High Mileage

[Magic]

Thinking about buying a GS in the spring, maybe even the 1200 if it finally appears.

I'll be using the bike for a daily commute of about 50 miles and will rack up around 15,000 miles a year. Does anyone have a high-ish mileage GS and how is it handling the miles?

As well as a good few miles on country roads the commute invloves a couple of miles of congested city stuff - how does the bike handle filtering etc.

 

[Iain Hogg]

I had an 1100 and was doing that sort of mileage. 50 mile round trip mostly country lanes then 4 miles of filtering.

Great bike for the job, gives a real 'presence' in traffic and the upright position combined with the height and low centre of gravity makes it great for filtering.

Service intervals of 6000 miles help, servicing is pretty simple to do yourself (once warranty expires). Cleaning? No chain so rinse down with a hose. Tourance tyres should last 7000 miles.

That is until someone refuses to see you on an open road and pulls out of a driveway right into your path

Thankfully I survived with a broken ankle but certainly made a good dent in the car!

If you're still unsure, book a good long test ride, meet up with some of the local GS hooligans and you're on your way.

Iain

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

On the off chance that your questions are'nt a piss take I'll happily answer them
Don't wait for the 1200 - BMW (as with other manufacturers these days) leave it to their customers to find the faults and this one will be no exception.
High mileages are not a problem for BM's- in fact they thrive on it when properly serviced - so don't let that bother you. The resale will not be affected by mileage either.
Filtering is a doddle because you have pressence and are high enough to see over the majority of traffic - the only 'problem' (though its not really ) is that your mirrors are the same height as just about every transit sized van there is.
In short go out and by an 1150 at the right price - because plenty are around at the moment as owners are getting rid in anticipation of the new 1200
If you fancy a big trailie you won't regret it
Sherpa

 

[Magic]

Thanks for the feedback, looks like a GS for me in the Spring.

 

[Henry Mawson]

I've got a GS1100 "R" reg, 68000 miles and i love it to death. I've had it under water, on top of mountains and it just takes everything i throw at it in its stride. Hopefully this winter will see it cosmetically spruced up.
I've had to put a throttle position sensor on it and next spring i'll put a starter motor on it, both i believe due to my lack of cleaning after doing the Cambrian Rally a couple of years ago.
Buy it, you will love it.
HENRY

 

[Cheesy Mike]

17,000 miles on my R1150GS in 1 year commuting into Bristol (18 miles) with lots of filtering in the last 3 miles. Regular runs up to HQ in Surrey - 100 miles. The GS has never missed a beat and is a dream in traffic because the upright position gives you a commanding view. Even with panniers on, and I keep them on permanently these days for sheer convenience, there are very few gaps that I can't filter through. Of course, get the bike out of the city and you can have *real* fun.

Mike

 

[PUGMAN]

ADVENTURE

I had a GS Adventure, for almost a year before I had to sell her, one of the bst bik in the World, put 23,000 mile in less then a year commuting 130 miles. Not a GS but for commuting I love my 94 R1100RS bought used with 32,000 miles now have 64,000 in two years no problems.

 

[BawdyMonk]

One of the reasons I bought a Boxer...

....Garrett Lacour's R1150GS with over 256,000 miles.

That's from a POST on the BMW SportTouring Forum, more RT biased than GS but a few of the members have switched (like me ) in the past year.
Merry Xmas

 

[Spanish Bob]

Magic I ride mine every day through the centre of Barcelona. I filter and if that doesn´t work you can usually push the cars out of the way

 

[Vern]

My 1100 has got 145k up now, and as soon as something better comes along, I'll buy it (not likely at the moment)
Lucy's just bought an 1100, with 59k up, and it goes like a fookin' train.
Just go and buy one, and don't worry about it

 

[gutsi]

done 40k (up to 56k) in last two years on my '97 1100 GS. Daily commute of 40 miles plus track days, green laning, touring 2 up round Spain, rallys and even one crash. Had it dealer serviced and its never left me stranded.

Unbeatable versatility.