GS1150A or not

[North]

Hi

I am new to forum. I have been looking for a new bike. I really like the GS1150 Adventure. The weight does concern me. I have always thought the lighter the better for dual porpose bike (or dirt bike).
I looked at the GS1200, but the GS1150 just looks so much more solid. I did like the less weight and more HP, hey who would not.

What I want is a bike to motor around town on and to go trips to out of the places..eg the Yukon, Alaska, Northern B.C. etc. Is the GS1150 the Bike for both?
Last, is there any difference between the 2004 and 2005 GS1150 Adventures.

Thanks

North

 

[luke scott]

What I want is a bike to motor around town on and to go trips to out of the places..eg the Yukon, Alaska, Northern B.C. etc. Is the GS1150 the Bike for both?
Last, is there any difference between the 2004 and 2005 GS1150 Adventures.

Thanks

North

I use my Adventure every day in city traffic here in Dublin. No problems. There will be the odd time when you wont fit through a gap but "thems the breaks".

On the issue of the difference between a 04 and a 05 model it will be $$$$$$$$$$ thats all. Buy and enjoy.

 

[phooey]

My 2p worth -

They have saved a fair chunk of weight with the 1200, by using plastic and its a less capable bike for it.

Great if you just want it for commuting and weekend blasts.

It is less recogisable as a GS, they blend in with all the 'other' trailie types in the bike park - there is NO mistaking an 1150 ADV.

The tank range would really piss me off - I LIKE 300+ between fill ups



The 1200 is uglier than the 1150adv.

............ yes it is !

 

[CoolCarbon]

Check oot "The Long Way Round"....

The GS Adveture seemed to do what it said on the 'Tin'....

CC

 

[earthmover]

Mmm, interesting conundrum, and one which troubled myself for a time. Read lots of stuff on this list, spoke to people I know, then thought really, really hard about what I wanted from the bike.
I'm 5'8", new racing weight of 11 stone, and not the strongest of blokes. I intend to do some touring, and will definately be taking it off-road, entering a couple of the UK rallies towards the end of year (instead of entering on my enduro bike)
Pushing both the Adventure and the GS12 around Williams forecourt made the differences plain, and the last word from a contact whom I consider to be "in the know" convinced me.
Ordered a 1200. Now to put my mouth where my money went.
Mark

 

[sn1p3r]

Have you test ridden both?

I did and bought a R1150GS Adventure.

You get used to the weight really quickly so handling isn't a problem, only might be if you drop it and have to pick it up yourself.

 

[earthmover]

Not ridden them both, ridden the 1200, pushed them both about on the forecourt. Was "disuaded" from laying them both down to see how easy they are to pick up though!
Because I fully intend to drop it, especially somewhere wet and muddy, the prospect of a further 30kg to hoist past a higher centre of gravity seemed a no brainer.
Or given my intentions, is that an oxymoron?
Again, my personal choice, for my personal circumstances.
Time will tell.
Mark

 

[Engineer]

My 2p worth -

They have saved a fair chunk of weight with the 1200, by using plastic and its a less capable bike for it.

Great if you just want it for commuting and weekend blasts.

It is less recogisable as a GS, they blend in with all the 'other' trailie types in the bike park - there is NO mistaking an 1150 ADV.

The tank range would really piss me off - I LIKE 300+ between fill ups



The 1200 is uglier than the 1150adv.

............ yes it is !

Disagree about plastic making the 1200 less capable - it makes it lighter, therefore MORE capable. The plastic and thin metal covers over the tank are far cheaper and easier to replace in the event of a spill than the metal tank on the 1150.

1200 = odd looks, less range, but less weight and more power = more capable

1150A = great looks, greater range but comparatively poor power to weight ratio = less capable

You know it makes sense!

 

[slystewart]

Great Bike

The 1150 Adv ....I got one 2weeks ago ordered it in Febuary and its first class ..looks the part and is the part...months ago I want to look at the 1200 against the 1150 ADV..on paper the 1200 is a better bike ...but lighter ,faster maybe but no contest 1150 ADV IT WAS..........no problems

 

[BawdyMonk]

GS Adventure

It's a big heavy ugly pig, but I can't think of another bike that comes anywhere near it for attitude

Loaded with panniers it's Adventure bike supreme, run it as it comes and it's the supreme city strrey bike

If you can handle the height and weight go for it

 

[Sean]

Had an 1100GS a few years back and it was great at everything. But when it was being serviced I was usually given an F650 loan bike. What a laugh! In town you really appreciated the lightness but out of town there was and odvious compromise. Consider where you'll do the bulk of your riding. One note of caution though. When I slid of the 1100gs I got my left leg caught under the bike and I didn't have the strength to kick it off with the other leg and by the time someone helped me the pipe had burned through the leathers. Sorry I know that's a bit sobering, but a valied point all the same. There's a technique to lifting them up which is easy to learn but tricky to do.

