GS1200 vs GS1150

[MikeP]

Did you deliberately time this post? Very impressive if you did

He'd have waited until 11:50 methinks.

Still, it's a very fine post, one the best for years on this topic.

 

[Pauly S]

indeeed

Very good words and wisdom, so by my calculations that should see my 1150 holds it resale price for years to come,woohoo.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The whole concept of the 1200 models is different to the 1100/50.
They are designed for different sort of people.

The folk who bought 1100/50s were either people who always had bmw's, and had shunned 'modern' bikes, or people who had had enough of bland jap bikes. For the latter type, the 1100/50 was a couple of steps back from modernity to a simpler form of bike whilst hopefully retaining the reliability of new machinery.

They still had black boxes and hall sensors and fuel injection, but you could still strip them down with ordinary tools.

Then came the 12's.
A bike designed, not for old duffers or simple folk, but to attract the younger, dynamic biker crowd. The boxhill/devils bridge burger van type. The IT executive with a weekend hobby, who knew about 'canbus' systems and the benefit of lightweight, but wanted to be a bit different from his hunchedback leathered mates

He doesnt enjoy the ding of a knuckle on tin. He is not used to this sensation.
The dull rap of plastic is his world, and silver frames.
He does not want to know how his machine actually works, but can read and understand dyno charts. He checks tyres at the cafe for chicken strips, so he can ridicule lesser gladiators over a latte. And then buy a new model when the warranty runs out.
Thats why the 1200 has got more complex, faster, and plastickier.

Unfortunately, existing gs owners tagged along as well, and bought this new fangled complex machine, and were able to compare it with the old design.
Its so fast and light they all enthused !! Of course it was. It was a Honda with sticky-out cylinders.
They soon found out that it was not a honda because it kept breaking down ... but they had tasted modern and you cannot reverse the loss of virginity, so they were spoiled forevermore.

And now its come full circle. How many folk are coming back to the 1100/1150. To a simpler form of bike. They have had their adultrous affair with Miss Flighty-no knickers and are returning to the solid dependable ugly wife.

I had a brief affair with a 1200 whore. Booked her for a couple of hours and shagged the tits off her. She was skinny, agile and blew me away .... and I wanted to keep her, but I'm glad I didnt.
I saw her recently. Well it may have been her, they all look the same ... cheap, and she has not aged well.

Quality...................... this one post should be made a sticky

 

[franco]

Hasn't the concept always been a sticky?
Wasn't that what 1100 owners used to say when the 1150 came out? Or was it airhead owners when the oilhead came out? Sure I've seen this before.
The relentless march of progress and technology is everywhere, otherwise ye'd still be repairing mangles Den Come to think of it, I liked me grannies mangle, especially when I put me wee brother's finger in it.
You can tell I'm gonna uy a 1200 can't you?

 

[Den]

You have a valid point re progress Franco, but, progress does not mean better.

Take for example your mangle theory. Yes domestic appliances have advanced, but reached their peak in the 80s when they were still built to last, heavy, and designed with repair and service in mind but only spun at 800/1000....slow eh?
Are you getting the comparison yet?
The advancements made since then are to make them easier and cheaper to make. Parts are manufactured only to last 'the expected lifetime' of the appliance. Not a year longer!!
This is the same as modern vehicles. Designed for ease and cheapness of manufacture. F**k the poor mechanic who has to fix them. He isnt considered.
Neither is the second or third owner left with the electronics no one can fix.

Modern washing machines are more economical, spin faster, but are piles of shit with razor sharp edges and cheap lightweight parts and Sealed components. (original 1200 final drives come to mind) . But they are green I hear you say. Aye ...wash at 15 degrees and the lightweight alloy drum supports will corrode and split. destroying the drum/tub and you will have to buy a new one. Thats really green isnt it!!

Buy yer 1200 GS turbospin appliance and enjoy it Rob, you may be lucky. I'll bet yer grannys mangle still works.

Bonjour and lang may yer lum reek.

 

[franco]

Ha ha touche Yep me granny's mangle still works. Mind you I wouldn't have a clue how to fix me 1150 at the side of the road...I'm sure the new 2010 1200 is MUCH better too I'll buy the extended warranty just in case

Besides, I'm still keeping the 1150ADV for the moment, so I'll have the best of both worlds...

 

[Den]

I'm on a roll here ... sorry.

Do you remember when the 1200 was being designed. The famous story of Fritz walking into the design room with a 35kg bucket.
I vont ze new gs to be zis much lighter. Ze adventure modorcyclizts vont ze new gs to be lieter, so zay can peek it up fen zae fall auff.

