GSA or ST?

[WarpedRotor]

Backstory - I had a 2010 R1200GSA that I rode to ADV events for a few years. I sold it and purchased a new 2016 ST (yellow). I liked that ST way more than the GSA, and should have kept it but, I sold it and never looked back.
After 7 years of swapping bikes, I found a well sorted 2018 GSA, triple black, full of farkles, needs nothing. It has only been recalled for a drive shaft issue, repaired under warranty. My only gripes are that I just cant stop whacking my shins on the cylinders when coming to a stop and the thing is WIDE... it unnerves me at times during heavy traffic. However, I ride it, enjoy myself and park it when I am done.

Presently I am, planning a TUKTOYATUK route for 2025 and find myself wondering if I would be happier on another ST rather than the GSA.

am I mental? WTH is wrong with me... anyone else get this way? thoughts?

 

[Sierra1]

Which one provided the most smile per mile? Which one would you trust to not break down in the middle of nowhere? (that being my biggest concern) The "big" Yamaha recall was for a brake switch. The Beemer recall was for a drive shaft. I can get home with a faulty brake switch. I can't get home when the drive shaft fails. (my RT's broke twice)

Yes, I am biased. Yes, I'm a cheapskate. Yes, I would pick Yamaha and not worry about anything.

 

[WarpedRotor]

"Yes, I'm a cheapskate." a current member of that club myself.
LMAO

 

[Sierra1]

"Waste not, want not".

 

[MIKE R]

I am lucky to have both, A 2022 GSA and a 2020 ST.

IMHO the GSA is the better ride. It out handles, out brakes and out powers the Yamaha and has far more electrical devices {keyless ignition, brilliant TFT, SOS button, hill start assist, auto changer etc) BUT in 16k miles its had the TFT, a cam chain tensioner, both rocker covers and the shaft replaced under warranty.

This compares to my ST experience. I've had 4 (long story) and ridden about 90k miles on them. During that time there was a recall for the headlight harness and on one bike a headlight bulb blew at 36k.

I really like my GSA but I wouldn't keep it without a good warranty

Mike

 

[Fennellg]

Tuff one how your wallet

 

[-=clinton=-]

I had a 1250GS. It was a nicer biker, not necessarily better but nicer than the S10. Smoother, more bells and whistles but after totaling the GS on the road to Tuk last year and buying the S10 I miss the cruise. But not enough to spend 4x more than I paid for the S10. I don't miss the $500 valve adjust every 12k miles, or the higher insurance. But the GS was a nice bike. It was my favorite honestly, but looking at them side by side? I can't justify the GS costs when I have a perfectly capable S10 with 12k miles on it. Just my $0.02. YMMV

 

[RCinNC]

This sounds like one of those comparisons that a guy makes when he's trying to decide between two different women.

One is reliable, steadfast, and loyal, and treats him really well and will stand by him through adversity. She's attractive but not flashy about it. She can take care of herself, which means she's with you because she wants to be, not because you have an "open wallet" policy.

The other is, well....just a little edgy. Maybe not quite so reliable, and you kind of have to keep an eye on her because past experience has taught you that she's a little prone to wayward impulses. And boy, does she have expensive tastes. She's 90 percent heartache, but she's also 10 percent unfettered sex machine who will leave you with the kind of friction burns that'll make you smile when you lay in bed on a cold winter night and remember how you got them. Of course, she'll also throw all your clothes out onto the front lawn and set them on fire when she gets mad at you.

There's a not insignificant number of guys who'll say "never mind all that good but boring stuff, I'll take the 10 percent sex machine" every single time. And, after replacing their wardrobe for the second time, might pause for reflection and think "maybe I should have stuck with the solid, reliable, trustworthy but occasionally boring choice, especially for the long haul".

