Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Good questions Kobus, I am also keen to hear the answers to this as I would like to get the 2008 GSA sometime next year. I currently have the 1200GS

Kobus let me give my opinion on your question. I have had 3 1200GSA's and a GS 1150. My answers are in your posting below..... I know that this topic might have been exhausted elsewhere. However I could not find that elsewhere. I would very much like to hear what your opinion is on this matter. I have a recently acquired 650GS. Love it, but can see myself going to the 1200 soon. The differences in specs are: Tank capacity. Is easy to decide on this (I think). You must just think what type of riding you will be doing. What is the range with the GS? (Not sure on the GS but I comfortably get 500kms on my 33lt tank.) The main seat. It appears as if the seat of the GSA will be more comfortable for very long rides. I don’t know if this is marginal however. Is the seat of the GS fine for short to medium trips? (GS seat by all accounts is fine, the GSA seat is supposedly slightly more comfortable.) Rear carrier (I know there is another name) I like the look of both in different ways. I don’t like the further thing that must be mounted on the GS to attach a top box. I suppose the GSA also requires another fitting. Anyhow I think this is minor. (The top box just slips onto the mounting bracket, likewise for the panniers.) The engine protector can be fitted aftermarket easily. (Correct) Wind reflection From all that I have heard is that the GSA is excellent. This is a big factor. The question is, how good is the GS in this regard. Is there a lot of wind in your face with the GS? I would really appreciate some feedback here. (Yes the GSA is absolutely fantastic. Having ridden the GS over shortish distances it was not as good as the GSA but created no problems for me. I sometimes think that the GSA is "too" wind protected as it can get very hot behind the screen if you do not adjust it for more air flow) Weight This surely is a factor. Must be, 24kg’s. I suppose on the open road it is not an issue. For very technical off-road it must be an issue. When else is it an issue? (I have ridden both on and off road, on road no difference, off road the weight difference was notable but did not hinder me.) Handling Some input here will be appreciated ( As mentioned above) Besides price, what else is there to consider? (In my opinion the GSA is probably one of the best tar road tourers available, including lots of the BM road bikes, off road they both eat up the dirt no problem. You need to be tall enough to reach the ground on the GSA as it is very high, my only gripe!!) Thanks Kobus (Geoff)

Interesting comments. I can only speak for the 1150 GS - I love the bike. Comfortable seat? Last year we did the GSC in Moolmanshoek (Drakensberg). The return trip was done in two 600km stages, at 160+ all the way, in very strong side-wind, very few stops. I remember it as a very enjoyable trip, apart from the wind. So, comfort is no issue on the GS seat. Een groot voordeel is dat jy kan vir lang ente staan as jou sit seer of moeg raak. Fuel range I get 300 to 350 on the 22ltr tank. Actually this is not very important because you end up filling when your buddies fill up - so, if all are GSA's then you can do 500km stints. Otherwise 300km is what you do, saam met die ander bikers. Gear ratio Some people say the GSA has a shorter 1st gear, others say it is the same. What is correct? A shorter 1st gear would be the only reason for me changing my GS for a GSA. Maar aangesien ek nie sulke hengse tegniese rooi roetes ry nie, is die GS perfek vir my.

Wat my aanbetref is daar net een afdeling waar die GSA n beter bike is as die 1200GS, en dis sy grondvry hoogte. Met die vervanging van 5 stelle “grommets” vir die “sumpguard” op n 32,000 trip deur Afrika, is dit seker die 1200GS se grootste swakpunt. Wat die petrol inhoud aanbetref, het ek slegs 4 liter eksta pertol op die trip saamgery, en slegs 2 keer die gebruik daarvan nodig gehad. (WAAR DAAR VOERTUIE IN AFRIKA IS IS DAAR PETROL) Die 1200 GS & GSA kan op enige denkbare brandstof ry. 1200GS gee tot +400km op n tenk as jy weet petrol is nie maklik bekombaar nie. Die sitplek, ( ken nie die GSA nie) hard of sag, raak jy gewoond. n Goeie reel is in elk geval om elke uur of 100km te stop. Die GS se sitplek is in elk geval sagter as die van my Toyota bakkie. In beginsel is n topbox nie n goeie pakplek op enige bike nie. Sagte materiaal “top carriers” is beter. Indien jy wel “Panniers en of Topbox” wil gebruik is Touratech seker jou beste opsie. ONBREEKBAAR (Ja! Beter as BMW) Wind weerstand is nie werklik vir my so n groot faktor nie, en dink ek die GS se “screen” is voldoende. Op sig self is dit duidelik dat die “screen” van die GSA beter is. Of dit werklik nodig is ??? Vir my is daar regtig nie n keuse nie, die 1200GS is alles wat enige iemand van n dubbel doel fiets kan verwag. Die 1200GS klop die GSA met gewig (Altyd n faktor), wat hom n beter off-road bike maak, en in die regte hande is die 1200GS net so goed en beter as enige ander fiets in BMW GS stal. Ja okay !!! Die 1200GSA is mooier – Dis al !

Interesting thread Kobus. Again there are huge diferences because they are horses built for different courses. If you ride a short distance and don't carry much all-up weight, the F650 GS and Dakar are excellent dual performers- giving easily 450 km's on your 18 litre tank. They are a doddle in all sand conditions as they are 100 kilos lighter than the 1150's and 1200's. But for a long haul- they lack power and stamina to make a trip -'effortless'. I ride the heaviest beast- 1150GSA topping 276Kg and more. I get 500km's on my 30 litre tank at cruising speeds of 120 to 130 kph. As for balance and endurance and comfort on the long haul, it is a pleasure and I dismount with a huge smile on my dial. Decide what you want the bike for then get the right one. either way, the services cost much the same and they all can do the job. I tour along with the whole mix and I've yet to meet someone who hates his mount. I meet many who can argue for days on why their choice is better than mine, but then I'm the same. Finally, the new 2008 GSA is bringing back the short 1st gear the 1150GSA had as it is evidently far better in technical stuff to have a low low range donkey gear. Is the 1150GSA comfy, you wake me up and ask, it sure is!! Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.