another jap bike user...

[tunnie]

Hi All,

Stumbled across this place, what a great resouce

Little about me, I am 25, i passed my test in March this year, went straight to DAS, was hooked. I started off learning on ER5's, then after a couple of failed tests - I tried a Yamaha MT-03, as it was sitting there unused, i fell in love with it. Its 'chuckability' the torque and its looks. It was also mega comfy, was on it all day long and go no aches or pains, 20 mins on a Yam XJ6, and my sholder was killing me! So i like up-right riding positions.

Here is mine:

My problem is that although i love the bike, its lack of storage and long haul abilities are not great. Its brilliant for blasting around the lanes, but everytime i want to go long haul, i can't, no place to store my gear, and as its a naked bike high speed is a bore.

I am also 6ft5 which causes a LOT of drag

I love the look of the GS 1200's, never heard of them till i watched Long Way Around, but see them all over London, also in a local bike festival at the weekend, one parked up next to me, the guy just put all his gear in the boxes and strolled off in Jeans and T-shirt while i lugged all my gear around in the heat.

Looking through the site, there do seem to be a lot of issues, but that said, people usually join forums cause they have issues and need help. So i am not too concerned with that, what i am confused about is the difference between:

GS 1200 & GSA 1200 ? - The GS"A" is for Adventure? And is what the Charlie used... but what does it have over the 'normal' GS?

This is advertised as a "GS" and is exactly what i want, good colour too!

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/BMW+R1200/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146-236,N-11-239-4294956173-4294967078/advert.action?R=200933339797429&distance=66&postcode=nn13+6er&channel=BIKES&make=BMW&model=R1200&min_pr=3000&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2004&vehicleRegLetter=04


I intend to get myself to a BMW dealer for a test ride, any idea how long they generally last?

Thanks!

 

[EggChaser]

Hi and Welcome

The GS Adventure (GSA or GS/A) is a taller version of the standard GS that comes with a loads of enhanced bits as standard i.e. larger fuel tank, engine bars, different screen, different style pannier attachments, spoked wheels etc - a lot of standard GS owners add some of the missing bits that the GSA comes with anyway, but choose the GS version on height\weight\financial\looks or other reasons.

If you are going to a dealer for a test ride, then ask about an extended ride if you want a bit more time - most of them will allow reasonable times - as long as they don't have lots of rides booked. Also suggest riding both the GS and the GSA back to back if you can arrange it - especially as with your height the GSA might be the most comfortable option - I am short so ended up with factory lowered standard GS.

BTW some dealers will now ask for both bits of driving license and a recent household bill showing the same address as the license before they will let you test ride.

BTW-2 Nice current bike

 

[tunnie]

Thanks for the reply, i will ask about the extended ride

Its also good to know what the GSA has over the GS, I will indeed try both

I love my current bike, i wanted to take it to the Air Show in Bournemath at the weekend, but i could not carry much, and being A34/M3/M27 roads, its not what my bike was designed for!

So ended up taking the car!

 

[Aidan1150]

Welcome along Tunnie,

As EggChaser says, do try to get extended back-to-back tests on a GS and a GSA, but also try if you can, to get a run on an 1150GSA too. A big enough bike for a man of your height but very different to the 1200's.

Good luck with it all.

 

[EggChaser]

also try if you can, to get a run on an 1150GSA too.

Yep good call - bear in mind that depending on whether you watched Long Way Around or Long Way Down to get interested in the GS, "Charlie McGregor" would have been on the 1150 or 1200 machines

 

[tunnie]

Thanks, the 1150's do seem much cheaper. I am assuming its just the older model of the GS?

Seen quite a few references on here saying its a different machine, is it down to the engine / age? Is the 1200 just a newer design, with a more powerful engine and lighter frame?

Seen a couple of 1150's for around 4k which make things much more reasonable, although i doubt a main dealer will have a 1150?

 

[Bigyin]

Thanks, the 1150's do seem much cheaper. I am assuming its just the older model of the GS?

Seen quite a few references on here saying its a different machine, is it down to the engine / age? Is the 1200 just a newer design, with a more powerful engine and lighter frame?

Seen a couple of 1150's for around 4k which make things much more reasonable, although i doubt a main dealer will have a 1150?

Lots of dealers have 1150's in stock although might not be BMW Motorrad dealers. The 1150 has a lower top end than the 1200 with less toys but those with more knowledge will fill you in with lots more detail plus a search around the site will answer pretty much everything you can think of

 

[seanb]

good to see another MT rider, though mine is MT01 not MT03 - I've had the MT01 round France couple of times but similar to what you say about the 03 it's not really designed for it - to be honest I really enjoyed riding the MT01 long haul, great fun and it got far more looks than my mates CBR600 but it was pain in backside strapping luggage on all the time. Which is why I bought GSA. Fantastic bike. Agree with the advice about extended ride, though be warned that it still might not sway you unless you do enough miles - see the post that advocates not taking a test ride at all but just to buy - not sure I would agree entirely, but...I tested both GS and GSA, liked the GSA, mainly for looks if I'm honest, wasn't sure about the ride, just soo different to the MT01, but I ploughed on and bought it anyway, slightly cavalier attitude maybe, even when I picked it up not entirely sure done the right thing, but after a trip up North the weekend after I got it, in pouring rain (I hate rain) I loved the bike - confidence inspiring, comfy, good range, warm hands, can throw it about, even with full tank and panniers full. I still love the MT01, couldn't bear to part with it, but the GSA (and I imagine the GS) is a fantastic beast that will put a smile to your face Go for it and you will not be disappointed.

