GS1200 Vs GS ADV - Real World Commuting

[The_Pilot]

Qustion for those of you who have had both. I currently have the 1200GS, 54 plate, 8800mls, no problems at all to date!!!

I love - how light it is, how quickly the engine revs(for a boxer), the fact it still accelerates from 90, the smoothness of the 1200 motor, the brakes, the looks.

I wish - it had a bigger fuel range ( 1 fill up a week would be better than 2), the screen generated less noise (fixable I know)

I used to have an 1150GS, the only issue I had, apart from the screen which I could have fixed, was excessive vibes between 75 and 90, which is exactly where I spend 80% of my time, it did have the OD top gear.

I could do with liberating some cash and was considering changing to an 02/3 ADV pureley for that reason.

Given the nature of my riding - 2-3 long weekends a year in Europe, pretty much no 'leisure' riding, 75mls a day round trip 80% duel carriageway @85mph, 20% traffic - would I really regret the change to an ADV or for my kind of riding is the difference probably not worth worrying about, is it that much less flickable, slower etc and are the vibes less intrusive with the shorter top gear.

I know I could test ride one but it does take time and miles to properly decide and your input would be appreciated.

NB I have had no reliability issues so this is not a factor!!

 

[GSAde]

Just on the vibes side I have an 1150 with "overdrive box" & was going to swap, but on test riding I didn't like the GSA due to the higher revs in top meaning it was more vibey overall.

1200 definately smoother & more flickable, you might find the fuel range of the two similar due to the 12's frugality if you're "buzzing" the GSA on dual carriageways - but a GSA rider will be sure to put me right on that one

Ade

 

[The_Pilot]

I get 210 on a tank pretty much no matter how I ride, 200 is the lowest I've seen.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

I get 210 on a tank pretty much no matter how I ride

Are you filling it right up? I know I'm not the fastest rider around (by a long way) but I've never had an indicated range of less than 230 and have filled up at 250 (after a particularly sedate stretch).

I imagine the GSA is a bit wider for filtering. OTOH the traffic is more likely to part for a GSA so probably swings and roundabouts.

Also 85mph on a 1200 is faster than on an 1150 (unless you have the speedo mod done) so I suppose your commute could take longer!

It is less flickable and technically slower but I suspect neither are going to be noticeable for your sort of riding. Though it has less torque, it starts lower down so should make slow speed work easier in traffic.

Paul

 

[Tobers]

Do the "must do fuel tank mod" i.e. drill a couple of holes in the filler neck to get an extra 20 or 30 miles from a tank.

Otherwise, for commuting I'd say an Adv would be a retrograde step compared to the 1200 - not nearly as light and when it's full of petrol it may go a long way but it weight a load. And yes, I've tried both, plus the 1150, and the 1200 is IMO much better about town (and on the motorways and on twisties bla bla )

 

[Stoney]

So how do you go about drilling these holes in such a tight space? I'm only getting 177miles out of my tank!!!!

I do have a K&N fitted - is this likely to make a difference to the fuel consumption?

 

[Wraithwrider]

QUOTE]So how do you go about drilling these holes in such a tight space?[/QUOTE]

If you put 'fuel tank mod' into the search engine you'll find out.[

 

[GSmonkey]

Took mine (1200) out for a 400mile blast on Saturday. Lots of fast riding, high revving, full throttle stuff and I was amazed to find the fuel light didn't come on until 220miles saying 35miles to go.

I've done the fuel tank mod and on this occaision had necked it with 98RON.

 

[birdseye]

Qustion for those of you who have had both. I currently have the 1200GS, 54 plate, 8800mls, no problems at all to date!!!

I love - how light it is, how quickly the engine revs(for a boxer), the fact it still accelerates from 90, the smoothness of the 1200 motor, the brakes, the looks.

I wish - it had a bigger fuel range ( 1 fill up a week would be better than 2), the screen generated less noise (fixable I know)

I used to have an 1150GS, the only issue I had, apart from the screen which I could have fixed, was excessive vibes between 75 and 90, which is exactly where I spend 80% of my time, it did have the OD top gear.

I could do with liberating some cash and was considering changing to an 02/3 ADV pureley for that reason.

