Just bought aan R1150GS - any advice?

[Colin1958]

Hi All,

As per the title really. My R1200GS was stolen, so I thought I'd try one of these as everyone seems to feel they are better bikes.

I'll go and pick it up on Tuesday as it needs a service, front tyre, powder coat on one component and a good clean.

I'm quite looking forward to it as I haven't had a bike for 4 weeks!

I rode it around on a private road but as I didn't have a helmet with me I didn't go too fast (eyes streaming). The engine sounded and felt really creamy compared to the 1200 (if that makes any sense?).

So what advice for the newcomer?

 

[JonF]

Check the tyre pressures, oil levels, wiggle the back wheel to check for bearing play. Make sure the pads have some life and it's got petrol in it. Then ride until it gets low on petrol, fill and repeat.

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

See the oil head section this and similar variations has been asked a few times recently.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/398501-GS1150-adventurer-newby-buyer-tips

 

[Colin1958]

See the oil head section this and similar variations has been asked a few times recently.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/398501-GS1150-adventurer-newby-buyer-tips

Thanks for that - I'm working my way through it all. . .

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

Thanks for that - I'm working my way through it all. . .

Indeed there is much accumulated knowledge in there, an overwhelming amount possibly.

 

[Decster]

left hand cam tension upgrade, see relevant thread

Oil = 20w50

enjoy

 

[Packer]

Ensure that the final drive oil is changed and that the correct stuff is put in Hypoid GL5 grade if memory serves but check the handbook. If the old stuff is grey get the FD sorted soonest. Again, lots of threads on this forum. Just about the only thing that goes wrong with them.

P.S. start it up and ride away, don't leave it ticking over to warm up.

 

[Deleted account 220427001]

better engine than the 1200 I think

 

[Fanum]

Check the wiring loom from the ignition key down into the bike under the tank....from factory, they were cable tied up a bit restrictively, and ten years of waggling the bars left and right causes fractures in the wires inside the outer sheath around the point where the cable ties were too tight which can lead to some interesting and bloody annoying intermittent faults.

Other than that (and the other good advice here) just fill, ride, fill ride

 

[tonytobo]

Best bike.

Tell who ever stole
Your 1200 that they are a bunch of tw#ts but thanks for the favour as you have now got a proper bike.

 

[ianmc64]

Had mines few months wasn't sure of it at first but now love it. these guys will keep you on the road.. loads of great tips. fill your tool box fettling has begun.. enjoy..

 

[a2zworks]

If not done yet replace rubber brake hoses for SS.
I did it on mine after a front one collapsed internally and locked left front calliper, came to a sudden stop and car behind me just went around me and onto the footpath, left a small white scuff on my rear mudguard from her front bumper
Lucky that she was (sort of) paying attention and not texting on her phone!

Enjoy

 

[Irishdude]

I have my r1150gsa about 6 yrs , 160000kms on clock and I ride it every day to work, still lovin it,
just don't forget to check the oil now and then , and keep it serviced.

 

[King Rat]

It takes seconds to check the oil each morning, provided you park it on the flat and on centre stand. Bend down, wipe window with finger, assure oneself there is brown gunk in the window to the desired level (small bubble gap at top of window!)

Don't leave it parked on the side stand for long - oil runs into the left cylinder and can be a cause of losing oil. An old airhead thing really, but I have it on one of mine GS1150s too. Not serious and it depends on luck, where the valve stops when you turn off.

I change the oil in engine every 6000 miles and filter with it. New drive line oil throughout every three oil changes. The standard GS has done 70,000 trouble free miles. The Adv has done 100,000 with just the brake motor thing letting go as th eonly problem - if you discount the time it came to a grinding halt and wouldn't restart because I hadn't got the fuel line joined up properly Took Steptoe a day to find the source of the problem Tried the injectors and all sorts....because I had done about 3000 miles since having the tank off for a new battery and 200 miles that morning and the tank was half full we didn't think to check the fuel line connection.

 

[Colin1958]

Oh deary deary me!

Bike died on the A45 just outside of Rugby - nice and dangerous place too! I was just running along in the outside lane at ???mph when it just died.

Left standing there for over 2 hours by the AA. 5 hours to get home on a Sunday evening.

Turns out the fuel pump just gave up.

I remain underwhelmed.

 

[Rupsol]

that is such bad luck Colin - stick with it they are a superb machine

 

[Madmountainman]

FD's, fuel pumps, broken wiring, worn UJ's, worn injectors, servo ABS and hall sensors. That list just about covers the common problems that have occurred on the 1150's. Do not feel underwhelmed if you have any problems with any of these, it's just the character of the bike shining through and, once sorted, the bike will just keep on going.

 

[Flipfly]

Oh deary deary me!

Bike died on the A45 just outside of Rugby - nice and dangerous place too! I was just running along in the outside lane at ???mph when it just died.

Left standing there for over 2 hours by the AA. 5 hours to get home on a Sunday evening.

Turns out the fuel pump just gave up.

I remain underwhelmed.

Unlucky!

If it's got alarm, feck it off, the only time I've ever been broken down was an alarm and an alternator belt (had a spare and it took me 20 minutes to be back up and running).

Fuel pumps are cheap and easily replaced.

 

[Packer]

That is bad luck Colin. My one did over 96,000 miles including 8,500 in North America with their high ethanol fuel. In all that time the only thing that stopped me on the road was a loose battery connection that caused the bike to stall at lights. I bumped it up the kerb onto the footpath and that remade the connection well enough to re-start the bike and get home to trace the problem.

What miles does your bike show and does the history and documentation suggest that it's right?

 

[Colin1958]

Hi all,

The fuel pump's been replaced as has the starter motor.

The brake lines are all being replaced with braided steel hoses from the local racing team - just waiting for some new unions to arrive.

I've ordered a footpeg lowering kit and once I've tested that out will probably be looking to raise the seat at a re-upholsterers which will mean extending the screen . . .

If that little lot doesn't work then it'll be a Stelvio for me.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the bike, it's just been used properly with 54,000 on the clock. Mechanically, it's sound. Cosmetically, well it's as old, ugly and battered as I am. . .