GS/A Street Riding

[TuonoBiker]

Awesome pics, Epic. Great looking machine - looks like you've got it well sorted for long-haul duty.

And Zion....sure, you had to post pics of Zion...I've been there a few years ago to do some backpacking/camping, but it will be another 30 years before I get chance to do some motorcycling there. What with the whole Eastcoast living and having to work for a living. :) Just a beautful side of the earth you have access to...enjoy and appreciate it!

[TuonoBiker]

So a few months ago, you fine inmates were helping me battle the inner war I've waged against myself: To RT or not to RT; To GSA or not to GSA.

About 3 saturdays ago, before I left the east coast for Montana's Glacier National Park for 9 days, I had the joy of being bullied into test riding the GSA at my local dealer. Let's just say I was quite smitten. A much more positive reaction than I had after my hour on the RT several saturday's before.

I've decidedly ruled out the base GS. I'm sold on the uber-coolness of the Adv extras...the huge gas tank...the "armor"...the spokes...the metal boxes...that all being said, my ride was only about 40 minutes and I'm sure before pulling the trigger, I'm going to go back for another. The handling for a big bike was very good; within a few miles I was used to its slightly top-heavy handling and was able to hold lines in the corners quite well. The cornering was excellent, no issues at all ripping around it - I never felt out of control of the bike.

So basically, my worries that I had before have all been put to sleep with the fishes. Now that I've come to grips with the reality that after 10 years or so of GS lust, I am close to living the dream, I still encounter some things I must deal with: My Tuono.

The last road trip to West Virginia a few weeks ago, left me getting her home on one cylinder for 427 miles. To make a long story short, replacing the ignition coil didn't fix the problem, so the next thing is the ECU....one is arriving tomorrow and I'll know what's up. If she's running with the ECU I'll be faced with: 1) trade her or 2) ride her for the rest of the year to feel like I got the money out of her that I just put into her. Unfortunately, I just put $800 into full 12k mile service with valve adjustments, etc. I've only put 1200 miles on since the service...just part of the game, I know.

Well, anyway, that's the update. I'm sold on a GSA and need to decide to trade or keep the Tuono and/or wait for the water-head. Part of me doesn't want to wait until late 2013 for a water-head, I'd maybe rather have the last of the "true" boxer's and get a 2012...decisions, decisions.

[Eddywoodgo]

Dont get me wrong, I do love my gsa but I find it slow.
Handle great and you can boogie through the twisties

[TuonoBiker]

Originally Posted by Eddywoodgo

Dont get me wrong, I do love my gsa but I find it slow.
Handle great and you can boogie through the twisties

Well it certainly is not a rocket, but at the same time, the 0-60 figures are in the mid 3's...so when I compare that to my Tuono at low 3's or 2.8's somewhere, is it really a big deal? Nah.

With much consideration of the Multi, for the touring aspect of riding, I think I like the all-around ruggedness of the GSA is much better. The Multi is an incredible bike and one I wouldn't mind owning, but realistically, the GSA will be the one to scratch the itch.

So pricing - should I expect a bit of a discount off MSRP? Or are these things priced like a Harley...."it is what it is" type of mentality?

I have two dealers that I can shop/compare. The one that's further away is the one I'd prefer to deal with though...but if I'm pushed into the corner on pricing....i'll shop.

[EJ_92606]

Originally Posted by TuonoBiker

Well it certainly is not a rocket, but at the same time, the 0-60 figures are in the mid 3's...so when I compare that to my Tuono at low 3's or 2.8's somewhere, is it really a big deal? Nah.

With much consideration of the Multi, for the touring aspect of riding, I think I like the all-around ruggedness of the GSA is much better. The Multi is an incredible bike and one I wouldn't mind owning, but realistically, the GSA will be the one to scratch the itch.

So pricing - should I expect a bit of a discount off MSRP? Or are these things priced like a Harley...."it is what it is" type of mentality?

I have two dealers that I can shop/compare. The one that's further away is the one I'd prefer to deal with though...but if I'm pushed into the corner on pricing....i'll shop.

On pricing, BMW has a free Nav IV promotion going on...if you don't want it, your dealer may credit you some value for it against the price. It's model year end, so you might find some price flexibility on '12s on the showroom floor. It really depends on the local market and supply/demand there, but bottom line is there is not that much margin in the bike so get a little discount on it, then work on getting 15% off discount from parts/apparel department for anything else you want to buy or add to the bike...they may also agree to throw in free labor for install of any accessories.

[Maineboarder88]

Originally Posted by TuonoBiker

So pricing - should I expect a bit of a discount off MSRP? Or are these things priced like a Harley...."it is what it is" type of mentality?

I have two dealers that I can shop/compare. The one that's further away is the one I'd prefer to deal with though...but if I'm pushed into the corner on pricing....i'll shop.

I just bought a '12 GSA a few weeks ago and price was price as far as the bike was concerned at each of the three dealers within striking distance. I went with the dealership that gave me free panniers and top case in the deal. I asked all three; he was the only one to say "yes". I also have the promotional GPS on the way. None of the dealers I shopped would give me the two free services I asked for.

