seriously looking into buying a 03 gs 1150 twin spark...whats the difference between single and twin spark...also any obvious things to look out ,listen feel for...all help and advice appreciated ...cheers
buying a 1150 gs ?
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DutchBryn
Registered user
I wanted ABS brakes - but without the electric-servo assistance that appeared on later (twin spark) bikes. This gave me the choice of upto (and inc) 2002(ish) machines.
I haven't ridden / compared mine to 2 plugger, but they are reputed to 'surge' less. But my older, single spark, never has anyway.
I haven't ridden / compared mine to 2 plugger, but they are reputed to 'surge' less. But my older, single spark, never has anyway.
The twin spark has (very) costly main coil caps that fail on a regular basis.
The single spark doesn't have them. And nothing fails.
You'll never notice the difference between a single spark or twin spark engine when riding them. Except when the twin spark coil caps start to fail..
The twin spark has (very) costly main coil caps that fail on a regular basis.
The single spark doesn't have them. And nothing fails.
You'll never notice the difference between a single spark or twin spark engine when riding them. Except when the twin spark coil caps start to fail..
+1
Single spark abs is non servo also which is less bother.
Personally I prefer the single spark due to the simplicity of the whole bike.
Twin spark is apparently smoother and a little more efficient if you believe the hype, personally I think it's bobbins.
Changing the plugs on a twin spark is almost twice as expensive too
+1
Single spark abs is non servo also which is less bother.
Personally I prefer the single spark due to the simplicity of the whole bike.
Twin spark is apparently smoother and a little more efficient if you believe the hype, personally I think it's bobbins.
Changing the plugs on a twin spark is almost twice as expensive too
+1+1
Late single spark, non ABS, factory heated grips, black engine option with pre fitted Ohlins shocks would be my model of choice.
You live in Glasgow!!! It'll be covered in road salt or pinched within the next few weeks, don't worry about it
You live in Glasgow!!! It'll be covered in road salt or pinched within the next few weeks, don't worry about it
That's just plain stereotyping, Glasgow ain't like that anymore
I was in your position in May, looking for a single spark non servo model....ended up with a twin spark & ABS Servo but still love it to bits!
There's a limited choice oop north & prices can get a bit unrealistic, hence the reason I bought from Dunstable and had it couriered over 600mls up country.
Yes, I've had to replace a £70 stick coil and 4 x NGK = a wee bit more service cost....and I know that I'll probably have to remove the servo at some point but hey, I can accept that. Meantime, absolutely no surging, smoooth running, averages over 50mpg loaded up and you can even get home on the secondary plug WHEN the primary coil fails (now carry a spare with me wherever I go).
If you buy that GS get some ACF-50 rubbed onto those casings before the obligatory salt arrives
Enjoy.
phooey
Registered user
I'm on my 3rd twin spark 1150 - done shed loads of miles between them and never had a failure - of any kind !
Easy to service and relatively cheap to run.
Brilliant bike to ride
Easy to service and relatively cheap to run.
Brilliant bike to ride
ahutcheon
Registered user
I'm on my first twin spark, had it from new, sixty-something thousand miles. One stick coil, but it got me home. One set of paralever bearings, but they got me through the second half of a trip and home. Couple of fork seals, but ignored them until I could spare the half hour it takes to change them (includes tea break). One ignition loom failure, bodged it by the side of the road then resoldered until I could get a replacement. Had to replace the fast idle lever a while back, and the throttle handgrip wore through so I spent a few quid and a few minutes replacing it.
Underpowered, overweight piece of crap does everything I need and most of what I want; can't see much reason to change it.
Underpowered, overweight piece of crap does everything I need and most of what I want; can't see much reason to change it.
I think that sums up 1150 ownership perfectly. Not brilliant but just good enough to not justify spending a small fortune 'upgrading' to a faster potentially less reliable money pit. Well said
if you're not familiar with the twin spark or single spark, you'll probably not notice the difference except at service time. If you're after a minter, then get one which has been molly-coddled and is in mint condition (I saw one on here the other week) - you'll pay around the £5k mark. If your planning on riding more than cleaning, don't worry too much about the cosmetics, but do try and find one with service history or at least one that can be vouched for. I've got one with 106,000 miles. It looks a bag of shite, but has always been serviced, mostly ridden on long rides and is as good as my one which as 30k on the clock.
ABS v non-abs... one of mine has ABS, the other doesn't. Truth be told, the ABS hardly ever kicks in so unless you're planning on commuting in traffic, when ABS i believe comes into its own, I wouldn't get hung up about it.
ABS v non-abs... one of mine has ABS, the other doesn't. Truth be told, the ABS hardly ever kicks in so unless you're planning on commuting in traffic, when ABS i believe comes into its own, I wouldn't get hung up about it.
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