Considering a camhead (new GS), need some insight compared to hexhead

[hillbillypolack]

Having owned my 07 GS since new, I'm a huge fan of the Boxer and its inherent character. I see that BMW is considering a water cooled version of its Boxer, and I'd prefer to remain with the simpler air cooled engines for several reasons. I'm sure everyone has their opinions, but I was wondering if I could get some insight into the differences / improvements of the hexhead vs the camhead.

The three areas I notice on the 07 are a slightly clunky transmission (smooths out when pre-loading the lever before upshifting). Second is the absence of power when the engine is in the 4200rpm valley. Riding at 70 (4000 rpm) is glassy smooth but when running with traffic (80 etc), the bike needs to be whipped more than I'd like. Third is the passing ability of the bike, when you flick out to pass then twist the wrist seems to take more time than it should to launch.

I did a test ride on a 2010 which initially felt like there was better power in the bottom end (as advertised) but the highway revs were only subtly improved and overall the camhead felt like a minor improvement.

Sorry for the lengthy post but those are the areas I feel the 07 lacks-the rest of the bike is granite solid. For anyone who has experience on both, what's your opinion? And (especially and. . . . ) if you have mods on your hexhead, how was that improvement in comparison to the newer camhead?

Thanks in advance

 

[Semper_Fi]

Had an 08 RT - loved it

Road a KGT 1300 - awesome - got tired of the recalls once finally updated was a great bike

Traded the KGT for the GSA with the Cam-Head - love it

Low end power good, snap off throttle and mid range power is acceptable (no KGT but it gets out of its way)

Awesome sound with the muffler valve

Maintainance is easy as always

Checked valve clearances - no adjust ment neccesary

Tranny shifts better but still a clunck - I have no issues with it

Also the fuel strip is gone and the bike has been flawless

Stock other than 3" risers so I am more comfortable standing up off road and in the woods

Pounded out a 5 day round trip to do the Trans-Lab highway - no issues

........Riding at 70 (4000 rpm) is glassy smooth but when running with traffic (80 etc), the bike needs to be whipped more than I'd like.

What do you mean "whipped more" - are you talking about roll on passing? If so depending how fast you want to pass you will have to dip into the gear box and downshift

Third is the passing ability of the bike, when you flick out to pass then twist the wrist seems to take more time than it should to launch.

Again if you are talking about in cruise mode cranking the throttle - you need to down shift get the revs up and flog her, again if you are looking for that kind of power, get a bike that will accelerate in top gear unflinchingly from 75 on, suggest K1200,1300 or 1600

 

[hillbillypolack]

Thanks for the input. Yes, I know the Boxer won't be breaking landspeed records (that's not its mission), but its good to hear you enjoy your camhead thus far. I'll agree that certainly for midrange power we might have to stir the 'box a bit for that added accelleration.

From what I've gathered, there are more 'subtleties' between the hexhead and camhead than there are outright jumps in performance. Some have even said they prefer the hexhead as it 'hits' harder compared to the smoothness and even-ness of the camhead. I don't know if that makes sense.

Have you done any exhaust mods to the GSA yet? I can't imagine it would need it, but it could only make a good thing better!

Had an 08 RT - loved it

Road a KGT 1300 - awesome - got tired of the recalls once finally updated was a great bike

Traded the KGT for the GSA with the Cam-Head - love it

Low end power good, snap off throttle and mid range power is acceptable (no KGT but it gets out of its way)

Awesome sound with the muffler valve

Maintainance is easy as always

Checked valve clearances - no adjustment neccesary

Tranny shifts better but still a clunck - I have no issues with it

Also the fuel strip is gone and the bike has been flawless

Stock other than 3" risers so I am more comfortable standing up off road and in the woods

Pounded out a 5 day round trip to do the Trans-Lab highway - no issues

What do you mean "whipped more" - are you talking about roll on passing? If so depending how fast you want to pass you will have to dip into the gear box and downshift.
Again if you are talking about in cruise mode cranking the throttle - you need to down shift get the revs up and flog her, again if you are looking for that kind of power, get a bike that will accelerate in top gear unflinchingly from 75 on, suggest K1200,1300 or 1600

 

[henzilla]

Have you done any exhaust mods to the GSA yet? I can't imagine it would need it, but it could only make a good thing better!

They sound pretty good out of the box compared to their older siblings

Rode a buddies when they first came out on the GS...thought he had already jacked with the stock system...in a good way

 

[Semper_Fi]

No exhaust mods - Akrapovic a little $$$ but certainly wouldnt mind adding

 

[gfspencer]

I went from a 2008 GS to a 2012 RT. The RT isn't broken in yet but so far the 12 cam head seems a bit smoother. I can't feel any difference in power.

 

[nielsm]

Thanks for the input. Yes, I know the Boxer won't be breaking landspeed records (that's not its mission), but its good to hear you enjoy your camhead thus far. I'll agree that certainly for midrange power we might have to stir the 'box a bit for that added accelleration.

From what I've gathered, there are more 'subtleties' between the hexhead and camhead than there are outright jumps in performance. Some have even said they prefer the hexhead as it 'hits' harder compared to the smoothness and even-ness of the camhead. I don't know if that makes sense.

Have you done any exhaust mods to the GSA yet? I can't imagine it would need it, but it could only make a good thing better!

I have a 2007 R1200R & 2012 R1200GSA. I would agree that the differences are very subtle. Camhead has a better exhaust note & feels like a bit more mid-level power, but gearing and weight between the two bikes is a big factor.

The R definitely feels like it has more go on the highway. Most likely that is due to the torque band when you do a 6th gear roll-on due to the higher gearing. The GSA is perhaps a bit past the torque-band due to lower gearing as it doesn't seem to get going quite as much (could be weight as well).

Go into the secondary roads & the Camhead opens up. It's really in it's element there and lots of fun. The hex head does well there too, but where I've been most impressed with the Camhead's performance has been on the secondary roads.

My old K-bike was perfect for 6th gear roll-ons on the highway, but I found it less interesting on the secondary roads (it was the heavyweight K1200RS).

 

[Polarbear]

Eliminate mid range dulldrum;

My '07GSA1200 and myself have eliminated the 4000rpm issue you brought up above. I am at 77000milkes now on my GSA'07, loving it a LOT. I took the END CAP off the muffler, drilled 7 holes in the muffler which is hidden under the end cap.... Put it all back together, holes out of sight under the decorative factory end cap and thats it!!! Sounds GREAT, like the new camhead or aftermarket pipes out there AND midrange changes greatly, with out the back pressure before drilling. IT WORKS superbly. My holes you ask next? Well, I don't have a picture BUT you can experiement yourself, just how much loudness you want starting small. MY 7 holes are three half inch+ staggered up/down between the existing factory holes and 4 quarter inch+ holes staggered in all four corners back there. Thats it, very simple to do, EASY AND NO COST for expensive pipe and you get a great sounding GS/GSA with mid range PUMP!....You cannot see the mod, as the end cap hides it all. Randy