[crazyhawk99]

I am on the fence as to if I will be buying the GS or GSA. I have ridden an 09 GS and loved it, but will not be able to test a GSA until Feb at the earliest (not the best time of year to ride here in Germany).

I am 5'9" and of average inseam. I am curious how tall you GSA riders out there are and/or what seats you are using, how well you are able to reach terra-firma, etc...

Thanks in advance!

 

[Fudmucker]

Gs / gsa

I am also 5'9" (175cm) with 32" inseam. I rode an '04 GS for two years and found it great.

My new '09 GS is 15mm taller in the seat and I am not as comfortable on sloping or uneven ground at the miment. But I will learn to deal with it - thicker boot soles? .

The '09 GSA is even taller than that, which is why I didn't buy it in the first place - but I was tempted. The GS is all the bike I'll ever need - although I DID order it with an Adventure screen to improve the wind protection.

I'm VERY happy with the total package.

 

[lobo rojo]

Im 6'3" with 34" inseam so not much comparison. hats off to the vertically challenged to ride the GS.

 

[nw_gser]

'08 gsa / '07 g650x

I am 6'1" with a 32" inseam and I am flat footed on my GSA. The XChallenge on the other hand has a 36" seat and I can't quite flat foot that bike but I am still very comfortable with it.
Hope that helps.

 

[crazyhawk99]

I am also 5'9" (175cm) with 32" inseam. I rode an '04 GS for two years and found it great.

My new '09 GS is 15mm taller in the seat and I am not as comfortable on sloping or uneven ground at the miment. But I will learn to deal with it - thicker boot soles? .

The '09 GSA is even taller than that, which is why I didn't buy it in the first place - but I was tempted. The GS is all the bike I'll ever need - although I DID order it with an Adventure screen to improve the wind protection.

I'm VERY happy with the total package.

Thanks for your input.

Happy Holidays!

 

[crazyhawk99]

I am 6'1" with a 32" inseam and I am flat footed on my GSA. The XChallenge on the other hand has a 36" seat and I can't quite flat foot that bike but I am still very comfortable with it.
Hope that helps.

Appreciate your input.

 

[Schtum]

I don't think the only issue is seat height. Unless, for some reason, you need the extended range of the GSA, I think it's nothing but a vanity purchase. The GS is lighter, faster and handles better. It's also cheaper and more versatile in that it'll do everything from touring to off-roading to track-days. I'd balk at taking a fully laden and fuelled GSA off road and I know I'd be quicker on the track on my GS. So what's the point of the Adventure.....

 

[marc]

So what's the point of the Adventure.....

Looks. I think. I often read/hear folks talk about the overall look of the adventure. I, like you, think the standard GS is the better bike. Well, the better bike for me, anyway.

// marc

 

[gibbsb]

At 5'9", if you ever plan to do any off-road riding, go with the GS. I'm 6'1", but only have a 30" inseam and I have to be really careful when stopping on a crowned road or off-road that I can reach the ground. I like the looks of the GSA, but other than that, I prefer the GS. I'm more than ready to stop when I need fuel and I don't need the additional weight of the GSA. I did get a couple of sets of the spoked wheels, so now I'm wheel poor. I have TKC's on one set and Anakee's on the other.

Regards,

Barry

 

[Schtum]

Looks. I think. I often read/hear folks talk about the overall look of the adventure. I, like you, think the standard GS is the better bike. Well, the better bike for me, anyway.

// marc

Quite so Marc and just to prove it, here's a pic of me on vacation this year.....

 

[crazyhawk99]

I don't think the only issue is seat height. Unless, for some reason, you need the extended range of the GSA, I think it's nothing but a vanity purchase. The GS is lighter, faster and handles better. It's also cheaper and more versatile in that it'll do everything from touring to off-roading to track-days. I'd balk at taking a fully laden and fuelled GSA off road and I know I'd be quicker on the track on my GS. So what's the point of the Adventure.....

Actually, the main reason I am considering the GSA is the larger tank. I am not totally sure that I need it, but I like the idea of a bigger tank.

Also, it comes with the engine and tank guards plus the spoke wheels that I want. Cost isn't that big of a factor. The $2K more for the GSA is insignificant when you consider the total price - they are both at the high end.

I have to admit though that looks are somewhat of a reason I am looking at the GSA. It is a great looking bike. I am trying to be somewhat reasonable, so I am leaning toward the standard GS. I know I will be happy with it. I am awaiting a test ride on the GSA before my final decision.

That being said, if I was being totally practical, I would probably buy a KLR650. Probably the best bike you can get bang for your buck in the ADV catagory.

Thanks for all of your input. Much appreciated!

