1200 - 1150 - 1100 ...

[Deleted account 230523001]

Finally got around to getting my leg over a 1200 GS, unfortunayely I did not have my license with me at the time so could not have a demo...MY fault for sending it off to DVLA.
Anyways discussed the bike with the salesperson at the BMW dealership and was immediately put off the 12 by the electrics he was telling me of and how advanced they are and how you can`t DIY really as it would feck things up
I did say that I preferred the looks of the 1150 and he said they don`t hang around too long and are few and far between..He also told me that he reckoned I would not be able to have one as I am too short in the leg.......We shall see I guess.
We then went on to discuss the 1100 and he reckoned they are a good bike and that I may well suit one
All in all a positive expereince from the dealership which left me more confused than ever....I have to ride these things to really find out for myself obviously.......Liked the seat height of the 1200 but the electrics are really putting me off big time.

 

[oblertone]

why not ...

... have a good mooch around at the East Mids bash. I'm sure you might be able to blag an impromptu test ride or two on a 'bend it & mend it' basis

 

[~Stef~]

Unless im very much mistaken, the 1100 and the 1150 have the same seat height. Richard Hammonds a short arse and he rides an 1150.

Ive an 1100 and its one of the easiest bikes to DIY on. Every thing is well thought out and easy to get at.....except the battery

 

[STUBBS]

youve missed to mention the best one the 850

 

[mike wright]

Im 5" 8 and never had a problem with either the 1100 or 1150........ i have the seat on its low setting.

 

[ianboydsnr]

i ride a 1150, my inside leg is 29 and a half, it was lower than it is on the standard shocks, i fitted ohlins and as the sag is less its higher now, but you get used to it, you can get lower aftermarket shocks, i think that the shocks for the rt/rs models are shorter by about an inch, i had to increase the height of the side stand though, as im short, it was hard to get the bike upright, im sure the 1200 has a smoother engine though, i hated mine at first, but am used to it now, i bought it to slow me down, but it did'nt work, i ride round faster now, but obviously not at warp speed on the motorway

 

[Fanum]

... have a good mooch around at the East Mids bash. I'm sure you might be able to blag an impromptu test ride or two on a 'bend it & mend it' basis

Make sure you get a good test ride from a dealer as well....it's fair to say that a GS takes an hour or two to bond with.......on a quick trip around the block, you'll come back with the overriding impression of the torque twist from the boxer at standstill, maybe what you'll think of as 'snatchy' brakes if it's an 1150 with servos and so on......it's only after a good hour or more on the open road that it suddenly starts working in your head.

You'll certainly be able to have a good sit on a large variety of 11xx's at EM though

 

[roddy]

Att,

I know what you mean about the 'electrics' on the 12 it's what puts me off them, the 1150/1100 electrics are almost identical with the exception of the servo brakes on the 1150, but I don't think many people will be DIY on the brake system anyway . so both models you can add things to without much concern.

Theres plenty of 1150/1100 out there some in fantastic condition, you just need to see the examples that come up for sale on this board, you may need to travel to get the one you want but thats hardly a hardship.

regarding hieght I wouldn't worry about it too much, I'm 5'8 with an inside leg of about 29-30" and I got on fine with my previous 1100 now have a 1150GSA with extra low seat (which does look a bit odd) and I manage okay, I only got the extra low seat as I want to do some trail type stuff, if you only do roads the BMW low seat would suffice.

As an example my other bike a Buell M2 I'm on the balls of my feet when at a stand still, it's the same for the GSA with a extra low seat, it's more the width of the seat that stops you getting flat footed

HTH

 

[motobiker]

youve missed to mention the best one the 850

Rarer than hens teeth they are (but i tend to agree with you)

If one had been available when I was 'shopping' I would DEFINITELY have gone for it. as a 'keeper'

I guess thats why they're so rare.. cause they're all 'keepers'.

Chap I spoke to in matlock a few months ago said he had considered tradeing his 850 for a new 1200... he said the 850 was as smooth as the 12.. but without the complications. - sounds good to me!!

He changed his mind though after a test ride. His 850 was rather gorgeous though. 'Tarka clean'

 

[~Stef~]

Ive heard the 850 is much smoother, dont fancy one myself the only gripe I have about my 1100 is it needs about another 20bhp.

 

[mikepg]

Stef,

All are great bikes.

I presume you will be buying a new 12? - if so, why worry about the chat on the electrics cos they will be covered under warranty.

I'm 5'8" too, and height is no problem on standard seat. Used to ride an 1150RT - try that if you are worried about seat height!

I have a low seat on my 12 and wished that I had gone for the standard seat now because it 'feels' too low for my knees on a long ride.

 

[Packer]

I presume you will be buying a new 12? - if so, why worry about the chat on the electrics cos they will be covered under warranty.

Yep, for the first two years But what then?

 

[garfield]

Finally got around to getting my leg over a 1200 GS, unfortunayely I did not have my license with me at the time so could not have a demo

and they didn't believe you had a licence and let you have a go what's the world coming to

1200 is the way to go, if the the 1000/1150 were any good why did they stop making them

 

[mikepg]

and they didn't believe you had a licence and let you have a go what's the world coming to

1200 is the way to go, if the the 1000/1150 were any good why did they stop making them

Ooooo - you are going to be in so much trouble now Garfield!!

 

[garfield]

Ooooo - you are going to be in so much trouble now Garfield!!

yeah mostly Irish...I could start a fight in an empty room.....