Euroenduro
Guest
GS-Mad, ....but have you ridden the 1200GSA and don't like something practical bout it, or is it just a case of you prefering the looks of your 1150GSA, i,e, as Micky says, it is a decision of the heart?
GS-Mad, ....but have you ridden the 1200GSA and don't like something practical bout it, or is it just a case of you prefering the looks of your 1150GSA, i,e, as Micky says, it is a decision of the heart?
WEE BOAB
Registered user
tried both 1150 adv and the 1200, bought the 1150, it's just so planted on the road and feels like it could take on a hummer and win...
Trippy
Guest
1150 for me. I like the old meets new look about it. Not so modern looking as the 1200. Does that make any sense
1150 for me. I like the old meets new look about it. Not so modern looking as the 1200. Does that make any sense
i think the 1200GSA is the better looking bike right now. in the future however, i believe the 1150 GSA will be seen as the "classic".
12 styled too modern to last perhaps? i think a more trad curvy bike look might last better than an "edgy" design in the long run,
WEE BOAB
Registered user
That sure is one fine looking bike, identical to mine, I can't imagine how anybody could prefer the looks of the 1200
The 1200GS-A was a nicer bike to ride... more modern technology an all that. But the truth is that it was a tad too big for me. I live in a terrace house and the 'bike has to be manhandled backwards through a gate, and down a 10" step at the same time. If I got it wrong then I was well and truly wedged and had to wait there until the cavalry came along
Also I'm waiting for the F800GS so the days of the 1200GS-A were numbered in any case, and when Rainbow had a customer on mine then it had to go.
Got a good deal on an F800ST so that will do nicely until the GS version comes along. It's actually easier to get through my gate than the 650 Dakar, and in real terms, on the road, handles better, and is faster, than the 1200
www.adventure.gs
Boxerfrog
Guest
I live in a terrace house and the 'bike has to be manhandled backwards through a gate, and down a 10" step at the same time. If I got it wrong then I was well and truly wedged and had to wait there until the cavalry came along
Also I'm waiting for the F800GS so the days of the 1200GS-A were numbered in any case, and when Rainbow had a customer on mine then it had to go.
Got a good deal on an F800ST so that will do nicely until the GS version comes along. It's actually easier to get through my gate than the 650 Dakar, and in real terms, on the road, handles better, and is faster, than the 1200
www.adventure.gs
I had problems getting my 1200GSA through my gate,-solved with a chainsaw! (the gate not the bike)
Haven't tried the 1150 but more than happy with the 1200, whatever suits you sir!
badger
Guest
Trippy,lovely looking machine.I have an 02 silver GSA and think its great. I have ridden the 12 GSA and as others have already stated the front just didn't seem as planted on the road. Having been down the road a week after I got it (feckin' diesel) ,only damage a small scratch on the engine bar, I feel that the new 12 would possibily have sustained more damage. I'll stick with my 1150.
Yes, the local dealer gave me a 12 GSA for half a day when I was having some new tyres fitted. For sure there was nothing I didn't like but there was also nothing that made me want to change.
I think you could easily talk yourself into any bike as all bikes are ace. I've also had a 12 RT for half a day and was very tempted to buy it. Another weekend I nipped into the local Honda dealer and quite fancied a Pan European.
Every bike is a compromise - I do think an 1150 GSA is as close to perfect as you could get though.
I had problems getting my 1200GSA through my gate,-solved with a chainsaw! (the gate not the bike)
Haven't tried the 1150 but more than happy with the 1200, whatever suits you sir!
That Sir has already been accomplished
but making the gate even wider would be a major operation. Possible and feasable, but time takes its toll and these days the smaller 'bike will do everything that I need 
Instead of razzing down to Austria (or wherever) at 100mph in a day I'll take two or three days to get there, smell the flowers, take in the ambience... I can fill my diary as I wish, so it's no great problem.... it's great
www.adventure.gs
ricochet
Guest
yo ricochet...they both look v. sweet
Is the 1150ADV yours too?
EurEnd
Yeah, fortunately.
