First post from an 1100 Gs owner

Stevea63

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Morning all, I'm appealing to all the owners who have made a transition from an 1100GS to a 1200GS over the years. I've had my 1100 for 8 years now and am thinking it may be time to add another bike to the stable. The 1100 has no value as a trade in so I may as well keep it. Which bike spec felt as if it was a significant move on from the 1100? I'm thinking I should embrace modern safety tech as I ride a lot more these days, a bit more power wouldn't go amiss but its not the driver , weight is especially a concern as I move it out of the garage etc .. I love the look of the Rallye 1200 from 2006 on but wonder if these bikes are just too heavy and it's time to look at a mid size bike ? That said the modern bikes all seem as heavy as my 1100...
Look forward to hearing your thoughts ,

Steve
 
Stevea63 said:
Morning all, I'm appealing to all the owners who have made a transition from an 1100GS to a 1200GS over the years. I've had my 1100 for 8 years now and am thinking it may be time to add another bike to the stable. The 1100 has no value as a trade in so I may as well keep it. Which bike spec felt as if it was a significant move on from the 1100? I'm thinking I should embrace modern safety tech as I ride a lot more these days, a bit more power wouldn't go amiss but its not the driver , weight is especially a concern as I move it out of the garage etc .. I love the look of the Rallye 1200 from 2006 on but wonder if these bikes are just too heavy and it's time to look at a mid size bike ? That said the modern bikes all seem as heavy as my 1100...
Look forward to hearing your thoughts ,

Steve
Click to expand...
I love my 2024 Honda Transalp after 8,000 miles, lighter and more economical and much easier to move around. I still love my 2003 1150 GS (done 150,000 kms on it!) but the Transalp does everything it does and with 90+ hp it's enough rocket ship for me.
 
the first 1200GS is now old and only euro 3 - which isn't world ending yet - but they are always working to trip us up
the original has a much better power curve - but fuelling on any was never as good as well set up carbs - the 2009 TC engine is nasty all top end and bars vibrate
they are quite reliable but electrics starting to play up

if you want rider aids only one manufacturer that had a brain when giving us a new way to do the clutch in traffic - I recco you watch the entire video - here I just started with the one huge gain - there are no other reviews worth bothering with re this perfect implementation bringing a choice when one can't be bothered to use your left hand

 
botus said:
the first 1200GS is now old and only euro 3 - which isn't world ending yet - but they are always working to trip us up
the original has a much better power curve - but fuelling on any was never as good as well set up carbs - the 2009 TC engine is nasty all top end and bars vibrate
they are quite reliable but electrics starting to play up

if you want rider aids only one manufacturer that had a brain when giving us a new way to do the clutch in traffic - I recco you watch the entire video - here I just started with the one huge gain - there are no other reviews worth bothering with re this perfect implementation bringing a choice when one can't be bothered to use your left hand

Click to expand...
You smoking the crack pipe agzin?
 
Steve, I'm going to put the cat amongst the pigeons maybe as I've had both. I had a 2006 R1200GS, did about 40k miles on it from 2006-~2011, when it was written off, I had numerous bikes after that before I bought my current 1100GS. I do remember the 1200 being lighter and more nimble (although it's still a big old bus) but.... since you mention safety tech....My 1100 has ABS, I don't think that generation of 1200 has anything more in terms of modern safety tech than that.
The 1200 is clearly a few steps on - bit more power, bit lighter, probably a bit more economical... but significantly different from your 1100 to warrant keeping both? Not convinced. They're both big and heavy, they're both a bit 'agricultural'. I think I'd be happy with either, so since I have the 1100 I wouldn't buy a 12. If I had the 12, I don't think I'd trade it for an 11. They're different, but maybe not different enough for me.
If you want lighter than your 1100 and more tech, the 2006-2010 R1200 therefore probably isn't it enough to warrant the change (or the additional bike). The 2010 onward R1200 might give more tech :nenau , but still it's big and heavy. If that's an issue, look towards more modern middleweight bikes.... I have a friend with the Honda Transalp mentioned in this thread, he loves it... tours on it, commutes on it, goes for a blast at the weekend on it...
 
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As some one who has an 1150gs adv and a 1200. Your right to hold onto the 1100, my tuppence worth get a 1200gs between 2010 and 2013 specifically a twin cam. I'd put money on it the 1200 will weigh something similar to the 1100. This way you have the best of both worlds.
 
