My new steed.

[PRD]

BMW RT 1200 for me next!

[Lonewolf]

Colin, I genuinely never thought I would gel with the GSA as I have. I thought it would be underpowered  and I expected the wind protection to be non existent with such a small screen, it is neither. Obviously it's not as rapid as the GTR but it's a great bike.


I have a trip to Scotland booked for next year which I'm really looking forward to experiencing on the GSA, I'm doing the NC500 plus some other parts of the West coast. It should be epic.

[flatfour]

Steve they certainly have their idiosyncrasies, from the start - up sequence of warning lights and the flashing "Brake Failure" until you move off, to the rather tortuous method of checking the oil level on the GT with its remote oil tank. The riding position is also unusual, described as "crouching jockey" in most road tests of the time.

All of this is, however familiar territory for me and strangely enjoyable for some inexplicable reason.

In all, I expect to hold onto this one for a good while!

[PRD]

Was there no method of lowering the Versys rear foot rests like the Gtr?

[Lonewolf]

The GS doesn't have any bizarre traits such as you have just described. I just fire it up and off we go. 

[Lonewolf]

Was there no method of lowering the Versys rear foot rests like the Gtr?

Pete, I'm just saying.....but don't you think it's ironic that on a Kawasaki site the only current topic activity is about BMW's and in a good light. 








Strength to the brotherhood that is bmw. 

[PRD]

Pete, I'm just saying.....but don't you think it's ironic that on a Kawasaki site the only current topic activity is about BMW's and in a good light. 

That is true. But in the general scheme of things there does seem to be a lot of negativity to BM. Many reports on you tube and elsewhere about their problems.  I hope that you and Colin do not experience any of the issues reported else where.  As you know I like to be objective about these matters.








Strength to the brotherhood that is bmw. 

[Lonewolf]

Pete, as I've mentioned many times before, I fear not if I experience problems with my GSA as despite it being used it comes with a two year warranty so I can rest assured that I will have at least two years trouble free riding and by then I'll be due a new bike which comes with a three year warranty.  BMW love them or hate them, they certainly have excellent customer focus especially at my local dealer, Allan Jeffries at Baildon.

[PRD]

Pete, as I've mentioned many times before, I fear not if I experience problems with my GSA as despite it being used it comes with a two year warranty so I can rest assured that I will have at least two years trouble free riding and by then I'll be due a new bike which comes with a three year warranty.  BMW love them or hate them, they certainly have excellent customer focus especially at my local dealer, Allan Jeffries at Baildon.

jolly good.

[flatfour]

Pete, we found it possible to fit the same lowering kit to the Versys as I used for the rear footrests on the GTR. The problem with the Versys then becomes, however, that at only 5' tall, the reach to the footrests when on board is too great for comfort!

[PRD]

Pete, we found it possible to fit the same lowering kit to the Versys as I used for the rear footrests on the GTR. The problem with the Versys then becomes, however, that at only 5' tall, the reach to the footrests when on board is too great for comfort!

ah that explains that. I hope you both enjoy your new bike. Was it secondhand or new?

[Lonewolf]

ah that explains that. I hope you both enjoy your new bike. Was it secondhand or new?

Pete the clue is where Colin says the bike had just come in as a part exchange. 

[flatfour]

Pete, far from new. It is though one of the last of its type (June 2010) before the K1600 replaced it and, in fact, it is slightly older than the GTR that I bought in 2011. It's a one owner bike that has a very full history (all work was carried out by the supplying dealer, and I even have the original P.D.I. Checklist and Handover Document, as well as every invoice for work whilst in the care of its previous owner) that back when it was new, weighed in with a price tag of just a shade under £15,000. It is also well equipped for its duties with me, having the BMW standard fit panniers, to which I have added a GIVI 47 litre top - box. All have liners for convenience. The previous owner has, I understand bought a new GS, so must, I presume, have been happy with the one that I now own?

I had originally intended to buy new, or very nearly new, when I started my search and would probably have done so if I could have. However, in reality, I use the "bigger" bike for two - up riding and holidays in the main, with just enough other miles each year to keep things running smoothly, so it should last me for quite a while yet (I hope). Most of the time, for more local trips, I ride one of the 1970's bikes that I have (and keep adding to the numbers of!).

I have a couple of pictures if you want to see them, however I cannot post to the site (technical incompetence) so will send on by e-mail if you let me have your address.

[Boomer]

Pete, I'm just saying.....but don't you think it's ironic that on a Kawasaki site the only current topic activity is about BMW's and in a good light. 
Strength to the brotherhood that is bmw. 

Not so ironic on  GTR1400 site when Kawasaki has discontinued the GTR line.
Even I am starting to look at BMWs as Kawas ideas of SportTouring now seems to be sportsbikes with panniers 

[PRD]

Pete the clue is where Colin says the bike had just come in as a part exchange. 

oh sorry must have missed that bit!