Balls .... They wanted to save the cost of 35kg of metal. And everyone believed they were doing it for them. In order to do this they used alloy which used to be used for making Corgi cars, brake reservoirs from mopeds and frames made from tent poles with a waft of paint on them, instruments from toasters, battery from a torch and wiring .... well they almost got rid of the wiring altogether, so connecting anything to it demanded the knowledge of a scientist and the wires which were left got confused.

Can you tell which side I'm on yet ?

 

[Packer]

Can you tell which side I'm on yet ?

When are you collecting your 1200?

I seem to recall a thread on here somewhere that stated the 1200GS has as much wiring as the 1150GS = the Canbus stuff.

 

[(RIP) john plane]

I have brought a 1200 i pick it up easter i had a 1100 for 4 years seals went at 15000 new clutch final drive Bering at 30000. I had a 1150 for 8 years seals went at 15000 new clutch final drive Bering at 30000. i wonder what trouble the 1200 will bring. It is lighter i think i will be able to get in the shed easier

 

[franco]

Do you remember when the 1200 was being designed. The famous story of Fritz walking into the design room with a 35kg bucket.
I vont ze new gs to be zis much lighter. Ze adventure modorcyclizts vont ze new gs to be lieter, so zay can peek it up fen zae fall auff.

Balls .... They wanted to save the cost of 35kg of metal. And everyone believed they were doing it for them. In order to do this they used alloy which used to be used for making Corgi cars, brake reservoirs from mopeds and frames made from tent poles with a waft of paint on them, instruments from toasters, battery from a torch and wiring .... well they almost got rid of the wiring altogether, so connecting anything to it demanded the knowledge of a scientist and the wires which were left got confused.

Can you tell which side I'm on yet ?

Not sure, judging by that, I simply can't tell if Fritz is French or German

 

[Ash]

Poetry Den,pure poetry

 

[AvTech37]

Hi, As promised I took a friends 1150 out Saturday but posted comments on the other 'Newbie' thread.....however, at the risk of repeating myself, it was my first ride on an 1150 and I was impressed. It has been 'Power Commender'd' plus Remus and I really liked it.
Yes, it's a bit slower than the 1200 and I guess that the 1200 is slicker overall but in the real world I think it is what I am after.
Now to convince the missus!
Den; you construct a pretty convincing argument, however, maybe we all need that fling with 'Miss Flighty-no knickers' to help confirm the real objective. Brilliant terminology - thanks!!

 

[casperfelix]

At the end of the day you have to make your own mind up, as biking's VERY personal.
If you're wanting everyone elses opinion then here's mine. I prefer the GSA's, and of those I much prefer the 1200, and more so the DOHC 1200. It's a much nicer engine, the bike's more agile, lighter and looks a lot better. Extras such as ESA make life a lot easier too

While my GSA is a very old 2008 version unlike his DOHC thingy, I have to agree generally with Snerkler's comments. The 1200GSA is just brilliant.

 

[Ross Dean]

Speaking as one of those who prefers the 1150GSA, I think that you've answered for me:

The performance of the 1100/1150 is adequate for it's purpose. If I wanted a fast bike I'd not be riding a GS. If I'd wanted a light bike, I'd not be riding a GS.

Yes you would - it would be an F800GS

 

[AvTech37]

While my GSA is a very old 2008 version unlike his DOHC thingy, I have to agree generally with Snerkler's comments. The 1200GSA is just brilliant.

I agree with you Casperfelix but to add a new 1200 (GS or GSA) to the 90s and HP2s is a bit of a non starter! A secondhand bike, on the other hand, is on the cards. As always, if money was no object then there would be at least half a dozen bikes on the shopping list within minutes but unfortunately that isn't the case..............mind you, you only live once, don't you?

 

[gbpot]

Got to admit, I'm thinking of selling my '02 1150 and changing to 12.
Don't know why..............change? Or is it because I've fettled and tweaked all I can? (part of the fun for me)..........I know, sad really. It's a great bike, sweet as a nut, ready to go round Europe..........so why?

What you think?

Do I???????????? Don't I????????????

That eternal question.
I do like the 12 though

 

[Wrinkly]

The whole concept of the 1200 models is different to the 1100/50.
They are designed for different sort of people.

