Exorcising the GSA demon

[snakebitten]

I am the bull's-eye target candidate for the BMW GS. (GSA to be more accurate)

Ironically, I didn't know it until I got my Tenere. I might have suspected it before then, a little, but I was still in a "that's for when I really am an old man" denial stage.

But to be really honest, the more I found the Tenere to be MORE of a perfect fit, I simply had to keep pushing back the feeling that the GSA is my nirvana. After all, the Tenere is the imitator. Not that imitation is equivalent to inferior, since there are many obvious attributes that the Tenere has convincingly more than matched. The most obvious example being overall reliability. More specifically, "big ticket" reliability.

But that alone just wouldn't squelch the desire for the GSA. I just can't get out of my head that unfarkled, it is the one I really want down deep inside. And I flat out think it is the eye candy KING of the big adventure bikes. (I define it narrower than current marketing types. I absolutely am talking about dirty adventure bikes) I can stare at it for hours. Every bit as much as a Ducati Desmosedici.

But it's my birthday. 55

I can have anything I want. (within reason, of course)

My wish is to finally, and completely, erase the GSA as the best Big Adventure Bike. And I don't mean convince someone else. I have to convince ME!

I'm giving it the best shot I know how.



I'm actually sincerely optimistic.

 

[X5]

Happy Birthday!

 

[ltft71]

Happy Birthday!!


And that is one great present!! ::022::

 

[snakebitten]

Well thank ya!

Promise I wasn't fishing for that, but I like it.

 

[iridemotorbikes]

The only thing better then a rifle in a rifle case, Ohlins!!! ::024:: ::012:: ::012::

Happy B-Day.

 

[Roge]

55 is a good number, I came to the S10 from a R1200GSA or more correctly from a range of GS's R100GSPD, R1150GS, R1150GSA, R1200GSA, everyone of them was good and conterary to popular belief I never had an reliability issue on any of them over many 100s of 1000s fo miles, not one. The local dealer attitude was my problem. Now I have the S10 I would add it to the GS list it just has a Yamaha badge. The S10 is first bike I have had with ABS TC........ I spec'd my GS'a without deliberately. The S10 is a great bike BUT you can't beat the demon he'll gnaw away at you head until excercised...................

 

[snakebitten]

55 is a good number, I came to the S10 from a R1200GSA or more correctly from a range of GS's R100GSPD, R1150GS, R1150GSA, R1200GSA, everyone of them was good and conterary to popular belief I never had an reliability issue on any of them over many 100s of 1000s fo miles, not one. The local dealer attitude was my problem. Now I have the S10 I would add it to the GS list it just has a Yamaha badge. The S10 is first bike I have had with ABS TC........ I spec'd my GS'a without deliberately. The S10 is a great bike BUT you can't beat the demon he'll gnaw away at you head until excercised...................

You ain't helping! Lol

Although I didn't leave reliability out of the equation, or the post, I assure you that I DO believe that it is not unordinary to have a reliable GS(A).
Put another way, that alone would not be enough to drive me away. I have a KTM. I have had motocross bikes. Maintenance is not something I fear.

But I sure hope your wrong.

I'm just betting that I can intellectually overcome the demon by simply massaging the Tenere to such an extent that the debate becomes how much $$ it would take to get the Beemer better than my Tenere!

Up to this point, it was the other way around. (for me)

I've already succeeded at making this my favorite bike of all time. And that was BEFORE my birthday gift.
It's a safe bet it's gonna just be a whole lot better.

 

[GrahamD]

Way to go Snake..

But really, you should still have at least a few thousand dollars to go. What's the hold up?

Why don't you get a black carbon spare set? How about a couple of spare 20/18 wheels from woody.

Are we there yet?

You can't count the Ohlins because that is what the GS/A people do anyway... ::025::

Looking forward to the report. ::008::

 

[snakebitten]

Way to go Snake..

But really, you should still have at least a few thousand dollars to go. What's the hold up?

Why don't you get a black carbon spare set? How about a couple of spare 20/18 wheels from woody.

Are we there yet?

You can't count the Ohlins because that is what the GS/A people do anyway... ::025::

Looking forward to the report. ::008::

DLC lead time was crazy.
WoodyWheels might be for 56?

A GSA with Ohlins? Shutup.