Given the nature of my riding - 2-3 long weekends a year in Europe, pretty much no 'leisure' riding, 75mls a day round trip 80% duel carriageway @85mph, 20% traffic - would I really regret the change to an ADV or for my kind of riding is the difference probably not worth worrying about, is it that much less flickable, slower etc and are the vibes less intrusive with the shorter top gear.

I know I could test ride one but it does take time and miles to properly decide and your input would be appreciated.

NB I have had no reliability issues so this is not a factor!!

This might not be the most popular answer on a GS forum, but the best thing for you doing the Mway commute isnt a GS at all. A second hand Pan will handle that much better.

So if you keep the GS, you need to ask yourself whether the pleasure you get from riding it is worth all that extra dosh. Same question with the 1150 vs 1200. Its a pleasure / pride of ownership / whatever issue rather than one of practicality

 

[The_Pilot]

Birdseye,

Had the Pan, 1300, did 9000mls on it, not as comfortable, for me, as the 1200GS, rusted all over the place over the winter.
Have ridden the GS through the winter, cleaned it twice, just used wd40 to protect it as with the PAn, no corrosion at all.

The Pan was very boring in comparison, needed servicing much more often, was less economical and ate tyres in comparison.

For the commute I'm very happy with the 1200, I still have fun on it and don't really want to change it but I could do with some extra cash. So I thought I'd canvas some opinion.

Tobers,

I brim it, although it takes a while, and still only get 210 to 2 blocks on the guage. I wonder if its the redlining it and stady 85-90. I often get 20.5 litres in it.

 

[Tobers]

Try removing the rubber filler neck insert thingy. This will enable you to brim the tank faster. Just stick your finger in the hole, hook it round the bottom, and slide it out gently.

You should still do the filler neck hole drilling thing anyway to get more petrol in even faster.

 

[plasins]

Should have some news in four/six weeks time of fuel pods for the 12, will increase capacity to about 34 litres. When I know, I will let you know.

Vic P.

 

[birdseye]

" I wonder if its the redlining it and stady 85-90" Might just have something to do with the fuel consumption

 

[The_Pilot]

mmmmm, fuel pods.

I think if I can sort the screen and the tank range out, I won't be able to part with it, regardless how much I could do with the cash.

The tobinators have sorted the buffeting but not the noise. I'm in three minds over Touratech extension, Sedcem and a Cee Bailey. The touratech could be a temp solution to see how much taller I need the screen to be, width is not an issue.

I'll remove the rubber neck bung and see about the tank mod.

Seeing all the problems on this forum does occassionally worry me although I'm only 1 year into the warranty period, as it is my daily transport...
I purchased mine secondhand after the original owner rejected the bike following rear wheel bearing failure, its one of the early ones, but so far in my ownership its been faultless(much touching of wood)

I know in my heart the 12 is the better bike and thats why I went with it but would I REGRET going to an ADV

 

[minkyhead]

stick with the 1200 i think you would regret it i had two 1150s
but now i just think of them as a good old bus .. no way would i go back
cee bailey screen 4 wider and 5 higher gives superb protection ..bloody dear though i am 6 feet tall and the protection is very good may try tobinators to refine it further
if it was crap i would just say so highly recommended finish is a1
you would think they would give you a tall scrren option at ten grand ..wouldnt you ...good luck

 

[minkyhead]

cee baileys from the rear so to speak

 

[andy1200]

Haven't owned a 1150GS but ridden one a fair number of miles.

Now have a 1200GS, following on from a KRS, a 650 and an R1150R.

Bought last July in Poland, ridden back from there, commute from Woking to Euston on days I'm in the office, but often further afield. In the last week, 3 day returns to Wolverhampton to a client, fresh for a full 8-10 hours in between.

For all of the above, no problems at all and a great motorway bike, at least up to the 800 mile days that I've done as a maximum fairly regularly. A steady 90-100mph is comfortable and relaxed.

None of the problems dwelt upon on this board.

Only problem for commuting is the width of the bars, which won't fit through the tightest gaps in central London. But then, on the motorway in winter with a nasty cross-wind, I'm happy with that compromise.

My observation would be that compared to the 1150, the 1200 is better balanced at low speeds, I think has a better lock to get between traffic and you feel the lower weight in town.

Andy