snerkler
Registered user
I've been bike-less for about 4 months now after having to sell my GSA due to an arm injury (not biking related), but I'm missing it too much and so would love another bike even if I can only ride it very occasionally.
Anyway, I loved my GSA, was the best bike I ever owned by some margin. However, there are other similar bikes out there now so before plunging straight back onto a GS I thought I'd try out the competition to see if I preferred it.
First things first, boy is it fast compared to the GSA (DOHC), it soon goes into hyperdrive. The engine is very impressive in this area, but with the roads getting every busier and the standard of driving steadily going downhill I'm not sure that this speed is warranted on the road. Also, whilst the engine took off like a train it did not have that nice satisfying drive/punch out of corners like the DOHC GS/A which was a little disappointing.
I didn't like the handling, the front didn't seem to do what I wanted, it almost felt disconnected. One minute it didn't seem to want to turn it, then it would flop in. Also, it felt as though the centre of rotation was around the back wheel, a very strange sensation. It felt like a bike equivalent of a roadster such as a Z4.
The dials looked a bit better than the GS/A imo, and I personally prefer a digital speedo than dials/clocks. Build quality felt OK, but not quite as good as the BMW. I know a lot of people on here moan about the build quality of the GS's, but compared to a lot of other manufacturers they're pretty good still imo. The throttle is fly by wire, and felt very limp. Not sure I liked it tbh, and I hope the new GS (which is also fly by wire) won't be as limp.
Riding position didn't feel as good as the GS/A either. Even on high setting the seat was low, and it seemed more of a reach to the handlebars (I'm 6'4"). Also, I don't know what the suspension setting is, it felt firm without being rigid, but bounced you all over the place. Absolute no use on the Derbyshire Peak District B-roads, the types of roads the GS/A eats for breakfast. Seems bonkers to me that they've set the suspension like this on a bike of this nature.
Wind noise and buffeting was much better than the GS, but not quite as good as the GSA. Also, it was bugging me what the front of the bike reminded me of but I've finally realised. It looks like angry birds.
So as you can tell, I wasn't impressed and won't be getting one. After riding today though I've realised that I have to have a bike again so need to get saving, and also working on SWMBO that I need to spend a lot of cash again. As I'm not quite in a position to buy as yet I think I'll wait to see what the new GS has to offer. But if that's not up to par I know I'll be fully satisfied with a DOHC model. Would just need to decide whether to have the GSA again, or go for the GS this time.
Anyway, I loved my GSA, was the best bike I ever owned by some margin. However, there are other similar bikes out there now so before plunging straight back onto a GS I thought I'd try out the competition to see if I preferred it.
First things first, boy is it fast compared to the GSA (DOHC), it soon goes into hyperdrive. The engine is very impressive in this area, but with the roads getting every busier and the standard of driving steadily going downhill I'm not sure that this speed is warranted on the road. Also, whilst the engine took off like a train it did not have that nice satisfying drive/punch out of corners like the DOHC GS/A which was a little disappointing.
I didn't like the handling, the front didn't seem to do what I wanted, it almost felt disconnected. One minute it didn't seem to want to turn it, then it would flop in. Also, it felt as though the centre of rotation was around the back wheel, a very strange sensation. It felt like a bike equivalent of a roadster such as a Z4.
The dials looked a bit better than the GS/A imo, and I personally prefer a digital speedo than dials/clocks. Build quality felt OK, but not quite as good as the BMW. I know a lot of people on here moan about the build quality of the GS's, but compared to a lot of other manufacturers they're pretty good still imo. The throttle is fly by wire, and felt very limp. Not sure I liked it tbh, and I hope the new GS (which is also fly by wire) won't be as limp.
Riding position didn't feel as good as the GS/A either. Even on high setting the seat was low, and it seemed more of a reach to the handlebars (I'm 6'4"). Also, I don't know what the suspension setting is, it felt firm without being rigid, but bounced you all over the place. Absolute no use on the Derbyshire Peak District B-roads, the types of roads the GS/A eats for breakfast. Seems bonkers to me that they've set the suspension like this on a bike of this nature.
Wind noise and buffeting was much better than the GS, but not quite as good as the GSA. Also, it was bugging me what the front of the bike reminded me of but I've finally realised. It looks like angry birds.
So as you can tell, I wasn't impressed and won't be getting one. After riding today though I've realised that I have to have a bike again so need to get saving, and also working on SWMBO that I need to spend a lot of cash again. As I'm not quite in a position to buy as yet I think I'll wait to see what the new GS has to offer. But if that's not up to par I know I'll be fully satisfied with a DOHC model. Would just need to decide whether to have the GSA again, or go for the GS this time.