1200 v's 1150 - from a Newbie

[tanneman]

My experience is limited wrt the 1150GSA. A friend let me ride his around the block and from that day I wanted a GSA. Fast forward 8 years and I bought a 1200GSA 09 model in red at a dealer with 3800mls on it. If at the time there was a 1150GSA LE with low miles for sale I would have had it. So far only good memories with the bike and it has taken me and the missus on our holidays. It is annoying that the fuel strip is not a float and because of the ABS it has to go to BMW for the ABS bleed test, the closed throttle fuelling was sorted with an accelerator module. Now that it is out of warranty I service it myself to keep costs down. I have modify it to suit my needs and that is what I like about BMW GS's. You can make it the bike you want. Basically it boils down to this for me. The bike needs to be reliable and something that you'll want to ride. There must be a fun factor involved otherwise you can just as well buy a 50cc moped and because the history of the bike is known to me and I keep in tip top condition, I've developed a liking for it. The GS handles well and will cruise at 80/90 all day with a massive tank range. I intend to keep this bike for some time as it suits me very well. I've got a 55reg R1100S and that has turned into a bit of a garage queen but a lovely bike none the less. It doesn't matter which one you choose. If the bike has been abused mechanically and some bodges with the electrics you can expect trouble and it'll turn into a money pit. The best bike is the one that is payed for and you can enjoy.

PS. I'm a new GS owner and have not grown up so to speak with the 1100 and then the 1150 so have nothing to compare it with but after any test ride of another bike I get back on the 1200GSA and it feels like home. BTW the R900RR uses a modified 1150 engine.

 

[savage]

A nice reply for the question asked

 

[bod]

My experience is limited wrt the 1150GSA. A friend let me ride his around the block and from that day I wanted a GSA. Fast forward 8 years and I bought a 1200GSA 09 model in red at a dealer with 3800mls on it. If at the time there was a 1150GSA LE with low miles for sale I would have had it. So far only good memories with the bike and it has taken me and the missus on our holidays. It is annoying that the fuel strip is not a float and because of the ABS it has to go to BMW for the ABS bleed test, the closed throttle fuelling was sorted with an accelerator module. Now that it is out of warranty I service it myself to keep costs down. I have modify it to suit my needs and that is what I like about BMW GS's. You can make it the bike you want. Basically it boils down to this for me. The bike needs to be reliable and something that you'll want to ride. There must be a fun factor involved otherwise you can just as well buy a 50cc moped and because the history of the bike is known to me and I keep in tip top condition, I've developed a liking for it. The GS handles well and will cruise at 80/90 all day with a massive tank range. I intend to keep this bike for some time as it suits me very well. I've got a 55reg R1100S and that has turned into a bit of a garage queen but a lovely bike none the less. It doesn't matter which one you choose. If the bike has been abused mechanically and some bodges with the electrics you can expect trouble and it'll turn into a money pit. The best bike is the one that is payed for and you can enjoy.

PS. I'm a new GS owner and have not grown up so to speak with the 1100 and then the 1150 so have nothing to compare it with but after any test ride of another bike I get back on the 1200GSA and it feels like home. BTW the R900RR uses a modified 1150 engine.

Same story here!

Had a 1150 loaned to me for a couple of months and just loved it . . the seeds were sewn!
Fore some reason I went down the Honda route for a few years, and when I finally came to my senses it was the 1200 that the showrooms were selling.

Both great bikes, like most the bikes I have had,

 

[theop]

This post is the can of all worms. 1150 vs 1200. It will never end.

My input as follows:

In 2002 I test rode my first ever BMW. A GS1150 in mandarin yellow. I had just sold a Fazer 1000 and was looking for something more "mature" and a wee bit eccentric ( i m the type of 30yo+ who fancies smoking a pipe occasionally and also likes Morgans_the cars).

I was allowed 3 hrs on the GS, but found the bike too slow, too heavy, too rough and too weird. Took it back early, said thanks and went on my way.

