Gs 1150 or 12

[simondippenhall]

I ride a 1200 rt lc for long fast trips...but my 2003 1150 GS got me all round Africa (albeit with lots of fettling!).

Not sure a 1200 would have fared as well or been as capable of fixing locally (as mine was in Congo and elsewhere ).

So my vote is for an 1150!

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[JohnnyBoxer]

I think it depends a lot on what you're going to use it for. If it's a useable icon you want in the garage, then I'd say it's an 1150 to go for.

If you want something to cover the miles, be reliable and have some comfort electronics, I'd suggest the 1200.

Any 1150 will cover the miles,be comfortable and have enough real world performance for any trip or tour and be reliable

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I have both.....

But I prefer the 1150 all day long. I spent years and quite a bit of money to get the ergonomics just right so that the bike is really comfortable to ride. I’ve done 74k enjoyable miles around Europe. I do my own servicing on the 1150 and know the bike inside out.

The 1200 beats it on performance but that’s all. I bought it to take the pressure off the 1150 plus my two riding buddies have the 1250 WC, so touring on the 1200 is easier. Yet I can’t get it anywhere near as comfortable as the 1150.

If I had to get rid of one, it would be the 1200.
The 1150 is a keeper.

Ian

Good summation

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

My observations

I have owned 1100’s and 1150’s since 1996

Both have their merits - 1100 is a great reliable bike with decent ergonomics and a gearbox with ratios that suit the bike

1150 is/was an evolutionary step forward

Similar ergonomics but with an engine the revs easier, but the 1150 GS gearbox ratios were all wrong - 1st too high (compared to 1100) and the 6th overdrive was awful - motor didn’t have enough horses to drive that gear, except on a flat motorway- any incline and you were back down to 5th

BMW got the gearbox right with the Adventure and a lower 1st and lower 6th - suits the motor far better

I have 2 Adventures - one standard and one with a GS dual seat

Both have full Ohlins and Sargent seats (single on one and dual seats on the other) and they both are supremely comfortable (like Ian Hartley says the ergonomics are better than the 1200) and handle like on rails - I was out in the week, leading a ride and the other following riders said my GS Adv just ‘floats’ over the moorland roads in comparison to theirs

I had a new 1200 GS Adv MU with all the bells and whistles - ESA and traction control etc

I sold it after 6 months of ownership, preferring to keep my 1150 GS Adv

Whilst it was competent - it was not involving to ride or own and it seemed flimsy compared to the 1150’s

 

[Alistairm]

Thanks all... it looks like a good 1100/50 is the way to go. I appreciate people taking time to comment.
The gearing must be the same as my 1150RT? That had an overdrive 6th gear that was only useful I’m Mways.

I prefer the look of the earlier bikes.

 

[Alistairm]

Simondipenhall... that’s an amazing journey, I was proud of taking mine to Morocco!

 

[simondippenhall]

Thanks Alistair...it’s all on ride reports on this site (‘Gael warnings etc’)

And 6th gear on my 03 twin spark is great....can ride on it all day, only changing down if need strong acceleration.

But I agree 1st gear is way too high for Offroading


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[Riceburner]

If you're struggling for budget, but want the 1150GSA 6th gear, and 1150 simplicity of maintenance: consider a Rockster. Basically a GS with shorter legs.
Ergonomically a little different obviously, but no less comfortable.
They've always been the "cheap" 1150, and are still significantly less expensive than GSs on the 2nd and market; but they're one of the best handling back-road bikes around (due to nice wide bars and a very balanced setup).
Same ease of maintenance as all the 1150s.

 

[Alistairm]

Hi Riceburner... I kind of have the airhead equivalent, an R100R which is a road tyres Gs. It’s been a great bike. Bought in a huff after selling an 1150adv following a big warranty claim.
I thought I’d keep it a wee while but it has stayed while others have come and gone.
Budget can be a bit flexible but I don’t want to use a bike on winter roads that I will be constantly fretting about. I will coat in Acf50 and hose down etc...
off to look up Rockster availability... (tho’ I think it’s a GS on its way)

 

[Alistairm]

Thanks all... it’s going to have to be an 1100/50 whichever comes up at the right price/place. I’ll post a wanted ad ... fingers crossed.

 

[Alistairm]

There we are, a day after posting on the wanted section I have bought a lovely R1100gs ... and must add I am really quite excited about it. ��

 

[simondippenhall]

There we are, a day after posting on the wanted section I have bought a lovely R1100gs ... and must add I am really quite excited about it. ��

We need pictures


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[Alistairm]

Ha! As soon as I collect it... it’s in the best condition it ever will be ....

 

[alanbmwgs]

That’s you’re not having mine.

Ha! As soon as I collect it... it’s in the best condition it ever will be ....

 

[Slipperyeel]

Any 1150 will cover the miles,be comfortable and have enough real world performance for any trip or tour and be reliable

They're both great bikes tbh. Some of the big advantages of the 1150 is you can repair a lot yourself...I also really like how they look. It's not an accident I had one

On the plus side for the 1200, it's a lot lighter and that makes a real difference to a number of things. Yes, doing some work on it can be more complicated. But the TC motor is very loveable...

I think, because they are actually very similar - meaning the 12 is an obvious development from the 1150, it makes switching between them easy.



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[Slipperyeel]

I ride a 1200 rt lc for long fast trips...but my 2003 1150 GS got me all round Africa (albeit with lots of fettling!).

Not sure a 1200 would have fared as well or been as capable of fixing locally (as mine was in Congo and elsewhere ).

So my vote is for an 1150!

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I agree. On a trip like that, fixing the bike is going to be a lot easier. The 'agricultual' aspect is more apparent. But apart from the FD, which is a different ball game compared to the 1150, I'm thinking the differences become less...once you get rid of the electronic gizmos...

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