1150GS and Adventure - differences year to year

  • Thread starter Thread starter Craig David
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Craig David

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Hi again

I'm serious about getting a 1150GS or 1150 Adventure.

Did either model change or get updated at all?

I see some advertised as being twin spark.
When did they change to this and does it make much difference?

Thanks in advance
 
I'd say the Twin Spark came out around 2003.

Some say it is slightly better, as the ignition should be smoother, although others say in the real world it makes no difference :hide

Cheers
:beerjug:
 
Adventures

Avoid servo brakes at all costs,
 
?

Whats this thing with servo brakes? my 05 GSA1150 has them ok so i dont ride off road but there great to me so why is it that people on here seem to treat the bikes with servo brakes like they have the plague lol or am i missing something?
 
Whats this thing with servo brakes? my 05 GSA1150 has them ok so i dont ride off road but there great to me so why is it that people on here seem to treat the bikes with servo brakes like they have the plague lol or am i missing something?


I agree, 46000 miles with servo brakes on 04 GSA and never had a problem, I guess it would be extremely expensive should they ever go wrong though:eek:

But it would appear that those bikes that get used more seem to be less troublesome than those that are rarely ridden fair weather toys :augie
 
Have a look over on Micapeak.com for the specifications and specs of both bikes.

As far as the servo brakes go once you get used to them they are pretty impressive, pretty expensive to replace the servo unit should it fail but the other option is to replumb the system as conventional brakes should you so wish.
 
There was an issue with servo brakes failing completely, which is why some we/are so anti them
 
ok

ok so big money when they go tits up but thats pretty much everything on these babies anyway lol still you rugged types can always use a big arse rock to slow you down if they fail or white van man.....
 
Servo brakes are excellent - one of the best features on the bike.
 
There was an issue with servo brakes failing completely, which is why some we/are so anti them

That should have read "were/are"..........

I've no opinion either way, mine are pre-servo :D
 
Last one didn't have servo brakes and this one has. In a perfect world I would like the performance of the servo brakes without the potential problems. Having said that I haven't had any mechanical problems........ yet

I feel servo brakes are sharper and take some practice to be really smooth all the time, (when swmbo is on board). but that could just be my ham fisted technique :augie
 
I don't understand the need for them.. does it make the brakes superior? and in what way.

or is it as someone once said 'a solution to a problem that doesn't exist'

the start of the rocky road to ruin that ended with the glorious 1200.
 
Last one didn't have servo brakes and this one has. In a perfect world I would like the performance of the servo brakes without the potential problems. Having said that I haven't had any mechanical problems........ yet

I feel servo brakes are sharper and take some practice to be really smooth all the time, (when swmbo is on board). but that could just be my ham fisted technique :augie

Since I avoid tar where possible, sharper is not an advantage to me:):)
 
Had my GS since 24/06/08, done 8000 miles on her and the servo brakes are excellent. I like the option of being able to turn 'em on/off, should i choose to ride off the black stuff......
 
Hi again

I'm serious about getting a 1150GS or 1150 Adventure.

Did either model change or get updated at all?

I see some advertised as being twin spark.
When did they change to this and does it make much difference?

Thanks in advance
Strange comment I know but the adventure seat was painful, the straight GS is much better, but I have little padding in the rear end
 
Had my GS since 24/06/08, done 8000 miles on her and the servo brakes are excellent. I like the option of being able to turn 'em on/off, should i choose to ride off the black stuff......

Can you turn off the servo brakes? Or are you referring to ABS?

Have I missed summat?
 
He means the ABS.;)

I have an 03 reg version, with the servo system. It has done 56,000 without missing a beat. The brakes are like someone sticking a broomstick in the spokes if you want them to be. The servo assistance makes hauling a fully loaded bike down from 100mph very easy - and very much faster than without.

I vote for the servo system, even though I have heard of the problems some people had. However, i cannot see how BMW would leave bikes on the road if there was a recognised probelm. If an accident were to result in a death following these problems and they had not issued a recall they would be in for a corporate manslaughter charge. To knowingly leave machines out there with a common problem and do nothing about it would not be tolerated...BMW are one of the best at recalls. To my knowledge there has been no recall for a servo fault. That means there must be something else that is causing it....a chaffed wire or something from poor routing following service? (I am not saying that is the route cause, just giving an example).

I wouldn't let the servo thing put you off buying a bike. I can't see em getting rid of this one on the next 20 years...I might buy another to keep alongside though. One being done up, one on the road kind of thing. It would be another Adventurer though. The extra height is wonderful and the fuel range is simply a godsend. 300+ miles between fill ups means you can really cover some ground without having to go stupid. The extra long leg of the 6th gear keeps things nice an easy on a long A road or motorway stint.
 
He means the ABS.;)

I have an 03 reg version, with the servo system. It has done 56,000 without missing a beat. The brakes are like someone sticking a broomstick in the spokes if you want them to be. The servo assistance makes hauling a fully loaded bike down from 100mph very easy - and very much faster than without.

I vote for the servo system, even though I have heard of the problems some people had. However, i cannot see how BMW would leave bikes on the road if there was a recognised probelm. If an accident were to result in a death following these problems and they had not issued a recall they would be in for a corporate manslaughter charge. To knowingly leave machines out there with a common problem and do nothing about it would not be tolerated...BMW are one of the best at recalls. To my knowledge there has been no recall for a servo fault. That means there must be something else that is causing it....a chaffed wire or something from poor routing following service? (I am not saying that is the route cause, just giving an example).

I wouldn't let the servo thing put you off buying a bike. I can't see em getting rid of this one on the next 20 years...I might buy another to keep alongside though. One being done up, one on the road kind of thing. It would be another Adventurer though. The extra height is wonderful and the fuel range is simply a godsend. 300+ miles between fill ups means you can really cover some ground without having to go stupid. The extra long leg of the 6th gear keeps things nice an easy on a long A road or motorway stint.

+1 :thumb2

Even if they do fail, you can still stop in the same distance, just takes a bit of effort on the brake lever...
 
HeHowever, i cannot see how BMW would leave bikes on the road if there was a recognised probelm. If an accident were to result in a death following these problems and they had not issued a recall they would be in for a corporate manslaughter charge. .

There is nothing wrong with servo brakes, it's when they fail ( as they do on a regular basis) that the problems start.

I think you may find it's the opposite to what you think.

That if they issue a recall and afterwards any bike who's servo brakes fail and an accident is caused it would make them liable.

There have been accidents with the servo failing.
 


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