2 B or not 2 B....

[Moomin66]

Hi All ,

Thanx 4 the welcomes from my first postings last week .

I have now got bank-rolled to purchase said motorcycle - I have been to a couple of dealers to get a taste and I seem to come to a conclusion.....

I'm after a late clean 1150GSA (<10Kmiles) or an early 1200GS(A???) is there any more to know on the subject???

They seem equally priced and i just can't seem to choose heads or tails. I get conflicting reports on bulid quality/ride experience/longeovity etc but as i'm new to the scene - it is not quite as straight-forward as I thought.

Experienced Tossers input would be greatly appreciated before I make an impulse purchase,

TTFN BJ

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Ride both and then decide

I've tried and own(ed) both

The Silver one won

 

[Dave56]

Ride both and then decide

..........Take them both for a lengthy test ride, at least a 2 hour ride taking in all types of tarmac..........

 

[Wrinkly]

Hi Moomin,
It took me about 8 mnt's to decide.
The Problem for me was,i just could not decide,1200gs or 1200gsa,an 1150 had never really been in the reckoning.I thought both the 1200,s were great bikes and still do.
Then a pal of mine was selling his 1150 so i had a go on it.
I didn't buy my pals bike but within a few short weeks i had bought a very nice 1150gsa se.
I don't really know why i prefer it to the 1200,i think overall the 1200 is most probabley a better bike,but i just love my 1150gsa.
At the end of the day it don't matter which you get,they are both very capable versitile bikes and a pleasure to ride.

Happy Hunting.

Steve

 

[Moomin66]

Was it a close finish?

Hi JB,

Thanx for the comments - my dilema is that although I prefer the 1150GS from the 1200 cos I 'feel it in me water', I think I will have a hard time finding an 1150GSA under 10K miles for my budget (£6-6500).

I'm after a bike for keeping long term so I want to keep the miles down on purchase but do the 1200's keep like the 1150's do??

Buying from a dealer is also my prefered choice for peace of mind - I don't get a feeling that prices are necessarily higher for the comfort zone they will give on handing over that amount of cash.

I think i'll just have to keep my wallet in my pocket until the right one comes about and also be prepared to travel a bit aswell.

TVM


[/QUOTE]

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hi JB,

Thanx for the comments - my dilema is that although I prefer the 1150GS from the 1200 cos I 'feel it in me water', I think I will have a hard time finding an 1150GSA under 10K miles for my budget (£6-6500).

I'm after a bike for keeping long term so I want to keep the miles down on purchase but do the 1200's keep like the 1150's do??

Buying from a dealer is also my prefered choice for peace of mind - I don't get a feeling that prices are necessarily higher for the comfort zone they will give on handing over that amount of cash.

I think i'll just have to keep my wallet in my pocket until the right one comes about and also be prepared to travel a bit aswell.

TVM

I bought my 1150GSA, new in 2005 and it's done 20,000 miles - which I don't consider particularly high

Last year I only used it once and went to the UKGSER event @ Hay on Wye

In June/July 2008 I bought a 2008 12GSA, with all the bells and whistles - fully loaded

It was an exdemo with 4000 miles. I did 2500 miles in 3-4 months and found it didn't suit me..................so sold it

Really glad I kept my 1150GSA in the garage 'mothballed' - whilst I experienced a 12GSA

 

[Wrinkly]

Moomin,
If you "feel it in your water" are you ever going to be happy with anything else?
I dont think you will have a hard time finding a nice 1150gsa for £6500.
Anyway what's hard about having £6.5k in your pocket to go shopping
but i know what you mean.
For me mileage is not to important,much more important history and condition of bike.
What would you rather buy,8000mls no history and a bit of corrosion in places.Or 20,000mls full history and mint? i know which i'd rather have.
At the end of January i found a very nice 1150gsa se for £6500.
what you want will be out there.
My only advice is. Look hard,be patient,be clear on what you want.Above all be ready to move when the right one comes along,because good bikes that are priced right,move very very rapidly.

Happy Hunting,

Steve

 

[Moomin66]

Allmost there !

Well it looks like the start of my journey is coming to an end.

If all goes right, I shall be picking her up tomorrow (her....??? do other people have this gender association and, do people start naming their rides... there could be another thread there!!).

Any way, yes, I have stumped up rather more than I was originally intending and I have got a mint 1200GSA to pick up.

The decision came after test rides and much deliberation........

(although to be perfectly fair I did not get me leg over an 1150 - they're a bit thin on the ground at dealers to get a test ride)

........the bike that gave me a serious grin factor was the said 1200GSA - it just felt so right and it all just seemed to add up with regards to this being my last fling with a bike purchase and getting something as new as possible with as little miles on as possible - et tou voila - the 1200GSA.

I can't say any of it feels wrong .

Keep you posted..........

 

[(RIP) Nakambale]

Sounds like a good decision to me John I've had mine for about 6,500 miles now and she keeps getting better (yes, my bikes have always been female. Not named as far as I'm concerned although my wife tends to have certain names for it ) I'm even starting to mould to the original seat, which to start with literally was a pain in the backside on longer runs. I may still try an aftermarket seat, but at the moment not too fussed.

Enjoy!