GS or ?????

[RTapley]

I am relatively new to biking (been riding about a year or so now).

My first bike was a Honda Varadero 125 and I loved it appart from the lack of power. I now have a Triumph Speed Four. Strange change for me as I prefer the adventure bike styling. I think it was a spur of the moment thing, I do like it but wish I had stuck with the adventure style bike but there you go.

I love the GS but also like the Tiger, is there a big difference between the two?

I like sports bikes but am not up for the discomfort (I had the handle bars changed when I bought my bike to be more upright because the standard ones were so uncomfortable) should I experience the sports bike thing or not?

The only feeling I have to not buying a sports bike is I like my license and would like to keep it clean and I feel that there are so many restrictions in this country that is it really worth it and I reckon I would have more fun on a GS.

Lastly is it a good idea to move to a GS now or should I leave it till I have more experience?

Thanks for the advice to me the novice!!!

 

[nadeem]

I'd advise you give Simon a call at Prestige in Bexleyheath (020 8303 3030) mate...and get a loaner GS for the day - make up your own mind - at the end of teh day - you need to be happy with the bike - the opnions here will be biased towards GS's as we all own them and love them (well not everyone...but most)..

as for experience and GS's - the GS is one of the safest bikes on the market with one of the best braking distances and the 'no dive' suspension is excellent...I see no problems there...

Basically try the bike out first...

 

[jimbo]

or should I leave it till I have more experience?

My GS was only my second bike, I had a Honda VT250 about 10 years earlier.

I think as long as you have a healthy attitude, there is no reason that you can't go straight in for a big bike. I found the weight took a little getting used to - OK so I droped it in the carpark twice..
If you are determined to take your time and build up speed and confidence, then a big bike is probably safer than a little one.

 

[BBB61]

Tiger v GS

Plus points for Tiger: Engine. Smooth, plenty of power from low down, sounds good.

Riding position. Roomy, comfortable.

Price. £7000 gets a bike with heated grips, and panniers all inclusive.

Minus points: Gearbox. Notchy and clunky. Gearing is very low too. 60mph in top = 4000rpm.

Screen. Wind roar from the screen is ridiculous. Very poor indeed.

Brakes. Weak, not very powerful.

Handling. Not great thanks to soft suspension. Does tend to pogo around.

Ergonomics. Poorly located heated hand grip switch. Trip meter reset button hard to reach.

Finish. Questionable build quality.

Depreciation. Value plummets like a stone.

1200GS

Plus points:

Brakes. Excellent, powerful, good feel.

Handling. Much better than the Tiger, better ride, a joy in the bends. Not much dive under braking thanks to the telelever front end.

Comfort. Same as the Tiger.

Engine. Smoother than the 1150's, tractable, enough power for most peoples needs.

Depreciation. Holds its value very well.

Minus points.

Engine. Lumpier than the 955 triple in the Tiger, but it is a characteristic of the flat twin. Low down power below 3000rpm not as good as the 1150.

Price. £8710 on the road for the basic bike without options. To bring it up to the same spec as the Tiger would add £585, so a price difference of £2295 between the 2 bikes.

Try and get a good test ride on both if you can.

Bob

PS That's just my take on both bikes. As the owner of a Triumph Sprint ST and having owned 2 oilhead GS's in the past (with a 1200 on order), I don't have any particular bias towards either BMW or Triumph.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Tiger v GS

Plus points for Tiger: Engine. Smooth, plenty of power from low down, sounds good.

Riding position. Roomy, comfortable.

Price. £7000 gets a bike with heated grips, and panniers all inclusive.

Minus points: Gearbox. Notchy and clunky. Gearing is very low too. 60mph in top = 4000rpm.

Screen. Wind roar from the screen is ridiculous. Very poor indeed.

Brakes. Weak, not very powerful.

Handling. Not great thanks to soft suspension. Does tend to pogo around.

Ergonomics. Poorly located heated hand grip switch. Trip meter reset button hard to reach.

Finish. Questionable build quality.

Depreciation. Value plummets like a stone.

1200GS

Plus points:

Brakes. Excellent, powerful, good feel.

Handling. Much better than the Tiger, better ride, a joy in the bends. Not much dive under braking thanks to the telelever front end.

Comfort. Same as the Tiger.

Engine. Smoother than the 1150's, tractable, enough power for most peoples needs.

Depreciation. Holds its value very well.

Minus points.

Engine. Lumpier than the 955 triple in the Tiger, but it is a characteristic of the flat twin. Low down power below 3000rpm not as good as the 1150.

Price. £8710 on the road for the basic bike without options. To bring it up to the same spec as the Tiger would add £585, so a price difference of £2295 between the 2 bikes.

Try and get a good test ride on both if you can.

Bob

PS That's just my take on both bikes. As the owner of a Triumph Sprint ST and having owned 2 oilhead GS's in the past (with a 1200 on order), I don't have any particular bias towards either BMW or Triumph.

You forgot the BIG ONE.................Shaft Drive on the GS ...........no bloody chain maintenance!!

 

[Davel]

If you find the GS comfie and right for your riding use, then don't hesitate.

They are great bikes and, although they may be a little heavy for a first real bike, they are probably safer than any other bike on the market.

Don't be put off by engine size because there are far more smaller engined bikes which are less suitable for a first or second bike.

 

[RTapley]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I have had a good read through and the general advice seems to be take it for a test ride (as I would have done) and see if it suits. I think that is what I am going to have to do!!

I note comments made about the 1150 and 1200GS is there such a substantial difference between the two to warrant pushing the boat out enough (if you know what I mean) to pay the extra for the 1200GS over the 1150?

thanks again

Richard

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Difference between 1150 and 1200GS

Yes, there is a substantial difference and you can see that if you read the specs. for both models. In practice the 1200 feels much livelier, easier to ride, better wind protection and superb brakes. The 1150 was , I thought, the ultimate bike but really the 1200 is very much better. Brian

 

[BBB61]

The 1150 engine is not as powerful as the 1200 in terms of peak power, but it has more low down power below 3000rpm. There is more vibration from the 1150 engine. The 1200 has a balancer shaft fitted which smoothes out a lot of the vibes. It is heavier than the 1200, but some prefer the feel, describing it as more planted.

The bottom line is that the 1150 is well worth consideration. It shouldn't be a problem to get a ride on one. The only thing to remember with the 1150 is the fact there are 2 versions, the standard and the Adventure. Main differences that the Adv has over standard are:-

Longer travel suspension
Different gear ratios
One piece instead of 2 piece seat on standard 1150.
Wider screen
Larger fuel tank (30 litres instead of 22. Option 2002-3, standard fit from 2004 onwards)

There may be more than that, but those are the main ones.

HTH

Bob

 

[DavidHale]

I had a Tiger 955i for a couple of years, and an Africa Twin before that. I've now had my 1150 Adv for about 2.5 years and have no intention of changing it for anything else.

The Tiger was significantly faster, just as comfortable, never broke down but ugly in a crap way.

The 150 Adv is slower, ugly in a good way and just 'together' in an undefinable way. It could be that it just suits me better than the Tiger, but whilst I had no qualms selling the Tiger (apart from that engine) I won't part with my 1150!

HTH

 

[Lord Snooty]

The other huge advantage of owing a GS is this club - there ain't anything else like it out there.