*** Yes designed for people who accept and embrace life,and understand that improvement in automotive design usually entails using modern materials***


The folk who bought 1100/50s were either people who always had bmw's, and had shunned 'modern' bikes, or people who had had enough of bland jap bikes. For the latter type, the 1100/50 was a couple of steps back from modernity to a simpler form of bike whilst hopefully retaining the reliability of new machinery.

*** At the last count I'd had around 15 Bmw's including 3 gs's,at the time all of them were "modern Bikes" anyone buying an 1150 today is still buying a modern bike.There are many "jap bikes" out there several of which I've owned that could not in any way shape or form be described as "Bland"***




They still had black boxes and hall sensors and fuel injection, but you could still strip them down with ordinary tools.


***Why can't you strip down a 1200 using ordinary tools***

Then came the 12's.
A bike designed, not for old duffers or simple folk, but to attract the younger, dynamic biker crowd. The boxhill/devils bridge burger van type. The IT executive with a weekend hobby, who knew about 'canbus' systems and the benefit of lightweight, but wanted to be a bit different from his hunchedback leathered mates


*** Well I'm the wrong side of 55 and enjoy the simple things in life,I'm not an IT executive,my bike is certainly not a W/E hobby.
I know nothing about canbus systems, apart from leave them alone,and I could think of nothing worse on a ride out than to visit some "biker" haunt,and although I have no hunchback leather-ed mates,i do admit to being one myself at times.
I still love to get out on a well sorted sports bike in the very early morning.***




He doesn't enjoy the ding of a knuckle on tin. He is not used to this sensation.
The dull rap of plastic is his world, and silver frames.
He does not want to know how his machine actually works, but can read and understand dyno charts. He checks tyres at the cafe for chicken strips, so he can ridicule lesser gladiators over a latte. And then buy a new model when the warranty runs out.
Thats why the 1200 has got more complex, faster, and plastickier.


***I love to tinker with my bikes,but would admit,that whilst I can complete a major service my skills do not run much beyond this.
The only time I've ever witnessed someone being berated about their chicken strips,was by two 1150 owners that were ribbing their mate on a 1200.
There's nothing wrong with swapping your bike every 2yrs if you can afford to,after all it's a machine not part of the family.***



Unfortunately, existing gs owners tagged along as well, and bought this new fangled complex machine, and were able to compare it with the old design.
Its so fast and light they all enthused !! Of course it was. It was a Honda with sticky-out cylinders.
They soon found out that it was not a honda because it kept breaking down ... but they had tasted modern and you cannot reverse the loss of virginity, so they were spoiled forevermore.


***Existing GS owners did tag along and I was one of them,I soon found out it was not a Honda,well actually I knew when I ordered it,and if I wished I could reinstate my virginity but have no desire to do so,and of course we're spoiled forever we're riding 1200's,personally I like to spoil myself.***


And now its come full circle. How many folk are coming back to the 1100/1150. To a simpler form of bike. They have had their adultrous affair with Miss Flighty-no knickers and are returning to the solid dependable ugly wife.


*** Maybe there are some 1200 owners that are looking for an 1150,but no where near than the amount of 1150 owners looking for 1200's***



I had a brief affair with a 1200 whore. Booked her for a couple of hours and shagged the tits off her. She was skinny, agile and blew me away .... and I wanted to keep her, but I'm glad I didnt.
I saw her recently. Well it may have been her, they all look the same ... cheap, and she has not aged well.

***Well I took my 1200 out and it's developed into a steady relationship,I wouldn,t describe it as skinny but it is agile for a big bird,I did keep it and glad I did.***


Would I have another 1150? you bet your life I would it was a great bike,and my introduction to a different type of motorcycling.

You know I just don't get this animosity that some 1150 owners have toward the 1200,it appears to me to be some sort of macho thing,like only real men ride 1150's and is very similar to the American "redneck" type of mentality.

I've owned a lot, an awful lot of bikes in my time and apart from the Suzuki 750gt have loved everyone of them.
In 1976 I bought a Z900 and thought that it just could not get better than this,but it did and I moved on.
If you wish to stick with your 1150's that's great,everyone comes to a point in life were change is difficult to embrace and the future makes them feel uneasy.
I for one am not at that stage just yet,and will continue to move with the times for as long as I am physically and financially able.

Whatever you ride enjoy,it's the best pastime in the world.


Steve.

 

[MikeP]

Yes you would - it would be an F800GS

Fast or light?

It's neither by the way.

 

[Ross Dean]

Fast or light?

It's neither by the way.

You own one or have done? Lighter and fast enough for fun

 

[Pauly S]

what a fantastic thread

best thread for ages,good fun.