GSA named tourer of the year

[ronk1200lt]

The GSA was named Tourer of the Year by motorcycle-usa.com. I never thought of the GSA as competition for the Wing or LT.

[DavidTaylor]

You should talk to the number of folks here who have replaced the LT with the GSA and are swallowing large portions of the country on a regular basis. It's an unbelievably competent machine for touring. I find myself waffling a bit between that and the GT as an LT replacement.

[DaveDragon]

The GSA is a far superior tourer compared to others I've tried, even the LT.

[amarider]

The GSA is a far superior tourer compared to others I've tried, even the LT.

I'll almost agree with that 100% just adding....
The GSA or GS is a far superior one up tourer compared to others I've tried, even the LT.

[DaveDragon]

I'll almost agree with that 100% just adding....
The GSA or GS is a far superior one up tourer compared to others I've tried, even the LT.

Agreed!

Good point.

[grifscoots]

Now, if they'd put the new inline four motor in it, I'd have one tomorrow. Imagine that, runs like stink on the road and, uh, runs like stink off road.

Well, it's the thought that counts.

[jwd98056]

I will go +1 on that.

[ajs]

The GS or GSA..... Best damned motorcycles ever built to run ANY road for ANY purpose, other than racing, period. End of discussion. :thumb:

Oh yeah, the wife don't like it. Damn!!

[DaveDragon]

Now, if they'd put the new inline four motor in it, I'd have one tomorrow. Imagine that, runs like stink on the road and, uh, runs like stink off road.

Well, it's the thought that counts.

Why would you want to replace such a fine power plant as the Boxer?

My Adventure has plenty of power/torque and gets amazing fuel economy considering how hard I ride it.

The Boxer is a mechanics dream to maintain.

[andy]

Why would you want to replace such a fine power plant as the Boxer?

My Adventure has plenty of power/torque and gets amazing fuel economy considering how hard I ride it.

The Boxer is a mechanics dream to maintain.

Grif likes the taste of the inline 4 better.

[amarider]

Grif likes the taste of the inline 4 better.

Personally I prefer a nice pair of Jugs..... :p

[DaveDragon]

Personally I prefer a nice pair of Jugs..... :p

You said a Mouthfull http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[sfarson]

Took the GSADV cross country this past summer and it over delivered.

From the Great Plains...
http://www.farson.com/10days/d1ks.jpg

To eastern curves, it was sublime...
http://www.farson.com/10days/d5dg.jpg

[Texas42]

I love my GS and yes it is the best touring bike there is, but Cindy doesn't like riding on it so I will keep both because the LT is the best 2-up bike there is.

[tmgs]

Now, if they'd put the new inline four motor in it, I'd have one tomorrow. Imagine that, runs like stink on the road and, uh, runs like stink off road.

Well, it's the thought that counts.

if they would add crusie as well.

it is not the same touring bike as the LT, will it do it, yes, but not as good on the highway's at least IMHO it is not as good as the LT for those days thqat I want to be in Ca. in 40 hours or so

[slowoldguy]

I own both presently. The LT has better wind and rain protection. Those speakers sure are nice when you are wearing a half-helmet (which I wear on the LT except dead of winter). It is better two up by far (so the passengers tell me). Low speed handling is better on the Adv, but it will fall-over , too.

If I was solo and headed to L.A. and I had to be there tommorow I'd take the LT. If I could dawdle in the Southern Rockies (and the weather cooperated) I'd be on the GS Adventure. Now if I was headed to Memphis to see the kid at college- it's the LT baby. Slab-o-matic.


So .....IMHO.... a man really needs both and with the price for a really nice LT (99-03) being what it is, it ain't that much of a leap. Make payments on the Adv and cash out a nice used LT. Works fine and dandy, even for those of us who work for a living.

[messenger13]

The Boxer is a mechanics dream to maintain.Which is what attracts me so much to the GSA. Adjusting valves on a Boxer is easier than changing fluids on a GT. :(

[mwnahas]

The GSA is way cool, that may well be my next bike except that my SO likes the LT so much. So... I guess the logical solution is two bikes. :D

[djones]

Why do you guys like the GSA over the GS for touring? I thought it was more off road. To be as smooth as the LT you have to be changing tires?

[hip001]

The GSA is a sweet bike! I'd have one for sure! But the $20K+ is more than I wanna spend! I'd have to get a 3rd job!

[tmgs]

The GSA was named Tourer of the Year by motorcycle-usa.com. I never thought of the GSA as competition for the Wing or LT.


ya know I just got back from a short trip on mine, (FL and Backl again) and my 1200 GSA is so buzzy, I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy this bike on long trips, a lousey 600 mile non stop trip about drove me nuts yesterday! same ont heway down there. there is no way this bike compares with the LT NO WAY at all, I have 154k on the Lt and 21k on my GSA now, its not getting any better :(,

the bike is fine at 70 or less but 80+ its as bad as my Harley's were!, I like the bike real well but its not goping to compete with the LT for long distance days, I actually dread the day I do 800+ mile day on this GSA.

I wonder if anyone has had one balanced (PROPERLY), Heck my Stroked Balanced Shovelhead wasn't as bad as this bike at 80+ mph

[amarider]

ya know I just got back from a short trip on mine, (FL and Backl again) and my 1200 GSA is so buzzy, I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy this bike on long trips, a lousey 600 mile non stop trip about drove me nuts yesterday! same ont heway down there. there is no way this bike compares with the LT NO WAY at all, I have 154k on the Lt and 21k on my GSA now, its not getting any better :(,

the bike is fine at 70 or less but 80+ its as bad as my Harley's were!, I like the bike real well but its not goping to compete with the LT for long distance days, I actually dread the day I do 800+ mile day on this GSA.

