I don't have a GS

[jtw000]

As the title say, i don't have one but I'm thinking of getting one. When i say, thinking, I mean i am getting one as soon as the right bike at the right (cheapest) price becomes available.
I'm a fast rider, I've thrashed the nuts off of every permutation of sports machine and had to derestrict an Aprilia Mille and Fireblade just to make them interesting. Unfortunately time moves on and I have undergone an awakening which has made me realise I made it this far in my life without injury but I might not make it much further unless I behave a little more responsibly.
I have got into off roading which is providing a great deal more fun at a much slower pace. I say off road, but really it's little more than green-laning but I'm young enough to try new things and mature enough to know i'll never be great at them unless I started them young enough not to know it.
All this brings me around on my quest for one bike that will do everything, from touring hard next year, thrashing around occasionally in a more controlled manner and enough ability to get off road that the bike can show me a good time without the wheels falling off. Budgetry restraints made me buy a Triumph Tiger. That will be my last Triumph for now as i had that less than 2 weeks and hated every second of riding it.
I'm not buying the GS because it's cheap and certainly not because it's attractive (it's far from it) but because there is no choice. There is no other bike out there that can do it all. I've checked out the Tiger, the Caponord and all the Jap crap and have decided to go BMW. A sign I'm getting old? Maybe. If I'm not, it may be a sign that i'll live to see the day when i will.
This only leaves me with one question. Which GS? The 1150 or the 1200? The 1200 seems a more sorted all rounder, the 1150, I hear is more solid and reliable but with a good deal less power.
The search begins

Hi, by the way.

 

[Dave56]

Welcome along, good luck with the GS hunt.............

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Hi ! Early 1200's had a few problems that the late 1150's didn't have mainly down to canbus and ews probs. The 1150 is heavier but in my opinion doesnot handle as well as a new 1200.I've had 2 1150 GSA's and 2 1200GSA's and the current Red GSA is the best of the lot

 

[Madame B]

Hey jtw000!

Welcome and be assured you'll love whichever GS you get (if you want a good looking one you should go for the F800 in bumblebee attire...)

 

[jtw000]

I have looked at the 800 but I'm a big boy and am planning to use it as nature intended, ie touring and I don't think the 800 has the muscle to pull a lot of load around for extended periods of time. It's a peaky engine and while it looks the better bike off road I think the 1200 has it where it counts. Just my opinion. My guess is the early 1200 problems would be sorted out by now, even on bikes that had them.

 

[elevensies]

I have looked at the 800 but I'm a big boy and am planning to use it as nature intended, ie touring and I don't think the 800 has the muscle to pull a lot of load around for extended periods of time..

wait until Micky sees this lol


is a GS really for you? is it the image? do you know anyone with one?

they aint no sports bike, but do have plenty of torque
if you want speed forget it
the more you play with the engine looking for power, the least they like it
1200 more sorted only if you get a 08/09, far from sorted imo

1100/1150 solid build, less power, but see above!

i think you want a ktm, you just may get a bit bored with our bm's

 

[jtw000]

Yeah, I think it is. I poodled around on a 650 Pegaso for a year, happy as you like. It was a bit of a struggle on longer jouneys so I thought about a Tiger. The Tiger was a mistake, enough about that. In respect to it though, I took it down some lanes and it coped admirably. Where it fell down was on the appalling fuelling and wheezing engine that didn't propel it at the same speeds the Peg could manage while burning twice the fuel. It's sports bikes that bring out the devil in me so we're leaving them alone while I still have a license and both legs.
Anyway, what do you mean about sorted? I can't stretch to a newer one. Are the older ones (GS1200) rubbish? Are they useful and reliable? Is it best to go for an 1150?

 

[kirk71]

mate welcome to the mad house !
im 38 and i also have just left the jap rockets (and the odd italian) and have just purchased my first 1150gs, and all i can keep saying is "why didn't it do it sooner".
firstly you must get on it and forget everything about the jap bikes, it's not an inline 4, it certainly isnt a vtwin superbike either.
but thats exactly why you buy it, it has great torque, huge road presence, needs sod all spending on it (unless your into pimping them up) they handle lovely, no front end dive, its awesome.
as my friend told me tonight, just get on and ride it.
yes the 1200 looks a nice machine, but personally i prefer the look of the 1150, i have owned it since sunday and i still smirk when i open the garage door to get it out in the morning.
KTM ?, yeah if you want to pour money into keeping the thing reliable.

 

[jtw000]

No KTMs for me. My brother bought a Duke. Wished he hadn't, it was in the garage more than on the road, needed a new engine and never did run properly or stop pissing out oil. Nice looking bike though, KTM should make coffee tables.
I prefer the look of the 1150 myself but think the 1200 is probably the better machine for me as a good all rounder with the lighter weight and more power, at least enough to be interesting. The handling interests me too. Sportsbike just don't handle. They don't. I've had a KLR, a Tiger and a rusting to bits Honda Dominator in the last month and they all out handle my Fireblade, which is gone now to a better place... Poland.
Is there any way to swap out the 1150 engine for a more gutsy 1200 one from another bike or is this blasphemy or humorous in some way? They all look kind of agricultural and universal enough to swap?

