GS or GSA

[Sharribee]

Contrary to popular opinion I'm not going to recommend one or the other. I've had both and they're both good. However I prefer the GSA (I'm on my second) because I think the ride is far fatter.

[Mabels Old Man]

Get on with your dissertation.

That's not a recommendation it's stating my preference

[GOG 007]

Assuming you can rustle together about 8K-9K, and in the unlikely event you defect to the dark side, would you be ?

Looking to sell the Vara ?

[Boris]

Looking to sell the Vara ?

Well possibly. Or should I say definitely if (and I mean if) I am to buy a beemer.

The problem is I've had the Vara for 3 1/2 years now and I don't think I've ever kept my primary bike that long before. It does pretty much everything I ask of it with aplomb but if (and I still mean if) I am to change I couldn't see the point of buying a newer version of what I already have (especially as they are essentially the same bike). That's just not what I do. That leaves the GS / GSA as the only real alternative*

Do you fancy one?

* Yes there are others but for various reasons they aren't for me.

[jolly green giant]

I've had my Vara for 2 years now (bought it new for £5599 in May 2008) and won't part from it just yet. But I'm planning to buy a GSA (ie GS with ABS) in the coming weeks. Always wanted to have 2 bikes which complement each other.

Brian

[Mabels Old Man]

I've had my Vara for 2 years now (bought it new for £5599 in May 200 and won't part from it just yet. But I'm planning to buy a GSA (ie GS with ABS) in the coming weeks. Always wanted to have 2 bikes which complement each other.

Brian

Not true. You cab have a GS with our without ABS, as you can with a GSA. Two different motorcycles.

[j]

Have a look at Riders of Cardiff BMW dealer it has some very nice second hand GSA's with lots of attachments on them.

[pdsquire]

Bottom line is if you had 9K to spend on a GS or GSA what would you buy and why?

They were both bloody wonderful cars, but the hatchback of the GSA made better use of the boot.

Seriously though, whenever I see mention of GS/GSA I am reminded of the Citroen of the 1970s which was a revelation at the time. Slow to accelerate but flew along in uncanny comfort.

I'd not pay £9k for one, but it'd be a pleasure to drive one again... *looks dreamily into the middle distance*

[jasonbc]

Right. Let's get one thing clear I'm definitely not moving over to the darkside yet.

Well probably not yet but I have been looking at prices and the more I look the more confused I get.

Assuming I could rustle together about 8K-9K it seems I could get a good condition GS1200 at say 1-2 years old. If I wanted an adventure it would be another 1-2K extra.

Is this premium really worth it? I know the gearing tank and wheels are different but is there more to it that that? Do all GSA's come with luggage or heated grips or are there other differences that I need to be aware of?

Whatever I chose it must have ABS as it saved me big time once and I wouldnt be without it now.

Bottom line is if you had 9K to spend on a GS or GSA what would you buy and why?

I've ridden the 1200 a few different models but not convinced there better than the 1150. My father has 1150 mandarin and it better at high speed as more stable than the 1200 due to the 1200 being lighter. There seems to be less drive shaft seal issues with the 1150. Both come with ABS but both have different systems. As for adventure models up to you what do you intend to do with it the gsa's have a bigger fuel tank and lower 1st & 2nd gear.

As for the 9k thing i went down this road last summer i thought about trading my VAradero which is a 99 model. It's given me no troubles is effortless to use all day comfort and **** hot reliability. I thought about changing it for the new KTM 990 adventure then i thought i must be stupid, especially as 2 members of the club bought ktm990 adventures and both have been bought back by ktm as the dealers were unable to sort the faults of the random automatic accelerator surging. So i'm keeping the Varadero.

The ktm might be btter and newer but it aint 6k worth better than my Varadero also didn't like the ABS on the ktm when using the rear brake pedal it cut in far to early for my liking but i know you can turn it off by choice i wouldn't want it. NOt all the BMW systems allow you to turn it if i don't think you can in father gs but on uncles r1150r you can.

Why not just spend 3k on 3 separate bikes one fore each occassion. I've had my Varadero for 6years and it aint going, if i want something else i'll buy it aswell the bmw k1200r street fighter did tickle my fancy aswell

[Boris]

Why not just spend 3k on 3 separate bikes one fore each occassion. I've had my Varadero for 6years and it aint going, if i want something else i'll buy it aswell the bmw k1200r street fighter did tickle my fancy aswell

The reason for any change is not so much that I want to do something different but that I want something different. The vara ticks just about all the boxes but I must admit I am a bit concerned about dropping it were I do do a bit of light off roading and bust a radiator or some other expensive bit. It seems the GSA crashes better This years Elephant being a case in point. I wouldn't attempt on a vara.

The bike has just turned 4 years old and in tiptop condition and I feel I should change this year and the GS(A) seems to be the logical progression. I may not spend 9K it was just a figure I picked out of the air assuming I get a reasonable price for the Vara and a descent bonus from work.

Three bikes would just mean 2 of them sitting in the garage as I would no doubt end up using the same one 99% of the time. That's how it works with the two I already have