1150 vs 1200 a personal opinion

[Wrinkly]

It's been a long week.Seems an eternity since the 1200 was delivered, then having to wait for the ok from the surgeon to say i can ride a bike again.
That ok was given yesterday,so this morning it was time to see if i had done the right thing in swapping the 1150gsa se,for a 1200gs with dynamic and premium packs,hepco and becker engine bars,winglets and full adventure luggage,oh and the spotlights from my 1150.
First impessions.
Really like the look, it has grown on me over the last couple of years.
Qaulity and finish of the paintwork looks good,certainly as good as the 1150 but only time will tell.
There is a fair bit of plastic around the tank but it is of good quality and fits well.
The only bits that look really naff and no were near the quality of the 1150 are the clutch and brake fluid reservoirs.switch gear looks just as good.
So out on the road,
It is clearly a much lighter bike and much easier to manhandle,Start it up,runs very smooth very quite and feels well put together,most importantly feels very much like a boxer.
Snick it into first gear,yes i said snick,no sign of a clunk and away we go,i should add it was absolutely chucking it down.
Little bit of riding in town,it feels so much easier to handle than the 1150,feels very crisp and responsive.
Out on the open road, don't forget not to take it over 4000 revs.I only did 80mls but i think i am going to like this bike,very much.
Now don't get me wrong,my 1150 was a great bike and i loved riding it,but in my opinion and it is only my opinion,the 1200 is streets ahead in almost every way,even running it in it feels crisper and quicker than the 1150,it handles much better and i feel i could ride much further without becoming fatigued.
This is a contradiction i know because i'm doing it,but i am of the opinion that the 1150 and the 1200 should never be compared,both fantastic bikes in their own right,but completley different kettles of fish.
I am going to enjoy the 1200 very much,but equally i will miss the 1150.
Who knows one day i may be able to have both.
Anyway a few pictures of the new bike.

With full Luggage

[/IMG]

Just with top box

[/IMG]

Spots fitted from the 1150

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

Switch from Mr Wassel of this parish.Works very well

[/IMG]

 

[Big Lee]

Looks great specially with the adv panniers next must have mod is a Mudsling to keep your left boot & shock clean and dry

 

[BeemerBaz]

Looks really lovely

 

[Wrinkly]

Looks great specially with the adv panniers next must have mod is a Mudsling to keep your left boot & shock clean and dry

Your not wrong there Lee,after riding 80 mls in the pouring rain today,the back of the bike was blathered and the backs of my legs were sodden

Steve

 

[Schtum]

Your not wrong there Lee,after riding 80 mls in the pouring rain today,the back of the bike was blathered and the backs of my legs were sodden

That's partly down to the herschl - ie the coal scuttle on the back wheel - bin it!

As for the rest, it's not just your opinion; it's all unequivocal fact.....

Good choice of colour as well.....

 

[bisbee]

I have had both ..the 2002 1150gs I had was a nice bike but the latest mark 2 1200 gs is a different beast entirely so much lighter and flickable I've got both the packs fitted and the esa is just great I've just got back from giving it dixie around the IOM I wouldn't swap it even for for an MV just my 2p

 

[longdog]

Nice bike!!!

As soon as BMW abandon the 3 button indicators, it will be perfect......

 

[Canuck]

Nice bike!!!

As soon as BMW abandon the 3 button indicators, it will be perfect......

I like the indicators; they make sense!


Nice Bike Steve!

 

[Devon]

Looks good

What brackets are required to fit the spots to the bike? I have the same spots from my 06 but they don't seem to fit my 09.

 

[Wrinkly]

Looks good

What brackets are required to fit the spots to the bike? I have the same spots from my 06 but they don't seem to fit my 09.

The brackets are the origional brackets that bolted to the beak mount on the 1150gsa.
To make them fit mine, i mounted the origional left hand bracket onto the right hand side of the new bike and visa versa, i then turned the bracket back to front.
The mounting points are,
Rear,the mounting points that would be used for a light bar.
Front,the fixing point for a front beak extension.

I had to make to small L shaped brackets that lower the mounting points by about an inch,this was so that the origional bracket did not foul the front beak.
I then mounted the origional bracket to the extensions.

