Looking for the hard sell.

[kal151]

Okay....I've been lurking around this forum for about two weeks now trying to find out all I can about the GS from people who actually own them. I am in the market for a bike (well I will be as soon as my house sells). I had my mind set on a Kawasaki KLR 650. I guess they don't sell the KLR in England, you have the KLV 1000 instead (totally different bike). Anyway...I really like the GS from what I've seen/read. There are a couple of people in this area who have GS's and every time they ride by I notice my naughty parts start to tingle. The KLR is a very capable "adventure" bike (once you make a couple of upgrades) and there are numerous accounts of people circumnavigating this intergalactic pebble we live on with them. I have noticed a lot of things on this forum that make me question whether or not the GS is really worth the the extra cost. A brand new KLR is right at $5000, while a GS is between $13000 and $16000 depending on where you look. I see posts that address things like hardware corrosion, fuel pump failures, computer failures etc. I want a bike I can maintain myself (I am a very capable mechanic by trade....I can hear my boss laughing now). Just how reliable are these things anyway? This computer that the dealers use...is it a handheld affair or is it the size of a truck? Can I buy one for my own use? Are there any aftermarket ECM's that I can diagnose/program with a standard PC? It is worth noting that the nearest BMW motorcycle shop is 180 miles away. Tell me about what failures you have had on YOUR bike. What is the most common failure on these machines? Or should I just wait for Mercedes to make an adventure motorcycle (wow, that was a low blow)?

 

[Aurelius]

Okay....I've been lurking around this forum for about two weeks now trying to find out all I can about the GS from people who actually own them. I am in the market for a bike (well I will be as soon as my house sells). I had my mind set on a Kawasaki KLR 650. I guess they don't sell the KLR in England, you have the KLV 1000 instead (totally different bike). Anyway...I really like the GS from what I've seen/read. There are a couple of people in this area who have GS's and every time they ride by I notice my naughty parts start to tingle. The KLR is a very capable "adventure" bike (once you make a couple of upgrades) and there are numerous accounts of people circumnavigating this intergalactic pebble we live on with them. I have noticed a lot of things on this forum that make me question whether or not the GS is really worth the the extra cost. A brand new KLR is right at $5000, while a GS is between $13000 and $16000 depending on where you look. I see posts that address things like hardware corrosion, fuel pump failures, computer failures etc. I want a bike I can maintain myself (I am a very capable mechanic by trade....I can hear my boss laughing now). Just how reliable are these things anyway? This computer that the dealers use...is it a handheld affair or is it the size of a truck? Can I buy one for my own use? Are there any aftermarket ECM's that I can diagnose/program with a standard PC? It is worth noting that the nearest BMW motorcycle shop is 180 miles away. Tell me about what failures you have had on YOUR bike. What is the most common failure on these machines? Or should I just wait for Mercedes to make an adventure motorcycle (wow, that was a low blow)?

A friend of mine has a KLR650, which I've ridden on many occasions. This model, as you're probably aware, has been around for the better part of two decades, and is known for its mechanical reliability. Though the KLR is hardly on par with the 1150GS in terms of features and creature comforts, I would say that its still the better value, and unless you plan to do any long distance riding, its a very capable general purpose bike. Its a poor choice for prolonged highway travel, however, due to the excessive engine vibration, relatively low power, and narrow seat.

The GS has been a highly reliable, low maintenance bike for many people, but some seem to have had very bad luck with theirs. Problems range from cracked driveshaft splines, to leaking oil seals, broken spokes, and corrosion on the lower forks. I've put nearly 35,000 miles on mine without any problem; another rider I know has put just over 300,000 miles on his 1100GS with only a few parts replacements, the most expensive being a worn driveshaft. I was sold on the GS when I rode a '96 R1100GS with 110,000 miles on the odometer - it still felt like a new bike. If I had to do it all over again, I would without hesitation buy another GS.