GS Help

[Jiffy176]

Hi all.
Thinking of getting a gs 1150 to replace my VFR that I think will be written off. Would be a 99 or 2000 as I don't think will be able to afford newer.
Can anyone tell me if the early ones had abs and were there any problems with this?
Are there any other pointers to look out for?
ideally would like one with heated grips engine bars and boxes. Any advice to a gs newbie welcome.
Thanks

 

[MarkShelley]

Condition and history more important than mileage (much like the VFR in fact)
I bought my 1100 with 67K 2 years ago and have added 20K with nothing needed other than servicing, tyres and a rear brake hose.

 

[Pip_UK]

Hi Jiffy, all BMW 'R' bikes from the 1100 onward were available with ABS as an option. It's always been a very popular option, and most used GS 1100/1150/1200 have it. It's actually more difficult to find one that doesn't have ABS.

You can check if a GS has ABS: it will have an 'ABS' switch (used to disable the system) and the brake discs have a thin toothed wheel on the inner edge.

On the 1100/1150, the ABS override is on the switch panel on the left of the tacho.

No particular problems that I'm aware of - BMW had already been doing bike ABS for a while before the R1100s came out, so not a brand new tech for them. The ABS can fail to arm itself if the battery condition is poor (ABS lights continue to flash after engine start and pull away)

Good luck with your search!

 

[Steptoe]

.

On the 1100/1150, the ABS override is on the switch panel on the left of the tacho.

!

It on the switch panel on 1100GS models, but on the R/H handlebar switchgear on the 1150 models.

 

[Agothaclypse]

Hi all.
Thinking of getting a gs 1150 to replace my VFR that I think will be written off. Would be a 99 or 2000 as I don't think will be able to afford newer.
Can anyone tell me if the early ones had abs and were there any problems with this?
Are there any other pointers to look out for?
ideally would like one with heated grips engine bars and boxes. Any advice to a gs newbie welcome.
Thanks

Hi Jiffy, Non - Servo ABS as I believe was fitted to pre 2003 models, will give you no problems at all & if it fails, you still have normal braking (albeit without ABS) unlike servo assist ABS, where failure means very poor braking effect. Also Non-Servo ABS is also quite simple to bleed, without special tools.

BTW, Dont know what your budget is, but my R1150GS is up for sale in the for sale section of this site, comes with full luggage, Zumo550 satnav, autocom Active duo intercom with bluetooth & loads of extras. Have a look £3750.00 ONO.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274986

Regards
Paul

 

[Jiffy176]

All thanks for the advice.

Apart from aesthetics is there much difference between the 1100 and 1150?

Will have to wait and see what I get for the VFR before I go shopping.
Luckily my dad has left me his old EN450 ltd that I am going to get back on the road for when I am fit to ride again.
Lovely bike with belt drive.

I am a reasonable home mechanic, can do oil etc and have done belts on dukes/ changed brake lines before. With that in mind are the abd systems easy to bleed and is it something that needs doing alot?

Thanks.
Jiff.

 

[Pip_UK]

I think the main difference is that the 1150 has six gears, which is quite an advantage over the 1100's five, if you do a lot of m-way.

The 1150 has a wee bit more power and torque, a tad more weight, and a bigger screen.

And of course, not forgetting that the 1150 has an Adventure version available.

Otherwise, the overall riding feel of the 1100 & 1150 is similar (IMO)

 

[Jiffy176]

Apart from a bigger tank were there any differences between the gs and GSA?

 

[flatdog]

Apart from a bigger tank were there any differences between the gs and GSA?

Some/all? have lower 1st gear and lower top gear
Taller
different seat mounting and one piece seat
slightly longer drive shaft?
painted rims/gearboxes
command a premium over the std GS