Life after 1150GS?

[the_laughing_mole]

What do people get after their 1150GS? Had mine 4 years and do fancy a change, but nothing I've tried has done enough for me to want to part with the 1150.... for example:
1200GS - tried it a few years back but it just didn't tug at my emotions like the 1150.
1200GSA - love the look of this, but just too big for me (5'9")
KTM 990 - this one's come the closest and is such fun, but turbulence from the screen, seat height and current price are negatives
1200RT - tried one at Bahnstormer today - disappointed, seemed a lot more buzzy than my old bike and whatever position I raised the screen to was not quite right...
K1300R - tried at Bahnstormer today. A totally mad beast , the engine is incredible and love the looks and the ride. But riding position not quite for me and windblast, though not as bad as I thought, means its not really ideal for the single year round bike. But would love one as bike #2
Straying from the fold, I do fancy a Honda 1300S (the retro with the screen) - great torque, riding position, screen protection and it's a Honda... but I can't find one in a dealer to try!!

What have others moved to after their 1150 - what do you recommend??

 

[sproggy]

A few years ago I had an 1150GS and a Blackbird. The GS was my commuting bike and the Blackbird was my 'fun' bike. Except I had more fun on the GS so the Blackbird hardly got used.

Although I loved the GS it was big and heavy and clunky so I sold both it and the 'Bird and bought a new 1200GS. BIG mistake - I hated it. Everything about it. But particularly the lack of comfort - it killed my (admittedly damaged) back after 20 minutes so even commuting to work was painful - touring was out of the question. And it had no character at all.

Sold the 1200 after 6 months (lost a packet) and bought an 1100S which was good, but not as good as the GS. Bought a 650 Transalp to save the by now very modified 1100S from the winter salt and the Transalp was great (mini-GS riding position) but too slow two-up which is how I ride every day.

Sold the 1100S and bought an Electra Glide (didn't see that coming, did you ) which didn't live up to expectations either - kept running the Transalp as a daily rider. Sold the Harley and the Transalp and bought a one year old Bandit 1250S (I'm really a 1-bike person) which annoyed me with its cheap, inadequate brakes, suspension, engine management etc. Sold that last month after sticking with it for just over a year and bought another 1150GS - wish I'd never sold my original one.

It feels like being back home again after 3 years in the wilderness. So you want a recommendation? Keep the GS - if you don't, you'll regret it, spend a lot of money trying to make other bikes as good as a GS (and failing) and eventually realise how good the 1150 is and wish you'd never sold yours.

 

[Den]

There aint nothing. Keep it.

 

[Decster]

There aint nothing. Keep it.

+1

save up to try other bikes but dont part with the 1150

 

[Mort]

Twice I've sold a GS for a change of bike and within 6 months each time went out and bought another GS....we're trapped

 

[Fanum]

Rather than looking for something to change to, why not look for somethiing to compliment it, to go with it ?

A drz 400 or simlar for example

 

[FatAl]

I swapped my 7 year old GS1150 for a new Moto Guzzi Stelvio a couple of months ago, no regrets dsepite a couple of minor hiccups. There was nothing wrong with my GS, I just fancied a change, and always had a soft spot for Guzzis. My only criticism of the Stelvio is the fuel tank capacity could do with increasing by about four litres, and the Guzzi parts supply system is quite poor.
The bike is fabulous and sounds ace, even on the standard exhaust. The handling is perhaps not quite as supple as the GS but I'm happy with it and I still hustle it along as fast as I did the GS. The standard Brembo brakes are fine with plenty of feel, the adjustable screen works well, and unlike the recent MCN road test I find the bike comfortable enough for 300 mile days, and unlike the muppet MCN tester I'm not startled, surprised or upset by the fact that a 1200cc V twin vibrates a bit, thats part of the attraction for me. The mirrors give a decent rear view despite any vibration and it certainly doesn't affect my comfort.
I kept my GS for five years and I've no doubt I'll enjoy the Stelvio at least as long.

 

[KMD]

I've been considering this same question lately, and I too can't come up with a better alternative. Thought about the GS12, the KTM990 etc etc, and I've decided I'll only change it for a mint, very low mileage example of what I already have, an 1150.

Mine's had a full new clutch recently, and a new bevel box bearing so the big issues are done, the engines still great so it should be OK for a while yet. Think I'll just spend a bit of time tidying her up and keep it.

 

[t'other dave]

I too have this problem, had the 1150 for 6 years now love it to bits but just fancy a change but to what a HD fatboy looks interesting but ?? Triumph tiger, gs12, blackbird, blaa blaa just arnt a patch on the 1150gs as a 1 bike option. Keep the 1150.

