Change to the dark side

[Flipfly]

I love my 1150 but have been looking at the 1200adv recently, am I mad?

The 1150 is simple, cheap and does pretty much everything I want it to do, but the 1200adv may be better suited for my long trips. My main concern is the constant niggles that the 1200 seems to suffer such as fuel gauge, servo brakes and rear bevel drive.

My quandary is whether to drop a grand on a new seat, adv tank and a thorough going through of the 1150 or risk the hassle of the 1200 and being stuck with the expense of dealer service etc.

 

[Timolgra]

Just get one of John's chips

 

[MarkShelley]

The 1150 is simple, cheap and does pretty much everything I want it to do, but the 1200adv may be better suited for my long trips. My main concern is the constant niggles that the 1200 seems to suffer such as fuel gauge, servo brakes and rear bevel drive.

Are these two feelings not contradictory?

 

[monkeyboy]

What do you mean by long trips? Are you thinking about comfort or what? What do you mean by more suitable? I'm sure the 1200adv is lovely but I wouldn't take one on a really long trip in case it went wrong personally. The 1150 is such a beautiful thing and can do almost anything

 

[Flipfly]

What do you mean by long trips? Are you thinking about comfort or what? What do you mean by more suitable? I'm sure the 1200adv is lovely but I wouldn't take one on a really long trip in case it went wrong personally. The 1150 is such a beautiful thing and can do almost anything

That is my thoughts. I know the 1200 is a bit smoother and a bit roomier but apart from that I'm happy with the 1150. I prefer the feel of the 1150, the handling is fine and fuel economy is good.

I looked at a super ten, but reports of 39 mpg made me wince.

The 1150 is just so good and hits 90% of my requirements! Maybe the 1200 hits a different 90%.

A big issue for me is European breakdown cover, at 14 years old there are few companies that will cover the bike. I know they are supremely reliable, but a knackered hall sensor or failed final drive could hit at any time. The security blanket of European breakdown assistance is becoming more appealing as the bike gets older.

So, buy a bike that will more than likely need the cover you have at some point, or stick with a bike that you can't cover which probably won't breakdown, but just might at some point

Maybe I'll take the car next time

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The 1150 is just so good and hits 90% of my requirements! Maybe the 1200 hits a different 90%.

A big issue for me is European breakdown cover, at 14 years old there are few companies that will cover the bike. I know they are supremely reliable, but a knackered hall sensor or failed final drive could hit at any time. The security blanket of European breakdown assistance is becoming more appealing as the bike gets older.

Insure with Carole Nash and they will cover your bike for breakdown & recovery in UK & Europe at any age, even a 1950's Sunbeam

Simples

I have had both, didn't gel with the 12GSA and prefer the 1150 GSA, in all areas

I don't need more HP, hell the 1150 will scoot along at 90 and that's fast enough for me

Just buy a nice 1150 GSA and put your feet up

 

[DrFarkoff]

A big issue for me is European breakdown cover, at 14 years old there are few companies that will cover the bike. I know they are supremely reliable, but a knackered hall sensor or failed final drive could hit at any time. The security blanket of European breakdown assistance is becoming more appealing as the bike gets older.

Ehm HELLO!

Change hall sensor .... for a new one buy 2 sensors and recon the original. No Longer a problem!

Change final drive bearing or buy a used final drive and get it overhauled Issue no longer a problem

Maintain brake Hoses, change fluids and check Clutch servo cylinder hoses and bearing and apart from electrics (Fit a GOOD Battery )

What else do you need !

 

[Da1sycat]

Wise words Doc! You know I've had sleepless nights over my 1150, but your skills have put it back together and whilst I couldn't manage more myself than a spark plug or a set of brake pads, you've given me the faith that the 1150 can quite literally be rebuilt at the roadside. I'm not lnocking the 12, I'd have bought one over the 1150 if funds had allowed, but the simplicity of the 1150 does give me encouragement that it should still be going, when other more complicated machines need a "plug in".

 

[nick.ct]

I love my 1150 but have been looking at the 1200adv recently, am I mad?

The 1150 is simple, cheap and does pretty much everything I want it to do, but the 1200adv may be better suited for my long trips. My main concern is the constant niggles that the 1200 seems to suffer such as fuel gauge, servo brakes and rear bevel drive.

My quandary is whether to drop a grand on a new seat, adv tank and a thorough going through of the 1150 or risk the hassle of the 1200 and being stuck with the expense of dealer service etc.

Being seduced by BMW's marketing, trashy farkles and things you dont need?..................... I had you down as a better man than that

Spend the savings on going places on the 1150

 

[Flipfly]

Being seduced by BMW's marketing, trashy farkles and things you dont need?..................... I had you down as a better man than that

Spend the savings on going places on the 1150

I have given myself a slap

 

[Schtum]

My main concern is the constant niggles that the 1200 seems to suffer such as.......servo brakes...........

They haven't had servo brakes since the 2006 model year.

 

[monkeyboy]

Being seduced by BMW's marketing, trashy farkles and things you dont need?..................... I had you down as a better man than that

Spend the savings on going places on the 1150

Ditto that. My beautiful old 1150gsa has 113k on at the moment. Lovely lovely lovely bike. I can see it out the window waiting for me now here in sunny Shymkent. Invest your money in memories not farkles

 

[twizzle]

I "upgraded" from a 2002 1150 to a 2006 1200GSA... Been happy enough.... If the servo dies I'll have it removed, if the final drive shits itself I'll have it fixed. I use Carol Nash so have pan European recovery...i use independents for servicing... TBH I prefer it over the 1150.

The cost to change was just over £2k so all in happy enough.... My next change will be to a GSA WC when they start with a £5... ( it 's my rule to only buy a bike that starts at £5k..... Or under.. ( I have had to push my rule up recently to allow a few hundred quid over..) but I'll never buy a bike over £6,000....

I can get anything I would ever want below £6,000......

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I'll never buy a bike over £6,000....

I can get anything I would ever want below £6,000......

Another good maxim

 

[Timolgra]

That's a good maxim

Yes, and probably why Nutty's not commented on this thread ........ yet

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Ditto that. My beautiful old 1150gsa has 113k on at the moment. Lovely lovely lovely bike. I can see it out the window waiting for me now here in sunny Shymkent. Invest your money in memories not farkles

A good maxim

 

[twizzle]

Yes, and probably why Nutty's not commented on this thread ........ yet

"Nobby's" invest memories are controlled by the mothership....he is programmed to "upgrade" on a regular cycle..

 

[David Nimrod]

I can get anything I would ever want below £6,000......

I agree!

In fact £5000 generally covers it.

The two bikes I own currently both cost way under £2000

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Yes, and probably why Nutty's not commented on this thread ........ yet

He has not sampled the glory of the 1100/1150 GS & it's unadulterated riding experience

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

"Nobby's" invest memories are controlled by the mothership....he is programmed to "upgrade" on a regular cycle..

Every 6 months at present, they've altered the dial setting it seems