 

[phooey]

Disagree about plastic making the 1200 less capable - it makes it lighter, therefore MORE capable. The plastic and thin metal covers over the tank are far cheaper and easier to replace in the event of a spill than the metal tank on the 1150.

1200 = odd looks, less range, but less weight and more power = more capable

1150A = great looks, greater range but comparatively poor power to weight ratio = less capable

You know it makes sense!

I see where you are comming from - but was chatting to a 1 pannier 1200 owner at Santander last month who had been to Morocco, desert riding and the 'other' pannier was in the desert somewhere having been bashed off by a rock.

He couldnt re attach it because the plastic rail had snapped - something he was of the opinion would not have happened to the metal rails on the 1150.

Maybe the 1150 won't quite hustle like a 12 but I doubt there is much in it in the real world.

Mostly its down to the rider anyway.

 

[Engineer]

I see where you are comming from - but was chatting to a 1 pannier 1200 owner at Santander last month who had been to Morocco, desert riding and the 'other' pannier was in the desert somewhere having been bashed off by a rock.

He couldnt re attach it because the plastic rail had snapped - something he was of the opinion would not have happened to the metal rails on the 1150.

Maybe the 1150 won't quite hustle like a 12 but I doubt there is much in it in the real world.

Mostly its down to the rider anyway.

Yes - maybe the metal would bend rather than break and it might be possible to 'bodge' something up to get you home. It would depend upon the circumstances of the actual incident, in some cases it might be better for a part to snap off rather than risk serious damage to the frame.

As you say, in the real world there probably is not much difference between the two bikes - it comes down to personal preference.

It's a fine line but everything else being almost equal, then my preference is for the lower weight, greater torque and power of the 1200, even at 200kg dry the 1200 is no lightweight sports bike.

 

[Jimb]

North

If you do choose the ADV get the NON ABS version, If I remember rightly on the Long way round trip the cameramans ADV suffered ABS brake failure for some reason in Mongolia and was unridable, so if you plan on rough tracks you won't want ABS anyway.

 

[Fanum]

If you do choose the ADV get the ABS version, If I remember rightly on the Long way round trip the cameramans ADV suffered ABS brake failure because some twot welded the subframe without moving the rear brake switch sender wire so learn from that.....

For really steep descents you may not want ABS but you can overide it, and for those 'oh shit' moments, it'll save your life.

On other descents, it'll give you control and avoid the front tucking under....you just ride it down under control.

Too many people talking rot about these brakes......and I've seen it from both sides after a partial failure caused by a short circuit, and being saved by the llinked servos in an emergency.

 

[BawdyMonk]

If you do choose the ADV get the ABS version, If I remember rightly on the Long way round trip the cameramans ADV suffered ABS brake failure because some twot welded the subframe without moving the rear brake switch sender wire so learn from that.....You do remember rightly

For really steep descents (How many people on this forum actually do that stuff anyway?) you may not want ABS but you can overide it, and for those 'oh shit' moments, it'll save your life.

On other descents, it'll give you control and avoid the front tucking under....you just ride it down under control.Which is what really matters!

Too many people talking rot about these brakes(Can't argue with that) ......and I've seen it from both sides after a partial failure caused by a short circuit, and being saved by the llinked servos in an emergency.A second after that happens you'll never want a Non ABS bike again...Thats from experience!

What Fanny Said

 

[North]

Thanks Guys,

I welcome all the input. I am going to test ride a 1200 tomorrow. But because I live in the back-water city of Vancouver, the two Dealers here do not have an Adv in stock. If I want one, it will take 4 days to order it in from BWM.

I am just afraid that if I get an Adv and do not find it as fun to ride as 1200, I will regret buying it. My wife is okay with 25 grand for a bike, but not 50 for two.

North

 

[Engineer]

ABS (that can be turned off) is a good idea.

Complicated, computer controlled, error prone servo systems are a bad idea.

Get a 1200 with normal brakes - you know it makes sense ;-)

 

[North]

Hi,

One the Dealers in town is getting a 03 GS1150 that I can take for a spin. Would that comparable to an Adventure.

Thanks

North