2002 or 2003 would you spend the extra?

[BigMadridAl]

I sold my last Honda and moved to Madrid 8 months ago and having decided that while everyone may thinka scooter is the answer in Spain I need to fulfulmy ambition to own a 1150GS. Local dealer can supply a basic 1150 GS Sunny yellow and yes it does look good in the sun here its 2002 but new with full warranty or 2003 twin spark, ABS and heated grips for about £1400 more - that represents about £700 for the extras and £700 for the newer twin spark model. The prices here are surprisingly \bout 5%higher than in the UK due to tax and I am stretching the wife's sense of what a bike really is worth anyhow. The plus is that 2nd hand bikes are very expensive here - depreciation is less than £1000 per year and they keep them for ever!

Finally Spain is a big country with lots to explore but I will do quite few miles in Madrid inevitably some in slow traffic - any concerns the GS is just too big and heavy for that?

 

[Wakey]

[B Re slow traffic
- any concerns the GS is just too big and heavy for that? [/B]

No concerns at all - the GS is extremely well balanced (unlike me) and you can trickle along as slow as you like without it feeling heavy. The wide bars can be a pain for nipping past the odd van (mirrors clash if you are not careful) but on the whole I find filtering is not a problem at all and the added height gives you plenty of view over the traffic to spot problems or gaps coming up.

Regards

Chris W

 

[HeatedGrips]

Don't know what winter is like in Madrid, but (as you may have guessed by my list name) I wouldn't be without the heated grips here.

Opinions differ on ABS, I think it's essential on the GS, especially when trying to stop quickly and safely in the wet. It only has to activate once to have saved you its cost.

I reckon twin-spark is a bit of a marketing con. Apparently put on to improve exhaust emission figures, BMW are touting it as some kind of performance booster. All it seems to boost on my bike is the cost of replacing an extra two spark plugs at service time.

I've had some great touring holidays in northern Spain on bikes, hope you enjoy it too.

 

[MikeO]

I reckon twin-spark is a bit of a marketing con. Apparently put on to improve exhaust emission figures, BMW are touting it as some kind of performance booster.

I donit think BMW have ever suggested that the twinspark increases performance - in fact their press release makes it quite clear that performance remains unaffected.....

Official BMW release on 27 November 2002
To further improve exhaust emission quality and comply with the forthcoming EU 2 regulations, BMW Motorrad is introducing dual ignition on its 2003 range of boxer-engine machines.

Models affected will be the R1100 S, R1150 GS, R1150 R, R1150 RS and R1150 RT. The changeover in production has already begun and will be incorporated on a model-by-model basis. Implementation will be complete by the beginning of 2003.

The emissions improvement measure is designed to prepare engines for new exhaust emissions legislation set out in EU 2 and (in future) EU 3. The lead that BMW Motorrad enjoys in the area of emissions control will be increased further when the new conversion is complete.

The effect of a dual ignition system is to improve the uniformity of combustion throughout the engine's operating range - even in unfavourable conditions. Dual ignition represents a solution to the fundamental conflict between the need for the lowest possible emission of pollutants and smooth running - particularly evident in large capacity engines. As a bonus, the efficiency of the boxer engines has been further increased, with a slight reduction in fuel consumption. Engine power output peak values and torque remain the same for all models.

The dual ignition system for combustion engines has existed for many years and BMW has a long tradition of applying such systems to aircraft engines. The technical principle is simple - instead of a solitary spark plug in the combustion chamber to ignite the mixture, two are now employed and the plugs spark in parallel. The system requires an additional bore in the cylinder head for the second spark plug as well as a more powerful ignition system capable of providing the extra energy needed to create a second ignition spark.

All engines that are fitted with dual ignition will have a redesigned cover for the plug shaft, with "2-spark" lettering on it.

 

[luke scott]

2003 !

If you can afford the extra money go for the new model. Your "ego" will thank you for it. Traffic will never be a problem on a GS, I sold my car two years ago and commute all over Dublin (gridlocked) every day. Enjoy the GS in the sun but get a different colour.....

 

[Steve]

Twin-spark or not?