 

[elevensies]

jtw, in a word no. the cost to put any of the engines in any of the bikes would be stupid.
its not just the engine you have to consider, theres also the drive shaft that is also different on the 12. and lots of other bits too.

the 1200 use canbus electrics, a kinda wizardry system without the use of wires.
the 1200 has had some pretty nasty faults, namely the fuel pump controller (a sort of relay affair that controls fuel pump), the ring antenna (leaves you stranded as your ignition key becomes unrecognisable) and numerous other bits.
some or all of these are usually done under warranty, but not all.
the power is minimal in comparison really, its the weight difference that most people notice first of, but as a old biking friend once told me, loose weight and it will go faster

the airhead versions are for the purists
the 1100 versions are for the hard core purists
the 1150 are for the everyday bloke
the 1200 are for the posers

only a opinion mind

 

[Big Lee]

You`re doing some slagging of the 12`s aren`t you elevensies? Ever had one or just reading up on the problems posted on here? I`ve had a 12 for nearly 5 years (54 plate) and it`s been spot on. Had the discs replaced under warranty and had a bulb go in the tail light, a bit of corrosion caused it. My front engine cover is corroding a bit but I just give it a rub down and a lick of silver hammerite every so often. They`re great bikes imo. Mine has been round Scotland a few times and will be doing the south of France in just over a month and I`m sure I`ll enjoy all the miles down and back.
Try a 1150 and a 12 and see which you like best. I tried both and found the riding position more comfy on the 12 as it seemed the pegs were a bit further back. Try both of them and ignore the knockers, they`re machines and can and will go wrong. Just fix them and carry on

 

[alimey4u2]

Hello & welcome...

 

[Pathologic]

Your lucky day?

hi JTW,

I think the 1200 is the best all rounder too and... I am preping my 2007 1200 for either trade in or sale. If you are interested. This is not the place to advertise my bike of course

However, if you would like to meet up next week. A group of us meet at Whitewebbs to talk bollocks and sometime go green laning like this.http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145599&highlight=pelham. Come and join us.

More info here. see you then.

Regards,

Path.

 

[zico]

Hi JTw and welcome. I have 1200gs on a 54plate. I have also been on this site slagging the bugger off for not starting (flat batery) and threatening to change back to a Honda or other bike. Funnily enough i still have the 1200 and cant seem to part with it. Dont know why, but its just grown on me. Battery problem was probably down to not getting used enough. Still look often enough for alternatives but just cant seem to let go. They really get under your skin. All rounder in more ways than one.

 

[jtw000]

I want one! Haven't managed to find a good one in my price bracket. To be more accurate I haven't managed to find one in my price bracket that isn't being sold by a complete idiot. I guess the right one will come up eventually.

 

[The Burpster]

Sounds like you'll love it..

I've had my 05 GS from new. It does all you are setting as your criteria.

I can keep up (occasionally when I can still be ar5ed) with jap sports bikes on the road generally when they are being ridden by folks that think they are quick.... "Use the torque Luke"

There are better R series bikes for track days, but then thats not in your criteria.

I have had far too many bikes in my riding career and I can honestly tell you that this is by far the best 'all rounder' there is.

There were some teething probs with some earlier 12GSs but they are well known now and pretty easy to work 'round. Yes Rs occasionally go wrong, but then Jap bikes are about as innovative as McDonalds so they are bound to have all thier relaiabilty issues sorted.

IMO the 12 pips the 1150 just because the 1150 is bulky, but it is no lesser bike.

BMs are second only to Harley for being able to get aftermarket bits that individualise your bike..... Although as stated above, trying to make more power is probably not goong to do anygood fro your reliabilty.

It will tour without being a tourer.

It will go quick without being a sports bike.

If you have the ability of Mick Extance, or very deep wallets (actaully just get an HP2) to replace bent bits you could take it off- road.

It will always be different from the 'herd'.

Once you get used to it, it looks great too..!

 

[Davel]

Hiya!

Had three GSs to date without any real problem.

Try a few different models and see which you prefer.

Welcome to the madhouse and enjoy whatever you buy!

 

[jtw000]

Oh i want one! I think I've got my mind on a 1200 because it is lighter. My budget will only stretch to an early one and i'm negotiating on an 04 model now. What to look out for? I've heard horror stories of all sorts going wrong, falling off and breaking down. Also the standard wheels, are they any good off road? I've seen plenty of videos of people using them but are they really tough enough to stand up to the abuse?
All I want to add is crash bars and some ability to take luggage. I probably wouldn't stop there though.
How good is the 1150, better looking by far in my opinion? I have sort of ruled it out but can anyone sing its praises?

 

[MikeHave]

R1150GS

I can't compare different GSs, but I've had a blue/white R1150GS for a year now and I love it to bits. Its slow, old and ugly but then so am I. Actually regarding speed, I find it a bit Jekyll & Hyde; it can pootle about but if you cog down and rev it it goes fast ! well, plenty fast enough for me anyway

 

[charlie brown]

Get on one and play

Geeza,
ring those nice chaps in Caterham take one of each out for a ride, Tony is extremely helpful (no not related to him). See which you prefer, no point in listening to peoples opinions on here coz its just that, their opinion .
I first fell in love with these was when I was 19 with a z1000 finally bought an 1150 aged 37, now have the twelve adventure, have never regreted walking away from gixers blades and the like. When you slow down and look up a bit this world is a beautiful place and on two wheels no one offers the same as a GS. The only expensive bit will be petrol and ferries

enjoy