Ancient vs. Modern

[ChasF]

I not sure this is the right place but bear with me.

I've had my R100GS for 19 years. She was upstaged by an 1150GS for 3 years and she sat in the back of the barn most of the time waiting for her day to come again.

Family circumstances meant we haven't done anything more than a day trip for years. After every trip on the 1150 we wondered how we managed 30,000 miles round Africa as this was a seriously uncomfortable bike.

Eventually sold the 1150 as it was depreciating fast whilst not really getting used.

Now the children are both weekly borders (as there are no suitable schools close at hand) we took the opportunity to go off for a few days around sw and central France - fairly leisurely trip but - bloody wonderful. The old 100GS was great, thoroughly enjoyed the ride, the bike may be a little short on power and braking but was comfortable for both driver and pillion. Above all it was a pleasure to drive on very small gravel roads and hairpins. Also when temperatures got up in town (30°C plus in Millau) it would still change gear without any mechanical unpleasentness.

My question is:- was there something wrong with my 1150? or am I just too old to understand it.

 

[fayeslane]

My journey was R100GSPD to R1200GS then back to an R100GSPD. The 1200 was an excellent bike in all areas but for me too tall, too technical and too much money tied up in a depreciating bike. The main difference with the GSPD is the fun factor -can't quantify this but I have a smile on my face every time I ride it (unless I've come up to a corner too quick ). I also enjoy that you can do all the maintainence yourself -gives a real sense of ownership and involvement.

With 3 teenage daughters sometimes I think I am too old to understand anything Maybe bikes = sanity.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I not sure this is the right place but bear with me.

I've had my R100GS for 19 years. She was upstaged by an 1150GS for 3 years and she sat in the back of the barn most of the time waiting for her day to come again.

Family circumstances meant we haven't done anything more than a day trip for years. After every trip on the 1150 we wondered how we managed 30,000 miles round Africa as this was a seriously uncomfortable bike.

Eventually sold the 1150 as it was depreciating fast whilst not really getting used.

Now the children are both weekly borders (as there are no suitable schools close at hand) we took the opportunity to go off for a few days around sw and central France - fairly leisurely trip but - bloody wonderful. The old 100GS was great, thoroughly enjoyed the ride, the bike may be a little short on power and braking but was comfortable for both driver and pillion. Above all it was a pleasure to drive on very small gravel roads and hairpins. Also when temperatures got up in town (30°C plus in Millau) it would still change gear without any mechanical unpleasentness.

My question is:- was there something wrong with my 1150? or am I just too old to understand it.

Funnily I think exactly the same shortcomings with Airhead GS's and love the 1150GS's (Chassis/brakes/poise)....................must be our age differences

 

[Rob Farmer]

I ran oilheads and airheads for 12 years, I loved my 1150 GSA but found it just wasn't being used. My 100PD travels at exactly the same speed on long trips, hauls the same kit and with a couple of cheap brake mods stops very well. It is more comfortable to ride than the GSA ever was. The only thing I miss is being able to let the bike rip on long runs if needed.

 

[pete.keys]

I have sort of done the same route too. I had an R1150GS for a couple of years back in 2002 whilst I worked as a part time direct access motorcycle instructor. It was great in many respect, handled exceptionally well (I'm used to sports bikes), good wheelies but I was disappointed in a number of things: too heavy, vibrates awfully at 90-100mph , top end pull above 80mph disappointing, too tall.

I picked up and old GS in 2008. I loved the fact that it was smaller, lighter, easy to work on. A bit of money sorting out the suspension and brakes and I think its a better bike (for me). I am now doing the next thing .. upgrading the engine and ratios as well after which I think it'll be a better bike than the 1150 and for some reason I think it will be a long term relationship whilst I think a 1200 would be transitory ...

 

[Voyager]

I have both an 1150 GSA (2004) and a R100GS (1989).

I have just returned from a tour to far-Eastern Turkey, skirting the Syria, Iraq, Iran & Albania borders - 8,641 miles in 26 days - on the GSA.

600 mile days were no problem and I didn't have any problems with the bike.

The roads in Turkey are being torn up at the moment but the (overloaded) 1150 took everything in its stride.

