I have recently bought a 1150gs to sit alongside my duke 1198 and replace a ktm400exc and a Suzuki burgman 250 scooter (which is for sale !). I have been riding sports bikes for many years and wanted something more useful than the ktm for the road and better for onger miles than the burgman. Also using for commuting. It is obviously not a patch on the 1198 for speed thrills, punch, power, brakes, looks but obviously does what it does. Just need to change your riding to suit and you will find 50-80 a pleasure instead of 100+. It is heavy when moving about ( I am 5'7 and 12 stone) but once moving this does disappear. Gearbox is clunky at times but with practice it can be made smoothly, brakes are good not amazing and comfort isn't bad. I have done 400 miles on both the gs and the 1198 and if I am honest I was more uncomfortable on the gs, you just seem to be in one position and can't take any weight off your ass but on a sports bike you can seem to move your weight between ass, hands, feet. As mentioned it is good at what it does but I hope to keep a sports bike as well for when I need to set my pants on fire!
Comparisons - from Sports bike to GS1200 (1150)
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Mr Anderson
Registered user
I have an R1 and a R1200 GSA, I have to say riding the beemer is a more rewarding experience on the road, you don't really get the sound or rawness that a sports bike gives you and you don't need the commitment of a sports bike also, confidence wise being more upright with wide bars on the beemer and being able to see over cars and around corners better, less likely to get cramp the touring ability, fuel (350 miles, bladder gave up before fuel
) and I guess if I drop it I'll be over it much quicker than dropping a sports bike.
The torque is fantastic with the GSA with it's low down grunt and is way more usable than ballistic power of the R1 by the time your in the meat of it your in the shitter! I can pop wheelies with no effort on the gs I really wouldn't dream of this on the R1.
Also massive wind protection just makes life so calm when riding, 120 on the R1 and it feels like its moving but 120 on the gs and..... calm just calm! If anything the wind protection is too good for summer months.
If there are downsides to owning the BMW, its tall and top heavy compared to any sports bike but you do get used to it quickly, the weight is gone on the move and you just need to think when stopping. Services more expensive but parts are damn silly
I simply can't push it backwards on any slight gradient
On the plus side 50mpg, presence and general running costs are better.
RE: gear changes, R1 clunky as hell, GS smooth as silk, I don't feel any gear changes!
) and I guess if I drop it I'll be over it much quicker than dropping a sports bike.The torque is fantastic with the GSA with it's low down grunt and is way more usable than ballistic power of the R1 by the time your in the meat of it your in the shitter! I can pop wheelies with no effort on the gs I really wouldn't dream of this on the R1.
Also massive wind protection just makes life so calm when riding, 120 on the R1 and it feels like its moving but 120 on the gs and..... calm just calm! If anything the wind protection is too good for summer months.
If there are downsides to owning the BMW, its tall and top heavy compared to any sports bike but you do get used to it quickly, the weight is gone on the move and you just need to think when stopping. Services more expensive but parts are damn silly
I simply can't push it backwards on any slight gradientOn the plus side 50mpg, presence and general running costs are better.
RE: gear changes, R1 clunky as hell, GS smooth as silk, I don't feel any gear changes!