[cliffy109]

Corners? Did you say corners? I took mine to VIR a couple of years ago and I'm not kidding you when I say that I gave the sport bike riders a run for their money. Performance is easy on this bike.

I totalled the bike in these pics (kid making a u-turn in a blind corner) and repalced it with an RT. The RT was a nice bike. It was comfortable and handled well, but it never really felt inspired like the GSA does. I recently traded the RT for a 2008 GSA and am quite happy again. Even if I only do an occasional dirt road or trail, the bike is worth it to me. Road manners are great and if I see a fire road, I can take it.

[TuonoBiker]

Originally Posted by Maineboarder88

I just bought a '12 GSA a few weeks ago and price was price as far as the bike was concerned at each of the three dealers within striking distance. I went with the dealership that gave me free panniers and top case in the deal. I asked all three; he was the only one to say "yes". I also have the promotional GPS on the way. None of the dealers I shopped would give me the two free services I asked for.

Thanks for that - what I was wondering. My dealer of choice already said he'd work with me on the panniers and locks, etc. Headed back there this saturday to have them look at the Tuono on a trade and start serious $$$ talks.

Originally Posted by cliffy109

Corners? Did you say corners? I took mine to VIR a couple of years ago and I'm not kidding you when I say that I gave the sport bike riders a run for their money. Performance is easy on this bike.

I totalled the bike in these pics (kid making a u-turn in a blind corner) and repalced it with an RT. The RT was a nice bike. It was comfortable and handled well, but it never really felt inspired like the GSA does. I recently traded the RT for a 2008 GSA and am quite happy again. Even if I only do an occasional dirt road or trail, the bike is worth it to me. Road manners are great and if I see a fire road, I can take it.

Awesome, Cliffy. Awesome.

[StuartV]

TunoBiker: Hold on to that Tuono until you've had a chance to log some decent miles on the GS with your wife. The GS is an excellent replacement for an H-D (IMO), but a poor substitute for a good sportbike. After you spend some time with it, you may decide you'd rather keep the Tuono and move the Hog out...

[StuartV]

ps. Or, maybe you should take a good look at a K1300S, the most sporting sport-tourer around.

[TuonoBiker]

Originally Posted by StuartV

TunoBiker: Hold on to that Tuono until you've had a chance to log some decent miles on the GS with your wife. The GS is an excellent replacement for an H-D (IMO), but a poor substitute for a good sportbike. After you spend some time with it, you may decide you'd rather keep the Tuono and move the Hog out...

Well, after I spent a weekend sport-touring on the Hog - yeah, you read that right :) - I decided it had to go and we needed a comfy sport-tour for her and I. We immediately went out and rode an RT, which would have suited quite well, but she didn't like how involved she needed to be in the ride. Sounds silly, but what it comes down to is the hog is perfect for her and I to go out to dinner, enjoy a saturday up through the mountains. I'm only 36 and never thought I'd say this, but the hog is so completely perfect at what it does, we probably won't part with it anytime soon. Its the most relaxed she's ever been on a bike.

That all being said....I keep going back and forth on selling the Tuono. I really don't want to, believe me, I think it will be missed. With having just sunk around $1500 into it...900 on preventative maintence and the rest on an ECU and ignition coils, I'm quite bitter and annoyed and don't trust it.

Part of me is saying to sell it while I can still get some decent money for it. The bulk of the riding I have time for is all planned day trips....evenings just don't happen often...which used to be just for me and the Tuono.

I just full of irrational rationalizations, ain't I? Ugh...torn. I'll see what the offer on trade looks like...that will either crank up my excitement or bring me back to reality.

[nitsuj]

I say keep a sportbike if you like sporty riding. The GS corners well for what it is. But it doesn't corner like a sportbike. I'm a life long sportbike guy and trackday junkie. I sold my Duc 1098 and bought a GS. The GS handles great for a bike that big and comfy. And you could have a lot of fun doing a track day on one of you stay in the beginner group. But for pure sport riding, it will fall short if you're used to a true sportbike. My old track beater was a 94 CBR 600, even as old as it was, it would out perform a GS in every way from a sport riding perspective. Nothing against the GS, I think it's a fantastic bike, but it's not a sportbike and it won't scratch a sportbike itch.

[StuartV]

Originally Posted by TuonoBiker

she didn't like how involved she needed to be in the ride.

Just because the RT didn't work for her doesn't mean that she won't think the GS is just fine. Particulary, assuming you have a top box on it for her to use as a back rest. That was a requirement from my g/f for my GS.

[TuonoBiker]

Originally Posted by StuartV

Just because the RT didn't work for her doesn't mean that she won't think the GS is just fine. Particulary, assuming you have a top box on it for her to use as a back rest. That was a requirement from my g/f for my GS.

True...the GSA seems like it would be more upright position for her as well and probably not as involved feeling as the RT.


To the other comments about the GSA doing sport bike duty, I agree, it isn't a sportbike. If I trade the Tuono, the sport biking will be missed, but truthfully the last year or so its been a smaller itch. And really, in a few years, maybe I'd pickup another sport/naked bike.