We hit 45 deg C and my boots fell apart - I had to ride with the soles 'gaffa-taped' on - and the GSA gearbox sounded like a can of bolts being shaken. Once back in normal temperatures (and with decent fuel) its back to normal.

There were times when I wished I'd taken the 100GS as the 1150 is very tall and heavy (I'm 6'2" but still struggle) and the sidestand is a nightmare on uneven ground, the new 1200s have a much better arrangement. But, the longest trip I have done on the 100 was 588 miles and I was sore for days.

Much as I love the 100GS, the 1150 GSA does it for me every time.

Is it an age thing ??? I'm 63.

Bob.

 

[ChasF]

I'm not anti-tech but like the fact that the 100GS is so low tech and it will stay that way. I can do anything that needs doing to the 100 and have the very few special tools necessary. There are not many around in regular use these days but it is a respected model and as such there is masses of information on improvements and a lot of aftermarket stuff available - I know the 1150 is similar.

I never found my 1150 handled well and the OE suspension was poor, although I couldn't justify upgrading it. It did work better on the Tourances than the Michelins. It also never went wrong and the build quality was good but the comfort and the agricultural engine and gearbox put me off more than anything. I know the 100 rattles like a bag of nails but it's not pretending to be a modern bike and somehow it is part of its' charm.

I do have modern bikes and still have plans to get a modern mega tourer - no, not a gold wing but perhaps a 1200RT or 1300GT or similar, when we have more time to make use of it.

 

[Steptoe]

My favourite 1992 R100GS is just coming up to 5K miles. The others in my airhead GS collection have from 18K miles up to 120K miles ( i use the 120K mile tank on my 5k mile bike so the original is unblemished)

Very nice as long as you're not in a hurry or want to cover long distances in a day or 4.5K miles in a week as we do on the morrocan dash rides

 

[(RIP) maverick]

I have gone from the R100GS to 1100 to HP2 and now back on the airheads. They are different and as long as you appreaciate them for what they are i.e. the near perfect ride around tool + easy enough to maintain.

Don't get me wong when I get my hands on another HP2 the deal will be done if the time is right as that is probably the singlest most awesome bike I have ever owned.

At the moment the airheads tick the boxes more and I have never been attraced much to the 1150 or 1200 GS's purely because of personal preference. I ride Stormforce's 1150 with 240k miles in the clock adhoc into work and it performs faultlessly every time.

 

[ChasF]

The HP2E is the natural development of the R100GS IMO - Why BMW didn't develop the theme and come up with a slightly more user friendly model (bigger tank, proper seat, luggage etc.) is beyond me.

The 1200 engine/gbox strikes me as more refined and fit for purpose than the 1150, as it should be 20 years on from the airheads. I know the HP2 motor is slightly different as it doesn't have a balance shaft but don't think it makes a lot of difference and it does, at least, have proper forks.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

it does, at least, have proper forks.

I would not exactly back that up, they have conventional forks but they ain't proper by any means

As for the tank range, seat etc I never had a problem in 3 years with it. The HP2E is way different than the 1200 or the 1150. It is sort of modern technology but old school. You have to manhandle the bike, brakes etc and that was what made me smile every single day I rode it. Pity they stopped production on them as I am sure they are now even more popular than ever before

May the thiefing bastards who took mine rot in hell.......ahhhh feel better now that's out....again

 

[Oggyr80]

If you've got it ride till the rubber comes off

r80gs has been a fantastic starter bike for me, not so much power that you get your self into trouble(it goes over the top of roundabouts like they're not there), but lots of fun. Still makes me smile. If the brakes aren't up to scratch start braking earlier.

 

[ChasF]

It takes a while to get used to the lack of 'bite' after riding other bikes but mine responds to a fierce grip by locking the front wheel even on a dry road. Skinny front tyre is a big limitation.

My theory is that if you have a more powerful brake then you will have more control as to get sufficient braking it won't be on the limit of the grip force you can apply. So I plan to upgrade mine to a 4 pot brembo and stainless braided hose.

 

[Shep]

Went from a string of 1200's to an '88 R100GS, I like the simplicity and the more involving ride, sure it hasn't got the performance of the newer bikes but it is more like the bikes that got me hooked in the 70's, the same primitive feel (but a whole lot more reliable).

The biggest plus was extracting me from under the BMW corporate 'wing' and that can only be a good thing for my wallet