steve1
Registered user
New to BMWs. Cant afford the new adventure. Should i just get a 1200gs or have a look at the older (cheaper) 1150gsa??
Guidance welcomed
Guidance welcomed
GSA 1150 or GS 1200
- Thread starter steve1
- Start date
illustratedman
Registered user
Choices
Get a test ride on both preferably back to back if you can. Ive got an 1150gsa an wouldnt change it for anything. Not ridden a 12 so cant comment. The 1150 feels pretty agricultural if your coming from a jap bike but it grows on you, and i ride it more than any other bike i've had, to the point i'm thinking of getting rid of the car.
Get a test ride on both preferably back to back if you can. Ive got an 1150gsa an wouldnt change it for anything. Not ridden a 12 so cant comment. The 1150 feels pretty agricultural if your coming from a jap bike but it grows on you, and i ride it more than any other bike i've had, to the point i'm thinking of getting rid of the car.
JoeC gs1150se
Registered user
Another vote for 1150gsa..
I've got an 1150gsa and loving it.. As "illi" says -seems a bit of a massey ferguson in the begining - but not without a charm all of its own IMHO.. However once ya get the hang of a different riding system you're flying mate.. The smiles get wider and you get settled into the thing.. My other bike hasnt seen daylight since the gsa arrived home..
Can't help you with the 1200 comparison, anything i'd tell you on that would be pure bullsh*t, know stuffall about those,lol.. Happily there are a great number of owners on the site and they'll put you wise in a very short time i've no doubt..
Whichever you choose i hope youre happy with it and have as much fun on it as the rest of us do on ours..
Happy days
Joe C.
I've got an 1150gsa and loving it.. As "illi" says -seems a bit of a massey ferguson in the begining - but not without a charm all of its own IMHO.. However once ya get the hang of a different riding system you're flying mate.. The smiles get wider and you get settled into the thing.. My other bike hasnt seen daylight since the gsa arrived home..
Can't help you with the 1200 comparison, anything i'd tell you on that would be pure bullsh*t, know stuffall about those,lol.. Happily there are a great number of owners on the site and they'll put you wise in a very short time i've no doubt..
Whichever you choose i hope youre happy with it and have as much fun on it as the rest of us do on ours..
Happy days
Joe C.
ae1eara
Guest
Haven't ridden an 11 but have bought a 12GSA. I test rode a GS and would have happily bought one. Got the adv for the extra size tank and protection for adventure touring.
The 11's must be ace 'cos loads of people love em, but if you can afford it I would go for the 12GS. Hell they're all excellent.
The 11's must be ace 'cos loads of people love em, but if you can afford it I would go for the 12GS. Hell they're all excellent.
1200 for me
I test rode a 1200GS over a year ago and decided it was just the ticket. Traded in a Buell for a second hand 2006 GS with extras.
Couldn't justify a GSA and reckoned it was too tall and heavy anyway for a medium sized short-arse like me.
While at the dealer I sat on several bikes including an 1150GSA, but couldn't even lift it off the side stand without risking a hernia. I'm happy with the lighter 1200.
I test rode a 1200GS over a year ago and decided it was just the ticket. Traded in a Buell for a second hand 2006 GS with extras.
Couldn't justify a GSA and reckoned it was too tall and heavy anyway for a medium sized short-arse like me.
While at the dealer I sat on several bikes including an 1150GSA, but couldn't even lift it off the side stand without risking a hernia. I'm happy with the lighter 1200.
Dieter@London
Guest
11 or 12
comparing the 12GS and the 1150GSA is like comparing skiing and snowboarding. If you never boarded it's probably more appealing than skiing and looks cooler... but if you're a skier like myself you'll prefer to remain on the skies.
the 1150GSA and the 12GS are completely different bikes to my feeling. I feel more secure on the heavier 1150; it's so accustomed to my riding that i sometimes get a feeling of being a modern knight on the road. An 1150 lives, its gearbox needs a firm hand/foot like a horse in the morning after a cold night. I found the 12GS much more virile, more jumpy... lighter and younger. Though I never got the same feeling as on the 1150. Guess i feel at home on the 1150 and the 1200 feels to "neutral" to me.
