1150, Vara or Strom?

[dozz]

Got a bit of a dilema, which one is best for me, really like the looks of GS, and had an 1100 before, but price is whats bothering me
6K buys a 2001 1150with 20,000mls
6k buys a 2004 vara with 2,000 miles
6K buys a new V_Strom with £500 to spare.

Head says 1150, wife says Vara, wallet says Strom.
any advice?

 

[Ming]

You must want the Gs !!

why else would you ask a bunch of gs riders eyes
go private and get more Gs for your cash

 

[JohnC]

One word. Character. What bike has it in buckets?


John

 

[retroman]

I had a go on the V-Strom 1000 and loved it. Great motor but I didn't like that chain thing.

Build quality a bit suss, too.

That's why I bought a BM ... it's, er, perfect after 2 and a half years.

Ho hum ....

 

[SQD8R]

Best thing....test ride. It's amazing how much a half hour ride can solve a night or weeks worth of reading and internet posts.

I love my 12GS... but bang for the buck the Vstrom 1000, and 650 in it's class, are the best adventure bikes out there. The 1000's Hp/torque and Givi luggage capacity are comparable and since price is a factor I'd suggest going for the Vstrom. If price wasn't a factor I'd go GS, any GS. My buddy Nick rode up on Saturday, 850 km, did roughly 600 km this weekend riding around with me, then rode back another 850km, only to leave the next day for Deal's Gap, another 950 km for the week. So comfort isn't an issue. He loves his Vstrom as much as I love my GS. We never traded, I'd like to think it was simply the fact that we both liked our own bikes and the age old fear of crashing your best mates bike, but I also think there might have been a little fear of liking the other bike more. He'd look @ my bike and love the tech on it. I'd look @ his bike and love the price tag and the money I could have saved. The only thing he misses is an I4 engine. Otherwise he loves it.

FWIW the only bikes I saw more prevalent on my tour of the east coast last year, other than Gold Wings and Harley, were Vstroms. Full luggage and passenger to boot.

Can't comment on the Varedero but you guys seem to rate it highly, since it won the RIDE comparison this past year for adventure bikes. If Honda had imported it in NA I'd probably buy one since I'm a long-time Honda man.

Good luck in your decision, either way you can't lose.
It's not the big things that divide the bikes it's the little things and that may be your deciding factor.








Truthfully I'd be happy on any of the current bikes

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Vara or V-Strom shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as the GS
I had a 955 Tiger before the Adv-absolute peach of an engine
it pissed all over a GS-in a straight line,and with a Remus fitted sounded fantastic! (new 1050 version should be even better) a bit too much fork dive under braking,chain driven ,and residuals when bought new are a joke,would make a good 2nd hand buy though.I wouldn't swap back now though-just my 2pennorth

 

[longdog]

What dilema? Don't understand the question! Just get the GS!

 

[-Robbo-]

Defo go private for a GS you'll get more for your money if you are patient, can't comment on the Vara but the Strom's build quality isn't in the same league as the GS it's a very capable bike and has a huge following. If you buy a Strom or a Vara you will always hanker after a GS in my humble opinion.

 

[StooL]

Think about what they'll each be worth in another year or two. The GS may seem a tad over priced compared to the others but if you look around and get a good private buy you can keep it for a couple of years and hardly lose much of your initial investment.

I bought my 1150 when it was 3 years old and only 10k on the clock for exactly £6000. ABS and heated grips included!

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Vara - best engine - =worst looks
strom - second best engine = worse looks

gs - worse power - worst engine width - worse dealers - worst comfort - best choice

its not about anything tangible.

gs - buy used = best resale = best depreciation.

gs - buy dealer - then trade-in = worst depreciation.

gs = buy private - service yourself = best character = most rewarding.

 

[Butler]

Had a couple of Varaderos. Excellent town work.
Very nippy on motorways too.
A bit juicy (I had the carb models).
Good all rounder. Pop a Scottoiler on and that's it.
Used all day........
They never let me down.

But, I just prefer my R1150GS.

 

[sjf]

Financially, it is quite simple.

Check resale values for each of the three after further two years and 20,000 miles.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I had a test on a 'Strom, I have heard about surging on the GS, but, the 'Strom was bad enough to stop me buying one. Although the get up and go was far better than the GS. Chains were also an issue, as was the service intervals of 3,500 miles.
I had a Suzuki GN400 in 1982, when there were problems with the bike and dealer, Suzuki weren't interested, until I joined the Suzuki owners club. 23 years ago is a long time, but once bitten, etc.
I now have a 03 GS1150. but the finish is poor for an expensive bike, and the servo assisted brakes are to be avoided. SPC are very good with warrantee problems. If all BM dealers are quick to sort out similar probs. I don't know.

But the GS is fun to ride. I gave up my car and ride all year. But take the rat bike when the roads are salty, my Honda CB1 400, brilliant little bike.

 

[dozz]

Thanks for all the replies, my mind is 95% sure that a GS is the way forward, I have a wanted ad on the sale / wanted bit on the forum, a few people have bikes of interest but going to test a 2001 GS tommorow and a 04 varadero, just to make sure im on the right track.

Robbo you hit the nail on the head with this comment.

If you buy a Strom or a Vara you will always hanker after a GS in my humble opinion.

 

[-Robbo-]

I have been in your position mate worn the T shirt etc etc etc but there is just something about the GS that lures you in!!! a bit like a dirty woman really!!!!!!!

 

[Tokoloshe]

My post.

A mate of mine owns a VARADERO, swears by it. In fact, when we went for a look at it, it was him or me to buy....

I had an R1150GS and keep visiting this forum. (I'm trying to come back with an R1200GS - HP2!!). Top bike.

I now drive a Volvo .... Better in its own way!

Guess you need a Suzuki!!!

Try them all, that will make your mates mind up. Personally, I don't think he'll get better than the Beemer.

The bike is brilliant. It makes you ride instead of making the bike go forwards. If you are prepared to forget the weight, you can use it as a scooter. It's amazing.

But, it does have shortcomings. There may be a small issue with build-quality. There are some magnificent machines on the road but only as a a result of owner maintenance. I doubt that a standard machine would scrub up as well as some of the machines pictured on this forum would show without devout cleaning & attention.

My wife converted me to BMW's and I don't regret it. They are VERY good machines. I'm unhappy about flogging 3 beemers recently....

As for the types of peeps riding them, well, you came to this website! Go figure. All genuine, decent, honest blokes... Tell your mate to forget another brand. The BM is the one for him.

TOK

 

[dozz]

Having ridden all 3 bikes now there was only one clear winner, the V-Strom, I feel its better in all respects except for resale value and have bought one, thanks for all your comments.

Dozz

 

[GSmonkey]

Well the fella that parks next to me at work went for the Strom whereas I went for a used 1200GS. Mine was a bit more expensive, I grant you, but put the two next to each other and you'd never swing your leg over the Strom on looks alone.

Never ridden the Strom, but have suffered from japbike depreciation before. Like the sjf suggests, look at the prices in 2yrs + 20k for your selection, your wallet may say something different.

The worst decision is to buy a new jap bike then trade it in to a BMW dealer 18months later.......the depreciation will make you wince then

 

[dozz]

its not new,nov 03 (53 plate) 5,000 mlies, full kappa luggage, heated grips. and only £4,200 all in so someone else has taken the hit on depreciation, 2 years and 20,000 miles later say its worth £2500 I can live with that. Im not slaging BM's cos I will get another one in the future but at this time the strom suits my needs.
P.S. I never trade anything into garages. and at the comedy prices of my local BMW garage I wont buy anything from them either.