GS or GSA

[Boris]

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?

[StumpyFingers]

I would buy A Honda.



If I was in the market for a BMW I would go for the GS, looks not too different and the extra price of the GSA is not worth it.

[Chad]

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?

GS lighter nimbler and 220-250 to a tank.

GSA 330 to a tank , taller suspention , enduro gearbox , lower first gear, so they feel a bit nippier from the off..oh and 330 to a tank .oodles of road prescence

both bikes are super comfy so its all about how you feel riding them

[outrunner]

Boris,
Get the cheaper model, what you saved will pay for the new final drive.


Andy.

[Sharribee]

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 looked at the 1200, the GSA was not an option because I figured that being able to get your bike off the side stand when it has more than quarter of a tank is pretty useful.

The GSA is heavy, and big and a little lardy I mean, would you date a woman with hips like that, I think not. You'd go for her sleeker, but still curvey and downright gorgeous younger sister wouldn't you. And you can get a brand new one for the price of a second hand GS100 / GSA

Seriously, the 800 is lighter but has the power to do the touring that the bigger GS's do. I did exactly the same as MoM and Jay in the summer down to Spain and my bike used less fuel and when we hit the rocky stuff, had there been a competent rider on board it would have breezed it

And it's better looking, and this year brings gorgeous colours

http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/motorc...fications.html






I like the white one

[Boris]

Boris,
Get the cheaper model, what you saved will pay for the new final drive.
Andy.

Ooo I'll tell my mate Vader and before you know it you'll be annexed and every seat in Selkirk will have a towel on it.

[Chad]

I looked at the 1200, the GSA was not an option because I figured that being able to get your bike off the side stand when it has more than quarter of a tank is pretty useful.

The GSA is heavy, and big and a little lardy I mean, would you date a woman with hips like that, I think not. You'd go for her sleeker, but still curvey and downright gorgeous younger sister wouldn't you. And you can get a brand new one for the price of a second hand GS100 / GSA

Seriously, the 800 is lighter but has the power to do the touring that the bigger GS's do. I did exactly the same as MoM and Jay in the summer down to Spain and my bike used less fuel and when we hit the rocky stuff, had there been a competent rider on board it would have breezed it

And it's better looking, and this year brings gorgeous colours

BMW Motorrad UK. New Motorcycles. Enduro. BMW F 800 GS Prices & specifications.






I like the white one

and a pippette for fuel tank

[Boris]

I looked at the 1200, the GSA was not an option because I figured that being able to get your bike off the side stand when it has more than quarter of a tank is pretty useful.

The GSA is heavy, and big and a little lardy I mean, would you date a woman with hips like that, I think not. You'd go for her sleeker, but still curvey and downright gorgeous younger sister wouldn't you. And you can get a brand new one for the price of a second hand GS100 / GSA

Seriously, the 800 is lighter but has the power to do the touring that the bigger GS's do. I did exactly the same as MoM and Jay in the summer down to Spain and my bike used less fuel and when we hit the rocky stuff, had there been a competent rider on board it would have breezed it

And it's better looking, and this year brings gorgeous colours

I like the white one

I dropped into a small independent dealer on Saturday and did look at a second hand 800 and a mighty fine bike it looks it's just that its an 800 and my experiences say that for 2up touring the 800 will just be a little strained especially as neither of us fit into the twiggy category so seat space is also an issue. So that leaves the 1150 or 1200.

The 1150 is a getting bit long on the tooth and I like the idea of my bike weighing less that quarter of a ton (I have a vara ) so the 1200 would be the probable replacement. I just can't get what about the GSA makes it a more attractive buy (because of the premium price) over the GS. I know Jay, Mike, Pete and Chad all have the GSA so there must be something in it but I just can't quite get it into my thick head.

Back to my original question if there was 9K in the pot what would folks do? Buy a newer or better spec'd GS or an older or poorer spec'd GSA? With this sort of outlay whatever I get, it's going to have to last a long time.

Or I could keep the vara and get very very drunk

[Chad]

get as late and well specced GS as you can afford i think it will be more to your taste good sir

[Mabels Old Man]

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 better.

Neither comes with luggage as standard. BMW threw it in as an appetiser last year for a while. Don't count on getting any so budget for that.

My advice take them both for a long test drive and see which you prefer then buy it.

Have a look on the BMW mottorad site, you can compare both bikes on there to see the differences.

If I was in the market for a BMW I would go for the GS, looks not too different and the extra price of the GSA is not worth it.

Ignore him he's to short to have one anyway

In my opinion the extra cost is worth it.