1150 GS - Need some advice

[oldnfat]

As I am new to the world of the GS I would really appreicate some advice. I'm in the market for and 1150, I have seen an add for a 2001 with low mileage in mint condition. This is the single plug non servo ABS version. I have ridden a pals an '03 twin spark and loved it. Before I travel the 170 miles to see the bike, are there any views over this model...is the twin spark much better, are the non servo brakes any good?

Thanks chaps.

 

[motobiker]

I like the sound of the one 170 miles away...

twin spark and servo don't interest me one bit. and I would by choice - avoid.


I doubt there would be much, if any difference between an 01 and 03. Not in the way they ride.. anyway.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Get the 2001 bike

Best of the 1150's


Twinspark adds little except higher service costs and was only a ploy by BMW to improve the bike to pass emissions tests

Servo ABS on the post late 2002 bikes is crap

Always go for a minter..................it will serve you well

 

[oldnfat]

Thanks for the advide guys.

Can't wait to send the inlaws home and get on the road to what is hopefully my nrew found love.

 

[DrAlf]

Having owned 2 x single spark 1150’s and currently running a twinspark, I’d echo the comments above. Twinspark adds nothing but more cost and hassle. The coilpacks break on a regular basis and aren’t cheap to replace. Not a fan of ABS either. Keep it simple. Last of the single sparks/non servo bikes are the ones to go for

 

[chad]

ive owned a 2000 model great bike no issues at all

ive now got a mint 2003 with all the gubbins fantastic no issues at all
brakes are great and the security of the ABS is a plus IMHO as its been called into play and did its job i love the sheer power of the servo brakes,,but they are not everybodys cup of tea

go with your heart mate and get what you want one of the joys of GS ownership is they have sold so many of the things that the percentage of issues over other bike is higher..so you get plenty of i dont like this and i love that

in the end you have to form your own opinion

choose,,buy,, and enjoy

 

[Udders]

Go the 170 miles mate! Well worth it.

 

[oldnfat]

Must admit, I like the idea of KISS. Thanks for all the advice...either way it is an 1150 for me....can't get the same enthusiasm for the 1200 (plus the cost). I'm definately going for the 2001 later this week.....can't wait to get my first boxer...been a very long held ambition...fingers crossed.

Cheers

 

[Goughie]

Must admit, I like the idea of KISS. Thanks for all the advice...either way it is an 1150 for me....can't get the same enthusiasm for the 1200 (plus the cost). I'm definately going for the 2001 later this week.....can't wait to get my first boxer...been a very long held ambition...fingers crossed.

Cheers

Go get it mate, you wont be sorry See you on the road sometime!

 

[garry a]

go for it

ive got 02 single spark 1150 non servo abs great bike no problems would always have an abs model saved me 3 times in 3 years.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

had my 2000 single spark non servo for a couple of months now. favourite bike I've ever owned, I see a long relationship with this one.

Enjoy yours.

J.

 

[Nobby]

2002 single spark abs,the bollocks

 

[peter wallis]

1150gs

ive got a 2003 twin spark no abs,just get it you wont be dissapointed,very reliable but a bit heavy, the 1150s are the ones to get

 

[King Rat]

I have both: an Adv 03 1150 with twin spark, Servo ABS. It is a brilliant bike, easy to ride, plenty of flexibility in the motor (stick in top at 40 and forget the gears until you come to stop) Overtaking in top is no problem - just wind it on and she'll pick up cleanly and fast - if you drop a gear it'll go like a R1. I have left several sportsbikes behind on overtakes - the Gs has lower gearing so accelerates faster, but runs out of puff at about 115.

I also have a 2002 1150, standard version, single spark, non servo ABS. The gearing is different, she rides completly different to the taller Adv. It feels as though the steering geometry is different, even if it isn't it feels different. That may be just the lower stance of the standard 1150 over the taller legs of the Adv. The single spark is quite a bit quicker than the Adv, it picks up just as fast, it just does what is required - a great bike too.

i won't be selling either of them. Sometimes it is difficult to choose which to go on. The older bike has more range as I have a 41 litre tank on it. About 150 or so more miles to the tankful....very useful in rural France over the weekend. Ever tried getting fuel on a Sunday in the sticks in France? The 41 litres keeps the bike and camping stove going fo rthe entire weekend - fill and forget until Monday.

I don't think there is a BAD 1150 made - even the twin spark coil packs don't give trouble anymore. I had to replace ONE of them - the other one is still th eoriginal, so they don't all fail. The new, replacement ones don't break.

You will be very happy with a single spark version. Just don't get a 1200......

 

[Beetle2112]

ive got a 2003 twin spark, no abs,

+1 The Superior version !!! !


What do you need fancy servo brakes for anyway?....They just slow you down !!

 

[chad]

+1 The Superior version !!! !


What do you need fancy servo brakes for anyway?....They just slow you down !!

with you on board those tyres havnt a hope in hell of losing traction its all about corner speed with you anyway isnt it

 

[sproggy]

if you drop a gear it'll go like a R1.

Three words - In. Your. Dreams. It might go like an R1 if the R1 was in 6th gear at 30mph, but that's hardly fair is it? Have you ever ridden an R1?

I have left several sportsbikes behind on overtakes - the Gs has lower gearing so accelerates faster, but runs out of puff at about 115.

What a complete load of bo**ocks. Or were they 125cc "sports bikes"? If a 600cc + sports bike is in the right gear it will out-accelerate a GS. Sure, the GS engine is more flexible but you, Sir, are seriously deluded if you think that your 1150 is quicker accelerating than a proper sports bike. And I think you'll find that the GS isn't lower-geared than your average sports bike - it just produces peak torque and power at much lower revs.

If a poster is new to GSs and asking for advice on buying one then telling them cr*p like this is very misleading. We all love our bikes but pretending they're as fast as an R1 is simply delusional.

 

[chad]

Put a turbo on one and it'll show an R1 a clean pair of heals to mebbie 50ish

 

[oldnfat]

Boys, boys , boys....at my age I am all for flexibility over speed. Totally sold on the GS...

OK...for the next question, the bike is totally standard...what is the first mod? To my mind (other than some new tyres...it is still on the originals!) I think it has to be the dipped beam HID and some auxiliay lights....what is the collective wisdom of you lot in the ether....

Regards

 

[chad]

Boys, boys , boys....at my age I am all for flexibility over speed. Totally sold on the GS...

OK...for the next question, the bike is totally standard...what is the first mod? To my mind (other than some new tyres...it is still on the originals!) I think it has to be the dipped beam HID and some auxiliay lights....what is the collective wisdom of you lot in the ether....

Regards

The list is endless but if it hasn't got them , the get some engine bars