2004 the new 12GS comes out. I am now riding a Vespa in London and have a Harley in the garage. I retest the new GS12 and love it. I buy one. I spent 4 years with that bike, with many quality/reliability issues that (I for one) wouldn't have thought would be forthcoming from a BM, but I also had wonderful times/trips.

I never loved that bike, like I love the 1150GS that I only bought semi knackered 2 years ago with 60k km. Don't know why. Can't tell. There is something more utilitarian abt the 1150. As if I can forget it in a shed for 30 years and it would still work. The 1200 never felt like that. It felt like a modern machine that would go out of date faster than yogurt (it hasn't).

On the 12, power (lack of) was never the issue for me when I had the bike. You learn to ride the torque wave and enjoy the wonderful dynamics.

I still think today (currently got a Honda VFR12, a Honda CB13 in the UK and an early 1150GS in Greece) that in real roads, by real riders in real conditions a GS (any) is possibly the fastest thing out there on A to B.

Even the 1150. Yes, it feels like a tractor next to my VFR1200. Yes it has half the power and 30% less torque. Yes it is too slow after riding any Jap bike.
HOWEVER: It is not power that defines excitement in biking. Speed is part of it, but the main thing is confidence the bike breathes into the rider to go for it.

I could ride the 12 and ride the 1150 within 98% of their capacity and have a hoot. I feel I can do it and I m having fun doing it. Bike makes you a hero.

On my 160bhp VFR and other similar v powerful bikes, the bike demands more that the average rider can give hour after hour in regular conditions (no tracks). You end up truing to eke 60% out of a bike risking life and limb while the machine laughs at you. You need to endanger in order to bring those fast bikes in their "zone" of fun.

It is exactly the same reason whu a light 40bhp Super moto on sticky tyres is more fun that anything. Because more people can ride those at 100% capacity more often.

From all big bkes, the GSs are kings of that statement. Charlie and Ewan aside, this is the reason they are so popular.

Triumph has understood this with the Tiger 800 and you see how that sells. Its just a fun bike.

Hope these are helpful, have fun riding your GS whatever you buy.

 

[snerkler]

You are wrong. Progress nowadays is only done for things like, production costs, speed, fuel economy, and sales.

It is certainly NOT done for quality, ease of maintainance, longevity, or simplicity

Listen ... I have nothing against the new generation of GS's. I wouldnt have one for several reasons though.

Take a simple one. Look at the ads for parts for the 12 against parts for the 1150. We will leave the 1100 and airheads out of the equation for the minute.
With few exceptions, most 1150 spares fit from when the model started production, to when it ended. This is good.
Parts for the 12, as far as I see it, usually fit models from that specific year of manufacture only.
Why?? Was the part improved, or produced cheaper ? If it was improved, why wasnt it done properly in the first place, and it certainly hasnt made them bulletproof .. has it?
If its the latter, then its been made even worse ... because its cheaper to make.

No ... progress nowadays is not for YOUR satisfaction, its for the makers benefit.

Dont think that all 1150 owners are in denial. Most of us are SATISFIED. I dont care if my one doesnt go over 120. I dont care if I can be out accelerated by a 'trippleblack twincam'. I wont be far behind.
What else have you got thats better ? A bit of weight loss? Right ... that makes a huge difference to most owners of GS's doesnt it ? Have you seen some of them ?

I repair things for a living. OK ... they are only domestic appliances. If you knew the crap you were buying under that shiney white shell, you would know what I'm speaking about when I talk about progress. They are no different to bikes/cars/houses/furniture .... anything manufactured today is great ... for today, and a wee bit into the future, but ultimately built down to a price.

