Rode a GSA yesterday

[daddysbike]

I rode the FJR 350 miles yesterday to the Cherohala skyway and then back route 60 to t.w.o. (two wheels only) in Suches, GA.

Stopped at Dales gas station for a break and checking out all the bikes I couldn't help but notice the new GS adventure pull up. It pulled right in front of me and I thought I noticed the face under the full face helmet as that of a friend from the Goldwing forum (who always said he wanted to get rid of his wing for a GS). Sure enough it was him and we talked about the GS or in his case the adventure.

I told him how much I've always like that one of a kind look and the upright ergos like the Vstrom I had. I also said I couldn't stand the air flow/buffet from the Strom and the crappy suspension. He said that the standard GS suffers bad buffet but the GSA with larger windscreen and wide body work/fairing thingy (don't know what it is) on the gas tank really helps. He asked if I wanted to ride it and I said "heck yes!"

At 5-11 I was able to put both feet down (tips not whole foot) but that doesn't bother me, on my Vstrom I added a Corbin seat which added to height so when stopped I would just lean to one side.

The bike was fun to ride, very clean air flow looking over the windscreen. It feels realllllllly light with the boxer twin bringing the center of gravity down low which also makes it easy to change direction.

It felt lighter and easy to ride than the FJR.

Another good thing about the boxer is no heat issues as the engine sits out in the open (the GSA has engine gaurds).

The thing I didn't really like is that engine. It sounded like it was farting most of the time, and I think it was backfiring. I guess I could get used to the feel/sound but its no inline 4 thats for sure. The engine is also what kept me from buying a 1150RT and 1200RT but someday I may end up with one of these.

The GSA also has a large (almost 9 gallon) tank and range over 400 miles.

He rides all the time in the GA/NC fire roads and said its been dropped a bunch of times. I told him I would never ride anything costing over 5grand off road.

He said how with the wing he just got sick of bikes with lousy suspension and I agree. He also said the GSA is a great solo touring bike but he wouldn't travel long with a passenger. Now granted once your pillion gets used to riding a wing, nothing else will do.

I keep finding myself scanning cycle trader and with goldwing forum to see if a desperate seller is giving one away. The wing is a mile muncher but not as fun in the twisties as a GS(A) would be.

I likely buy another good 2 up bike in the next few years when my wife and 3yr old boy and 5yr old girl can ride with me. I'm thinking as my oldest approaches 10yrs old she'll be ready to ride with me. I want to take each of them for long weekends on the Blue ridge parkway every year and will continue to debate the best bike for the job and the best dealy.

You can find late model goldwings with low miles (and they'll run forever) for 12-14k.

I am also concerned about BMW's quality. Many riders say its not what it used to be, rear drive failures etc and I fear high cost of ownership. But they sure are comfortable, light weight and fun to ride.

I've wanted a GS about as long as I've wanted a FJR. I don't plan to get rid of the FJR, its too much fun to ride, too reasonably priced and too good looking.

The GSA is also fun to ride, not good looking (in the same sexy way but I really like the hummer-like looks) and is surely not cheap.

Its surely worth your while to ride to a beemer dealer and test ride one.

Steve

 

[Orient_Express]

Steve,

Gotta admit - I've looked at this BMW myself - I really like the way it's set up, but the closest beemer dealer would not let me "take 'er for a spin". Two things that bug me are the hand guards and the "hawk bill"fairing over the front fender... but nothing I couldn't get used to.

I also like the Motto Guzzi Norge... just thinking out loud here.

 

[rockwells]

I have an '01 1150GS. I love her! No, she's not an FJR, but she moves out with authority, handles sweetly, and is cool in a "hummer" sort of way.

 

[gr8eyes]

Anybody here have a KTM 950 or 990 Adventure? I don't care for the looks at all but as DS go I think they do a great job off road. The weight may be a problem though.

Glenn

 

[RatoneMuerto]

Steve,Gotta admit - I've looked at this BMW myself - I really like the way it's set up, but the closest beemer dealer would not let me "take 'er for a spin". Two things that bug me are the hand guards and the "hawk bill"fairing over the front fender... but nothing I couldn't get used to.

I also like the Motto Guzzi Norge... just thinking out loud here.

Norge? Now you are really talking old school that has gone high tech.

 

[designeraccd]

I traded my '03 FJR for a barely used '02 GS...no heat issues with the GS. OTOH it wasn't as comfy for long distance riding as my FJR + I missed more shifts with that beemer than probably all my other bikes combined! Traded it for an '04 ST 1300, but who wants a bike that soundzz like a teakettle about to boil over??!! Last year I got the closest bike to "perfect" I've ever had (out of 79 bikes now...); my '06 FJR 1300A. She's a sweetie and NO heat issues unlike the '03 "turkey cooker" FJR! DFO

 

[Wolfhound]

Good luck with a BMW, enjoy the money spent on servicing !

