1150GSA: Potential classic value

Price is fairly static for the GSA, had mine for 4 years and the going rate now is about the same as when I bought mine, best 2 wheel investment I have ever made was buying a 1966 Lambretta SX 200 for £150.00 in 1979, valued recently at £7,000.00. Generally though, I have not been very good with 2-wheel investments, Had the first model Gsxr 750 Slab Side, a very nice one, featured in PB, but in 10 years it only increased in value slightly, same for CB550, S1 Kawa, X7 Suzi.
 
I tried a 12 GS TwinCam yesterday with a view to possibly purchasing
I rode my 1150 GSA there
Rode about 30 miles of mixed DC/A roads and backroads
What struck was the engine vibes from the TwinCam engine in the bars and pegs
My digits were tingling
12’s brakes were great and it had a far better shove between 3000 to 5000 revs in 3/4/5 than the 1150 Adv
I was glad to be back on the 1150 GSA - the engine which by comparison was silky smooth and the suspension far more versatile & composed, than the 12’s ESA (but mine has Ohlins set up personally for me, so maybe cheating)
 
I tried a 12 GS TwinCam yesterday with a view to possibly purchasing
I rode my 1150 GSA there
Rode about 30 miles of mixed DC/A roads and backroads
What struck was the engine vibes from the TwinCam engine in the bars and pegs
My digits were tingling
12’s brakes were great and it had a far better shove between 3000 to 5000 revs in 3/4/5 than the 1150 Adv
I was glad to be back on the 1150 GSA - the engine which by comparison was silky smooth and the suspension far more versatile & composed, than the 12’s ESA (but mine has Ohlins set up personally for me, so maybe cheating)

Having had a Twin Cam R1200GSA and a R1150GS at the same time I’d say the one you tested might have needed a service. There was no difference in vibes between mine. The suspension on the 1150 was way better than the 1200 though, both on original shocks no ESA. I’d done 100,000 miles on the 1150 when I bought the 1200 new & it still had better suspension. I also found the fuelling better on the 1150. The 1200 occasionally cut out when on a closed throttle slowing down for a junction.

The 1200 was traded in against a KTM 1290SAS, I still have the 1150.
 
Having had a Twin Cam R1200GSA and a R1150GS at the same time I’d say the one you tested might have needed a service. There was no difference in vibes between mine. The suspension on the 1150 was way better than the 1200 though, both on original shocks no ESA. I’d done 100,000 miles on the 1150 when I bought the 1200 new & it still had better suspension. I also found the fuelling better on the 1150. The 1200 occasionally cut out when on a closed throttle slowing down for a junction.

The 1200 was traded in against a KTM 1290SAS, I still have the 1150.

Yep I think it needed a service
But it brought back memories of testing one new in 2011-12 and the vibes
I wasn’t keen on the suspension on comfort, normal or sport - not smooth at all
 


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