This weekend, I was back in my 1150GSA. Took it for a spin for about 300miles. AAhhhh! Just as lovely as my new 12. Its a little slower, but who cares. We're no racers. We're nature lovers.
Bilks
Registered user
Proof....!
tried both 1150 adv and the 1200, bought the 1150, it's just so planted on the road and feels like it could take on a hummer and win...
Attachments
Odd stickers
Trippy,
I can't believe it. That's twice I have seen your bike on posts and I have been amazed that they weren't followed by a barrage of comments about those odd stickers on your beak... 
Back to the real subeject. I would say if you want performance at the expense of quality go for the 1200, if you prefer quality,go for the 1150.
Cheers, Piggers
1150 for me. I like the old meets new look about it. Not so modern looking as the 1200. Does that make any sense
Trippy,
I can't believe it. That's twice I have seen your bike on posts and I have been amazed that they weren't followed by a barrage of comments about those odd stickers on your beak...
Back to the real subeject. I would say if you want performance at the expense of quality go for the 1200, if you prefer quality,go for the 1150.
Cheers, Piggers
Shep
Shep of the Dessert
The 1200adv suspension, as it come out the box, on factory settings is poor and IMO causes the front end to feel a little vague, however winding up the rear preload at least to half and setting the damping adjustment harder to suit, transforms the feel of the bike, Having to brake hard to avoid running over 1150's in bends is something you have to get used to I'm afraid
I've said it before, if I had an 1150 now I wouldn't bother getting a 1200, but when the time came to move the old bike on, I wouldn't hesitate to get a 1200 they are a great bike, just right for taking the next generation of Tossers on their travels
Shep
I've said it before, if I had an 1150 now I wouldn't bother getting a 1200, but when the time came to move the old bike on, I wouldn't hesitate to get a 1200 they are a great bike, just right for taking the next generation of Tossers on their travels
Shep
bmwbikeruk
Registered user
Hi all,
I'm struggling to decide whether to go down the 1200 or 1150 GSA routeRode both for the first time on Saturday and liked them both, but for diff reasons; the 1200's firmer ride and more power but prefer the 1150's seemingly more controllable motor at slow speed/manouvering .... I am a complete twat with the technical understanding so any talk about e.g the hot vibrating thingy between my legs or the curly bit of metal under my arse, are wasted on me
I have read and heard lots but for obvious reasons my most owners prefer/promote the version they pilot but don't seem to be able to give an unbiased asessment of both versions, worts n all, e.g (not my words, so please don'tthe messenger):
"If your'e used to sports bikes then go for the more responsive 1200"
"the 1200GSA is more flimsy than the 1150GSA, which is the Landrover of the adventure biking world"
"the 1150GSA is more capable off-road than the 1200GSA which has been smoothed to appeal to a wider biking audience"
But what about general comparisons on:
Reliability (appreciate the 1200 is pretty new but...)
Build quality/robustness
long tarmac comfort
Off road capability
spares/servicing costs
Any help would be appreciated
BTW Love the site
If you plan to share the love of touring with your beloved partner, then R1200GSA is a must for pillion riding for its more generous dimensions and pillion geometry than R1150GSA. I have ditched my R1150GSA for R1200GSA. My pillion partner is now very, very, happy and comfortable especially on long distance trips. The old R1150GSA was OK for solo riding but with less weather protection than R1200GSA!
Euroenduro
Guest
Trippy,
I can't believe it. That's twice I have seen your bike on posts and I have been amazed that they weren't followed by a barrage of comments about those odd stickers on your beak...
Back to the real subeject. I would say if you want performance at the expense of quality go for the 1200, if you prefer quality,go for the 1150.
Cheers, Piggers
Piggers
, so relating this to my first post, when I asked: Reliability (appreciate the 1200 is pretty new but...)?
Build quality/robustness?
Are you saying that the quality (whatever that means? components? finish?) of the 1150 is better than the 1200...is that what other dual owners feel...cos that would be a worry for me and others who are considering migrating the 1200 route.
