Thanks to Matt at Bahnstormer for the loan of a GS1250 GS. At 5'9 the GS felt so much better suited to me than the new GSA.
POSTIVES:
1. smooth - whether it was dawdling in 6th gear in the 30 zones around Alton or Petersfield, the GS was perfectly fuelled with no snatching. Really impressive.
2. power - epic; roll on from 6th or in dynamic mode, the bike takes off instantaneously; my last GSA was a 2017 and the new bike felt considerably more powerful; the clutch-less changes have improved from my old GSA
3. comfort - all day comfort; my bike had the standard seat on the low setting so I had both feet on the ground at a stop; the bench-seat is narrower and harder (and slightly higher)
4. looks - the Rallye HP colour screen looks great in the sunshine. Bahnstormer put it side by side with a black/gold Exclusive which also looks great but the Rallye edges it
5. handling - following a monsoon the roads were sodden and despite the thought of a £1k excess if it all went wrong, the bike felt utterly planted and secure
NEGATIVES:
1. screen - I would change the standard screen to the larger GSA; it's fine having the screen at it's lowest setting on the twisty A272 but it wasn't great at 80mph on the A3
2. buzz - on the A3 at 80mph there was a distinct buzz through the bars and footpegs; rubber inserts in the pegs might help
3. cost - £18,730 for a RallyeTE with crash bars, front/rear mudslings, LED spots - I haven't spent this much on a bike. Bahnstormer have a promotion in June with a free SatNav; no doubt a few beers and some serious man maths will make this look sensible. BMW's 9.9% APR for the PCP is just not competitive with Honda offering Africa Twin Sports at 0% and HSBC lending cash at 3.3%
In summary, if you need one bike, this is it.
Jeremy
POSTIVES:
1. smooth - whether it was dawdling in 6th gear in the 30 zones around Alton or Petersfield, the GS was perfectly fuelled with no snatching. Really impressive.
2. power - epic; roll on from 6th or in dynamic mode, the bike takes off instantaneously; my last GSA was a 2017 and the new bike felt considerably more powerful; the clutch-less changes have improved from my old GSA
3. comfort - all day comfort; my bike had the standard seat on the low setting so I had both feet on the ground at a stop; the bench-seat is narrower and harder (and slightly higher)
4. looks - the Rallye HP colour screen looks great in the sunshine. Bahnstormer put it side by side with a black/gold Exclusive which also looks great but the Rallye edges it
5. handling - following a monsoon the roads were sodden and despite the thought of a £1k excess if it all went wrong, the bike felt utterly planted and secure
NEGATIVES:
1. screen - I would change the standard screen to the larger GSA; it's fine having the screen at it's lowest setting on the twisty A272 but it wasn't great at 80mph on the A3
2. buzz - on the A3 at 80mph there was a distinct buzz through the bars and footpegs; rubber inserts in the pegs might help
3. cost - £18,730 for a RallyeTE with crash bars, front/rear mudslings, LED spots - I haven't spent this much on a bike. Bahnstormer have a promotion in June with a free SatNav; no doubt a few beers and some serious man maths will make this look sensible. BMW's 9.9% APR for the PCP is just not competitive with Honda offering Africa Twin Sports at 0% and HSBC lending cash at 3.3%
In summary, if you need one bike, this is it.
Jeremy
