1150GSA vs 1200GSA

[richiejerrett]

my choice

recently had the option of buying a 1200gs or a 1150gsa, rode both bikes both had 25,000 klms on the clock.
the 1200gs an o5 model, had what i would have thought a large amount of transmission snatch, to the point that i mentioned to the owner that i thought there was too much play in the universal joint. Low speed maneuvering required a lot of clutch fanning to keep me mobile, not much fun combined with the transmission snatch.
1150 gsa was an 02 model with 26,000 klms.
Felt like a new bike from the moment i rode it, no discernable transmission snatch, lower first gear makes big difference for low speed work,
bought it.
weight not really an issue once the wheels were turning, although i am not generally a big fan of heavy.
My initial impression was that the 1150gsa was a more solid machine, (it weighs more).
Both bikes were owned by the same person, a motorcycle tour company and the bikes had all been on the same guided rides, simiar riding environments.
hope this helps...........................

 

[Rob Farmer]

don't understand that at all personally.

my 1200GSA is better in almost every way than the model it replaced. the "almost" being a question mark over reliability, an area that the 1150 is no great shakes at either going by anecdotal evidence.

the 1150 is a great bike, but i am baffled by people who ride both and prefer the old one

oh yes, the 12 is a bit vibey too, but it makes up for that in having way more character IMO.

It's faster, lighter and should be a logical step up from an 1150. The 1150GSA rides so much better though and I think it's that stopping me making the swap. What I should be doing is taking a "shit or bust" attitude, chopping mine in and going for a 1200 anyway, there would be no option but to get used to it and is probably the attitude needed to really appreciate the 1200.

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

I've read many of the post about the 1200GS vs 1150GSA and they all reinforce the decision I made back then.

I will be taking it for a test ride in the new year, but thought I'd ask the question here anyway as you all seem to be so knowledgable.

Well given these quotes and those of many other posters here, it seems as if my bike (1200GS) is in fact completely rubbish.

Shame really as I thought it was the best bike I'd ever had and in 17,000+ miles it has always brought a smile and never really let me down.

I guess that I must be wrong. So I'd better look to get shot of it soon then.

Kai

ps

I will be taking it for a test ride in the new year

Don't listen to half of the rubbish posted here. Take the test ride, pay yer money and take yer choice.

 

[cookie]

It's faster, lighter and should be a logical step up from an 1150. The 1150GSA rides so much better though and I think it's that stopping me making the swap. What I should be doing is taking a "shit or bust" attitude, chopping mine in and going for a 1200 anyway, there would be no option but to get used to it and is probably the attitude needed to really appreciate the 1200.

decision was all so easy for me. i owned an 1150GS, wanted an ADV. tried an 1150 GSA which was very nice, but not that far from the GS i already had. i was still intending buying an 1150GSA at this point (in black obviously).

before i committed, i felt it would be prudent to check out the 1200. nothing to lose, it was a 12 after all so it would be rubbish

only it wasn't. i knew 200 metres down the road on the demo it was what i wanted.

it does one thing my 1150 wouldn't. it makes me want to ride it. my old GS could sit in the garage for a month or two without being ridden, i just used it when i needed it. i'd usually take the airhead or the guzzi pervert in preference. they rarely get a look in now.

definitely the best bike i've ever ridden. i may well change my mind when it leaves me in the shit though

when it went in for a service, they lent me an 1150R, not quite a GS, but fairly close. felt like a lardy old slug in comparison to my 12. sure, if you open the throttle & wait a while, it barrels along ok, but it's nothing like the immediate response i get from the newer bike. ditto the handling. overall, it was like wading through treacle.

can't speak of the basic 1200GS, never ridden one. i suspect it would handle better than the GSA which is too high for a road bike really IMO. it drops into corners a bit strangely sometimes. in the same way, i think an 1150GS handles better than the 1150GSA.

couldn't buy a 1200Gs anyway 'cos i don't like the look, too spindly, especially from the back.

don't get me wrong, i still like the old 1150, but as for it being better than the 1200? no way.

 

[Gordon Pritchard]

18 months ago, I bought my first GS and I took the 1150GSA over the then new 1200GS becuase it was just so much more fun. Now that I have the 'opportunity' to buy another bike should I get a year old 1150GSA or plump for the new 1200GSA?

I've read many of the post about the 1200GS vs 1150GSA and they all reinforce the decision I made back then.

Apart from it's handling I liked the retro look of the 1150GSA over the square angular 1200GS, but the new GSA does look kinda 'robust'. I will be taking it for a test ride in the new year, but thought I'd ask the question here anyway as you all seem to be so knowledgable.

Cheers

Opinions are like arseholes everybody has one and some of them stink. Flip a coin and buy a fantastic bike. I have done 40000 miles on an 1150 and loved every mile. I'm sure if I had bought the 1200 I would be saying the same about that (if it kept going that long)

 

[Spout]

Just cos something is better, it doesn't automatically make it more enjoyable.

 

[LiquidLAN]

Just cos something is better, it doesn't automatically make it more enjoyable.

hows that work then?

