Early Hexhead Questions

[steele01]

Hi guys so I'm pretty sure I'm going to be letting my rd250c go for another gs Currently trying to do some research on what to get I've been looking at the early single cam hexheads as well as the 1150s.

What's worth watching out for on hexheads, which year did they move away from the servo abs?

Quite leaning towards an adv model the 1200 te i had was the 2014 gsa version was there any year changes on the hexheads that's worth taking note off.

I'd love a twin cam but no way the budget would stretch.

Thanks in advance.

 

[er-minio]

which year did they move away from the servo abs?

2007

Engine power went up a bit in 2008 I think? It should be the restyling one before the twin cam.

 

[steele01]

Awesome thanks! That's a big help

 

[Santa-2512]

2007

Engine power went up a bit in 2008 I think? It should be the restyling one before the twin cam.

Change from Gen 1 Integral ABS to Gen 2 I-ABS was 08/2006 for the GS & GSA.

 

[steele01]

Thats brilliant thanks Santa gen1 integral being servo like on the late 1150's?

 

[Santa-2512]

Thats brilliant thanks Santa gen1 integral being servo like on the late 1150's?

I dont know about the 1150's, only the hexhead, mine was removed when i bought the bike.

i belive gen 1 is Servo assist & ABS, and the Gen 2 is just ABS ( no doubt someone will be along to correct me if i'm wrong )

 

[steele01]

Thanks mate

 

[younger06]

2008/2009 got an extra 5hp and also the option of ESA.

(darker paint on the head covers should be the giveaway)

from my G8 ThinQ

 

[steele01]

Thanks mate

 

[er-minio]

Change from Gen 1 Integral ABS to Gen 2 I-ABS was 08/2006 for the GS & GSA.

True, when I look up mine on the RealOEM for parts it comes out as a late 2006.

I'd love a twin cam but no way the budget would stretch.

If you don't ride it like a diesel you'll be fine anyway

 

[seahorse]

What is your budget?

 

[steele01]

Thanks guys it depends on a few things I'm considering selling, seahorse probably the 3-5k ish region which is why i was also looking at the 1150s with a few 1150 gsa's going at 3k an just under

 

[AustinW]

Thanks guys it depends on a few things I'm considering selling, seahorse probably the 3-5k ish region which is why i was also looking at the 1150s with a few 1150 gsa's going at 3k an just under

I have got a 2011 GSA in the for sale section for just £5000 and could be cheaper. Fully loaded and while it’s highish mileage and not a garage Queen it is a fantastic well looked after bike. If you want one to ride rather than polish....,

https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/530693-R1200GSA-for-Sale

It’s in Garstang between Preston and Lancaster. So not too far for a viewing.

 

[botus]

Thanks guys it depends on a few things I'm considering selling, seahorse probably the 3-5k ish region which is why i was also looking at the 1150s with a few 1150 gsa's going at 3k an just under

very different bike

an 1150 is more like an old BMW (odd ball, hideous instruments and switchgear, with low down grunt and no top end)
the 2007 GS is more like a modern bike, with much more top end and good low to middle if you sort the injection / fuelling
the 2008 got a better gearbox but uglier styling

ABS goes wrong on all of them (age related designed in failure) - but impossible to fix affordably in the pre 2006 era bikes

 

[steele01]

Thanks Austin bit more millage than I was looking for as I'm gonna really be cranking it on one when I get one looks a brilliant bike though!!

Thanks botus that's really interesting it's good to see a bit of a breakdown of the differences like that helps me get my head round it a bit difference wise.

That's a gutter on the abs but good to know my dads merc had that fault abs pump went on it at a certain set of actuations.

 

[Santa-2512]

An early GS 1200 with the mk1 servo/abs removed is nothing to worry about

You get two separate brake circuits 1 front & 1 rear

it brakes like any normal bike, plenty capable of stopping / locking wheels as required

 

[steele01]

thanks mate that's good to know I'm more used to drum brakes now haha

 

[er-minio]

I agree with the above. Wouldn't go for an 1150. There is a massive difference. I have both a 1200 and still an R1150R being rebuilt back in Italy at the moment.
Even the early 1200 are extremely smoother. I find it way better to ride. The entire debacle about torque is a bit moot... unless you are one of those people who ride the bikes between 1100 to 2900rpm all the time.

Regarding the ABS, in my humble opinion, go for a non servo ABS, and fix it when (not if) it fails.
Mine packed up three or four years ago and had it redone (Motoscot at the time) and it didn't cost much. Still works fine.

One thing where the 1150 are better is... non standard maintenance.
I used my R1150R in Italy, so corrosion wasn't an issue, but I've done more than 100,000km/60,000 miles (over 3 years though) with little more than regular servicing.

My 1200GSA is approaching 60k miles too, didn't have an easy life at all, but had to replace virtually every bearing, clutch replaced at 40k miles (this was a particular bad hit on my pride... ) even though that depends on usage, broken shaft around the same mileage too, random gremlins here and there...
In all I'd say that the 1150 is 'sturdier', but I'd still get a 1200 over an 1150.

 

[steele01]

Thanks Er-Minio that's a really interesting take on it appreciate the information you guys are giving me is a huge help in the decision making process.

Yeah I tend to rev them right out but I'm an absolute stickler to sticking to the speed limit's which is why my fireblade is so frustrating on the road for me unless I've got it on track

Has anyone gone from a liquid cooled gsa or gs back to the single cam or twin cam 1200?

 

[er-minio]

I'm an absolute stickler to sticking to the speed limit's

It's gonna be frustrating on the GS too. But less, I agree.

I really love my '07 GSA, and it still looks very good despite the age. A little tank
It's a relatively simple bike, so maintenance on it is not a big deal.

Fixing the ABS modulator I think was around the 300 quid mark.

Another annoying issue I have with it is the rear caliper seizing a bit. It is goo to push it open with your foot (grab the bike by the pannier rails) every once in a while to avoid this, but it ends up dragging quite often.