ricochet
Guest
After months reading threads and posts in this forum, I finally took the plunge into the GS world by buying a late '04 1150 GSA with Hepco Becker Aluminium panniers and topcase, fog lights, high and low seats, and only 4000+ miles to it.
The decision to go for the 1150 GSA was never a spur of the moment for I paid US$13K for this baby. I have tested an 1100, 1150 and 1200 GSs. They are all likable bikes but I found one or two I didn't like with them. With the 1100, the gearing was ok but I miss an overdrive for the long open roads. Besides, the front end looked 80's. The 1150 was stable and much smoother, and the 12 was like a sportbike and very nimble. But I was disappointed in both on their tall first gear which is a disadvantage in off-road and in the snail-paced traffic jams we have here in the Philippines.
So I tried the 1150 GSA. At first I was concerned with its weight and height. But when i rode it, all doubts fizzled out. The excellent gear ratio I believed is key to to its superb handling and performance. I feel there is adequate power in all the gears that at 5th or 6th, I can even accelerate, and I am 6 ft. and 300 lbs. I had so much fun that I added 500 miles to it in just 3 days. I believe it would be a big mistake for BMW to use the 12GS gearing on their upcoming 12GSA. They should do as they did with the 1150GS and the GSA variant.
Happy New Year!
The decision to go for the 1150 GSA was never a spur of the moment for I paid US$13K for this baby. I have tested an 1100, 1150 and 1200 GSs. They are all likable bikes but I found one or two I didn't like with them. With the 1100, the gearing was ok but I miss an overdrive for the long open roads. Besides, the front end looked 80's. The 1150 was stable and much smoother, and the 12 was like a sportbike and very nimble. But I was disappointed in both on their tall first gear which is a disadvantage in off-road and in the snail-paced traffic jams we have here in the Philippines.
So I tried the 1150 GSA. At first I was concerned with its weight and height. But when i rode it, all doubts fizzled out. The excellent gear ratio I believed is key to to its superb handling and performance. I feel there is adequate power in all the gears that at 5th or 6th, I can even accelerate, and I am 6 ft. and 300 lbs. I had so much fun that I added 500 miles to it in just 3 days. I believe it would be a big mistake for BMW to use the 12GS gearing on their upcoming 12GSA. They should do as they did with the 1150GS and the GSA variant.
Happy New Year!
Clivey 1150Adv 05