1150 vs 1200gsa

[daverimm19]

Finally got out on the 1150 after exclusively using the new 1200gsa for months. Honestly the only thing that let the 1150 down was the suspension which is easily rectified but brakes felt just as good, handling was far more nimble/ lighter, whole bike felt light after months of lugging the 1200 around, my 1150 is prob 25kg lighter than standard and the 1200 is a tank. Performance wise it really held its own ( again plenty mods). Was it slower? Didn’t feel it to be honest, owned for 12 years now the 1150 has survived a 1200 multistada and will definitely survive this 1200. Ultimately the 1200 is a far more refined machine and is a great bike but it’s so heavy, the 1200’s future is under threat by the do everything, fix it myself 1150gs


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[ynotbiker]

Your 17 inch rims also help a lot .

 

[daverimm19]

Your 17 inch rims also help a lot .

Yeah I’ll have to weigh the bike one day. It’s still evolving, plenty more to come. 200kg dry is the goal without changing the look too much


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[KMD]

I still think the 1150 is the best of them all. I bought a 1200 when they came out and tried really hard to like it. Threw everything at it, Ohlins front and rear, Sargent seats, screens, grip puppies etc etc…..

Sold it and went back to an 1150.

 

[Emm]

On a twisty back roads the old oil heads can still give a modern boxer a run for its money. I actually think I can carry more corner speed on my old 1100 compared to the 1250 but that may have something to do with not chopping the throttle mid corner etc and carrying as much corner speed as possible to smooth things out. I love trying to get the most out of the 1100 and always finish a run with a smile on my face thinking how well they still ride. I have Ohlins and Wilber’s shocks so it certainly doesn’t feel inferior to the 1250 in the suspension department.
Two up continental touring is where the 1250 comes into its own. Cornering abs, traction etc etc and cruise control makes taking the good lady away much easier and safer but for solo travel I’d probably opt for the 1100, which really tells you how good they are and were made from the beginning.
Let’s see how good the 1250’s look after 29 years and 100.000 plus miles.

 

[GedJack]

I had a 1250 GS together with my 1150 which I’ve had for 11 years. Heavily modded but after owning the 1250 for 18 months sold it and kept the 1150. Just love the thing

 

[Wrigsby1]

1100s were the bikes BMW made for BMW riders, 1150s the bike staring to have other riders in mind and 1200s on are way more for people who wouldn't have bought into BMW thinking... The pivotal moments were the ADV launch and the Ewan and Charlie thing.
Before that you were still getting comments about quirks and tractors, after that it was luurve through LWR...
The thing is you can launch 11/1150s into twisty roads with abandon and no superfluous crap to sidetrack you...
My old 11GS looks tiny next to a work colleagues 1250 ADV but I can ride (and park!) the 11 without a care...

 

[Paul Young]

I don’t think you can personalise the later bikes beyond bling accessories… that can often just look tacky. The 11** models had such a following that special kit was made for them and owners have made all sorts of specials like MX, SM and long distance tourer styles. You see them stripped back, laden with huge dustbin panniers, or somewhere in between and that’s the beauty to me. Work on it, modify it and ride it however you want… 26 yrs old now and still has pride of place in my garage.