1150 or 1200

[uncle buck]

Hi all, have just joined today. Need advice as i am thinking of getting a gs. I have an Rt which is a joy to ride @ also a vara, which im thinking of trading in against a gs. How does the 1150 compare to the 1200. Ive seen an 1150 at a local dealer with 25000 on the clock. 2001 model. clean with history.

 

[Schtum]

You're the sort of guy whose friends make sure to tell him "not to mention the war" when they hear he's going to Germany on holiday, aren't you.....?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

You're the sort of guy whose friends make sure to tell him "not to mention the war" when they hear he's going to Germany on holiday, aren't you.....?

Don't be too harsh

1150 - planted, heavy, torquey,, pretty bombproof ( a few issues common to all oilheads), fun to ride ( I think so)

1200 - fun, fast, flighty, minimalist, lighter, some known issues (again well documented)

Ride them to know which you like best

 

[phooey]

Very different bikes. The 1200 is definately the more 'precise' to ride and the 1150 somewhat softer but both are good.

I prefer the 1150.

Take both for a long test ride and weigh it up.

 

[uncle buck]

Thanks for the helpfull advice from you all

 

[NeilF]

Ive seen an 1150 at a local dealer with 25000 on the clock. 2001 model. clean with history.

Out of interest (cos I've just sold my very similar bike) how much were they asking, UB?

Cheers,

Neil.

 

[Neil W]

R1150GS bought secondhand and owned for 9 years, fitted with rebuilt suspension at 35,000 ,iles and a larger tank , sold last year when I bought a new R1200GSA.

During that time it needed a a new final drive ( it failed twice in 2000 miles - due to a botched rebuild by a specialist) and I changed the clutch just before I sold it.


The 1200 is technically a better bike, more powerful, more toys and a much better gearbox BUT in 13 months and only 7000 miles mine has had a replacement rear shock (original went at 700 miles) and it still handled like a pig leading to needing a set of Maxtons to get it handling anywhere near as good as a standard 1150.

Now the front wheel has decided all on its own to turn oval ???

The build quallity is not there in comparison with the 1150 and it hasn't got the presence of the 1150 on the road nor the wow factor.

What makes it worse is that I know the owner of my old bike and it is still going brilliantly and looks as good as the day I bought it.

IMHO go for a late low mileage model 1150 Adventure, Motorrad Central had a 3500 mile SE for sale last month and i was sorely tempted to chop the 1200 against it and take a huge loss

 

[Dazzle]

One more for the 1150
Had 2 test rode numerous 1200's coz I thought I wanted one, got back on my 1150 and decided I didn't

 

[Shaunie]

1200 is faster, lighter and more comfortable but the 1150 is still a better bike.

I have both, a 2001 1150 with 32K miles which I have owned for 7 years. Still on original standard suspension and handles like a dream. Last year I bought a 2005 1200. Rear shock is knackered at 16K miles and I find it revvy and vibey. 1200 is now for sale...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

One more for the 1150
Had 2 test rode numerous 1200's coz I thought I wanted one, got back on my 1150 and decided I didn't

Same here, only last week as well

I suit the 1150Adv and the 1150Adv suits me

 

[uncle buck]

Out of interest (cos I've just sold my very similar bike) how much were they asking, UB?

Cheers,

Neil.

Hi neil £4499.00 is the asking price

 

[Aidan1150]

25k is nothing on an 1150, mine has 60k more than that on her.

As has been suggested, get an extended test ride on both then decide which suits you better.

 

[uncle buck]

Taking the 1150 out tomorrow, from a lot of posts ive read on the web the early 1200 has its fair share of problems. Therefore i will probably go for a late 1150 if it suits me. Dare i say a late 1150 appears more reliable than an early 1200?

 

[boatman]

my 2011 gsa1200 bought new, has been ridden quite hard for 18k miles so far with only a change of switch for the aux lamps
A seriously good stable quick machine it is
If it is in your budget range try out the twincam gsa version before you make a decision

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

If it is in your budget range try out the twincam gsa version before you make a decision

He could buy (2) 1150GSA's for the price of one s/hand Twincam GSA - not worth the loot

Save yer cash, Uncle Buck

 

[Flanners]

I rode the 1150 and 1200 back to back with my mate when the local dealership was selling them both new 2004 or 2005. Liking my sports bikes I was attracted to the extra ooomph from the 12.

Forgot about the GSA in the meantime and then fancied some 'adventure' rides in Europe and North Africa. I went to local dealer had a go on the GS12 and enjoyed it once again. Given the cost of a new fully loaded 12 I started looking at the used market.

I bought my 1150 GSA two weeks ago. It is a mint (absolutely mint) 30K mile with full BMW service history with all the 'good' Touratech farkles including ally panniers, Y piece and can etc for £4.2K. A very good price IMO (although I have just replaced the Hall Sensor). I looked about for a few weeks and the good ones go very quickly still (there is what looks like a nice black GSA on eBay at the mo though.....) Last but important was the 'relative' ease of upkeep and servicing on the 1150 no fibre optics etc.

I am over the moon with the 1150 it's a Teutonic masterpiece!

This article helped sway me:

http://www.visordown.com/road-tests/road-test-bmw-r1150gs-v-r1200gs/4852.html

Have £5K = GS1150 have £8K get the GS1200....maybe

 

[Wrinkly]

If your the type of bloke that keeps his toothbrush for 12mnt's because you like the way it sits in your hand and feels familiar,even though you know it's still doing it's job but could do it a lot better,

Then the 1150 is for you.

If your the type of bloke who changes the head on his electric toothbrush every 3 weeks regardless of it's condition,because you like that new fresh feel and the way it makes your gums tingle,

Then it's the 1200 for you.

Happy hunting,they're both great bikes,it's just that one's greater than the other

But I'm not allowed to say which one or else Timolgra will give me grief

Steve

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

If your the type of bloke that keeps his toothbrush for 12mnt's because you like the way it sits in your hand and feels familiar,even though you know it's still doing it's job but could do it a lot better,

Then the 1150 is for you.

That's me :-0

 

[Flanners]

If your the type of bloke that keeps his toothbrush for 12mnt's because you like the way it sits in your hand and feels familiar,even though you know it's still doing it's job but could do it a lot better,

Then the 1150 is for you.

If your the type of bloke who changes the head on his electric toothbrush every 3 weeks regardless of it's condition,because you like that new fresh feel and the way it makes your gums tingle,

Then it's the 1200 for you.

Happy hunting,they're both great bikes,it's just that one's greater than the other

But I'm not allowed to say which one or else Timolgra will give me grief

Steve

The 1150 quite clearly

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

1150 and 1200 in my household.
The 1200 is by far the better motorcycle, as previously stated here, faster, lighter (a lot ) better handling, (though not a lot) better brakes and gearbox,all in all as you'd expect from the later generation, a better bike.Don't be fooled by the reliability bullshit, our 1150 has had 2 new fd bearings and required gearbox and fd seals replaced and clutch and it hasn't hit 25k yet whereas the 1200 is past that, with no such problems, although FD bearing only has a few thou left in it.
Love the 1150 but the 1200 is just better