I made the L shaped brackets from a stainless steel coat hook from B&Q, which was basically a piece 12mm flat bar bent to the shape of a coat hook.

Not sure how clear that is but i will try to take some clearer and more detailed pics if you think they may be of use.

Steve

 

[Devon]

The brackets are the origional brackets that bolted to the beak mount on the 1150gsa.
To make them fit mine, i mounted the origional left hand bracket onto the right hand side of the new bike and visa versa, i then turned the bracket back to front.
The mounting points are,
Rear,the mounting points that would be used for a light bar.
Front,the fixing point for a front beak extension.

I had to make to small L shaped brackets that lower the mounting points by about an inch,this was so that the origional bracket did not foul the front beak.
I then mounted the origional bracket to the extensions.

I made the L shaped brackets from a stainless steel coat hook from B&Q, which was basically a piece 12mm flat bar bent to the shape of a coat hook.

Not sure how clear that is but i will try to take some clearer and more detailed pics if you think they may be of use.

Steve

Many Thank's for that Steve. I will have a look at fixing my lights again

 

[EricGS]

Looks like a very nice bike. Best of luck with it.

 

[grez]

Tried a 1200 and found it unridable. Couldn't get my toe under the gear shift though this might have something to do with a ruptured achillies and torn cartlidge from way back. nevertheless I found the tank spread my legs resulting in my toes being pushed out and missing both the gear shift and the brake pedal. Still prefer the looks of the 1150 but then I guess I am just old and set in my ways.

 

[xdayzgrr]

1150 rullz!
1200 have more electronic things,it causes a big problems sometimes.
im waitin for my 05 11adv.it s new for me

 

[Wrinkly]

Well 2 mnt's and 2000mls down the road,and i can't get enough of this bike,I've always liked riding in the rain but on the 1200 i just love,especially on those tiny B roads up in North Yorks that have grass down the middle and are covered in loose gravel,the bike really inspires confidence on these tricky little roads.
A roads are great to,very easy bike to ride quickly very forgiving and does great overtakes.
ESA, definitely not a gimmick but time needs to be spent on working out how to get the best out of it and when to change it.
ASC,not sure about this one,yes you can give it big handfulls coming out of bends when it's wet or on loose surfaces,but it just doesn't feel right when it kicks in,although it may only be for a second it feels very alien.
I will stick with it for a while longer,it may be that i need to learn to get the best out of it?
Do i miss my 1150gsa.
You bet i do,the trouble with the 1200 is,that you go out for a run come home rinse it off,put it away and that's it.
With the 1150 there was always a bit of tinkering to be done always something to take off and put back on again.
Not saying i would swap back but yes i miss the 1150,i think i may have to start looking for an R90s or similar to keep me tinkered.

Have a great new year,

Steve

 

[Timolgra]

With the 1150 there was always a bit of tinkering to be done always something to take off and put back on again.

Erm, for instance???

 

[Bryn]

It's the tinkering on the 1150 that I missed when I had the 1200.... horses for courses

 

[D6]

rode a few 12,s now, sure, a bit more of everything but felt like a jap bike,,,lost its identity,, but thats what sells a lot of vehicles, cater to the masses, going to a real indicator switch on the new uns is an example,,,,prob better but some will hate it as its not different
if i want that ill get a honda , spend less and gain reliability(probably) ,
it was nice but ill keep the 1150,,,

 

[Aidan1150]

rode a few 12,s now, sure, a bit more of everything but felt like a jap bike,,,lost its identity,, but thats what sells a lot of vehicles, cater to the masses, going to a real indicator switch on the new uns is an example,,,,prob better but some will hate it as its not different
if i want that ill get a honda , spend less and gain reliability(probably) ,
it was nice but ill keep the 1150,,,

Very well put D6. The 1200 just felt a bit bland to me. Yes, lighter and a bit quicker than the 1150 but lacking something at the same time. I'll be staying put on my lebbenfiddy too.

 

[chad]

Very well put D6. The 1200 just felt a bit bland to me. Yes, lighter and a bit quicker than the 1150 but lacking something at the same time. I'll be staying put on my lebbenfiddy too.

to me they just dont feel worth all the extra ££££££s to get one over the 11xx

the 1150s are the last of the rip it to bits and sort yourself BMWs