1150 or 1200 Help Me!!!!

[bigbike2004]

Hi janders...if you scroll down to my thread beginning ''i test rode them'' i hope that will answer your q's

rgds, BB04

 

[impi]

Re: Thanks everyone for your opinions

I appreciate your opinions, and hope soon to be 'enjoying my riding' again on a GS soon.

Have most of the teething problems been ironed out of the 1200 with workshop updates? Or are there still a few to be addressed?

I upgraded from an R1150GS to a R1200GS at the end of August. I did about 20 000 miles on the 1150 before the upgrade.

I was contemplating upgrading to the adventure but after a test ride on the R12 I felt it was the better of the two. The Adventure might be better looking and contain less plastics but that's about it - I bought the bike to ride it - not look at it or be looked at. The R12 is smooth and runs like a bat out of hell compared to the 1150's.

My bike's manufacture date is early August '04. I have had no problems to date - I have only done 1500 miles so far - unfortunately work is keeping me from getting more miles in.

My only gripe with the R12 is the exposed header pipes. I will fit the Wunderlich protection plate next season - I already damaged the one when a rock hit it during an offroad excursion. Other than that I would say the bike is perfect. The screen works for a change, the speedo is accurate (unlike the mile-o-meters on the 1150's) and the fuel consumption is great.

I fitted a 30 liter tank to my 1150 to get more miles out of it for long runs but I'm quite happy with the R12. I find the lighter weigh refreshing - the R12 is a real hooligan's bike - it's light and has lot's of grunt. The 1150's are a bit slower out of the starting blocks.

Regards

Lodewyk

 

[sixfootandstocky]

Only buy a GS if you want to travel under 100Kmh everywhere. At 200Kmh (GPS) I found the bike stable but it scrambled my brain.

Other than that buy an Adventure for its good looks or a 12 for its excellent performance, not its looks! Don't bother with the older models unless you've got a beard.

My old 916 and 916SP had better weather protection than my R1200GS. (cue infantile abuse)

NB. For the information of every other GS'er - my opinion is based on fact and is correct. Do not disagree with me because you will make yourself look stupid. Please do not think me provocotive!

Bonjour.

Merry Christmas


:dance

 

[Possu]

Okay being brief and to the point, and not too technical. Help me decide whether I should purchase an 1150 or 1200.
I am currently riding/selling a Ducati 748 and long for the days of going back to whizzing around bumpy B-roads, and even the odd bridle path or two. Not only that a good chum of mine (penfold) is going to take me touring in France for the first time. The missus is usually on the back, and I have test rode both versions but can't really make a decision between the two. Don't bother mentioning money as I have all the figures worked out, unless of course you have one for sale going cheap.

Is there a good year for 1150's ? Strange question, but remember I ride a 748 and have been in the Ducati minefield for a couple of years now!!!

I could also do with some clarification on the battery charger scenerio, alarms........poor headlights and how reliable would it be for doing short journeys to work?

I know its alot to ask, but please convert me to the way of the sauerkraut for I have been a spaghetti sinner for too long .

Bought my 2000 1150GS on 29/05/04, already covered another 10,500+ miles with no problems, inc. a 3,500 mile round trip to Budapest.

Short journeys with the lights on can lead to the clock resetting itself on start up. I make sure I go out for a 30 mile ride at least once a week to burn ogff any condensation in the engine oils & to keep the battery fully charged.

Keep an eye on oil consumption, it varies from bike to bike & mileage covered. There are several ways of checking the level, I ensure that my sight glass is nearly but not quite full with a cold engine with the bike on the centre stand on level ground. This is the level mine reaches after an oil & filter change once the bike's been run & cooled off.

Mines alarmed but no problem as I use it most days.

Headlights are crap. Replacement HID or additional lights (HID?) are the way to go.

Easy to service if you have a basic understanding of four strokes. I buy service kits & oils & that's it. The plug spanner - I shortened mine by 1/2" & then welded a 17mm AF nut on the end. Shortening it allows it to still fit in the tool kit tray & the 17mm nut allows you to use the wheel brace tool to remove the plugs & use a Torque Wrench when replacing them.

I fitted the later improved cam chain tensioner to the l/h cylinder which lessened the engine noise significantly.

Mine has no ABS - deliberate choice on my part. Slighty less resale value but cheaper to buy in the first place.

 

[SPUNKY]

Good information, thanks........still selling 748 if anyone is interested. happy xmas.

 

[channiere]

Had an 1150GS and a Tiger 900 got a 1200GS. Tiger is a great engine, 1200 is faster lighter has alloys (for lazy sods who hate cleaning spokes) 1200 for me until the Tiger comes shaft driven

 

[multiscan]

Okay being brief and to the point, and not too technical. Help me decide whether I should purchase an 1150 or 1200.

My vote is for the Adventure. That's not just idle talk - I've just placed my order - to replace my 1150 GS.

I see you were asking about an 1150 GS topbox on another forum - if you're still interested contact me asap (my current bike has one which will go with the bike to the dealer in P/X in the next few days)

 

[SPUNKY]

BMW top box

Yep, still trying to find a BMW topbox for an 1150GS.
If you are wishing to sell before you P/X let me know how much you want and if you have any pictures of the condition of the box that would be appreciated aswell.

