Who has owned a 12GS and 12GSA?

I have a 06 12GS right now and am contemplating a 07 12GSA. I have a 07 Kawasaki KX 450F for the serious off road stuff. I was mainly interested in fire roads and the street for the 12GS or 12GSA. Would be interested in your opinion having owned both.

Thanks
Dan

Paging Rick Danger, Rick Danger to the white courtesy phone please.

had the 12gs 2 years ago. now just got the new gsa. big difference. gsa is completelly other bike beter in any and every aspect. none of them is serious off road bike, i would call the gsa a long touring machine and the 12 gs an all-rounder.

I had both from September until yesterday (sold the GS after a year and 14k miles). Right -- neither is great off paved roads when compared to a purpose-built dirtbike (duh).

Since you have a GS you know how it handles on fireroads, and, well, the Adv. doesn't do that task noticably better in my experience. Some of the add-ons that come standard with the Adv. do help some (e.g., the wide footpegs and brake pedal make standing more comfortable, but they're easy to bolt on to a standard GS). The Adv's extra weight is carried very well in that it's not too noticible as long as you're moving, but it's a beast in loose, slow roads that require frequent stops. I don't do a lot of that so it's no big deal, and I'm a little short (30-in inseam), so the difference may be more noticible for me particularly when it has a full tank.

On the street, in just about every respect the Adv. has been incrementally better. Obviously, the biggest difference is the tank size. I'm usually ready for a break after 200 miles, but not needing to search for fuel at each stop is great.

I hated to sell the GS -- it is a wonderful bike, but I'm trusting that the Adv. will be at least as good. So far it has been.

Ummmm, basically they're the same bike underneath... You've GOT the GS, why not get the tank kit, the Ohlins ADV-length shocks, and start there? Its all there in the 'check here first' sticky at the top of the page!

I've been researching this lately, 'cause I've been trying to decide between the ADV and the regular GS.

Bout the biggest difference I can see other than built in farkles is the lower first gear. If yer not riding off-road, I don't see that that'll be a deal-breaker.

M

No difference in gearing, Michael.

A more interesting project: turn your RT into a GS. How we gonna do that one?

I just sold my '05 12GS for an '07 ABS GSA. I like this bike better in every way except cost:huh . I ride my GS's offroad and find the GSA noticeably more planted in the front (more weight) and the extra suspension is an asset. It also feels like the ADV shocks have a little better valving for fast bump impulses. The reg. 1200 shocks always felt like they had too much high speed compression damping. IMO the GSA handles better on and off road.
The wind protection is far better. The stock crashbars work great. I dropped my GSA on a rocky jeep trail a week ago at about 5mph and the only damage was some deep scratches in the head protector. Picking it up with a full tank was no sweat (and I am a skinny 180#)
The brakes are friggin awesome-feel just like normal but include ABS. The ABS seems more refined than the '05. The bike's EFI mapping and bottom-end power are better too. I have about 1600mi. on it and only expect it to run better as the miles pile up.
Of course the fuel range is great. I am getting 360-425 a tank pretty regularly.
The ADV luggage is quality too. Only complaint is they are a bit wider than some. Super latches and seals though.
I will be posting a more complete long-term review after my Arctic circle trip in MAy/June '07. Should be around 8k miles of pure riding Nirvana! May go to Barranca Del Cobre this spring as well.

Many of the differences between my 04 12GS and my 07 12GSA (better fueling at low speed) are carried over in 06/07 versions of both bikes. Handling is different, but can't say I prefer one to the other. I bought the GSA for the extended fuel range in NW Africa, otherwise might just as well have bought an 07 GS.

Tim

I had an 05 GS that I had for 1 year. Sold that and bought an 06 GSA. It now has about 11K miles.

Differences:
1) On rough roads the suspension travel on the GSA is a plus.
2) Bigger alternator - if you run in the winter with Gerbings or use extra lights it might be significant.
3) Obviously the tank.
4) Better wind protection and reinforced windscreen mount.
5) BMW bags are sturdier. Not the tear away plastic on the GS.
6) Footpegs, bar reinforcement, rear brake pedal.
7) Front fender mount is reinforced with extra mounting points.
8) Probably due to weight - it doesn't seem to get jostled as much by other vehicles on the freeway.
9) Stock rear seat is flush with the front.
10) And most importantly - it just looks more bad ass.

You guys can drink all the cool aide you like but at the end of the day they are basically the same bike. The adventure has that bigger but much wider tank. The adventure stock suspension is better but IMO both bikes need after market suspension to reach their full potential. Both bikes have crappy stock seats that will need to be replaced for any serious touring. The alternator is over kill on the adventure. The wind protection is better on the adventure at the cost of reduced gas millage because your pushing more wind. The adventure does feel more planted on the highway but does not feel as nimble in the twisties. If I totaled my regular GS tomorrow I would replace it with the adventure just because with the larger tank it fits the type of long distance riding that I do better than the regular GS. Your really can't go wrong with either bike because they are both GS's.

