GS or GTS or ST or stick?

[boxerfrogs]

I'm an old fart who's lucky enough to own probably the best R100GS on the planet (mint, 7000 miles). However, it's UK reg. and I live in France which means I have to nip across the channel every year for an MoT test (which I'm doing this coming week-end), or get it French registered (I understand this to be a somewhat complicated process). Anyways..., much as I love the old girl for her long-distance comfort, robust build and engineering simplicity, there are times when her somewhat agricultural performance causes me to eye up other, more languid beauties. Currently I'm drooling over a couple of slinky seductresses, namely Honda's Pan Euro ST1100 (don't laugh) and, perhaps even more surprisingly, Yamaha's GTS1000 with its funny front end. This list would include the 1150 and 1200 GS if there wasn't such a proliferation of moths in the jolly old wallet (budget estimate of £4-5k) but not KTM's 950 and 990 Adventure models due to their saddles resembling a brick (allegedly). Having done a quick bit of internet research, it appears the ST's negative aspects are weight, short service intervals (every 4000 miles?) and susceptibility of swingarm and exhaust to corrosion, while the GTS is apparently let down by lack of spare parts (e.g. front brake disc no longer available), lack of Yamaha service technicians with knowledge of this model and, again, weight. Now, my questions are these: am I being stark, staring bonkers in thinking about unloading my beloved Beemer and, if not, what experience or opinions do other 'club' members have of the GTS1000 and ST1100?

 

[Fanum]

Do not, I repeat..DO NOT get rid of your 100GS.

It's an appreciating classic, and if it is as good as you say, you will always regret it

That's all.

 

[GADGET]

Have had all three bikes in the past and all of them are good uns, I would be inclined to keep the GS.

 

[UKGSrUS]

Sell your GS to me preferably! On the new bike side, if you are looking at pans you should also look at FJR, great bike, all day comfort, performance and economy, 06 should see you a minter for your price.

Also don't forget the 1150 RT. Good modern bike with the engine you love.

 

[Roberto]

It's an appreciating classic, and if it is as good as you say, you will always regret it

+1 What the man said...

What are the chances of you getting another as good if you regret your decision?

Nice problem to have, though.

 

[beemerboy9]

I'm an old fart who's lucky enough to own probably the best R100GS on the planet (mint, 7000 miles). However, it's UK reg. and I live in France which means I have to nip across the channel every year for an MoT test (which I'm doing this coming week-end), or get it French registered (I understand this to be a somewhat complicated process). Anyways..., much as I love the old girl for her long-distance comfort, robust build and engineering simplicity, there are times when her somewhat agricultural performance causes me to eye up other, more languid beauties. Currently I'm drooling over a couple of slinky seductresses, namely Honda's Pan Euro ST1100 (don't laugh) and, perhaps even more surprisingly, Yamaha's GTS1000 with its funny front end. This list would include the 1150 and 1200 GS if there wasn't such a proliferation of moths in the jolly old wallet (budget estimate of £4-5k) but not KTM's 950 and 990 Adventure models due to their saddles resembling a brick (allegedly). Having done a quick bit of internet research, it appears the ST's negative aspects are weight, short service intervals (every 4000 miles?) and susceptibility of swingarm and exhaust to corrosion, while the GTS is apparently let down by lack of spare parts (e.g. front brake disc no longer available), lack of Yamaha service technicians with knowledge of this model and, again, weight. Now, my questions are these: am I being stark, staring bonkers in thinking about unloading my beloved Beemer and, if not, what experience or opinions do other 'club' members have of the GTS1000 and ST1100?

You have not really said what it is about the 100GS that is holding you back.
Do you want to go faster or to go further or do you want to avoid the MOT or is your type of riding about to change fundamentally?

There are 5 1150GS's with under 40,000 miles on the clock for sale under £5K here in the UK. Is there anything wrong with a Suzuki DL V-Strom with an electric chain-oiler?

 

[Bugbear]

Don't sell it, get it registered, it really is quite straightforward.
It is also a legal requirement, if you live permanently in France that you register your vehicles within 6 months of your move.
French insurers will cover you but are more and more now issuing notices that limits the time you can have cover for.
If you frequent various french forums you will have seen a guy called 'Sunday Driver'. He really is an expert in advising how to get through the process.

Gary.

 

[boxerfrogs]

Don't sell it, get it registered, it really is quite straightforward.
It is also a legal requirement, if you live permanently in France that you register your vehicles within 6 months of your move.
French insurers will cover you but are more and more now issuing notices that limits the time you can have cover for.
If you frequent various french forums you will have seen a guy called 'Sunday Driver'. He really is an expert in advising how to get through the process.

Gary.

Thanks, PM sent. Yes, I've read Sunday Driver's account of how to register a UK bike in France but, being an old git, I didn't take it all in. I think I've saved his post somewhere in my 'favourites' list and shall try to dig it out again. I've booked a service at BMW Limoges and shall ask them if they can help and advise re. jumping the many hurdles of registering a Beemer in France. I expect one of the first things they'll recommend is the changing of the headlight so it dips right not left. However, I read somewhere that simply turning the bulb through 180° achieves the same result - probably a fairy story!

 

[BeamishTripleBlack]

If you do decide to sell the GS and are after advice then the ST1100 is a trusty steed, dont be put off by the swing arm rust, the set up is very basic and usually a strip down and rust treatment will see it through many more years. If at worst it is too far gone David Silver has brand spanking new replacement items at a decent price (IMO). The exhausts rot but Sandy bike spares do a complete replacement set for not much cash. Thats about it. A healthy owners club that is similar to this set up where the ST1100 owners slag off the ST1300 owners and call their bikes shite etc . Very comfortable and for motorway/smooth A roads it is comfier than the GS and extremely stable, but get to the twisties and the PAN is a barge. You could get an absolute minter for less money than you are willing to spend. As a personal opinion though stick with the GS

 

[richie]

Keep the GS and get a Varadero for 2K sterling...

 

[boxerfrogs]

Do not, I repeat..DO NOT get rid of your 100GS.

It's an appreciating classic, and if it is as good as you say, you will always regret it

That's all.

Thanks for those pearls of wisdom. Looks like I'm keeping the R100GS which now means I have to jump into the great unknown, i.e. the process of getting the old girl registered in France.

 

[boxerfrogs]

If you do decide to sell the GS and are after advice then the ST1100 is a trusty steed, dont be put off by the swing arm rust, the set up is very basic and usually a strip down and rust treatment will see it through many more years. If at worst it is too far gone David Silver has brand spanking new replacement items at a decent price (IMO). The exhausts rot but Sandy bike spares do a complete replacement set for not much cash. Thats about it. A healthy owners club that is similar to this set up where the ST1100 owners slag off the ST1300 owners and call their bikes shite etc . Very comfortable and for motorway/smooth A roads it is comfier than the GS and extremely stable, but get to the twisties and the PAN is a barge. You could get an absolute minter for less money than you are willing to spend. As a personal opinion though stick with the GS

Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated. I've come to my senses and decided to keep the GS, even though it now means I'm confronted by the scary prospect of getting it registered in France. Yes, I'm sure the Pan is a belting long distance bike but, as you say, a bit of a barge in situations where the R100GS excels, such as trundling down the backwoods track, two up, to our favourite swimming lake in summer - if and when the sun finally arrives!