 

[Bruce H]

GSA and seat

I bought an Adventurer for the gas tank size only to fine out the mileage was less than my 1100GS. not as big of an improvement as I had hoped. I am 6'3" with a 34" inseam and can not flat foot this bike, tippy toes. I have a custom seat and should have had it made a little shorter.

 

[Paladinwest]

I am 6' with a 32" inseam, with the driver seat set on the high position in the front and low position in the rear and the ESA set on one up I can put my feet flat. It is about 1 inch taller than my 1990 R100GS PD so it took me about two days of riding to learn to deal with the difference. The GS would seem to be about the same height as my PD. A friend has a GS that I rode a fair amount to determine if I should buy a GS or a GSA. I didn't find a whole lot of difference between the two as my friend had added most of the options (like engine guards and spoke wheels) so the difference in weight was partly in the fuel tank and mostly in the fuel. By the time that you load yourself and some luggage on the bike the difference in weight is minimal. I would think that any difference in cornering speed would have more to do with the tires and the rider than the bike.

 

[MJZ]

I'm 5'10 with 31" inseam and when I purchased my GSA I had them switch the original seat with a GS seat. After I got used to the seat and did a few long rides, I went back and switched the seats back out to get the GSA seat. About an inch taller and I'm on my tip toes at a stop but more comfortable on a long ride. After a hundred miles or so that 1" makes a big difference to my knees.
On the downside, it is a beatch to back it up on wet leaves or mud.

 

[Big Dave]

Peg to seat height distance

I'm 6' -6" tall and 250lbs. I have an 07 gs. The GSA has a taller suspension than the GS so you have to look at the foot peg to seat distance. If anything the GSA might have a slightly higher seat. I couldn't get an answer from the dealer when I purchased my GS. Having said that, when you are underway and in the riding position the bodies lower geometry is the same. But obviously when you stop the GSA is a higher reach to the pavement. I also road two up with my girlfriend with the BMW top case and overnight bag tied down on the top case and no sidecases. Nice 3 hour ride to Hershy PA from Vernon NJ

I also use the C bailey 20X20 wind screen and it works great.

 

[switz]

Years ago I said I was 5' 6" and more likely now I am 5' 5" with a 29" inseam. I wear boots with thick soles that add at least an inch to that number. I purchased a GSA first and later a factory low GS with a Wunderlich low seat. I can flat foot the GS and tip toe the GSA. If the low GS had been available in April of 2008, I would have gone that route and skipped the GSA.

The GS was modified before delivery with the GSA windscreen, side air deflectors, brake lever, and aluminum cases and mounting hardware and wide foot pegs. After that, I have added both HID fog lamps and driving lights along with dual 2 x 8 LED flashing arrays to increase the chances of being seen. The bike was the prototype at J & M in Tucson and has their 2003 series CB/Weather radio/Intercom/ audio in from the Garmin GPS with XM radio and weather radar. The Garmin can be moved between the GS, GSA, RT, Gold Wing and the remaining Harley.

The GSA supposedly has a lower first gear but the difference is hardly discernable. Both bikes could use a really low first gear for off road work. There is very little torque at the low engine speeds I use most when off road. Those high horsepower marketing claims are totally useless except for track day with no cases.

I need a bathroom break before the GS tank is empty, so the extra 3.5 gallons of gas is added sloshing mass to balance at low speeds. The extra height of the GSA (which also has ESA which can put the bike up so high I need a ladder to climb aboard) makes every ride include planning on lean angle at every stop so it does not fall over.

 

[ca1ic0cat]

I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam

And the GSA is no trouble whatsoever. Of course I have to make sure that there isn't a hole in the pavement where I stop.

I can't back the thing up in sneakers though, I have to have boots on.

 

[Ulti-moto]

5ft 9", 150 lbs, 32 inseam.
I got off a V-strom DL1000 and was immediately comfortable in the R1200GS Adventure saddle - to my surprise. After studying the bike, specs, etc, the real determining factor was the test ride. I drove both the GS and the GS-A. As mentioned on the forums, all standard additionals on the Adv which are options on a non-Adv will run you at or about the same $. Love the ESA as well, although I hear different opinions about durability down the road. Time will tell how good it holds up. Another reason to consider the Adventure is the residual value will most likely hold up better - compared to the "standard" GS. I guess my message is make a test ride, determine if you are comfortable enough in the saddle, then weigh the higher price now against all the included Adv options and residual value.

 

[OverMyHead]

6'5" 230..
Love my GS Adv.. Have the seat set high in front and low in back. (w/AK leather sheepskin)

 

[MJZ]

5'10" w/ 31" inseam. Seat on lower position and either my legs have grown or the seat foam has pressed down with use but it works fine on the balls of my feet. Backing up still sucks.