LT to GSA

[rodgtc]

I am thinking about moving from an LT to a GSA. 95% of riding is one up and I like to fly fish, got the LT stuck in the sand again on a two track. Anyway will my wife be happy on the back of the GSA when touring with our camper? I have ridden the GSA and love how nimble it is, much lighter. We normally ride 400 to 500 miles a day when touring and going to rallies. Where would I look for a trailer hitch for the GSA? Any opinions would be great.

Thanks Rodger

[Yiet]

I've travelled this road recently and after 10k km on the GSA I can safely say that it would be very difficult to bring your passenger's comfort anywhere near the level of the LT. The riding position, the seat and the increased wind exposure do not approach the comfort level of the LT for both of you but primarily the passenger. We no longer do those 500 mile days.

Now, I think you can modify and farkle the GSA and come up with a good long distance bike for the rider but I've yet to find any good solutions for the passenger.

Having said that, the GSA will let you go places and do things that the LT would never be able to do. You will love the torque and the ability to fly down the asphalt and then hit a fire road and keep right on going. It is still a big heavy machine and not well suited to soft sand but can take on virtually anything that a 4x4 would handle and haul a ton of supplies and equipment with you at the same time. Others on this board advised me to have both if I could. I couldn't swing that but it was very good advice.

In fact, I would suggest that you keep the LT and if you want an off-road machine consider how often you will have a passenger on-board when off-road. If your answer is infrequent or not at all then consider going to a smaller dual purpose. Not only will you save some serious green, you will also have even more fun in the dirt if you can shed a hundred pounds or more. There are many good options but my personal favorite would be the new KLR - cheap, reliable and competent for the job. If you want an occasional trip with a passenger the new F800GS should be in your dealer now.

Hope this helps.

[justlookin]

I ride 1 up 100% of the time. I love the LT for long rides (4,000 mi)
My solution was to find a older GS. (I found one on advrider 97 for less than $4,000.. It had 73,000 now it has 79,000.. I love it. There is extra cost for insurance for 2nd bike, but they are just so different.
The only problem I see down the road is a Alaska trip. I'm going to want a GS when I get there. Want a LT all the way there.
I may end up selling both for a GSA.. But until I work out an Alaska trip, 2 bikes work for me.
Here's my inexpensive GS:
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll280/WildwoodJeff/97GSbyway1-1.jpg

[jrlakin]

I can't comment on the GSA's comfort for the passenger, but I can say I have a GS, and I can honestly say it has the most uncomfortable rider's seat I have ever ridden. I know there are those on here who tout the GS and GSA as being wonderful touring bikes, but after 100 miles on that seat I am so sore I can hardly stand it. Perhaps the bike just doesn't fit me well for my riding position. I might add shorty after I purchased the bike, I bought a used Bill Mayer seat--and I will have to say it was used and not made specially for me from a guy who was just about identical to me in size and build--and that seat is even more uncomfortable than the stock seat. I do like the bike for play and it is great fun to ride, as long as I don't ride more than 50-75 miles. No way I would have one to tour on though!!!! I do have a LT also, and I wouldn't give it up for a GS to tour. JMO

[jrlakin]

I should note my GS is an 05.

[cali_beemer]

I have owned 2 K1200Lt's and now have an 04 GS. I love my GS. The Lt was cozy on long rides but I find the GS does an excellent job touring. Heck, I flew out to Denver, Colorado for mine and rode it home to sacramento, California. I know its not a GSA but the biggest things I find is have good riding gear. The LT protects you alot more. For me, I can only have one bike and to me there is no better bike than a GS for that now that I have owned one. As my dad always tells me his thoughts on owning more than one bike, "you can only ride one at a time"

[justlookin]

I did the same thing when I got my GS. Flew from St Louis in to Orange County. Then 2,400 mi in 3 days coming back. I had a gel pad and a sheepskin cover. No problems staying on the bike 800 mi a day. I'm using a beadrider now in the warm weather.
I think the GS is just plain "more fun" to ride than the LT, and you know how nice the LT is. (I still prefer the LT for long trips)
Just my $.02..
Jeff

[dronning]

Before I sold the LT I had done 4 1,000 mile days on it, I have done 5 on the GSA - the GSA wins hands down for me - it's just fit's me better. I have a laminar lip on it and there is NO wind issues for me and it's about the same as the LT for Kaye.

Kaye prefers GSA over the LT - that's why we sold it. She likes the GSA ride better and as far as the seat goes we had Sargent rider and pillion seats ordered before I got the bike. Kaye has a custom made pad/backrest on the topbox or if we are camping she has the gear bag behind her. I bought one of those seat heating pads to keep her bum warm. That was her only complaint and I could have ordered the Sargents with heat.

Dave

[jpalamaro]

As former owner of 2004 and 2005 LT and now the owner of an '07 Adventure, '07K12GT, and an '08RT here are my opinions. Please NOTE, these are OPINIONS. Also, I never ride 2-up so that may change the dynamic for many:
1. Adventure not an offroad bike other than some reasonably good hard dirt, maybe some gravel etc. Unless you are a GREAT rider, then all bets are off. I am an average rider and being short doesn't help. Don't get sucked into all of the Walter Mitty ads with you, the woods, etc...it's still a big, heavy bike.

Weather protection good but nowhere near the protection of the LT. Adv. 9.1 gal tank nice, but just delays the inevitable. It's a great bike, I love it.

2. K12GT. Great bike but seems to bring out the worst in me. Seems I want to 'race' everything and just can't seem to ride it slowly! Weather protection good, comfort (for me) excellent, range ok, Good LD touring bike and 'ok' in the twisties; it's still a heavy bike and ain't no sportbike. Love it also.

3. '08R12RT The Swiss Army Knife of bikes. Yeah, I know many would give that award to the Adventure, I don't give it to the Adv but to the RT: this bike quick, very easy to ride, weather protection as good as the LT, and range excellent. I would take the RT on worse roads than I would the Adventure. It handles the twisties better than the GT and the Adv and is IMO BMW's best all-around bike. Sadly, it's kind of a 'boring' bike to many but it continues to dominate sales. Mine has all of the crap, TPM, ESA, etc.