scurrell said:
Probably not.
Most 1100 owners will tell you that the 1100 is better. Most 1150 owners will tell you that the 1150 is better.
hairnet600,
Yup I ride an 1100 and it is better
But seriously, I only got it to save a few grand coz it is my first bike. I have a late one (97) so build is cool. I only have 2 brake caliper bolts that show rust the rest is great. I could replace them but it is so minor who cares.
The 1100 does go. I doubt the 1150 goes better.
As Steve says speak to someone who has ridden both. I know that when I act all poor when those big spending 1150 guys are about there is always someone who says "I have had both and there is no difference".
Major differences like gears I don't know would mean much to me. Apparently lower gears differ ? I dunno ? But as for the 6th gear well I changed my style many thousands of miles ago to spend more time in the higher revs and 5th I get to less often. For example I do most overtakes in 3rd the odd one in 4th. But if you wanna do in 5th you can. The high revs are just so nippy it all feels a bit safer to me and quicker of course.
I think the 1100 front looks uglier. But hey this is a GS - if you wanna look pretty go and but a Ducati or something. Yeah I like it coz is uglier than ugly.
The other thing to think about is these things have to go for 12-20k before they feel broken in mine got good at 18k and by 20/22k I was well pleased. It is now at a mere 24k and excellent - yeah this is all pretty subjective but it does feel better than when I got it at 9k.
So if you get a 1150 how long will it be before it really opens up - this may not matter to you. But you may never get there in 2 or 3 years it all depends.
I have heard loads about problems with the 1150 and there does seem to be good and bad ones I dare say the same is true of the 1100 - look at
www.micapeak.com for some pointers and
www.ibmwr.org You'll find the 1100 is probably better documented and will help you pick one. After all the 1150 does not even have a haynes manual yet.
Maybe I have been lucky with mine but touch wood +15k later I have no problems, other than tyres seem to wear out over time and servicing has to be done. One thing will be of use if you get an older bike is to check out the service history it will have one. Loads of bikes have them but are so new are there problems just no unearthed yet would be my concern.
Read read as much as you can. Be careful as sometimes I think some sites focus on the problems too much (or perhaps it seems that way coz I have been lucky) the nature of BBs like this is there are loads of crys for help. Reading the above links will no doubt help to offer a more balanced view.
Having re-read the post you say £5 with 10k. BUY IT NOW. It is partly run in!!!!!!!!!!!!
