1150GSA - Known issues?

[Qmouse]

Well I have got through the debate late 1150GSA or early 1200GSA and have decided to try and get a late 1150. (Cost and more choice being the main factors)

Got to do my homework now and look at a few.

Are there any specifc areas I need to check and keep an eye on to make sure I get a good 'un apart from the usual BMW sevice history etc.

Brian

 

[Packer]

If it's been used through the winter look out for corrosion.

The front discs get pitted, calipers corrode, the castings at the bottom of the sliders get chipped and corrode, the fork brace corrodes, the entire crankcase starts to corrode from all of the joints and corners.............

Lets just say they rot. (Despite using the Scottoiler spray)

Mine's just a standard 1150, 32,500 miles since new in Nov 03. So that's 4 winters, used almost daily for a number of short runs. BMW says wash it after every trip, not possible if you are using it for business.

Would I change it? NO WAY

Just find a nice one that's never seen salt.

 

[DoctorZippy]

Decide on ABS or non-ABS...

My advice, having bought a late-model 1150GSA, would be to try one with ABS and servo before you buy one with them - it's the only thing on the bike I don't like (as has been covered somewhat endlessly here ). If you don't like servo brakes then avoid them - some say you get used to it, personally after over 2,000miles, I still don't like 'em...

But thanks to this site, I now know how to get rid of them!!

 

[Qmouse]

Quick question,

When did the 1150 gain its extra spark plug? or did it. I'm a bit confused on this...

Brian

 

[Rob Farmer]

Late 2002/Early 2003 I think.

 

[Spout]

....to make sure I get a good 'un apart from the usual BMW sevice history etc.

You might also consider one that's been serviced correctly.

 

[Flipfly]

Corrosion is an issue but is easily fixed with hammerite smooth.

Bevel box bearings, final drive bearings, suspension and clutch slave cylinders are all worth checking, but a BMW service history is worth having if poss.

All in though they are great bikes that are reasonably cheap to fix yourself (if you have any mechanical ability).

You'll know when you find the right one for you. Mint ones are dear and I've seen a couple of Se's for sale recently that are to die for, but they were all expensive. The cheaper you go the more miles and maybe the worse condition it's likely to be in.

I would say that high mileage wouldn't put me off if the price is right. My GS has 54k on it and it runs really nice. Probably wants a clutch soon but once I've done it, it'll be over 110000 before it'll need doing again.

Happy hunting

 

[Qmouse]

Thank for all the above.

I know the bike I want and I will buy it from a dealer, When is the best time to buy, If I wait until the end of summer are BMW dealers open to deals or are they hard nosed all year round. It may sound like a daft question, but I'm in no rush to buy and would rather wait for the right 1150GSA at the right price. I have not been near a BMW dealer for a long long time, so have little experance of dealing with them.

Brian

 

[Flipfly]

Don't think it'll make that much difference and you'll miss months of riding it!!!!!

 

[robbie c]

here's mine, it's the best bike I've owned

just get one, any one, they all get scruffy in the end,

but SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun

 

[(RIP) MOTÖRHEAD]

1150GSA - Known issues?

Yes, I can't stop grinning every time I take it out.

Now I know that's not a technical issue but an important one none the less.

 

[Marjorie Proops]

1150GSA -Known issues.

Rumsfeld: Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones.

HTH.

Marj

 

[Fanum]

Don't think it'll make that much difference and you'll miss months of riding it!!!!!

For the sake of maybe saving 50 quid on a price but missing out on months of riding, it ain't worth it.

Get a twin spark, decide if you want ABS or not (long debate, but I would) and look at the condition of the bike.

Forget preconceptions of what 'high mileage' is that you may have from 'other' bikes....Boxer twins aren't run in until 16-18k miles and they're in their prime still at 4-50k miles....between my two they've got 156k miles on and they run beautifully

Don't get one without heated grips and check the service record....BMW dealer stamps not necessary but receipts for filters etc good.