I wonder if anyone has had one balanced (PROPERLY), Heck my Stroked Balanced Shovelhead wasn't as bad as this bike at 80+ mph

Yes - My GS has become very smooth since I started adjust my own valves, I can easily cruise at 80 all day. The wind management is good but will never be a barn door like the LT.
In MHO there's a simple test to tell if a LT rider like touring on a GS/GSA before they ever ride one. If on an LT you like riding with a full size windscreen in a higher position where you look through the screen most of the time. You will not like touring on the GS. But if you ride with a Euro Screen or keep your screen lowered and look over it most of the time, then the GS/GSA should be a good touring fit for one up riding. This is taking in to account that your GS is adjust well and runing smooth.

[tmgs]

Yes - My GS has become very smooth


yes? you had one balanced? I have not met anyone that has had that done yet. who did the balance job?


since I started adjust my own valves, I can easily cruise at 80 all day. The wind management is good but will never be a barn door like the LT.
In MHO there's a simple test to tell if a LT rider like touring on a GS/GSA before they ever ride one. If on an LT you like riding with a full size windscreen in a higher position where you look through the screen most of the time. You will not like touring on the GS. But if you ride with a Euro Screen or keep your screen lowered and look over it most of the time, then the GS/GSA should be a good touring fit for one up riding. This is taking in to account that your GS is adjust well and runing smooth.


I'm not speaking anything of wind, wind is not the problem, heck I probably have 300-400k with no windshield at all over the years

I'm talking engine vibration, its insane at 80+ mph

[tmgs]

The GSA is a far superior tourer compared to others I've tried, even the LT.

yours don't vibrate like crazy at sustained 80+ mph?

my hands go numb like crazy after a few hundred miles, its engine I pull in the clutch and the vib is gone.

[Hookalatch]

I have never ridden a bike that was a better tourer than the LT. Mine was more comfortable than my GSA, far smoother engine, I got better mileage with the LT, it had nice amenities like music and cruise control, and my wife was very comfortable on it.

My GSA is more fun to to ride. I ride for fun. I do not miss the LT very much and the only thing I would do differently is make the trade sooner.
Chuck

[tmgs]

I have never ridden a bike that was a better tourer than the LT. Mine was more comfortable than my GSA, far smoother engine, I got better mileage with the LT, it had nice amenities like music and cruise control, and my wife was very comfortable on it.

My GSA is more fun to to ride. I ride for fun. I do not miss the LT very much and the only thing I would do differently is make the trade sooner.
Chuck


read the post again, I never said the GSA was not fun to ride, We own a K1200LT 154k miles, an 06 GS with 32k miles and 07 GSA with 21/22k miles,

I dread the day I have to do a 800+ trip on it though. the vibes drive me insane at intersate speeds in the 80mph area

[dronning]

+1 on the GSA over the LT for touring. I loved the LT but the GSA just sings to me I never want to get off. I've done 4-5 1,000 mile days on the LT and just as many on the GSA - GSA wins hands down for me. Kaye too as a passenger.

Dave

[ATLDB]

read the post again, I never said the GSA was not fun to ride, We own a K1200LT 154k miles, an 06 GS with 32k miles and 07 GSA with 21/22k miles,

I dread the day I have to do a 800+ trip on it though. the vibes drive me insane at intersate speeds in the 80mph area

I am with Tom, when MarcF and I took a trip down Key West last thanskgiving I did ONE stretch of 250 miles on his GS and NOT AGAIN (my hands were numb after 80 miles), the LT is just far superior and we are not talking about creature comforts, we are talking about ONLY engine Vibs.

I had an 2002 LT for 2 years, sold it, got a K1200S, and a R1200CLC, also an ST1300 in the middle of that, and one week on a R1200RT (rented) in the Rockies........... NONE come close to the LT in EVERY aspect.

One day I hope I will be able to tell folks about my 150K miles on my LT.

See you Tom

[tpg]

I have an 06 GS. I did not buy the GSA because of the weight. I love the bike. I can stand up on it in close quarters or on dirt, I get off every two hours or less. The need for the large tank baffles me. I am as macho as the next guy but most of us aren't going around the world. I also have an 03 LT currently stored at Ironhorse in Tucson. I did ten days in January out there and have plane tickets for another ten days starting on the 11th and then again in April. Nothing like the LT on the highway, anything else with three and a half inches of clearance is nuts. On the planned April trip I am flying out (from Newport, RI) with my thirteen year old son and driving the LT home. I'm excited for both of us and have been reading posts in the Ride section. Heading for his first look at the Grand Canyon and then head east. We have nine days of his school vacation so any suggestions as to what to see are welcomed. Gotta get him back on time or face mom's rath. I think I have the perfect combination of motorcycles.
Love it!

[jrlakin]

I got an 05 GS last fall, and I really haven't ridden it enough yet so determine exactly what I think about it. HOWEVER, there is no way it comes close to my LT for touring. That much I know. That is my opinion at least.

[kwn306]

No one has addressed the engine vibe the fellow was talking about with his GSA. :mad:

Well I have a 95 GS and it will vibrate like a b*tch when the throttle bodies get out of sink or the valves get way out of wack. Two hours of wrench turning and the problem is cured.

I have never adjusted the throttle bodies on the new GS's but if you do not follow the directions to the "T" on the old ones the problem with the vibes multiplies.