1200's, Are They All They're made out to be?

oilcan

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Having bought into the GS brand and lifestyle a couple of years ago with my first 1100GS which I still have, I'm maybe looking at upgrading to either an 1150 adventurer or a 1200 next year.

I've read so many varied posts on this site about the 1200, some good and some not so good. Overall I'm still unsure if upgrading to a 1200 would be wise given what I've read and I would be wiser getting an 1150 Adventurer. My financial circumstances dictate that I can only afford one bike so ultimately I'd like to think the bike I end up riding will be a joy to ride as my 1100 is now and I won't regret the day I switched.

Have any of you fellow GSer's moved up from an 1100 to the 1200 by-passing the 1150 completely? Was the upgrade everything you expected it to be or is there any areas of disappointment?

How does the 1200 compare with the 1150 Adventurer?
 
Mate this is age old stuff here..... a search will find what you want as it's been asked/talked/trolled hundreds of times here.
If you have any question about 'your' change, then do not do it... or do you want to be an adventurous adventurer on the adventure.:D
 
I bought a GSa 1200 knowing it had faults, nice ride, got Warrenty direct cover for the final drive, if you cant cope with that stick to Honda
 
Only porblem is the Vara is yesteryear and awfully heavy.

I consider the GS from 2007 as matured. Test ride one, and you will see why some skip one step and go straight to the 1200.
 
oilcan said:
How does the 1200 compare with the 1150 Adventurer?
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Chalk and cheese, i'm afraid

Only way to see, is to ride both

I've owned both, I prefer the 1150 Adventure (but then I'm a luddite and the the 1150GSA gives me a warm, comfy grin)
 
oilcan said:
Having bought into the GS brand and lifestyle a couple of years ago with my first 1100GS which I still have, I'm maybe looking at upgrading to either an 1150 adventurer or a 1200 next year.QUOTE]

Depends what you want from your bike: a riding experience and useful transport or a fashion statement?. The 1100 was a revelation in it's day (I owned one) and is still a good workhorse. The 1150 was a logical technical progression (I had 2) but compared to the latest 1200 (I own one) the previous bikes were tractors and not significantly more immune from faults than the later 1200's. The only sensible approach is to have a test ride and decide for youself.
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buy a 12 but get one newer than 2007,
your buying trouble with anything earlier imho
1150? reliable, but old fashioned now, well built though,
the latest 12** series are deffo the best, not convinced about quality still though, i see too much rust and silly faults still,
then again i only see 3 year old and older bikes, got 3 buddys with the new uns, these seem ok, not convinced enough yet though, time will tell
 
1150: No improvement on the 1100 but the ADV has a bigger tank, taller, heavy, rides well, has iconic status and has perceived invincibilty. They aren't bombproof though and do have there faults.

1200: Lighter, faster, more power, handles better, not as unreliable as some would make out, better wind protection and good all round bike.

I have an 1100 and a 1200 ADV and they are completely different bikes. I love the 1100 for it's rugged nature and solidity. The 1100 does feel very old though but the 1200 is the bike I choose to ride though because it does everything so much better!

Ride one and make your own mind up is the best answer.
 
Hi Oilcan,
Having seen how nice your 1100 is,i would say keep that.:thumb.
I have just changed my 1150 GSA to a 1200 GSA,2009. 11000 miles, and just had a new final drive bearing at 11400 miles how impressed i was:augie.
Still under warranty but not good.
I find the 1200 far better balanced to ride over the 1150 gsa,but i wish i had kept the 1150 :blast.
There are 4 1200 owners in my local motorcycle club,3 of which have had new final drives this year!!!
Could it be the Worcester roads:nenau
 
Sgt Bilco said:
1150: No improvement on the 1100 but the ADV has a bigger tank, taller, heavy, rides well, has iconic status and has perceived invincibilty. They aren't bombproof though and do have there faults.

1200: Lighter, faster, more power, handles better, not as unreliable as some would make out, better wind protection and good all round bike.

I have an 1100 and a 1200 ADV and they are completely different bikes. I love the 1100 for it's rugged nature and solidity. The 1100 does feel very old though but the 1200 is the bike I choose to ride though because it does everything so much better!

Ride one and make your own mind up is the best answer.
Click to expand...

Owned my 1200 from new, over 6 years and over 50,000 on her now.

Had it's share of the usual problems: ABS pump, FPC and corrosion under the front cover..... all fixed now (touch-wood) and not inclined to look for another bike.
Never had a bike this long before.

Like Bilco says "Have some test rides" and decide....

:beerjug:
 
Sgt Bilco said:
1150: No improvement on the 1100 but the ADV has a bigger tank, taller, heavy, rides well, has iconic status and has perceived invincibilty. They aren't bombproof though and do have there faults.

1200: Lighter, faster, more power, handles better, not as unreliable as some would make out, better wind protection and good all round bike.

I have an 1100 and a 1200 ADV and they are completely different bikes. I love the 1100 for it's rugged nature and solidity. The 1100 does feel very old though but the 1200 is the bike I choose to ride though because it does everything so much better!

Ride one and make your own mind up is the best answer.
Click to expand...

:rob
The 1150 is an improvement for those wishing to tour, interms of the 6th gear as it drops the engine revs down,which makes it much smoother over the longer distance.
An 1150ADV is even better with it's twin spark engine,my ADV is the non servo/ABS models,which work great and another thing that cant go wrong.
Having had a 1200 for 6 months this year.
i have upgraded to an 1150 ADV and sold my 1200. :thumb
PS
make sure you really test more than one 1200 or 1150GSA before you decide.
 
Had both,1150 adv is a great bike and the 1200adv is a better bike,i find it easier to live with and i no longer carry tools during my weekly commute to scotland,the bottom line is if i could not afford a 12 id have an 1150,hope this adds to the confusion:aidan
 
howdoo said:
What exactly is the GS lifestyle?
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In my case unsafe drinking, eating the wrong things, abject poverty, meeting people who's names you forget 'til the next time you meet in far-flung fields/pubs/hotels, posting un-ending pish one here.... and occassionally riding this funny looking, wonderful motorbicycle......but then there are many other GS Lifestyles....

:beerjug:
 
Mr K said:
In my case unsafe drinking, eating the wrong things, abject poverty, meeting people who's names you forget 'til the next time you meet in far-flung fields/pubs/hotels, posting un-ending pish one here.... and occassionally riding this funny looking, wonderful motorbicycle......but then there are many other GS Lifestyles....

:beerjug:
Click to expand...

Spot on GS ownership that is.....!:thumb

FP.
 
When I was looking for a GS I borrowed my mates 1150 ADV on a number of occasions along with a test on a KTM990 ADV as well as testing a GS and GSA 1200 both with/out PA brakes I settled for a Fully loaded 11 month old 2007 GSA in Jan 2008,and one of the main clinchers was the GSA screen its far superior to the other 3 and the seat is better than the KTM as well.
However I do think they should have kept the gear ratios from the 1150 GSA they just seem more suited to uses the bike is put too.
Ian
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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