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Avoid the abs 1200’s up to mid 2007. They have servo assisted ABS and are notorious for breaking. Late 2007 on have hydraulic Abs.
 
dub 24 said:
As some one who has an 1150gs adv and a 1200. Your right to hold onto the 1100, my tuppence worth get a 1200gs between 2010 and 2013 specifically a twin cam. I'd put money on it the 1200 will weigh something similar to the 1100. This way you have the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...
Agreed, twin cam seems the way to go with the 1200... out of interest when do you ride the 1150 when you have both in the garage?
 
Dave T said:
Steve, I'm going to put the cat amongst the pigeons maybe as I've had both. I had a 2006 R1200GS, did about 40k miles on it from 2006-~2011, when it was written off, I had numerous bikes after that before I bought my current 1100GS. I do remember the 1200 being lighter and more nimble (although it's still a big old bus) but.... since you mention safety tech....My 1100 has ABS, I don't think that generation of 1200 has anything more in terms of modern safety tech than that.
The 1200 is clearly a few steps on - bit more power, bit lighter, probably a bit more economical... but significantly different from your 1100 to warrant keeping both? Not convinced. They're both big and heavy, they're both a bit 'agricultural'. I think I'd be happy with either, so since I have the 1100 I wouldn't buy a 12. If I had the 12, I don't think I'd trade it for an 11. They're different, but maybe not different enough for me.
If you want lighter than your 1100 and more tech, the 2006-2010 R1200 therefore probably isn't it enough to warrant the change (or the additional bike). The 2010 onward R1200 might give more tech :nenau , but still it's big and heavy. If that's an issue, look towards more modern middleweight bikes.... I have a friend with the Honda Transalp mentioned in this thread, he loves it... tours on it, commutes on it, goes for a blast at the weekend on it...
Click to expand...
Cheer Dave, maybe the new headlight is the tech I need ? :)
 
Stevea63 said:
Agreed, twin cam seems the way to go with the 1200... out of interest when do you ride the 1150 when you have both in the garage
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I ride both depending on my mood and preference on the day to be honest
 
Stevea63 said:
Agreed, twin cam seems the way to go with the 1200... out of interest when do you ride the 1150 when you have both in the garage?
Click to expand...
I have both on the road - the older 2008 my GS is a much nicer bike to ride.. bit gruff but suits the bike, power where you want it, light throttle action - the TC is a horror show - stiff throttle, no grunt down the bottom, exchanged for a bit more the other side of 8k and it gives white finger vibrations through the bars, plus can't even get the key in the ignition as easily like the better older one - plus the brake and clutch levers went on the journey from best in the world to negative change just for the sake of it- hate the later gearbox too

plus you don't get the noisy wake the neighbourhood unreliable flap valve in the exhaust that plays up
 
If you get a 1200gs regardless of the year.
As suggested go onto the Motea website and buy a aftermarket LED Headlight unit. Difference is unbelievable and mines still going 5 years on 3 of those commuting every day
 
dave perry said:
Off at a tangent but have you thought about one of these, 85BHP (plenty) 185kg ( light) handle great and great value !! I love mine, its a weight thing like you. I've had a good few 1100 & 1200 GS's and RS's, loved them all but at 72YOA, this fits the bill to a T !

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Hi Dave, I've always liked big trailies ( as they were called back in the day) and never been tempted by sports tourers although bikes like a Yamaha Tracer 900 would be perfect for me once I'm 3 miles from the farm where I live :)
 
dub 24 said:
If you get a 1200gs regardless of the year.
As suggested go onto the Motea website and buy a aftermarket LED Headlight unit. Difference is unbelievable and mines still going 5 years on 3 of those commuting every day
Click to expand...
Straight swap?
 
botus said:
I have both on the road - the older 2008 my GS is a much nicer bike to ride.. bit gruff but suits the bike, power where you want it, light throttle action - the TC is a horror show - stiff throttle, no grunt down the bottom, exchanged for a bit more the other side of 8k and it gives white finger vibrations through the bars, plus can't even get the key in the ignition as easily like the better older one - plus the brake and clutch levers went on the journey from best in the world to negative change just for the sake of it- hate the later gearbox too

plus you don't get the noisy wake the neighbourhood unreliable flap valve in the exhaust that plays up
Click to expand...
Fuck me, you still posting bollox. Told you a million times, don't exaggerate 😁 Seriously though, I'm curious, what bikes do you own. And what do you do for a living? Or if retired, what was your job?
 
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