PS I can't PM you (probably because you have not sponsered the site yet) so either reply to: davemATdandjsplaceDOTfsnetDOTcoDOTuk (replace capital spelt words with the relevant symbol ) or alternatively reply to this site.....and I will not be happy if I get bombarded with plea's of help from african princes / generals etc coz I've stuck me email address on show

 

[Pukmeister]

I have the 12GS and love it, chosen mainly for on road manners and lightness plus SWMBO having compared the pillion perches and deciding for me. I get looks from people when on my GS who ignore me on my Sportsbike, such is its presence.

I see why the ADV owners rate their 'rugged' machines. If you are serious about an 1150ADV then consider the lowered seat option. My good mates 1150ADV was so much of a handfull until he got the lowered seat, allowing him to place both feet on the ground. Now he rides it with much more confidence, hardly ever drops it and is amazed he didn't buy the seat option sooner, it really is that much of a difference.

 

[Davel]

Unless most of your riding is going to be off-road, go for the 1200GS.

I've got an optimate (from my previous Multistrada) with an adaptor but, unless you use the alarm most nights, the bike shuts down after 30 seconds when turned off, so there really is very little battery drain - unlike the Ducati which I put on charge most friday nights.

With the 1200GS, you are buying the latest model and it really is a great bike too.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Have a look here for my unbiased(ish) thoughts.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42759

Cheers
Andres

 

[SPUNKY]

It is done

Thanks for all your helpful advice, as is the usual case in these circumstances it came to money in the end. Who was going to offer the most for my duke and had a GS in good condition in the shop.

Shame I had to travel across 3 counties to get one, but it was worth it!!!

Had the 03 1150GS now for 2 weeks, 700miles completed so far and its now covered in muck. It is a fuggin fantastic machine, comfortable, no plod to worry about, comfortable, reliable, effortless (once you get over the initial heavy feeling), and who needs to overtake cars they just seem to get out the way. Oh , and did I mention the comfort!!! I Love it, and never felt any regret about selling the duke 748 (10000 painful miles done on it).

 

[Pukmeister]

Welcome to the chapter Spunky, no matter which model of GS you ride, you will be a happy rider. It took me a few weeks of ownership to fully appreciate the GS's merits having come from a 600cc sportsbike (which I still have) but I get more satisfaction out of my GS the more I ride it. What a machine !!

 

[multiscan]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42759

Sounds about right to me and interesting that it comes from a 1200 owner.

The quote

When I returned the bike I asked if I could swap engines, Pidcocks declined

sums it up for me

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Sounds about right to me and interesting that it comes from a 1200 owner.

The quote



sums it up for me

Not sure why it was interesting that it came from a 1200 owner (me BTW) - just giving my personal, honest impressions.

In the same vain, as mentioned in the quoted post, I still think the 1200 is the better bike

Andres

 

[Taipan]

I see you have your bike so this reply is really for the benefit of anyone searching the archives.

I have an old 1100. If I was spending the money for either an 1150 or 1200 I'd go for the 1200.

My reasons are that I only really commute on a bike and into London traffic too. BMWs are heavy, bloody heavy. So as the 1200 is lighter, it would get my vote.

Plus I hear the 1200 makes a lot more grunt lower down, so again it would get my vote. I'd happily move 10 bhp from the top of my rev range into the midlle range on my old 1100 if it was possible.

Last reason is spokes, or at least clean shiny spokes are superb. But I ride all year round and spokes are bad news for cleaning. I'd much rather clean and polish alloys than mess about looking after spokes.

So based on my useage of a bike is as a commuting tool with the occasional sunday ride, I'd take the 1200 every time. I think the only time I'd consider an Adventure is if I was actually going to do something with it.

But there is somthing weird and enticing about owning a machine with capabilities you'd never actually use. I owned a Land Rover Discovery for years, never went off road, but was always boasting about its pedigree and ability?

Best,

Taipan, hypocrite and proud of it!

 

[kdude]

I just finished reading the end's of this thread and you have already bought your 1150 GS. I'm still going to leave my thoughts in this thread. Congradulations on your new ride. hp


I might get fanned for these comments but since i'm on the other side of the ocean and don't own either of those machine's I'm safe at least for the moment .

Your situation is similar to mine, I currently own an 03 RS and am deciding which GS I think would be a good decision for me.

Your current ride is light and fast, just those two facts would make you a perfect candidate for the 1200 which is also way lighter and faster than any other gs's out there.

The second reason to buy the 1200 is simply a no brainer.......
BMW spent a ton of $$$ in research on this new ride. Do you think they would come out with model that would be inferior to the old model in any way ? DA ! not in this lifetime you will see that happen. So my friend ..... hope this makes thing a little easier to decide. CIAO

 

[Ste@SSB]

I never saw the 1200 as the new 1150 ... always thought of it as a completely different bike ... they both have good and bad points but I would chose the 1150adv over the 1200 any day of the week ...

...but then again ... I haven't seen a 1200adv yet... if they exist...