 

[whisperquiet]

I own both…..a 2022 R1250GS and a 2023 Super Tenere and if I were riding to Tuktoyatuk it would be on the S10 as I would have complete confidence that the S10 would be drama free regarding reliability.
I owned a 2007 GSA, rode it 35000 miles in two years and sold it right before the warranty expired because of possible final drive/driveshaft failures, fuel pump harness failure, EWS ring failure, real glass headlight, etc. it was trouble free, but always had me wondering about reliability.
My 2022 GS has 22500 miles on it and has been reliable, but BMW currently has a free every 12,000 mile driveshaft check/lube with a free driveshaft install every 36,000 miles……a failure of the S10 driveshaft is almost unheard of. I just wanted another BMW, have it currently, and will sell it before the Yamaha S10. It does run great, has good tech, handle good, and is comfortable. It does not feel lighter than the Yamaha.
But, the one thing that irritates me is bumping my shins on the GS crash bar every time it is ridden……I actually have foam insulation taped to the right crash bar as the head is closer to the rider on the right side. You have to think consciously to swing your legs out instead of straight down when stopping.

 

[bimota]

i swopped a 2010 gsa 10 yrs ago for my xt1200 still have it and love it, the gsa was f--king awfull

rob

 

[fac191]

This sounds like one of those comparisons that a guy makes when he's trying to decide between two different women.

One is reliable, steadfast, and loyal, and treats him really well and will stand by him through adversity. She's attractive but not flashy about it. She can take care of herself, which means she's with you because she wants to be, not because you have an "open wallet" policy.

The other is, well....just a little edgy. Maybe not quite so reliable, and you kind of have to keep an eye on her because past experience has taught you that she's a little prone to wayward impulses. And boy, does she have expensive tastes. She's 90 percent heartache, but she's also 10 percent unfettered sex machine who will leave you with the kind of friction burns that'll make you smile when you lay in bed on a cold winter night and remember how you got them. Of course, she'll also throw all your clothes out onto the front lawn and set them on fire when she gets mad at you.

There's a not insignificant number of guys who'll say "never mind all that good but boring stuff, I'll take the 10 percent sex machine" every single time. And, after replacing their wardrobe for the second time, might pause for reflection and think "maybe I should have stuck with the solid, reliable, trustworthy but occasionally boring choice, especially for the long haul".

The Friction Burns.
We're talking about the knees right ?

 

[Vegas Eggus]

I've had both as well. Don't think you can go wrong either way. S10 does have a better dealership network which is what put me on a S10.
But to answer your overall question, YES you are mental. (all of us here are)

 

[MIKE R]

My 2022 GS has 22500 miles on it and has been reliable, but BMW currently has a free every 12,000 mile driveshaft check/lube with a free driveshaft install every 36,000 miles……a failure of the S10 driveshaft is almost unheard of.

BMW give you a free driveshaft lube and check at 12000 miles in the US?

Here in the UK the shaft replacement is free after 36000 miles but the lube and check is optional and has to be paid for

I instructed my dealer when the bike went in for a service to check and lube the shaft (at my expense). This is how I they discovered the shaft was out of tolerance. Still charged me for the strip down I'd requested although the shaft was free

Mike

 

[whisperquiet]

BMW give you a free driveshaft lube and check at 12000 miles in the US?

Here in the UK the shaft replacement is free after 36000 miles but the lube and check is optional and has to be paid for

I instructed my dealer when the bike went in for a service to check and lube the shaft (at my expense). This is how I they discovered the shaft was out of tolerance. Still charged me for the strip down I'd requested although the shaft was free

Mike

Per the service bulletin, every 12000 mile check/grease and replacement at 36000 miles is free.

 

[gv550]

A Super tenere will get you to Tuktoyaktuk, and I did ride past a broken gsa and broken vstrom along the way. In fairness, both broke due to being crashed . This same bike from my 2018 photo now has 285,000 kms, original driveshaft, and final drive, and engine, and..... and....
Seriously, it has never failed me. But it did break a few bits when I rode into the side of a van.

 

[Cycledude]

Lots of motorcycles made the trip to Tuktoyaktuk in 2022 when we did it.
I had rear tire issues but other than that no real problems, plugged the rear tire 3 different times. Tires were Metzler Tourance and I highly doubt I will ever buy them again, my preferred tire for the Super Tenere is now Dunlop TrailMax Mission.