I'm down to two bikes and need your advice.

[Brendan]

Hi Gardenhero,
are these sterling prices on the road in Ireland inc delivery, VRT, plates etc?
If so from past experience I can tell you that the 03' 1200GS is overpriced. I just bought a 05' 1200gs with 6k miles and it's cost me landed in Sligo on the road. €11000.00

PM me if you require any further info.

Regards

 

[gardenhero]

Sorry Brendan but for some reason I can't seem to send you a PM. Both bikes are on sale from Maddocks in Ireland.

 

[Reggie]

Hi There,

after owning a 2004 R1200GS myself I'd suggest that you don't touch it with a barge pole!

The choice for me would be between the R1150GS or a new R1200GS, or even another manufacturer. I understand that most of the 'glitches' have now been sorted out with the 12 and several friends are happy with their '06 versions.

I wasn't best pleased in being an unpaid beta tester for BMW!

Good luck

 

[gardenhero]

So I took the 1150 out for a test ride today and a couple of things went funny. Firstly that little red triangle light that looks like it's supposed to warn me about something came on, then the ABS light didn't stop flashing when I moved off and then the battery died and left me stranded for a little while. Any ideas about this? Was it just a dodgy battery that can cause all this or something more? Can I have more help please?

 

[robbie c]

battery

apparently if the battery is down the abs lights continue to flash, it's probably because it's been stood.if I leave mine standing for a month the same happens, it corrects itself once ridden for a few miles.
I have an 1150 adv and I love it

 

[Aidan1150]

Sorry Brendan but for some reason I can't seem to send you a PM. Both bikes are on sale from Maddocks in Ireland.

Gardenhero, if you sponsor the site you can then send or receive PMs. It costs £12stg per year and there is a link at the top of the page under the site logo.

 

[ChrisG]

1150 GS v 1200 GS

The problem with the battery is a known issue.

The battery must be in A1 condition as the ABS makes quite a drain when you start the bike, without a good voltage the ABS fails and the ABS lights continue to flash simply indicating that the ABS is not functioning.

The same happened to me while in France ! As a result I know that you can bump start an 1150 and that it was cured completely by a new battery.

Per your original question, I have an 1150 and I am looking at getting a 1200, but there is no doubt that the very early 1200's did have their problems. I know many people who have found them OK, but also many have not so an early 1200 now out of warranty is a much bigger risk to your bank balance than a late model 1150 despite the fact that the 1150 is not quite a sweet as the 1200.

Finally don't you think that a BM dealer trying to sell you this bike should take better care of keeping the battery charged - use this to get a better deal.

Cheers

 

[spot]

I wish i had your problem. Im wondering wether to put some petrol in my 941100 or risk running out and have a sarnie for dinner.

I agree with whoever said you should ride both bikes and decide which model you preffer, Then look at the price. Its winter and customers are like rocking horse shit Wait till a good deal comes along. Everyone on here thinks these are expensive. Print this thread off and show it to the dealer. also print off a page or two out of the auto trader to show comparables. Enjoy your problem mate!

 

[Yoda]

....or risk running out and have a sarnie for dinner.

"You were lucky. When ah were a lad there were 23 of us livin in't cardboard box in't middle of t'road. Every mornin we 'ad to lick road clean wi' us tongues....."

Sorry Spot, couldn't resist the Python "Four Yorkshiremen" sketch.

 

[BIGMARKY]

opps

Okay what do you think is the best deal for me?

A 2003 R1150 Gs Adventure with 4000 miles, panniers and a top box. £8,800

or

A 2004 R1200 Gs with 35,200 miles and a brand new top box. £9,320

Both bikes look very well and have a full service history. neither are alarmed. I can't find anything wrong with either of them apart from the odd small scratch. Personally I'm leaning towards the 1150 at the moment but I have to test drive the both of them next week. Please help me lads.

£4,700 03 triumph tiger 3,000 miles wiv heated grips and panniers and top box and opppps

 

[Bananaman]

Shame you are being deflected from the real point with having a flat battery.
Ride both models and see which one suits you, IMHO they are different bikes and you need to judge for yourself

 

[Matt Gibbs]

As stated by Bananaman they are very different bikes but after test rides I was persuaded to go for the 1150 but they do seem rather pricey whatever the currency
Regards
Matt

 

[Thepenguinsarecool]

You should be able to find an 02 Gs1150 with all the extra's fitted on box's etc for that money with a service history of less then 10,000 miles..at a dealer...

if you buy privately expect to pay between £500 to £1000 less.....

The newer bike is little lighter and more revvy and can come with the odd glich if you should be so unlucky... i have ridden both... its purely personal choice but i chose Gs1150 i found it a slightly more sure footed in yucky weather..especially side winds...take your time choosing customers for purchasing any bike are pretty thin on the ground so don't rush the deal...i made sure i got lots of extra's bolted onto the bike when the seller couldn't move any more on the price...and as you go to hand the money over put a new leather jacket on and pick up a new lid and say you want them as part the deal...it works if your buying at the dealers place... but i am sure most of us try that...plus give a couple notes less then originally agreed..its better you tipping the deal in your favour then letting the dealer off lightly....