Trippy
....your 1150SE is very tidy....recognise the red stonework on the house, not too far from my neck of the woods.Cheers
Euroenduro
Guest
bmwbikeruk
, am planning to share the love of touring with my beloved partner but I don't need a pillion to do that, her name starts with 'GS' and ends with '0', however I have two fine fillies 
on the go at the moment but need to choose one over the other, so is it 'dependable but dumpy' Miss 1150 or 'unpredictable but slim' Miss 1200.....somethings gotta give
Shep
Shep of the Dessert
Piggers
Reliability (appreciate the 1200 is pretty new but...)?
Build quality/robustness?
Are you saying that the quality (whatever that means? components? finish?) of the 1150 is better than the 1200...is that what other dual owners feel...cos that would be a worry for me and others who are considering migrating the 1200 route.
Trippy
Cheers
Three years ago I started looking for an 1150gs, but after looking at loads with paint flaking, wheel finish bubbling, f/d oil leaks all of these faults on low milage bikes, I decided to get an early 1200GS, a great bike to ride but the finish and reliability (it never actually really let me down though) were a problem, 20,000 and a year later i tried another 1200GS, the finish was better, reliability was much better but not perfect
, so BMW came up with a deal after 6mths and 10-11,000 miles, on a 12 GSA, this has been near faultless (touch wood) the paint is still bubbling on the front engine cover being the only fault.It horses for courses, get the bike you want and enjoy, but don't expect the 1150 to be faultless, its a great bike though as is the 12GSA
Shep
mrTickle
Registered user
When I bought my 1150 Adventure in 2002 the debate for me was shall I get an 1100 or 1150. I chose the 1150 and aside from it developing an ABS fault last year, it hasn't let me down once. It's had a hard life and never been to a dealer for a service as I've done them all myself. I reckon luck is involved when buying something new - you either get a good 'un or a plumb. I've had brand new cars and domestic appliances that have been nothing but grief - I've just put it down to luck of the draw as otherwise they'd all have exactly the same fault.
If I was off on a major trip I'd buy a brand new 1200 Adventure, use it hard for 6 months, find if there were any dodgy bits and then go. The 1200 is undoubtedly a better bike than the 1150 but for day to day use I find my 1150 Adventure still keeps me smiling and I prefer its looks - but I doubt it's as good as a 1200.
I also have an HP2 and there are loads of HP2 owners who've had problems with their bikes. Touch wood, so far mines been perfect. I bet that's put the mockers on it now
If I was off on a major trip I'd buy a brand new 1200 Adventure, use it hard for 6 months, find if there were any dodgy bits and then go. The 1200 is undoubtedly a better bike than the 1150 but for day to day use I find my 1150 Adventure still keeps me smiling and I prefer its looks - but I doubt it's as good as a 1200.
I also have an HP2 and there are loads of HP2 owners who've had problems with their bikes. Touch wood, so far mines been perfect. I bet that's put the mockers on it now
The 1200adv suspension, as it come out the box, on factory settings is poor and IMO causes the front end to feel a little vague, however winding up the rear preload at least to half and setting the damping adjustment harder to suit, transforms the feel of the bike, Having to brake hard to avoid running over 1150's in bends is something you have to get used to I'm afraid
i have the preload on the back on minimum, and the damping half a turn harder than stock but it needs a tad more. front is on min preload too. works ok 1 up.
not done much 2 up yet but feel the rear shock will be totally out of it's depth then. hope i'm wrong, wilbers are not cheap
my 1150GS suspension as stock was not up to much either. actually, that's some understatement, it was terrible until mr ohlins paid a visit (i think early ones were worse than later models, esp. the GSA equipment).
when people rave about the 1150 being more "planted", i can only think they must just like slow steering & turn in. 1200 has miles better steering. makes the 1150 feel like a carthorse. ditto the engine.
I've said it before, if I had an 1150 now I wouldn't bother getting a 1200, but when the time came to move the old bike on, I wouldn't hesitate to get a 1200 they are a great bike, just right for taking the next generation of Tossers on their travels
Shep
sums it up perfectly for me.
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