Difference between 1150 & 1200 from a Newbie

ridersofthelosttrail

ridersofthelosttrail

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Howdy To All

Wow!!! My first post. Scary stuff.
I don't actually own a GS, but have been recently persuaded by a mixed bag of people to get one, with the view on running guided tours of inland Andalucia, Spain. I already run these tours using smaller enduro/trail bikes, but quite a few riders have commented on how the larger tracks/trails would be suitable for the GS's.

So, it seems I may be in the market for either a 1150 or a 1200. I understand that the 1150's are simpler machines, and hence less to go wrong.
Please will you educate me on the fundamental differences between the 2 bikes.

Many Thanks ( and be gentle!!!).
 
You've answered one question in that there is less to go wrong with an 1150 and you don't need a computor to service it.

Also the 1150 is heavier but much more pretty. :thumb
 
height is subjective from my position....:thumb2

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1150 v 1200

warmshed said:
Hight may also give you a problem on the 1150.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome.:D

Seat height the same at 740mm though you can get low seats for both.

I have owned both and only have a 28" inside leg. Have done lots of off road riding mainly two up, so don't let anyone say they are to tall. Brilliant on fire roads and trails:thumb

Also if you really want it lower you can always change shocks.

Having owned both the 1200 is (imo) the best all round bike on the planet.

If you have never owned a BMW flat twin then you will for sure prefer a 1200. It is a a brilliant all round bike, which is why it is so popular:eek:

If however, you were like me and had been riding GS's since 1983 then you would have a soft spot for the older models:confused:.
In actual fact the 1100 was the last of the properly built GS's but the 1150 does have some advantages. :blagblah:blagblah

The 1200 is lighter than either the 1100 or the 1150.

Just go here to get more info on spec's http://micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_tele.html

I sold my 1200 a year or so ago with 47,000 miles on. Yes, there were recalls and some issues it was a March '04 bike.
Don't be put off by kill joys saying they are unreliable etc. Mine never actually let me down on the side of the road once:type

Relatively speaking given the numbers sold no big problems.:thumb

I now have an 1150GSA , not because I prefer it to the 1200 but I don't have the money tied up.
Also it is a bit of a project and i'd never owned one (the only GS or G/S I hadn't) as I used to believe they were to big for me at 5' 7":eek:

It is a big beast but a brilliant bike though it will never be an Airhead. However, as I do most of my riding two up it's very comfortable.

:aidanYou will gets lots of banter on here, don't take it to heart as it is always tongue in cheeck so some ****ers don't have a sense of humour and are really miserable gits:hide
 
The standard late model 1150 GS from 2003 with Servo/ABS braking weighed 228Kgs. The first of the standard 1200 GS's weighed 205Kgs. These figures are without fuel. There is very little difference in saddle height between the two models. The 1150 felt utterly "planted" on the road, the early 1200's felt comparatively skittish. The front geometry was changed for the 2009 model year and in my opinion improved the feel of the front immensely. I have an 1150 and have test ridden 1200's model years 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009. The 1150 has only 85 BHP and 98 Nm of torque against the 1200 with 100 BHP and 115 Nm.

The only thing on newish 1150 bikes that regularly caused problems that might interrupt a trip was failure of the output bearing in the final drive bevel box. Mine first failed at 26,500 miles and then at 61,000 miles. In both cases I was able to get to where I wanted to be albeit without a rear brake as the disk was covered in hypoid oil. It is a relatively cheap and quick fix. Unfortunately these bikes are all at least 8 years old now except for the Adventure version which stayed in production until I think 2005. That means that other things are now causing problems like failure of the servo/abs brakes where fitted, (easily removed at no cost), wiring problems, failure of the Hall sensors for the ignition, breakdown of the HT coil sticks. They are however all easily fixed at not too high a price. Clutches and gearboxes can also cause problems, especially if the clutch is abused. If they are ridden by someone with mechanical sympathy they often achieve 100,000 miles+ without problems. The most common issue with gear changing is a dirty sticking lever pivot and linkages, easily cleaned and rectified.

1200's tended to have more problems, at least initially, with immobilisers and fuel pump controllers regularly failing. Most older bikes will have had these items replace by now and the parts were improved. Some 1200's also have had problems with broken valves on the right cylinder. They also have problems with the final drive which was originally a sealed for life maintenance free item. Unfortunately the life proved to be exceptionally short with some reports of failure in less than 10,000 miles. The final drive was also upgraded on later models but continues to be a weak point. To save weight the battery fitted to the 1200's is smaller than the 1150's and these tend to fail more frequently as the unit is working closer to it's maximum.

Off road the lighter 1200 must make for an easier life but of course compared with a single cylinder trail bike it is still likely to be around 50Kgs heavier. All models are amazingly capable in some offroad conditions. 200 - 250Kgs and deep mud are not the best of friends:D
 
ridersofthelosttrail said:
Howdy To All

Wow!!! My first post. Scary stuff.
I don't actually own a GS, but have been recently persuaded by a mixed bag of people to get one, with the view on running guided tours of inland Andalucia, Spain. I already run these tours using smaller enduro/trail bikes, but quite a few riders have commented on how the larger tracks/trails would be suitable for the GS's.

So, it seems I may be in the market for either a 1150 or a 1200. I understand that the 1150's are simpler machines, and hence less to go wrong.
Please will you educate me on the fundamental differences between the 2 bikes.

Many Thanks ( and be gentle!!!).
Click to expand...

The 1150 is now for the Grandads as there has been two generations of 1200 since the 1150. The latest 1200 twin-cam engine is a far better beast than the previous 1200 and 1150 engine.

The power is up from 85 (1150) to 110 (1200 twin-cam) and the 1200 must be 30kg lighter. The new 1200 is a much leaner, keener beast than the lardy 1150.

That should upset a few of the old 'uns :D
 
Engineer said:
The 1150 is now for the Grandads as there has been two generations of 1200 since the 1150. The latest 1200 twin-cam engine is a far better beast than the previous 1200 and 1150 engine.

The power is up from 85 (1150) to 110 (1200 twin-cam) and the 1200 must be 30kg lighter. The new 1200 is a much leaner, keener beast than the lardy 1150.

That should upset a few of the old 'uns :D
Click to expand...

It may upset a few, but your spot on:thumb

Don't forget most 1150 owners are now sadly suffering dementia and smell of piss.:augie
 
Best advice is to test ride as many as you can and see which one you prefer and then buy the newest/lowest mileage one you can afford :beerjug:

IMHO the one thing to avoid with either the 1150's or 1200's are the servo assisted brakes.

The latest twin cam 1200's are of course a quantom leap from the 1150's but all great bikes in their own way :thumb
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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