no different. I subsequently added HID auxilliary lights to the GSA, but another option would have been to convert the existing dip/main to HID.

The GSA seat is better padded than the GS, and the suspension is more forgiving, however I also have an AirHawk seat for long distances.

You can get everything you say you want by spending £600 or so. Or you can spend several thousands on a new bike.

Tim

 

[ANTS]

Lights still rubbish though....

Whether you bling your 05 or upgrade to an 08 invest in HIDs - makes a huge difference.

 

[Deleted Member I]

I had a similar decision earlier in the year ... and I choose to do this

Haven't looked back since! ... probably because the bike is too big and I can't turn my head round to look back

 

[Thunder]

I had a similar decision earlier in the year ... and I choose to do this

Haven't looked back since! ... probably because the bike is too big and I can't turn my head round to look back

Your going to burn in hell for adding those sewing machine carrying case

BAck to the original post, the 08 screen is the same as previous models, just wondering what you mean by high screen?

 

[Thunder]

Crap just read the post properly.

The GSA screen on the GS does make a significant difference especially if combined with the GSA winglets which the 08 GS version has the mounts for on the new front subframe.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Crap just read the post properly.

The GSA screen on the GS does make a significant difference especially if combined with the GSA winglets which the 08 GS version has the mounts for on the new front subframe.

How many bloody sets of lights do you need? ... you don't ride at night anyway

 

[Thunder]

How many bloody sets of lights do you need? ... you don't ride at night anyway

Not with those lights fitted I don't, night becomes day and passing car drivers get a free tan

 

[birdseye]

In any real world financial sense - you are better off modifying your existing bike than buying new. Depreciation on any new bike is horrendous.

Appreciate that you really want a new shiny toy and the screen is your rationalisation to yourself of the reason for wanting this, but dont kid yourself. If you want a change, go ahead. If you want to solve wind problems, buy bits for the current bike.

 

[Narcoda]

something you have missed about a new bike (GSA in this case)- if you get a new bike..with all the added bonuses that you could fit to a standard GS- new bike means new warranty...which you're going to need! Carefree, style and courage- go for the GSA...BWM invented it to upgrade the GS

 

[nazdravanul]

I think a good aftermarket screen + seat will definitely be a lot cheaper than depreciation hit on a new bike like the 08 GSA (trade in considered).
Depending on your ergonomics you might find that even the GSA OEM screen/seat are not good enough for you (I am 6,1" and found the OEM GSA screen with TT extender + OEM seat not good enough for extended rides).
Also you may need to buy mud flaps and rear hugger/crud catcher for any of the bikes to make it suitable for real life, everyday riding in crappy weather.
I think it would be a lot smarter to invest the money your are saving from not getting the new bike in riding the old one into the most beautiful places you can find. Less money on motorcycles, more money on motorcycling - makes a bit more sense, don't you think ?