bike decision

[Rockbyter]

Hi all, I have lurked for a couple of weeks now. Time to ask the question! I am a ZZR rider, recently bought a ZZR1200 new last march for my 50th birthday present after owning ZZR1100 last. Lovely bike, fastest thing on earth but been off it twice, each time when braking hard and had the front wheel wash out, so it has to go. I test rode K1200s and R1200gs and the the k1200 is too much like I already have, priced everything and the cheapest (1150 included) is the 1200gs, I have read the ABS problem threads etc. QUESTION: Is there any real advantage in choosing the 1150 over the 1200? I really fancy the 1200 and I need something the wife will go on, she says "no way am I getting back on that b***ard thng" meaning the Kawasaki. I think in all honesty I have all ready decided but would value any constructive comments.

Lots of money that I don't have rides on this decision

Oh, and hello to all on this Forum, I have read with great pleasure and humour the coments herein.

 

[Fanum]

Welcome aboard Rockbyter

Is there any real advantage in choosing the 1150 over the 1200?

You'll get as many viewpoints on that as there are GS owners, but I reckon essentially NO.

Both models have their advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses...these are listed ad nauseam here and I'm sure you've read a lot of them.

Go and do a test ride, back to back, and make sure you get a good hour or two on each as they have different characters and you may not 'get' them in the first half hour.

Then sit back and buy whichever one tugs your heart more.

Same for the missus.....Bob Southgate's G/F apparently prefers his new 1200 but others I've talked to think the 11's comfier......


PS try an Adv as well as a vanilla 1150.....they're a different beasty again.

Personally, I'd get another new Adv over a 1200 if I had the choice, but some might go for the 12.

There's also the 1200Adv coming out soon......alledgedly

 

[Deleted account W]

PS try an Adv as well as a vanilla 1150.....they're a different beasty again.

No they're not.

They're just more lardy

 

[laughingBob]

Lovely bike, fastest thing on earth but been off it twice, each time when braking hard and had the front wheel wash out, so it has to go.
.

Hi, don't want to seem negative but, is the problem with the rider rather than the bike?

 

[ROLLINSDAN]

Two finger braking, on a GS of course. The only way forward for sure

 

[ELIMINATOR]

As someone who has ABS, don't bother. Too much to go wrong for what in my opinion is designed too complicated. Having said that, (am I right?) buying without ABS still leaves the servo, which is the achilles heel IMHO.Without ABS the brakes may be too on/ off. So I think that you have no option, unless you buy an older ABS model without servo. ( again, am I right technically chaps?)

Comment from others please.

Fanum was being politically correct, what he meant was that the 1150's are macho, whilst the 1200's are shall we say...................... effiminate looking. OK OK GAY THEN!

 

[MIKE R]

Welcome aboard Rockbyter

Go and do a test ride, back to back, and make sure you get a good hour or two on each as they have different characters and you may not 'get' them in the first half hour.

I agree. A friend of mine did this from Jeffries and bought the 12. I am lucky and have both, but still prefer the 1150. You pays your money etc.

Mike R

 

[Gas'd Off]

I am lucky and have both, but still prefer the 1150.

Interested to know your 2pence Mike. What is it that you prefer about your 1150 compared to your 1200? And, do you find the suspension smoother on the 1150 due to the extra weight?

 

[blackburnlee]

Having had a number of bikes (Including a 748 who's brakes were bloody great) without ABS prior to my 12GS I'd say go for the ABS every time. The funny thing about all safety features is that we hardly ever get a chance to use them in anger (Thankfully) so that leaves the rest of the time for people to ponder about their drawbacks.

I've had my ABS save me a more than one occasion and as for the servo system you get used to it having to use a little more finesse when applying the brakes.

As for the 1150 vs 1200 I agree with the earlier posting in that you need to take both for at least a couple of hours each before deciding. My favourite is the 12 but I can completely understand someone preferring the 1150. It's a very personal thing.

 

[Flashman]

R1150 GS over R1200 GS every time. Looks and feels more solid on & off road. Better two up though little difference performance wise. But as all who have posted here comment - it's a personal preference. Adventure SE may still be available and would be my personal choice.

 

[Rockbyter]

Hi, don't want to seem negative but, is the problem with the rider rather than the bike?

Might be! I've ridden since I was 8 years old, never been off before. Twice now and both due to odd events from car drivers. I have braked hard before on other machines even to the point of tyre squeal and rear end lifting, never had one like this though. Never really gelled with me somehow. they are known to suffer with headshake problems and are really sensitive to tyres due to the aggresive fork rake. I don't want to ride it again.

Test ride I had on the 1200GS was about half hour, with ABS and I found no problems with the braking at all, 1200s had the worst gearbox I have ever encounted but went like a rocket, though vibration was annoying. Only oddity I found with the GS was the flexing due to the torque transmitted through the frame, but I can soon get used to that. Oh and the odd method of indicator cancelation, different to any other bike since I rode an elderly K100LT many years ago.

I'd better arrange to ride the 1150 and 1200 in the same day as suggested.

 

[Denis Milne]

R
In June last year I swapped a ZZR1200 for a 1200 GS and have subsequently covered over 27k very happy miles.
The 1200 out-performs the ZZR everywhere except in a straight line. I have commuted on it, toured on it and had 2-up holidays on it - top bike.

You will have read on this forum many expressions of preference within the GS range, ultimately the choice is yours, but have no fears over selecting a GS.

Oh, and sevicing is less frequent and cheaper.

 

[Pukmeister]

If you have a bit of a habit of lowsiding on the brakes, get yourself the ABS version. The R1200GS brakes are very powerful with servo assistance hence the ABS function could well prevent you doing the same on a bike costing nearly ten grand. Grabbing a handfull of R1200GS servo assisted brakes is a really bad idea, there is one hell of a bite at the lever. I thought my blue Sumitomo front calipers were good on my Yamaha, but the GS brakes are incredible, plus the front lever is linked to apply the rear and keep the bike stable. Unlike the Honda CBS system, the rear brake pedal only operates the rear brake, nice for slow-control.

 

[MIKE R]

Interested to know your 2pence Mike. What is it that you prefer about your 1150 compared to your 1200? And, do you find the suspension smoother on the 1150 due to the extra weight?

I bought the 'ordinary' 1150 new in Jan 2002 and its now covered 27K (low mileage due to having 2 bikes!) and is heavily modified........Y piece, Rev. can, MRA screen, Ohlins, Melvined seat etc etc.,so its now (almost....braided hoses this winter) as I want it.

The 1200 was bought in Jan 2005 and now has 4k under its belt. It is a great bike...faster, lighter, better braked etc but somehow lacks the character of the 1150 although this could be due to the £xxxx of extras, or familiararity. I think straight from the crate the 1200 gets the nod, but as they stand in my garage if I had to sell one I'de keep the 1150.

The 1150 has never let me down but I have had one fault on the 1200 and had to be recovered. A 3 inch nail went right through my rear tyre (found it inside they tyre when it was taken off!). Must be true what they say about the 1200s being unreliable

Must get a test drive on an Adv before they run out!

Mike R