Does this mean you do/did own the Adventure. Or did you base this opinion on a test ride

I have an '05 GS1200 that I have more or less converted into a GS Adventure. (I put on the bigger tank, larger Givi windscreen, Adventure winglets, Adv panniers, Fastway footpegs, Ohlins shocks front and rear, custom seat).

For the most part, the bikes are pretty similar, as they should be, but there are some differences between the two:

1) Because of the suspension change, the Adventure sits a bit higher.
2) The added weight makes the bike a bit less susceptible to wind buffeting
3) The larger tank and bigger windscreen and winglets provide significantly greater protection from the elements
4) The added weight makes the bike just a bit less "sporty"
5) The longer range makes the bike better for long distance touring
6) The added weight is a liability off pavement, particularly in sand or mud

If you never or rarely do long distance touring or extended freeway riding and use your bike mostly for day rides and fun, or if you are serious about using the GS as a "dual sport" bike and really want to take it off pavement, the standard GS is probably the better bike for you.

If you like to tour or spend significant amounts of time at speed on the freeway, if you need the added range of the bigger tank and if you don't spend much, if any, time in the dirt, the GS Adventure is probably the better bike for you. Don't fall for the marketing propaganda that the Adventure is the better "off road" bike. It isn't. Once you leave the pavement behind, less weight is always better.

If you decide that you really want a GS Adventure, it might be cheaper to convert your standard bike into an "Adventure" and you have the advantage of being able to pick and choose your options rather than getting the OEM stuff.

That's easy!

BMW has these nifty things called loans... I'm gonna get me a NEW one!

In Jan, for my B-day! (I'm aimin at a black one, spoked wheels, no ABS if I can get it without it)

The 'rents aren't too happy about it, but WTF you only live once and I'm tired of riding a station wagon!

M

M

... I haven't owned either, but I am about to buy one. Probably the Adventure because it is a litle more RT ish in standard trim. And that is what I want, an all road long distance tourer. When they first came out I thought they were ridiculous as a dirt bike, and certainly no interest to me. There was many a thread in here knocking the bike for coming standard with road tyres alluding to the wankers and posers that would buy it. And I agreed with that comment a little. And then there seemed to be a posting every other day saying what a wonderful all road tourer this bike is. Obviously these posters were wankers and posers ....... and now I have chosen to become one too. Both GS and GS/A are wonderful examples of what BMW GS has come to stand for. Both highly desirable adventure motorcycles. Cant lose with the choice !

Yea but the ADV is only going for about $1700 more than the standards. The conversion kit it what, $1300 including shipping? Personally for a $400 difference I'd rather go with the GSA with more stuff standard but that's just me.

For those of us looking that are inseam challenged my dealer did a nasty thing this weekend. He saw me sitting on it and talking to another customer about the height. The bastage then went over to a standard GS with the low seat option, pulled of the seat and put it in the GS for me. DAMN if that didn't make a world of difference .

Well most eveything has been covered, but I think there is more of a "perception" of the ADV being a big heavy pig compared to the standard because of the huge tank. I didn't notice any big difference between them with the exception of a full tank of fuel. Then I notice the extra weight. I always fill the tank half way when doing local riding. On a long highway ride I will fill it cause you dont notice the weight realy when slabbin'. And it should help with cross winds. It's nice to have the option. Jusy cause the capacity is there doesn't mean you have to use it. If i were doing alot of off road I'd probably just put a couple of gallons depending on gas availability. I ride all winter and have a SHITLOAD of electrics so the extra alt. power is a plus. My suit has no insulation so if its real cold I wear a widder vest with arm chaps over a gerbings jacket liner with gerbings pants and gloves and socks and a heated seat and stock fog lights and a set of HID's and HID headlight conversion.......and grips on high Well thats what I CAN have anyway. Gotta figure out the watts one day. The extra hieght isn't a problem for me as I'm a gangly gawky type

Jim

I'm with RickDanger, the extra weight is really not that noticeable. I have had to pick up my ADV with full tank-no sweat! I disagree with posters (particularly the ones who have not owned both and ridden them offroad ) as to the stock GS being better in the twisties and offorad. Yeah sure, lighter is better. However, that is only one part of the equation. More suspension is better too; and this the ADV has. Plus, better footpegs and MUCH better crash protection. By the time you spend the money to upgrade these parts you've spent ADV kinda $$$.
If you already own a GS, have farkled it, and it's paid for you should probably just keep it. Maybe put some sweet shocks on it. For those considering a new purchase and really doing remote or long-distance adventure touring the ADV is the way to go. If you want a fantastic bike for predominately pavement/fireroad rides, and you never stray too far from a gas station then get the GS. For the difference in price the ADV really does offer a lot for the Adventurer type.

I put 600 miles on an 06 for a dealer earlier this year and put about 50 miles on at 07 this year.