 

[Tropical FJR]

Like you, I have also looked closely at a GS-A.

It is the horror stories of strange problems that keep me away....

Met a bloke on a new GS-A the other day on a ride - he was held up 2 weeks waiting for a new steering lock from Germany....

 

[evilmedic13]

Go to ADVrider, they have a ton of info on that bike! I'll be ordering mine in feb/mar next year, should arrive by may/june and it'll be paid in full by august. I think most of the prblems are like the one's reported here, small percentage vs total #'s sold. How many have reported a ticking FJR vs # of members/ FJR's sold? Plus they seem pretty easy to wrench on yourself and save $ for farkles, just like our beloved FJR! I already figured I gotta replace the seat and add 3-4 things and it'll be perfect for me, just gotta slip 'em by the wife . Already got my Dad in on it, so it should be easy, ship stuff to Daddy's, pick up bike when wifey at work, drive to Daddy's and put all the stuff on ride home and VOILA! Wow honey, this bike is perfect right outta the crate! I'm sure she'll sniff soomething out and I;ll get one of these :glare: , but as long as she's comfy, she'll be happy! I got one helluva wife but if she found out how much I spent on the FJR farkle she'd kill me(zumo,starcom,electrosport,corbin heated seats,etc) I would think the less she knows the happier WE are!

The only question about the r1200gs adventure she asked was if it was more expensive than the FJR, I said "a little". Which is true if you look at new FJR prices vs GSA msrp, I failed to mention what the luggage will cost us

I did promise to help her pay off one of her loan's after the GSA come's home, so I am balancing it out. It'll be like buying a new gsa for her, but instead it's more equity in the house for her. She bought the house before we met, so it's like me being a pillion on the house! And yes I do help pay the home loan, I'm not that much of a slug

 

[smitty141]

Ever since I seen this monster I am thinking.... I got to have one. I would have to sell my 07 KLR 650, and my beloved 05 FJR. With those bikes I do have the best of both worlds. I would have a ton of FJR farkels to turn into cash, along with the KLR. It is hard for me not to get sucked into this "cult". I could sell everything and buy new, or buy used and have some cash for farkles. Checked on a new one today, $18500. plus luggage... It is a 20 thousand dollor deal before it's over. Man, what should I do........ Smitty :blink:

 

[Barko1]

Anybody here have a KTM 950 or 990 Adventure? I don't care for the looks at all but as DS go I think they do a great job off road. The weight may be a problem though.
Glenn

I had one for about a month, fun bike but still to heavy for me for any really nasty terrain. People take them all sorts of places but to me it becomes to much work. I don't mind crashing my Kaw 200 but not a giant beast. I had a Tiger and V Strom as well, good bikes but I want light for dirt. Plus I don't care for KTM reliability, water pump, fuel pumps,, plus I'm not a twin guy. Triples yes!

 

[STL FJR]

Ever since I seen this monster I am thinking.... I got to have one. I would have to sell my 07 KLR 650, and my beloved 05 FJR. With those bikes I do have the best of both worlds. I would have a ton of FJR farkels to turn into cash, along with the KLR. It is hard for me not to get sucked into this "cult". I could sell everything and buy new, or buy used and have some cash for farkles. Checked on a new one today, $18500. plus luggage... It is a 20 thousand dollor deal before it's over. Man, what should I do........ Smitty :blink:

Smitty, did you check your email? I already found you one for about $11k.

 

[keithaba]

I did a long day on a GS last week.

While it certainly was a fun bike to ride, it just didn't have the smooth feel and power delivery of the FJR.

I didn't feel like it was much lighter, and the seat was way too high for me. At 5'6, I had a few instances in which I literlly couldn't get the damn thing off the kickstand without throwing my body to the right and almost toppling over the other direction. Ask TWN, he witnessed the whole thing!

Don't get me wrong, having one would be fun, and the ergos were great. I rode from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a few stops, nothing over 40 minutes for lunch. I was surprised at how comfortable it was for a long trip.

Plus, get that thing up to about 100 and it feels very unstable.

All and all, I just don't think it matches up to the FJR in power delivery, comfort, or wind protection. I would need to ride them back to back to compare handling, but I didn't feel like it did anything more than the FJR, just a little less effort. The biggest bonus, offraod capable, although that is one heavy SOB for the dirt.