I said I would be back.....

AdamA

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But not just yet. ;)

Ello chaps. For those that don't remember me, a little background info..

Im a previous owner of an 1150 and a 1200.
I liked the 1150, we had a lot of fun in the year I had it, but found it a little on the heavy side (dropped it four times at very low speed/stopped), a tad underpowered and coming from a long line of sports 600s, a little vaugue approaching the limits of grip.
After a 2 hour test ride on Balderstones 1200 demo I bought it on the spot. I loved it. It suited my riding want's perfectly and had almost enough go and feel as the 600 when tramping on.
Unfortunately it left me stranded near Bristol (coil), had numerous other electrical issues and finally left me stranded in Aberystwyth (I lived in suffolk btw. A LONG recovery truck drive from either place!). It had to go. I can put up with a bike that has niggles, but I wasn't prepared to be left stranded a third time, especially not on a bike that inspired me to ride further and further afield.

So anyhow, my last GS based post on here was that I will be back.
It's not quite that time yet (need to pay off the current bike yet) but next Spring should see me ready to give the GS another go.

So....

I've made some initial enquiries elsewhere, but it's time to ask those in the know.

R1200GSa:
color_r1200gsa_02_preview.jpg

I'm loving the look of it, but with a 30" inside leg I fear it may be a struggle.Also the extra cost, is it really worth it?

There seems to be loads for sale on biketrader. Any reason for this?

R1200GS:
color_r1200gs_03_preview.jpg


I loved my old (05) one.

If it wasn't such an unreliable POS I would probably have kept it longer then replaced like with like.

The get on and go anywhere (within reason) nature of ownership (when it wasn't broken) was great. Lovin shaft drive.

Slightly underpowered, but this one has more ponies. Does it go better than early 1200s? Has it lost the bottom end now it has more top?

I have a KTM for the dirt, so the more road biased bike would probably suit me better. I don't intend to ride it off road.

Bit girly looking compared to the GSa tho eh?

Some reassurances of their reliability post the initial 1200 run would be nice if it's true.
 
1150, trial attacks and a gym subscription, is the best bet
 
really though y not get a test ride?descide yourself, its the best bet?
the new uns seem much better, (cant really be any worse than the early 12,s)
 
30" legs i wish ,lol..

You are longer limbed than I, and I manage to cope with an 1150GSA. Takes a bit of concentration/planning etc , but its very "do-able" IMHO..
Looks like a block booking of test rides with your local friendly dealer is on the cards..

Can't comment on your other questions, anything i might add there would be utter bullsh*t..

Good luck with it .
Happy days.
Joe C..
 
Hello Adam,

its been a while Mr Abel, hope that you are well, still serving?

1200 I know nothing about, but I reckon one of the HP2 sporty numbers would be best for you, knowing how handy you are with 2 wheels:augie

Hope you find some answers, I reckon an adventure would be okay for you, but if you still have your off road bike, get the normal one.

Good to see you back, you still on Visordown, don't go there much now since they changed the software, find it wierd.

Nick
 
:augietry paying your subs,, and getting a sense of humour:thumb2
really though y not get a test ride?descide yourself, its the best bet?
the new uns seem much better, (cant really be any worse than the early 12,s)
I will get a test when I am ready to buy. If I get one before then it will just frustrate the **** out of me not having the funds to buy one.

In the mean time I would like other peoples opinions on the two bikes in question, not their bollox about bikes i am not interested in.
If that means I don't have a sense of humour, whatever pal. I am not here to play up to your tired old jokes.:thumb
I came here for knowledgeable opinions. I would have asked on visordown if I had wanted the moronic ramblings of a primate. ;)

You are longer limbed than I, and I manage to cope with an 1150GSA. Takes a bit of concentration/planning etc , but its very "do-able" IMHO..
Cheers chap. :)
TBH the half the time's I dropped the 1150 it just caught me off balance and I couldn't hold it's weight. The other two it stalled mid corner (used to be a bastard for stalling if you pulled off without warming it up) and spat me off in slo mo.:(
29/30" inside leg isn't the best height on all but the flattest/firmest of footings tho. Never had that problem with the 1200 tho even on the higher seat setting, so draw whatever conclusion you may from that.....

its been a while Mr Abel, hope that you are well, still serving?
Yes chap, just a different job now, stuck in a hospital in Hampshire.
I still get up your neck of the woods sometimes tho, as my Dad lives in Wilstead.
Hows tricks with you?

1200 I know nothing about, but I reckon one of the HP2 sporty numbers would be best for you, knowing how handy you are with 2 wheels:augie
Nah, not practical enough for my liking. And a tad costly.:eek:

Hope you find some answers, I reckon an adventure would be okay for you, but if you still have your off road bike, get the normal one.
Yeah I am leaning towards the GS rather than the GSa, but I guess a ride will see for sure.

Good to see you back, you still on Visordown, don't go there much now since they changed the software, find it wierd.

Nick
Yeah still on it, but don't run things any more.
It's certainly not what it was. :(
 
seeing as you were on here before i thought you,d realise people took the p*ss?apologys if you didnt realise?however my comment on a test ride , i thought was a valid one, because you bought your previouse 1200 through a test ride?
better to see if you actually do like riding the thing?it would, at least give you the answers to the extra hieght and wieght issue
 
seeing as you were on here before i thought you,d realise people took the p*ss?apologys if you didnt realise?
I realise.
Doesn't mean I think it's a good thing tho eh?;)

Been there, done the 1150.
It's a good bike.
Just not as good as a 1200 for what I want.
Hopefully the Mk2 will be even more of what I want. :)
Hence the request for experiences.

however my comment on a test ride , i thought was a valid one, because you bought your previouse 1200 through a test ride?
better to see if you actually do like riding the thing?
Which part of...
I will get a test when I am ready to buy. If I get one before then it will just frustrate the **** out of me not having the funds to buy one.
...reads to you "I am not going to get a test ride"?

Like I said, I bought the 1200 off the test ride. As in, "don't wrap it I will wear it home".
I can't do that at the moment, so will wait on the test ride a while, as if the Mk2 evokes as strong emotions as it's slightly older sibling, I will be gutted I can't ride it home.
 
no , i apreciate the test ride thing, id be the same,:thumb
as far as i can see, people who i kno with the new uns say they are a vast improvement, reliability wise, but a lot more complicated, ie the suspension etc, lets face it, they GOTTA be better than the early uns?:nenau
 
no , i apreciate the test ride thing, id be the same,:thumb
as far as i can see, people who i kno with the new uns say they are a vast improvement, reliability wise, but a lot more complicated, ie the suspension etc, lets face it, they GOTTA be better than the early uns?:nenau
Here's hoping. :thumb2
 
tough

Hi Abel iv a 1150gsa agree with all you've said mines been over once caught me out did a slow mo stunt fall lol but i do love the bike,I recently took it for a service and got an 08 gs for the day,gotta say it really was a different bike almost felt sportsbike chuckable and felt quick.If it was my hard earned i would defo go for the gsa just looks the dogs and has much more presence on the road.
 
Hi Abel iv a 1150gsa agree with all you've said mines been over once caught me out did a slow mo stunt fall lol
One of the twice it spat me off stalling it when cold, I was leading a group of approx 30 bikes on a tour in Penrith.
Unfortunately I was leaving the B&B car park at the time so most of them saw me do that stunt fall.:o
 


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