The now famous anecdote about the bmw bosses walking into the design studio with a bucket weighing 30kg, and telling them to take this amount of the new gs model.
It was more likely a bucket full of Euros and the instruction was to ' take this much production cost from the new gs model'

Very true, but also based on personal opinion and preference as my post was. Whilst progress doesn't always mean better reliability etc, it does generally mean better performance and keeping things moving forward. Whilst the 1150 is more solid, for me it feels too old fashioned, too agricultural, too heavy and too slow. Yes, in order to reduce weight they've had to use plastics instead of metal, but it's still bloody good quality plastic (compared with most other bike manufacturers) and it's still well screwed together.
We all have our preferences, and non are right or wrong

 

[MikeP]

Approximately how many miles have you ridden on a 1200 ?

Enough to form an opinion as to whether or not I feel that there's anything to gained from swapping my 1150 for a 1200.

That said, what has mileage got to do with what I've posted? The majority of my post is dealing with the question that asked why BMW brought-out the 1200.

Unlike you Mike, I am able to see both sides of the debate!

What debate? I'm not arguing which one is better, that's too subjective. I'm saying that I don't like the direction that BMW Motorrad is going and that the 1200 isn't good enough to make me want one.

All the biggest dick/wanking competition is all in your head Mike, I could ride out on a 200mph rocket this afternoon if I wanted too.

Did you really mean to post that? You do know that Top Trumps is just a willy-waving game for little boys don't you?

And finally Mike, if you really think a little performance potential in your right wrist is an unhealthy thing, I really think it's time to trade the old girl in for a motability scooter.

Two points:

Firstly, I've never said that "performance potential" is unhealthy. I said that the 1200 has more power than it needs (so does the 1150 actually). A bike with the pretensions of a GS probably needs no more than 60 to 70 bhp and that the increase in bhp has more to do with keeping the Press happy and allowing UJM owners to justify the purchase to themselves and their mates. In real-world use, it's superfluous.

Secondly, there's a great deal of pleasure in riding a slow(er) bike quickly.

But all said and done, I think that I'd rather ride a motability scooter than turn into the sort who thinks that quoting top-speed (willy-waving) is going to impress me.

 

[tanneman]

Secondly, there's a great deal of pleasure in riding a slow(er) bike quickly.

True, but I would like to own a Blackbird, SP2, HP2 enduro and Sport and a KTM enduro bike. Why? Because the bike appeals to me. Not because of hp or speed but each one has got something about it that I like. That is probably one of the reasons why we buy bikes. The 1200GSA has got enough oomph for me even loaded and it is a capable track tool Just a bit slow on the straight but you reel them in on the corners and that is a satisfying feeling.

Any GS would do it. Some models better than other depending on rider/owner. No offence to 1100 and 1150 owners.

 

[BeamishTripleBlack]

What the hell is wrong with some people on this site? Why does there always have to be a massive issue where the 1200 is concerned? I have just come back from a great ride out with three gs's one R100 one 1200 Pre twin cam and my post mod twin cam. It was a great day, I would have either of the bikes in a flash, whats the big deal with all the negative trashing of others steeds? Can't you just answer the f*****g question without slagging down the next generation of BM's?
Rant over, its doing my head in
No doubt that will please some of the guys on here to know someone is not happy the miserable shi*s.

 

[BeamishTripleBlack]

True, but I would like to own a Blackbird, SP2, HP2 enduro and Sport and a KTM enduro bike. Why? Because the bike appeals to me. Not because of hp or speed but each one has got something about it that I like. That is probably one of the reasons why we buy bikes. The 1200GSA has got enough oomph for me even loaded and it is a capable track tool Just a bit slow on the straight but you reel them in on the corners and that is a satisfying feeling.

Any GS would do it. Some models better than other depending on rider/owner. No offence to 1100 and 1150 owners.

Thats how its done guys......no offense caused to either party

 

[APE]

Enough to form an opinion as to whether or not I feel that there's anything to gained from swapping my 1150 for a 1200.

That said, what has mileage got to do with what I've posted? The majority of my post is dealing with the question that asked why BMW brought-out the 1200.

What debate? I'm not arguing which one is better, that's too subjective.

