1150GS year 2000 v 2003

jtg530

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Hi
I am looking at two bikes one a R1150GS year 2000 the other a R1150GS year 2003 is there much difference? I think I read somewhere that the newer version has two spark plugs, which makes the bike run smoother?

They are similar price with the older bike having both lower mileage and luggage.

Any advice or comments?
 
Go for the earlier one, if it stacks up with mileage and service history

Earlier bikes have single spark and less complicated ABS:thumby:
 
I prefer the dual spark bikes, some say it gives a smoother power and not prone to surging. Surely it would also improve efficiency. ABS is down to the buyer, I again like the servo braking system, many don't. A 2003 bike may be pre or post upgrade so you will have to check.
 
Thanks both for the quick reply, as a newbie its good to get constructive advice. I suppose I if their both straight honest bikes its a ride to see which I prefer.
 
Sorry just read that again warmshed, are both dual spark and updated ABS 2003 upgrades or just the ABS?
 
The dual spark and other updates all came in together, somewhere between the middle of 2002 and the middle of 2003 depending on the source you are reading from. Obviously some bikes were held in stock before being registered to confuse even more. Easy to see if it has the later 2 sparkplugs per pot. I am sure others will give a more instant recognition of the the updated bike.
Not all bikes had ABS.
Both were available as standard GS or as a GSA, I like the GSA. Just do a search which will tell you the difference, easy to spot as the GSA has a large tank and has anodised wheel rims a dark maroon/blue rather than normal aluminium also the GSA has a single rider/pillion seat rather than two separate ones. You will like whatever you choose so just get the best condition bike, watch out for off road abuse.
 
Have you got pics of each of the bikes or a link

We'll analyse them for you and see which is a good buy
 
Just sold my 2003 1150GS which I had owned from new, it was a twinspark with servo ABS.

Never had any problems with the servo ABS, word from my tame mechanic was that if bled annually (which mine was) then they tended to be issue free which was certainly my experience. Of course if the later bike isn't fitted with ABS then it isn't an issue anyway.
Same with the twinspark, ran nicely with the only issue being a coilstick letting go at 6-years so I replaced them both and all was ok again.

The servo ABS can be hard on the battery and even the owners manual warns of this but I never had a problem and indeed the bike was sold 3-weeks ago wearing the original (perfectly functioning) battery which was date-stamped July 2003. The later bike will also not have a headlight switch as the lights are always on, I believe this was introduced around 2002/3?????
 
Single spark for me every time. Easy, simple, no servo abs (mine has no abs). As for the later bikes being smoother, that's bollocks IMHO, a well set up single spark is perfectly smooth. Twin spark don't run smoother because there's always a stick pack on its way out :D
Never had a surging issue either, but had a 2003 Rt that surged like a bastard and I never found a cure.
I paid 2200 for an x plate with 20k on it, so don't get ripped off!!! Mine wasn't mint, but mechanically sound and cosmetically it was "honest". Older single sparks would have to be pretty spectacular to command 3k+ or be fitted with expensive goodies.
 
I've had two earlier single sparks and my current twin spark 1150. Next one will be a single spark non ABS with factory heated grips - best of the bunch IMO. The coil sticks on the twin spark are a known point of failure and expensive to replace. In addition and as mentioned above the later bikes feature servo brakes which can also fail and are much more complex to service - although the entire system can be removed if required. Final point which is a minor annoyance is the later front caliper design doesn't include a hole to drift the pins out which means that caliper pins can seize solid.

Keep It Simple IMO.
 
Thanks for all the advice. Regarding photos, I am awaiting details for one, if they do come through I will post both sets. Cheers all.
 
DrAlf said:
I've had two earlier single sparks and my current twin spark 1150. Next one will be a single spark non ABS with factory heated grips - best of the bunch IMO. The coil sticks on the twin spark are a known point of failure and expensive to replace. In addition and as mentioned above the later bikes feature servo brakes which can also fail and are much more complex to service - although the entire system can be removed if required. Final point which is a minor annoyance is the later front caliper design doesn't include a hole to drift the pins out which means that caliper pins can seize solid.

Keep It Simple IMO.
Click to expand...

Looks like I have just the bike for you, shame I'm keeping it :D
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
Forget that one

Buy this (but haggle)
http://carcarecentre-york.co.uk/vehicles/show/63

It's a minter with FSH, full luggage and best of all no troublesome Servo ABS and factory heated grips and some sensible extras like crashbars/Y Piece and Remus and hugger

Looks like it has been pampered
Click to expand...

I have been looking at this and another member of this forum has kindly had a look at it and says it looks good. I have since seen it on their other site:
http://www.yamahayork.co.uk/yamaha-Locator.aspx?attributes=Make&values=BMW&savestate=no
which appears to say it has had 6 owners, I appreciate this may be a typo and will ring them tomorrow.
 
I've had a twin-spark, servo ABS from new in 2003. Brake fine so far (touch wood: they're a mite grabby at walking pace, have been glad of them at least one). When a coil stick failed the bike still ran as a twin on the secondary well enough to get me home from the middle of nowhere, so not sure if it's failure-prone or fault-tolerant...
 
jtg530 said:
I have been looking at this and another member of this forum has kindly had a look at it and says it looks good. I have since seen it on their other site:
http://www.yamahayork.co.uk/yamaha-Locator.aspx?attributes=Make&values=BMW&savestate=no
which appears to say it has had 6 owners, I appreciate this may be a typo and will ring them tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Going on looks and that tells a lot, once you've been around GS's a fair while.................the pics look genuine and the bike looks in good order with an absence of the usual GS corrosion hotspots

If the service history and owners checks out and the bike sounds fine, buy it

I'd be getting the train to York and riding it home if I was you
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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