Whilst there's no "proof" that twin-sparks eliminate surgeing, it would be a real pisser if you bought the 2002 and were unlucky enough to find that it surged like a bastard, especially if you couldn't cure it.

 

[BigMadridAl]

Twin-spark or not?

Thanks a lot everyone for the replies I think I will probably go for the cheaper bike as without doubt there is going to be lots more money needed for some luggage etc. Sorry to tell you it was 27 degrees here today and just perfect for a bike so I think I am going to try and find out from the dealer why this bike was not sold and get a few mpre euros off him - I'll let you know how it goes!!

 

[roadrider]

Re: 2003 !

If you can afford the extra money go for the new model. Your "ego" will thank you for it. Traffic will never be a problem on a GS, I sold my car two years ago and commute all over Dublin (gridlocked) every day. Enjoy the GS in the sun but get a different colour.....

whats wrong with yellow??
John

 

[roadrider]

Re: Twin-spark or not?

Thanks a lot everyone for the replies I think I will probably go for the cheaper bike as without doubt there is going to be lots more money needed for some luggage etc. Sorry to tell you it was 27 degrees here today and just perfect for a bike so I think I am going to try and find out from the dealer why this bike was not sold and get a few mpre euros off him - I'll let you know how it goes!!

Hope you enjoy it, I've just bought a basic in sunny yellow,
but the twin spark and it's fun time.

John

 

[Spanish Bob]

BigMadridal

Hola from Barcelona

I worked in Madrid for a year and as you´ll now know winter is cold being a city with a continental climate (ie not near the sea). Also it is not really a big bike city like bcn. Definatley get a big bike and dont take any shit from any of the drivers, learn all the spanish obscenities (if you dont already know them) and be prepared to be aggresive (hard to do that riding a scoopy).

Beware of dealers most are lying, thieving cheating bastards. I say this not in jest. Check anything second hand out really well. The problem in Spain is that some people have balls the size of space hoppers and ask silly prices for heaps of shit held together with spit. Really check it out, try it- if they wont let you try it walk away.

It is not that Spain is rubbish (it isnt, its a great place) or all bikes sold there are dodgy - its simply the second hand market didn´t really exist until recently and it still needs to eveolve. Get a warranty as well, my gearbox went to the dogs two weeks after I bought mine and all was fixed under warranty.

Still the good news is that when you get your pride and joy, you dont have to get the ferry to Santander to really enjoy it! (ha ha). Best to get a parking space if you can.

BigBarcelonaBob

 

[BigMadridAl]

Barcelona

Thanks Bob for your comments - Ihave had eight months driving the car here so I know all about the drivers and agression and to be honest Iwould be terrifiedtoride a bike here that did not have size and at least some power! I also appreciate the second hand problem hence the thought of buying new. The good thing about moving here from Ireland is that I know all about cold weather and much wetter so I can cope with most of the winter. Your're right though about the lack of bikes - I was in Barcelona a few weeks ago and was struck by the no and variety of bikes there, I do not know quite why - anyway I am in the outskirts of Madrid in Alcala and there's lots of good roads close at hand!

 

[Spanish Bob]

Re: Barcelona

Thanks Bob for your comments - Ihave had eight months driving the car here so I know all about the drivers and agression and to be honest Iwould be terrifiedtoride a bike here that did not have size and at least some power! I also appreciate the second hand problem hence the thought of buying new. The good thing about moving here from Ireland is that I know all about cold weather and much wetter so I can cope with most of the winter. Your're right though about the lack of bikes - I was in Barcelona a few weeks ago and was struck by the no and variety of bikes there, I do not know quite why - anyway I am in the outskirts of Madrid in Alcala and there's lots of good roads close at hand!

Brilliant - you are in a nice area. I go to Madrid quite often, so if you ever fancy a beer (prefer beer form your country or mine) and some tapas then send me a pm. Ditto if you find yourself at a loose end in Bcn.

cheers

bob

 

[luke scott]

Re: Barcelona

The good thing about moving here from Ireland is that I know all about cold weather and much wetter so I can cope with most of the winter.

OK now I'm pissed off. How did you escape from Ireland ??? Where were you from ? The weather here is so hot at the moment my tyres are melting...