 

[cookie]

hows that work then?

i guess it depends on how you define better

 

[Sleepy]

hows that work then?

Here's an example, this is my car.. amost any modern car could be defined as 'better', but more enjoyable? I think not.

 

[LiquidLAN]

Here's an example, this is my car.. amost any modern car could be defined as 'better', but more enjoyable? I think not.

Ok, I can see what you mean there... think I had a bit of a one track mind this morning... I really couldnt think of any example where better didnt equal more fun

 

[seb]

Here's an example, this is my car.. amost any modern car could be defined as 'better', but more enjoyable? I think not.

Now I'm not really a car person, but that is one really nice looking vehicle Sleepy

 

['Nuffsaid]

For what it is worth .....

I took Vines's finest 12GSA out for a tester yesterday - and am talking money with them today - P/Exing my 12GS. Dont get me wrong, the GS12 is the best bike I have owned in over 30 years - by a long shot, it is supremely competent in 99.9% of conditions, there is nothing it cant do extremely well. The only changes I have made were the lights and horn.

With the GSA, it is still a 12GS in every respect, except it is a bit more "planted" - I took it for a jaunt on some rougher, muddier stuff and it holds its line a bit better than the GS ( Or is that only in my head? ) And then there are the looks, I know this enters the realm of personal taste, but I think it looks like it should, a GS on steroids - pumped up just enough so that it doesnt look inflated - but looks slightly edgy. The other little touches (the flip down extension on the footbrake for instance) are really thoughtful, the OBC and the wrap around bars make it Soooooo desireable.

The Vines demo bike has been down the roaod on its side last week during another testride, the only damage apparently was some cosmetic damage to a pannier and slight scuffing to the lower part of the engine bars.

To cut a long story short, by tomorrow night if they play the game on part-ex, I will have put my deposit down on a new GSA, following in the footsteps of many a happy GSA12 owner - I have decided I wont be doing much fording without a snorkel though ( Thanks for the warnings LiquidLan !)

 

[LiquidLAN]

The Vines demo bike has been down the roaod on its side last week during another testride, the only damage apparently was some cosmetic damage to a pannier and slight scuffing to the lower part of the engine bars.

The moral of that story is always carry your panniers, they are great for protection if you drop the bike

To cut a long story short, by tomorrow night if they play the game on part-ex, I will have put my deposit down on a new GSA, following in the footsteps of many a happy GSA12 owner - I have decided I wont be doing much fording without a snorkel though ( Thanks for the warnings LiquidLan !)

You know, I've really got to investigate linking up a Nitrox tank, scuba diving is much more fun than snorkeling might have to test it on someones demo bike though

Oh and enjoy the GSA mine put a huge grin on my face everytime I rode it until Shilton

 

[Bigtwin]

To cut a long story short, by tomorrow night if they play the game on part-ex, I will have put my deposit down on a new GSA, following in the footsteps of many a happy GSA12 owner - I have decided I wont be doing much fording without a snorkel though ( Thanks for the warnings LiquidLan !)

Stand by for shite service then.

 

[Deadskin]

To cut a long story short, by tomorrow night if they play the game on part-ex, I will have put my deposit down on a new GSA !

Good luck and hope Vines are in a generous mood

 

['Nuffsaid]

I DO BELIEVE IN SANTA

Good luck and hope Vines are in a generous mood

I have rung a round a few dealers, and I guess sales are pretty rubbish at the moment as the standard line of "we dont do deals on new bikes" has turned into "I am sure we can come to some arrangement ...sir" - And Vines, to their credit have been more accommodating than most of the others I have spoken to - delivery in 3 weeks and lots of freebies thrown in so far ... just need to get to the magic figure on p/ex

 

[John Armstrong]

The most I care about is the cost to change. Don't really care if I pay list if the part ex deal is good. Helps if the wife's not around as well Although it can if she makes enough "how much" noises.

 

['Nuffsaid]

Deposit paid - standing by for my GSA 12 ....Bring it on Mr Santa !

Mr Vine is currently up £500 - I have the promise of a GSA12 arriving in the New Year - and I am more excited than my kids are about christmas. Really chuffed as I have specced it up to include everything bar traction control ( I cant ever remember thinking that I wish I had had traction control - or am I alone on that?) and Tyre pressure indicator on the dash .... again nothing I think I will ever need.

Cant wait ......... sad to see the trusty yellow 12GS go, but thats progress !

 

[Deadskin]

Congrats
I hope it's the fastest colour

 

[Bigtwin]

And Vines, to their credit have been more accommodating than most of the others I have spoken to - delivery in 3 weeks and lots of freebies thrown in so far ...

That's because they are shite. Sold me a bike cheap, fiar enough. After a couple of goes with their service dept it's been bugger the warranty, back to my spanner set, James Sherlock and Steptoe for everything for the sake of safety. Never ever ever again will I get them touch my bike or sell me so much as a washer (not that they would get the right one anyway).

They are truely deeply awful - take the bike then find someone else to look after it, if you're not going to do it yourself.