 

[longdog]

You want to change from Jap bike to a BMW

Oh well, if you must.........

Go for a nice R1150GS or an R1150GSA period. Accept no substitute, just buy the best you can find. Go for condition rather than year or mileage. Ride and enjoy.

 

[Bryn]

Welcome to the site Tunnie

As far as choice of model goes don't dismiss the 1100 or the 1150 ... both great bikes..

I started on an 1150, went to a nice 75th Anniversary 1100, then an 1150ADV, and now a 1200.....

I'd still consider going back to a nice 1100 or 1150ADV if the mood took me


Bryn

 

[elevensies]

Welcome to the site Tunnie

As far as choice of model goes don't dismiss the 1100 or the 1150 ... both great bikes..

I'd still consider going back to a nice 1100 or 1150ADV if the mood took me

Bryn

exactly, your new to this, and the charlie syndrome has hit you, and seems it could be more of a look over function for you, a good late 1150 gsa are more expensive than similar dated 12gs, the 1150 was made up until 2005, also if you researched would see that that pair (long way round) did it on 1150gsa first

 

[andyclift]

Go for it - but a longish test drive is probabaly a good idea.

Four years back I went to a dealer launch day with no intention of buying. I just had nothing to do. I had a test on a GS for no other reason than curiosity about this strange looking bike. The dealer was sensible enough to realise a long drive was needed so just said "bring it back before we close"

For the first 15 - 30 minutes it was weird. Strange handling, wobbled round bends, brakes that had two positions, ON and OFF. Then I started to get the feel of it and the grin started to appear.

After a two hour ride I placed an order for a GS (no GSA then) and still have the grin. The bike's been all over Europe and UK as well as being used for commuting and I have just PXed it for a GSA. It's been such a fun bike that, after a life time of sitting on the back of varius sports tourers, the first trip on a GS resulted in my wife doing a Direct Access (at 58) and getting her own Beamer for this year's round Europe.

As luggage carrying is one of your requirements I will note that one of the big differences between GS and GSA is the pannier design. I found the GS panniers very poor and after the first tour replaced them with Touratech Zega. I found the GS one's heavy in relation to their small capacity (especially the left one) and the side opening was a real nuisance (unless inner bags were used everything fell out when opened. Again particularly the left one which leaned down when bike on side stand.

The Zegas have massive capacity, can be used without lids for large items, are very light and, a couple of times, have acted as effective rear crash bars. The downside is that after three years they look REALLY tatty. The GSA will have the standard panniers as they are top opening and aluminium but I would not have the plastic GS type again.

 

[tunnie]

Thanks guys for the replys and welcome.

Spotted this on AT, looks like a good price:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/BMW+R1150/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146-236,N-239-4294963459-4294967078/advert.action?R=200934340197175&distance=75&postcode=nn13+6er&channel=BIKES&make=BMW&model=R1150&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2000&vehicleRegLetter=W

I will get myself to a BMW dealer to get some extended rides to get used to the GS, then try a 1150. I like the idea of a bigger range with the GSA.

 

[Urban Rider]

Welcome to the madhouse Tunnie

I used to ride an R1 (2005 model from new) and had a go on a MT03 when mine was in for service. Nice little ride and good fun. Then I saw the light, my brother in law went out and bought an 1150 GS blue and white one and I automatically love the looks.
It is fugly but in a quirky sort of way, builld quality is good and they go on forever. So, when I was in a position to buy one I test rode them all, 1100, 1150 GS, GSA, 1200GS and GSA.
For me it all went down to looks, I liked the power of the 1200 but the 1150GSA just looked more rugged. The power thing didn't sway it for me as I still had my R1 in my garage and decided that if i wanted a fast ride I'd just get that out.

So I went out and bought an 1150 GSA SE, the best thing I ever did. The R1 sat in the garage for the next 6 months and didn't get ridden once.... Soon after I got rid of it and have'nt looked back.
The GSA does it all, touring, commuting, green laning, scratching the lot and I'm sure BIKE mag stated that it was the COOLEST bike ever built once.....

Once you've ridden one you won't look back

 

[Big Lee]

Try both the 1150 & 12 GS`s as they are a different pair of beasts imo. I did and preferred the 12 due to me finding it a more comfy riding position. Great bikes for big blokes, I`m 6`6"