The first part of your post is a comparison of the two models and I would question whether the 10 miles you rode the demonstrator is enough to make a valid comparison. I dont understand why youre posting in the 1200 section when the same thread also appears in the 1150 section. You seem a bit insecure with your choice of motorcycle IMO

 

[Paul S]

I know exactly what you mean, when I had my 1200GSA MU in 2008 I couldn't give a toss if it was nicked or not, whether it was clean or not - I just rode and although extremely competent - it was just bland and linear

With my 1150GSA's I'd be gutted to lose them and I wash them after every ride (unless touring)

Strange that as I never realy got that attached to my 2004 1150GSA and never looked back when I swapped it in 2006 for a 1200GSA.

Each to their own but at least with my 1200's I have never felt the need to have a "spare" one sat in the garage just in case

 

[MikeP]

The first part of your post is a comparison of the two models

No it isn't, it's actually my refutation of the comparisons made by others.

and I would question whether the 10 miles you rode the demonstrator is enough to make a valid comparison.

As you were never there on any of the rides I've taken on 1200 models since 2004, I'm guessing that you are not psychic. If you are, you need to buff-up your crystal ball a bit.

I dont understand why youre posting in the 1200 section when the same thread also appears in the 1150 section.

Why? I wasn't aware that owners of certain models were required to keep out of sections where they don't own the appropriate bike.

You seem a bit insecure with your choice of motorcycle IMO

You may be correct. I cannot claim that my bike is capable of warp-speed and light as a feather. On the other-hand such jibes are usually the prerogative of those who wish to deflect attention from their own insecurities.

 

[APE]

I actually really enjoyed my 1150GS and only bought a 1200 cos it got nicked .

 

[MikeP]

I actually really enjoyed my 1150GS and only bought a 1200 cos it got nicked .

As I said in my write-up on a Twin-cam 1200GSA, losing my 1150GSA is the only reason that might make me consider one. However, I'd probably be more inclined towards an R1200R or possibly a K1300R (I think that GS ownership is starting to lose its appeal for me these days).

 

[APE]

You never know the water cooled 1250 might float your boat when the time comes to change

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Strange that as I never realy got that attached to my 2004 1150GSA and never looked back when I swapped it in 2006 for a 1200GSA.

Each to their own but at least with my 1200's I have never felt the need to have a "spare" one sat in the garage just in case

Guess we're different

I have 2 GSA's because there is no other GS that I prefer to ride, so i jsut even out the mileage I do, over 2 bikes and the only reason I do that is because I can't buy a new one now and the 1150GSA will go up in value in future, so it's better than having £6k in a Bond instead

 

[Paul S]

Guess we're different

I have 2 GSA's because there is no other GS that I prefer to ride, so i jsut even out the mileage I do, over 2 bikes and the only reason I do that is because I can't buy a new one now and the 1150GSA will go up in value in future, so it's better than having £6k in a Bond instead

 

[bod]

The first part of your post is a comparison of the two models and I would question whether the 10 miles you rode the demonstrator is enough to make a valid comparison. I dont understand why youre posting in the 1200 section when the same thread also appears in the 1150 section. You seem a bit insecure with your choice of motorcycle IMO

A quick search back to the tail end of last year will soon point out he get's off on being an awkward prick!
He actually dragged the gutter by posting unflattering pictures of another members family, knowing it would lead to the usual ridicule and humiliation.
This member seems to have gone now!

Internet trolls come in all shapes and sizes . . best avoid him!

 

[Tricky]

the 1150GSA will go up in value in future, so it's better than having £6k in a Bond instead

So your two 1150 Adv's are an investment then... next thing we know is that you'll be announcing the icon status of this trusty old workhorse of a bike. But hold on a mo I think you've already done that ad nauseum.

You must be a banker or accountant to view them in such clinical terms so...

to you

To the OP

Be in no doubt the 1200 is by far the better bike in every department. You know it makes sense.

 

[B4ndit]

Be in no doubt the 1200 is by far the better bike in every department. You know it makes sense.

And so it should be it cost more and its newer.