An age old question I suspect!

[m25jambuster]

Hi - I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I am considering returning to the BMW fold ( I had an R1100S for 2 years, 2 years ago). Anyway I am seriously looking at purchasing a GS. The question is - do I buy a well specc'd second hand 1150GS or GSA, or do I buy a brand new 1200GS. The downside of the new 1200GS is that I would use my funds getting the bike whereas if I go the 2nd hand route I would get a well specified bike with a lot of equipment on it for similar money. Also, another question, the 1150GS Adventure - did it come as standard with the large tank or was that an extra cost option? I have tried looking at the BMW web site but that will only give the specification of current models. Many thanks in advance.

 

[fcasado]

Sorry, can't help you much but just bear in mind, whatever you get you'll spend a fortune adding bits and bobs, even if you don't want to, it's addictive

Happy shopping

 

[Fanum]

I believe a very few early Adv's came with the bigger tank as a charged option, but you'd have to look very hard to find one.


Absolutely no doubt in my mind that you'd be better off getting a well sorted 1150Adv , but no doubt the 12 owners will say the opposite.

The only way to know what is right for you is to ride them....get yourself along to a dealer and do a couple of hours on both, then see which rings your bell loudest..they are different beasts and many of us 1150 owners wouldn't even consider a vanilla 1200, though might look at a 12 Adv in the future.



(PS make sure it is a few hours on each, and do a variety of roads from small lanes to a motorway/dual carriageway...they take an hour to get the feeling of and the longer you give each, the better you'll know which you'll want )

 

[Yogi Bear]

GS

Hello Keith

Get yourself a well sorted 1150...

Just back from the alps on mine, 3606 miles without a hitch.

Hows the leg?

Cheers

Alii

 

[Mick O'Malley]

The question is - do I buy a well spec'd second hand 1150GS or GSA, or do I buy a brand new 1200GS.

Have you considered one of these? You'd have lots of change and a bike which many consider to be superior to its successors.

Regards, Mick

 

[stankflapper]

I just went through a similar process
mate,

The 2 biggest factors for me was -

1) Looks - purely subjective but I honestly pefer the look of the 1150 GSA.

2) Cost - to get a new GS was do'able but to get the "niceties" and luggage will be the thick end of 12 large. Ok if it was my only vehicle but it's not

There were afew other issues but you can pick them up reading this very site for a few hours

......So a low mileage 1150 GSA is now sat in my garage

ride wise - I don't think they are THAT different, if anything the 1150 has a bit more character, for me - but - I would say that now, wouldn't I

 

[STUBBS]

go for a well sorted 1150gsa saves all the hassle and expense of a 1200

 

[motobiker]

Model History at http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/

not sure how exhaustive it is... but a good read nonetheless.





.

 

[Terry NW]

just brought a 1150 gsa 04 bike..

it's very good weight is not an issue when your moving along nice smooth engine.
i'm going to weight and see how the 1200 gs do in the next year or so before i change my bike to a 1200.

the 1200 gsa is alot taller bike ..i could not get my toes on the ground... but on the 1150 i could...................yet another reason for getting the 1150 was it's 30 litre tank....

i could not get a dealer to give me a test ride on a 1150 ... but got one on the 1200 18 months ago..........gave me arm anke............done 270 miles sunday on the gsa...........no pains or ankes

but do try and test ride both....if you can

 

[TENTOONE]

''do I buy a well specc'd second hand 1150GS or GSA, or do I buy a brand new 1200GS''

Neither....read the threads...

 

[motobiker]

''do I buy a well specc'd second hand 1150GS or GSA, or do I buy a brand new 1200GS''

Neither....read the threads...

She's NOT bitter.... not at all.