And don't think for one second you're getting the second best because of the choice of an 1150 gsa rather than a 1200....an awful lot of us 1150GSA riders would have the same again if given a choice between a brand spanking 11 or 12

 

[Gas'd Off]

1150GSA - Known issues?

Yes, an irrational urge to go home the long way via a ford if possible. And a worrying compulsion to spend vast wads of cash on extra lights and overland goodies All "known issues" are overcomeable (is that a real word?)

 

[Nigel Statham]

Visit Ocean BMW Plymouth in a couple of weeks

Thank for all the above.

I know the bike I want and I will buy it from a dealer, When is the best time to buy, If I wait until the end of summer are BMW dealers open to deals or are they hard nosed all year round. It may sound like a daft question, but I'm in no rush to buy and would rather wait for the right 1150GSA at the right price. I have not been near a BMW dealer for a long long time, so have little experance of dealing with them.

Brian

In a couple of weeks I am part exchanging my 1150GSA for a 1200GSA at Plymouth dealership Ocean. Who I must say have given me a cracking deal. I don't know what they will want for it but you will not find a better one. 2002, 14.5k miles, one owner, not used in winter, not taken off road, BM service history, heated grips, ABS, BM alloy panniers, not a mark on the bike.

 

[Qmouse]

Got one!

Well I bit the bullet and brought one a nice '04 R1150GSA with 14K miles and Touratech panniers, picking it up next Monday .

Now more questions!!!!!!!

I will be doing most of the maintance, what specal tools do I need If any?

I will be fitting me little Quest Sat Nav where is the best place? and what RAM mounts did you use?

What accessories are a must have? Tobinators? for a bit of European touring.

I will post a picture up when I pick it up.

Brian

 

[Qmouse]

7 Days Later

Well I have answered 2 out of my 3 questions myself,

The Garmin is fitted on a RAM mount to the handlebars so it is positioned on top of the handlebar pad.

After 2 150 mile rides and noticing a lot of threads regarding seats I now know why . The bike is fitted with a low seat and it is quite literly a pain in the arse after about 50 miles. So an Airhawk seat will be my second touring purchase.
The first was a TT Zega topbox as I am hopeing that my lid will fit in it, as it wont fit in the matching panniners.
I am also thinking of swoping the low seat for a standard one. the theory being the extra inch is padding and it loses that ridge at the back giving me a bit more wiggle room.

Still very happy with the bike overall and looking forward to putting some serious miles under my belt, just not in one go until the seat is sorted.

Brian

 

[Rob Farmer]

I find the low seat good for a couple of hundred miles but do use an Airhawk if going for longer trips.

The best bit of kit you can buy is one of Migsels Speedo GPS mounts, it gets rid of the silly clutter on the bars and puts the GPS just below your line of site where its easier to see.

Enjoy your ownership of the best GS ever made. Yours won't even be run in yet and they get better with age

 

[Stujw70]

Well I bit the bullet and brought one a nice '04 R1150GSA with 14K miles and Touratech panniers, picking it up next Monday .

Now more questions!!!!!!!

I will be doing most of the maintance, what specal tools do I need If any?

I will be fitting me little Quest Sat Nav where is the best place? and what RAM mounts did you use?

What accessories are a must have? Tobinators? for a bit of European touring.

I will post a picture up when I pick it up.

Brian

Excellent choice, well done. As others have said a cracking bike, i bought mine last Nov and have put about 14000 miles since then.

Ride it and enjoy, up to you if you self service, i personally use Steptoe from this forum saves me a good few quid on dealer prices.

Stu

 

[david306]

fully agree with this thread, i now deliberately take my 02 1150 gsa out for a silly run to the shops for something stupid and then on the way home i take a 25 mile detour ...just because it is so nice to ride !!!!!

I sometimes feel that i cannot get off it...


Enjoy.... or tell me i am crazy... ???


lol


Oh yea , servicing is a piece of piss...get a filter removal tool from motor works and thats all you really need...I got a nice Teng Tools socket set with everything i need to dismantle the bike. £65...happy man...