from airhead to oilhead???

[Ileumi]

Hello!
Now a have my airhead three years, driven myself 40000 kilometers and now Im thinking buy new bike, 1100gs. Is it worth?

What I need for bike?
Drive on highway, forest, summer and winter. Make all service by myself.

Is that 1100 SO MUCH better than my paralever? Or is the new bike KTM adventure?

Comments?
---Ileumi---

 

[John Armstrong]

My thoughts are that the airheads are much better if you intend spending a significant proportion of your time off tarmac roads. The 1100GS and to a greater degree the 1150 are much better as tarmac bikes, and intercontinental tourers. Those with more talent can make either the airhead or 1100 adapt to its enviroment better, but I'd guess the airheads were designed to go off road eg 21 inch front wheel, the oliheads are designed mainly for road use, eg 19 inch front wheel.

Thought about the F800GS as it too has a 21 inch front wheel?

 

[Sylvester]

Whats an "Oilhead"?

 

[Voyager]

I have both - an '89 Airhead GS and an '04 1150 GSA.

If I am going to tackle some really bad bits of track I'll take the Airhead as its lower and I can pick it up.

But for all other uses, including gravel tracks etc. the Oilhead is the bike to have. Its far more planted on the loose stuff as well (Moroccan gorges, 20km rough tracks in Bosnia, rough roads in Slovenia and even the Lammermuir hills in Scotland ).

See if you can borrow one for a day before you decide.

(I've not ridden a KTM, but I've been with them and they tick all the boxes too ).

Bob.

 

[Crapaud]

I've got both, a 95 R100GS PD Classic and 1997 R1100GS. The oilhead is the "better" bike in most areas ie power, handling and brakes both on and off-road.

However, recently I have been choosing the airhead for most rides as it just "feels" nicer. It purrs along in a nice relaxed mode and has just the right amount of power for todays crowded roads.

Simple answer is to have one of each. Sorted.

 

[John Armstrong]

Simple answer is to have one of each. Sorted.

Shame when you do

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

Simple answer is to have one of each. Sorted.

Having just added an airhead to go with my oilhaed, I couldn't agree more

 

[nud1e]

I've got both ...
Simple answer is to have one of each. Sorted.

Same here - '93 R80GS and '03 R1150GS.
The 1150GS is lower, faster, has brakes that work, and uses more petrol, but I wouldn't use it offroad, much. Gravel tracks, forestry roads are OK.
The 80 has a smoother engine, and I can fix most of what goes wrong with it. It's taller and lighter, but not by much, and the standard panniers are better. Gravel tracks, forestry roads, trails are OK. Don't like mud.
Both are classic statements, but dissimilar in purpose.
If I had to change, I'd probably swop the 80GS for an 80G/S.

 

[Shep]

I've got both at the moment an R1200GSA and 88 R100GS, I ride the Airhead most of the time, in fact I've not ridden the GSA since the old girl came into my life. Sure the GSA does most of what i ask much more efficiently than the GS but there is something missing, perhaps its that sense of uncertainty you get with the GS that makes journies interesting again. The old girl reminds me of the style of bike that got me interested in motorcycles in the first place. Every trip reminds me a little of a past era of bikes that I think I belong in more so than the computer aided super efficient modern life.

End of next week i'm going to set off on a 4 day trip to Skye and back on the Airhead if it all goes OK on the journey I think i'll sell the GSA and perhaps buy another airhead for a keeper

Shep

 

[theschoning]

I'd agree with the above posts - I have a 1150gs for 5 years now and very happy with it. Recently I acquired and airhead and must admit that the grin-factor is immense Its a little quirky, and somehow it feels more connected to the bike, engine & road. I didnt touch the oilhead for the last 5 week - well until the airhead was stolen last Monday Now back on the 1150 it feels a bit 'empty' but it remains a great bike! Get an airhead while you still can find one...

Jonathan.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

From getting my first BMW airhead in 1972, I've never been without at least 2 of them..
I've had various Jap, Italian and Brit machinery over the years but nothing comes close to making me want to part with my R90s. R80g/s, R26 or my R100cs..............
They just push all the right buttons for me .......................

MY R60/6 may be going to a new home tho' as I just can't seem to find the time to rebuild [or even start to contemplate ] her
Owned by me since 1976...and used daily till my R90s arrived in 1980

 

[(RIP) maverick]

I went from an Airhead to a 1100 Oilhead years ago and biggest mistake ever selling the Airhead. If you can have both in any way do it. If you buy a 1100 be carefull of the pre 97' models because most of them are troublesome when it comes down to the gearboxes. There is a few who had no probs but I was not one of them

HP2 and R80GS Airhead is the way I roll now Best of both centuries