ZX12 er thinking about a GSA

[stratblue]

Hi All.

I've found a 2011 GSA MU with 22k on the clock for £9500. FSH. ABS. ASC. ESA. 3 aluminium cases, tour screen, wind deflectors, camel stand (wtf?) and heated grips. Does this seem like a decent deal? Anything I should look for? What exactly is a camel stand? What is the significance of "MU". Thanks for your patience guys!

Nick.

 

[jbox]

camel stand extends the length of the side stand,not to be confused with camel toe

 

[DING-DONG]

This 2013 90th GSA fully loaded with extras and 5k on the clock for £10850 is a real bargain .
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181754425106

 

[Stephanos]

MU means model update,single cam released 2008

TU means technical update,twin cam released 2010

 

[Fanum]

Go for a test ride.

A long one....it will take an hour to feel vaguely at home on a GS, and a further couple of hours to 'understand' one and then start appreciating it.

A ZX12 is a VERY different bike in style, position, power delivery and even attitude.

 

[Zx9man]

I moved to a gsa from a blackbird and can say it was the best move for me easy to ride the gsa all day

 

[Giles]

It took me about 6 months and several testrides to eventually bight the bullet and move to a GSA after 25 years of jap sports / sports touring bikes. I remember taking a GSA back to a dealer after my first ever ride on one after about 15 minutes, saying 'thanks but no thanks'. So like Fanum, I'd suggest at least a couple of test rides first.

 

[Flipfly]

It took me about 15 minutes to know it was the bike for me

 

[stratblue]

I remember taking a GSA back to a dealer after my first ever ride on one after about 15 minutes, saying 'thanks but no thanks'2

..
I did exactly that a few years ago, but my 1998 Triumph Tiger needs to be replaced...

 

[Giles]

Ahh well ..... A tiger to a GSA is a slightly different kettle of fish than a ZX12 to a GSA ...!!

 

[stratblue]

MU means model update,single cam released 2008

TU means technical update,twin cam released 2010

So, the one I have my eye on is 2011 so is it twin cam or singe cam? Should I even worry about it?

 

[Bobbin-Man]

It'll be a twin cam, which many consider to be the sweetest of all the options. You can tell the difference of you look at the spark plug cover on the cylinder head ... horizontal plastic cover is a single cam, vertical plastic cover is a twin cam.

And welcome ... "stratblue" as in blue Strat??

 

[stratblue]

And welcome ... "stratblue" as in blue Strat??

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm a guitarist and play the blues quite a bit and I used to play Strats a lot..

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm a guitarist and play the blues quite a bit and I used to play Strats a lot..

Still play I hope You'll find quite a few guitarists on here

 

[sagalout]

Took me a long time to like the GS, swapping bikes with my mate occasionally. Always liked the looks but didn't 'get' the boxer engine or indicators. I was much more into IL4 sports bikes and sport tourers (including a ZX12R and 2 Blackbirds). Eventually bought one and it's been the bike I've owned for the longest amount of time. The 12 was an awesome bike though - the only bike that I never actually got used to amount of power on it.

 

[stratblue]

The 12 was an awesome bike though - the only bike that I never actually got used to amount of power on it.

It's a great bike, I want the Z for the fast roads and the GSa for the gnarly unclassified back lanes.

 

[mpgscott]

Like a lot say it takes a while to get to like it a good few hours, i took onboard what a lot of posts suggested that you dont want to test ride it as you will not like. So i took the plunge expensive one granted and went for a 2011 TC and have to say within the first few miles i thought what have i done but then after a while loved it and still do. That was 14months ago and recently just swapped to a GSA over the GS and love it even more.

 

[patzx12]

I went from 3 in a row ZX12R to an 05 gas, wrung its neck until it blew up.
You will love the GSA but get the twin cam 2010 +

 

[mpgscott]

Totally off the subject but Galway is a lovely part of the World Pat, havent been over since i think it was 1995 and the weather was scorchio great craic. Mate used to work in Clifden

 

[patzx12]

Totally off the subject but Galway is a lovely part of the World Pat, havent been over since i think it was 1995 and the weather was scorchio great craic. Mate used to work in Clifden

With the sunny weather there is no place better, last 2 wheel spin with an engine was last week Wild Atlantic Way.
I have as yet to do a motorcycle tour of Scotland, I will have to get round to it. I read every Scotland trip report.
Back to the ZX12R, it takes your breath away straight off the throttle, no waiting around for the revs to build like on the XR.
I used to scrape the crankases.
A few pics:
and apology for the partial hijack