 

[big albig]

Guy's you've all hit the nail on the head, the BM's 1100,1150, are the best
I've tried all sorts but, nothing ever comes up to the GS, so I'm sticking with mine Too.

 

[jimbo]

Rather than looking for something to change to, why not look for somethiing to compliment it, to go with it ?

A drz 400 or simlar for example

hmm, I've had my 1150 for years and couldn't work out what to replace it with.
So I brought a DRZ400 as well. After a year of s*d all use I sold it.
Bought a Triumph speed triple instead in February. I don't use that either and its on ebay at the moment (subtle plug eh?).
Despite wanting to buy a new bike - I actually like what I have

 

[motobiker]

Replacing the bike with something else just doesn't figure in my mind at all.. a second bike - maybe. but even then I see little point as there's a. nothing that tempts me and b. would be money wasted as it would simply sit and rot. (most of the time)

This after 12 years owning an 1100. (with a 2 year break - bikeless)

 

[Kneeslider916]

I ran a CB1300SA, the one with the fairing. Loved looking at it, hated riding it. And the build quality was rather poor, the paint on the frame especially. I got rid of mine after 7 months and bought a blackbird, which i loved, but i also loved my licence, so its a 1200GS for me.

I've just changed the 1200GS for an 1150GS, and am as happy as a dog with two tails.

 

[Ash]

being a flydy and a man mountain i have tried all sorts of bikes in my quest for something lighter,smoother and more manageable for someone with my disability's.nothing comes close once i pull away R1150 GS .
GS1150 trike watch this space.

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

What have others moved to after their 1150 - what do you recommend??

I moved away from a 1150GSA to a Blackbird, realised my mistake and went to an 03 1150GS, that was 2.5 years and 33k miles ago. I've owned many bikes before the GS's but to me nothing comes close, I can do 600+miles a day, commute, scratch and generally hoot about, it is my perfect compromise

As others have said, buy another bike to run alongside.

Oh.. I will one day change the GS, but not before it wears out

 

[Wrinkly]

I think it's something that's bred into many bikers,that urge to change.
We also make many plans which we constantly change.
I know and this is after owning many bikes over many years,that if i sell my 1150gsa that i will regret it deeply in a very short space of time.
So here is my latest plan.
I have recently purchased an f650 funduro 1994 with 16000mls and in very good condition,cost £800.the point is that i shall use this second bike to qwell my urges when i want to change and hopefully am not going to lose an awful lot of money.I have ridden the bike enough to know that it's a lot of fun and am already thinking that in 6mnt's time i will start to look for a nice 650 Dakar and who knows what after that.
I do believe that the 1150 is a modern classic and at this moment in time plan to take it off the road in the winter of 2010/11 and to return it to as near new condition as possible.
Thats this weeks plan and i'm sure it will all change.
Keep your 1150 and play about with something else.

You know it makes sense

Steve

 

[wildbeeste]

You lot are a fat load of use.
I have told the missus I am selling the 1150GS after owning it for 5 years. I also have no idea what to replace it with.
Tempted with a SPRINT ST but..........
I think she may notice if I just get another GS that is just a different colour.
The fact it has taken me a month to do absolutely nothing about selling it tells me that I know it will be a mistake to sell it.

This site does not help things either

 

[DavidHale]

I've tried running two bikes but tbh I just don't use them. Too many other distractions and not enough money to justify it - I'm not really a "hard core" biker, mostly it was to get to work and back. Now that I'm not working I'm hardly using it. Having said that, I can't think of anything I'd replace the GS with. Maybe the 800GS or a Tenere, or even a KTM (the 600ish single enduro bike, whatever it was called, you know, the really tall ugly one)... but the GS is comfy and set up for me nicely. I need a long trip on it...

 

[HORIZONTALLY OPPOSED]

Keepin it

Have no wish to change my 1150, I have the utmost admiration for the beast, it has never let me down & copes with whatever is thrown at it be it excessive loads diabolical weather or crap rider input, had it for seven years & have grown to love it, think it was my ex's going away present, consider I got the best of the deal. Whats more my new lady loves it almost as much as I do which means no problem playing out she comes too. Come to think of it every chance it will outlive me the big black b@stard (can I say that)

 

[the_laughing_mole]

Sounds like we all have the same problem - nothing else comes close to the 1150 and yes I will almost certainly keep it - sure it's practical and multi-purpose, but so's an MPV . What the 1150 also has is something it's difficult to put your finger on, but you know when it's there: Character. I previously had a Fireblade - fantastic bike and build quality, but somehow a little antiseptic, you admired it, but you could never love it. So, instead of changing, will probably spend my money on bits, clothing and journeys.....

By the way, when is the new Honda V4 'Varadero' coming out...could be worth a ride