 

[Rasher]

I loved the last GS, for my mainly tarmac and often two-up use it was great, much faster turning, much better ground clearance, no fork dive, controls fell nicely to hand, heated grips worked properly, luggage all operated from the bike key, no stupid low gear restrictions and a perky engine with "character"

I think the Flash / Pipes has given the S10 a far more potent engine, still lacks the "character" with the dead flat (i.e. technically perfect) torque curve, but overall I prefer the S10 lump now.

The suspension work I think has taken the handling / ground clearance to a GS matching point, still not quite so quick steering, but it is more stable and rides bumps better.

Had I had faith in the BMW being reliable, and the dealers not all being a bunch of robbing its I would have bought one, overall I am very glad I dod not, but can't help wishing that BMW had not just done a better job on quality control / fixing known issues.

 

[hANNAbONE]

OOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooo aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh OOOOOOhlins.!

what's not to like -

You, Mr Bitten, will be the Belle of the Ball with those animals strapped to your MamaYamma iron.

Good on ya.!

 

[gmtech]

does ohlins rework your fork legs ? or do you get new ones? ballpark how much do they run =)

 

[twinrider]

Ride a GSA back to back with a regular GS (or your S10) and you'll find it handles like a top heavy pig in comparison. That should cure your thirst for one if the Ohlins don't. >

 

[Xdriver]

Ride a GSA back to back with a regular GS (or your S10) and you'll find it handles like a top heavy pig in comparison. That should cure your thirst for one if the Ohlins don't. >

I'd imagine this to be true. Especially with a full tank on the GSA. The suspension is probably going to transform the Tenere. I've had other complaints of Tenere over the BMW's, but I've narrowed it down to primarily just the suspension now. Harsh in comparison. Now you'll cure that.

 

[Rasher]

I tested an S10 then GS, then GSA all on the same day.

Original comments on S10 and GS stand, the GSA was very different to what I expected, it did not feel much heavier or particularly unwieldy, but just quite subdued after the normal GS, it felt a bit slower, not quite as sharp on steering and generally took all the fun out of the GS for me - I definately preferred a stock S10 over the GSA.

 

[snakebitten]

does ohlins rework your fork legs ? or do you get new ones? ballpark how much do they run =)

If you look closely at the pic, the two long plastic bags are the OEM innards of the Yamaha tubes.
ALL of the innards. They are even assembled and intact. So it appears Ohlins only reused the tubes.

Which, at least, saved a teeny tiny amount over just buying Ohlins forks.
You had to be a bit stubborn and foolish with your wallet to get these for a Tenere. They are NOT a part of Ohlins product line.
Development took almost 5 months. It was a test at times. Especially since there ARE other routes to take now.


Get in touch with Jaxon at Rideonadv. (a vendor of this forum)
He is the one responsible for getting Ohlins-USA to build these.
Seems he wanted them real real bad for his Tenere.

 

[JJ Moto Addict]

I am the bull's-eye target candidate for the BMW GS. (GSA to be more accurate)

It's not easy exorcising those GSA demons...
... at least you're trying. ;D

 

[snakebitten]

You know, what's sad is it's mostly just in my head. It's an ideal. I've spent only a few minutes actually on one, for crying out loud.
But it was a magical setting. (Desert mountains) It looked iconic there.

I'll get over it. I just need to grow up.

 

[greg the pole]

I have to tell you, you will hate the new suspension.
god knows, I hate my new Yacubar shock (remote pre load this, and two compression that) and stoletech springs. HATE IT. ::025::

GS, yeah it looks good, but then again I find myself staring at my ST all the time. It helps that it's the best bike I have ever owned.

Oh yeah, farkles must haves...
how about a staintune pipe (custom made, since they no longer sell them) 21/18 spare wheels,
lots of aftermarket tuning,
crap I could go on, but I must get back to work

 

[cmastrom]

Snake I can tell you from personal experience if you don't want that demon to bite you in the rear DO NOT demo the 2013 water cooled version it is so much better than the previous GS whew just saying whew!!!

You know, what's sad is it's mostly just in my head. It's an ideal. I've spent only a few minutes actually on one, for crying out loud.
But it was a magical setting. (Desert mountains) It looked iconic there.

I'll get over it. I just need to grow up.