Help - to buy or not to buy

[JonL]

My thought processes are going round in circles - any (constructive) advice would be appreciated.

I have an 03 1150GS with 45k miles. Blue book rrp is £4400 BUT I need new front brake discs, pads, both tyres, mot almost due and service coming up. Seems like a good time to trade in.

I have looked at 1200GS, 1200GSA and HD Fat Bob (Fat Boy too expensive).

HD Fat Bob
Trade in £3800
Bike £11300
Like the bike, looks and ride. Worried about care, short service intervals and cost of accessories

1200GS and GSA
Trade in £3700 (can't sell approved sir, too many miles - so much for marketing of BMWs can go round the clock )
Like handling (GS), free panniers, elevated view, road presence (GSA), GSA seems better financial sense if you want engine protection and bigger screen (I do) but heavier.

Any advice? I am spending too much time on laptop reading instead of making a decision and getting on with life.

 

[scotia_steve]

The GS is good and it's a great time to buy now winter is approaching. The GSA will hold value better, looks bigger and has more presence as you say but it it heavier and doesn't handle as well with the spoked wheels on the twisties as the lighter cast wheeled GS.

Also depends on your height as if you're 5'10 or above no problem but a little shorter then you may have issues when stopping on inclines and so on (but a lower seat is an option)....

GSA is better for longer trips with the wind protection/tank and so on but the GS is just as good and just that little bit cheaper

Just my 2p....

 

[Gruffalo]

Do it, you wont regret it,

if you can get a good deal for your old one you might as well,
if the old one gonna need a major service that is gonna cost an arm and a leg,
then why not spend that on a new bike,
depends what you use the bike for as th whether you want a gs or gsa
always wanted a gsa but never needed one so stuck with my 07 and lived every minuit of it!

 

[JonL]

Use it for commuting (30 mile round trip on twisty country roads, full of crap the tractors drag out of the fields much of the year and occasional flooding), longer trips to North Wales, Lakes, Scotland with camping and climbing gear, evening and weekend rides for fun, runs to town for shopping. Mostly everything if I don't have the family with me.

Even drop the kids at school with the car and then stop at home to get the bike to carry on to work. This is what worries me about the HD is that I may find I don't ride too often through worries about mud, cleaning and corrosion - but then BMWs have their own corrosion issues don't they .

 

[Gruffalo]

they do, but like any other bike as long as you keep on top of it and look after it, should be fine,

as for the harley, imo!

best way to fond out is take both out for a test ride, soon know whether you want the extra weight and seat hight of the gsa over the gs, but im sure many tossers on here will so if you dont have a gsa then your not a real man!

(think theyre making up for something if you ask me!)

 

[Charlie]

Don't do it! I know it sounds sexist but it ain't meant that way. Bikes are like partners. You see em, fall in love and then ride em with passion and abandonment. Then, you start getting a little bit bored. They don't look quite so smart. They start costing money. You look around and something else seems more attractive. You get tempted. Then, fatally, you ditch the ole' faithful for a younger model. The exchange costs a fortune. Yeh, the new model is thrilling and exciting for a bit but you end up with the same old problems, reliability, wear and tear, general maintenance etc.

Suggest you hire a Harley and see how long the love affair lasts. I ride a 2005 1200gs. It's given me grief - I won't list the stuff hear, it's no different from everything posted elsewhere on this site. I've felt like jacking it in and going for something different but I've stuck with it and, despite the problems, it does the business for me. My brother has a Harley and has done less mile in a year than I do in a month. Think about it....

You've got a tried and tested bike that's given you pleasure for 45k. Don't lose it. Hire a tart and go back to the missus.

 

[nix]

I say go for the Harley (but try one first, they're not for everyone). I've got both and the GS is just a nothing special work horse, the Harley brings a smile to my face and always feels special. But, of course both bikes are slow.

Previously had a GSA, couldn't see the point of the dissadvantages unless intending travelling around the world.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

I say keep the 1150. Go on, keep it. At 45,000 it's got loads left on it and unless you've caught "new bike syndrome" you'll not find anything else that much better. Don't get a Harley, just don't.

 

[Pathologic]

Conclusion

Don't ask on here which bike to buy. You will get someone to support evey option. All of us believe we have the best bike. None of us know.

This may not be helpful, but at least you can have peace of mind that whatever you do its the best for you. As far as you or anyone else knows.

Have fun choosing. Its only money.

Regards,

Path.

 

[tunnie]

I tried the V-Rod HD, utter shite. Won't go around corners, rubbish rock hard ride, not practical at-all. Its just for posing in towns, you don't want to go any faster than 50, vibration on the pegs is too much.

 

[SJPB1982]

I can understand the Harley idea, but I would go for another GS or GSA, they do everything better and you don't have to buy a load of new riding gear (ie leather chaps and waist coat). Oh and if you think it is boring on your laptop imagine the pain of keeping all that chrome clean

 

[JonL]

Oh God I've gone and done it

Put a deposit down yesterday on a new 1200GS. Walked into the dealers and they had a deal on the last three 1200GSs in stock - my heart got the better part of my wallet. Pick it up next Friday. I have a four day weekend to get to know it .

 

[LBL]

well done

Put a deposit down yesterday on a new 1200GS. Walked into the dealers and they had a deal on the last three 1200GSs in stock - my heart got the better part of my wallet. Pick it up next Friday. I have a four day weekend to get to know it .

good on ya JonL

but you shouldve...........only kidding but let us all know when you trade up next to the GSA

 

[JonL]

If I try to do that too soon my wife will probably shove the final drive up my arse and rev it. If I wanted that sort of treatment I would have bought the harley.

 

[geotim]

I had an '04 model 1200GS and recently traded up to a new GSA. I went for the 1200 as I couldn't find a decent 1150 quickly enough and hope to take my time finding a decent 1150 as a 'spare' once my wifey has got over me buying the GSA!

The '04 1200 was nice, light enough and a comfortable everyday bike. big enough for me (long legs on a 6 ft frame).
However ... the GSA is spectacular (so far - only 2,000 miles so still running in!). It seemed a little 'large' at first, but I have got used to it quickly and it's ride and handling seem to improve with the miles - probably just me getting used to it I guess.

Either GS or GSA will be a step up from the 1150 from a technology point of view, but I guess lots of 1150 owners will remind us all of their better looks, reliability, build quality ...etc of the 1150 !

I liked my GS and I like my GSA. At the end of the day, if it rides well and it's paid for who cares ?!?!?!?!?!?

Do NOT buy a HD though ...

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

The '04 1200 was nice, light enough and a comfortable everyday bike. big enough for me (long legs on a 6 ft frame).
However ... the GSA is spectacular

So what makes the newer, if it's a new 'un you bought, GSA "spectacular", rather than just "nice"?

 

[GSmonkey]

Buy the HD, gives me more people to laugh at and laughter is good for the health.

 

[WindyChuffer]

I have an 03 1150GS with 45k miles. Blue book rrp is £4400 BUT I need new front brake discs, pads, both tyres, mot almost due and service coming up. Seems like a good time to trade in.

Cant see that any of the above are reasons to change. They are all cheap (in the scheme of things) consumable items, particularly EBC aftermarket brake bits. MOT shouldn't be a worry, but then its v cheap to find out as an MOT test won't break the bank.