Whatever you buy, you can't go wrong with a GS! And I don't think I'll be the last to tell you that. It's the perfect compromise in a modern world.
comparing the 12GS and the 1150GSA is like comparing skiing and snowboarding. If you never boarded it's probably more appealing than skiing and looks cooler... but if you're a skier like myself you'll prefer to remain on the skies.
the 1150GSA and the 12GS are completely different bikes to my feeling. I feel more secure on the heavier 1150; it's so accustomed to my riding that i sometimes get a feeling of being a modern knight on the road. An 1150 lives, its gearbox needs a firm hand/foot like a horse in the morning after a cold night. I found the 12GS much more virile, more jumpy... lighter and younger. Though I never got the same feeling as on the 1150. Guess i feel at home on the 1150 and the 1200 feels to "neutral" to me.
Whatever you buy, you can't go wrong with a GS! And I don't think I'll be the last to tell you that. It's the perfect compromise in a modern world.
dubweiser
Guest
Whatever you buy, you can't go wrong with a GS! And I don't think I'll be the last to tell you that. It's the perfect compromise in a modern world.
AMEN for that
Sky
Registered user
They're very different to ride, I'd say try both, and make sure you get a really long test ride on the 1150. It takes a lot more getting used to than the 1200, which (to me) felt more accessible, in the way that, say, a Honda is. Worth it, though.
I wouldn't swap my 1150 for a 1200, I think it's far more rewarding to ride. I had a 1200 for a full day while my bike was getting serviced, totally enjoyed it but was happiest when back on the 1150.
I wouldn't swap my 1150 for a 1200, I think it's far more rewarding to ride. I had a 1200 for a full day while my bike was getting serviced, totally enjoyed it but was happiest when back on the 1150.
You're nearly there
You've made 99% of the decision already. Both are more like each other than they are like any other bike (at least that I've ridden).
If I had to buy a new bike tomorrow I'd want a new 1150, but having to settle for a 12 wouldn't cause me any sleepless nights
You've made 99% of the decision already. Both are more like each other than they are like any other bike (at least that I've ridden).
If I had to buy a new bike tomorrow I'd want a new 1150, but having to settle for a 12 wouldn't cause me any sleepless nights
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1150 every time for me. Better value, more solid and planted, better looking (although the new 1200's are very nice). Far more comfortable than the 1200 on the road too. They are very heavy though
AndyT
AndyT
1150s great bike, 1200 GSA like it too bits so far ( and yes I've already dropped it too, wooooohoo in a good cause!) 
onyack
onyack
Jonny_L
Registered user
Sensitive subject round these parts, 1150 Vs 1200 But then you're comparing the GSA and GS...
I'd say get the 12GS, but then I would as I've got one. The 1150GSA is a blinding bike, but unless you're planning on a desert crossing trip where you'll need all that extra fuel on board, I think you'd be better with the 12. The 12's lighter and faster, and it's a newer bike in general. People will tell you about reliability issues, but I had more issues with my 1150R than my 1200GS, both bikes the same age
Either way you're not going far wrong though.
But then you're comparing the GSA and GS...I'd say get the 12GS, but then I would as I've got one. The 1150GSA is a blinding bike, but unless you're planning on a desert crossing trip where you'll need all that extra fuel on board, I think you'd be better with the 12. The 12's lighter and faster, and it's a newer bike in general. People will tell you about reliability issues, but I had more issues with my 1150R than my 1200GS, both bikes the same age
Either way you're not going far wrong though.
Marjorie Proops
Guest
Ultimately, it comes down to shoulder width.
1200 lots of piss-taking, 1150 no piss-taking.
I have broad shoulders & an 1150 - belt and braces
1200 lots of piss-taking, 1150 no piss-taking.
I have broad shoulders & an 1150 - belt and braces
Mr K
Registered user
1150's are for grown ups, 1200's are for kiddies
44 year old kiddie says 1200:
But what do I know....?
Test ride everything.
Buy what floats yer boat.
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