new GS vs old 1150

[Yodagoat]

Ok, I've had my trusty 1150 for 6 years and I love it. It's only done around 40k miles 33k of those by me. I stupildy went to Motorrad today, just for a cup of coffee and a look, but now I'm thinking about the new 1200 GS. It's not the fancy gadgets or the extra power thats drawing me, just the though of having a nice new shiny bike with a warranty etc.
Has anyone else chopped in their 1150 and regretted it?

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

The old 1200 is streets ahead of the 1150. The new 1200 is well ahead of the old one....................no more than you'd expect really..
I don't think you would regret it, did you take it out?

 

[John Armstrong]

On every measurable criteria the hex-head is better than the oil-heads, which makes you wonder why so many have traded in their newer, better, faster hex-head bikes and gone back to the oil heads.

And I'd guess the toilet v the oil-head will result in similar trades.

 

[Yodagoat]

Johno, I've not had a shot of one yet. Its on the cards though.

 

[Yodagoat]

There's also bound to be a new Adventure coming soon, anyone got any sneaky photos of it?

 

[Yellow Peril]

On every measurable criteria the hex-head is better than the oil-heads, which makes you wonder why so many have traded in their newer, better, faster hex-head bikes and gone back to the oil heads.

And I'd guess the toilet v the oil-head will result in similar trades.

Do you think it is character? already plenty of comments re switch gear, a number on sound and reading the various ride reports the new bike is very "Japanese" so is one of the crowd, and that's just between the 1200's. I would imagine the difference between the 1150's character and the newness of the WC is the size of the grand canyon.

And before one of the new owners jumps down my throat this only comes from your own reports. There are plenty that prefer character over function see how many see seek out old airheads, or even the over the top prices paid for HP2's which are totally impractical but have there own character.

 

[Engineer]

Do you think it is character? already plenty of comments re switch gear, a number on sound and reading the various ride reports the new bike is very "Japanese" so is one of the crowd, and that's just between the 1200's. I would imagine the difference between the 1150's character and the newness of the WC is the size of the grand canyon.

And before one of the new owners jumps down my throat this only comes from your own reports. There are plenty that prefer character over function see how many see seek out old airheads, or even the over the top prices paid for HP2's which are totally impractical but have there own character.

What is 'character'? - normally applies to things that don't quite work the way you expect (or would like) them to - one then adapts to the quirks and then convinces oneself that it is better this way. Increasing age tends to lead to this line of thinking

 

[Jurassic Mark]

Character - to me this means something with identifiable characteristics. To me an inline 4 cyclinder Japanesse engine is a smooth but ultimately bland engine. Could you tell the difference between a 600cc Suzuki and Yamaha engine? At what point does the boxer engine lose it's character? The engine on my 1100 is instantly recognizable as a BMW boxer. Ive not ridden the new bike but if you sat on one blind folded does it say BMW boxer? If not then surley lacking in character. Doesn't make it a bad engine, just look at the success of the online 4.

 

[Engineer]

Character - to me this means something with identifiable characteristics. To me an inline 4 cyclinder Japanesse engine is a smooth but ultimately bland engine. Could you tell the difference between a 600cc Suzuki and Yamaha engine? At what point does the boxer engine lose it's character? The engine on my 1100 is instantly recognizable as a BMW boxer. Ive not ridden the new bike but if you sat on one blind folded does it say BMW boxer? If not then surley lacking in character. Doesn't make it a bad engine, just look at the success of the online 4.

Logically an inline 4-cylinder Japanese engine has 'character' because you can identify its particular characteristics! So Japanese 4-cylinder engines have 'character', boxer engines have 'character', hmmmm single cylinder engines have 'character' etc, etc, etc.

 

[Timolgra]

Has anyone else chopped in their 1150 and regretted it?

There's many posts on here by people regretting the change and have gone back to the 1150 but there's also those who for some perverse reason do prefer the 1200.

It's an unanswerable question

 

[Jurassic Mark]

Logically an inline 4-cylinder Japanese engine has 'character' because you can identify its particular characteristics! So Japanese 4-cylinder engines have 'character', boxer engines have 'character', hmmmm single cylinder engines have 'character' etc, etc, etc.[/QUOTE

I agree, but I'm not talking about engine type. I think the crux of the matter is at what point does the engine become so smooth that it no longer feels like a boxer engine? The 1150 instantly feels like a boxer engine, can the same be said of the new WC? I don't know as I haven't tried it. Not sure I'm explaining this very well. I think a few beers will help with my logic!

 

[Yellow Peril]

What is 'character'? - normally applies to things that don't quite work the way you expect (or would like) them to - one then adapts to the quirks and then convinces oneself that it is better this way. Increasing age tends to lead to this line of thinking

Or is character what makes a bike "different" my point being that the new WC is yet another version of the ADV Touring concept, the 1150 set the mould, this is some respects because of Ewan/Charlie.

Character does not mean doesn't work.. but is appears to me, those that defend their purchase of a WC make out the old bikes didn't work but they do, plenty have done very high mileages which proves they do work.

Both the 1150 and original 1200 have proved themselves to be very capable machines and I hate to say it, in many respects the 1150 being the better for its lack of fancy electrical systems and can be repaired in the field. It possibly is/was the last true go anywhere/unstoppable adv tourer that BMW will build.

And obviously you yourself don't exactly trust all the fancy new electrics on a WC:-

Base model does not have traction control or electronic suspension - I bought a base model for exactly those reasons - suspension is a normal rear shock with manual rebound damping and pre-load. The basic computer is included, heated grips and LED headlamp and indicators are extra.
Ok bikes have problems but lets face facts the WC has had 3 recalls in less than 3 months so it could well be argued that they don't work in the way they where designed.

 

[Engineer]

Logically an inline 4-cylinder Japanese engine has 'character' because you can identify its particular characteristics! So Japanese 4-cylinder engines have 'character', boxer engines have 'character', hmmmm single cylinder engines have 'character' etc, etc, etc.[/QUOTE

I agree, but I'm not talking about engine type. I think the crux of the matter is at what point does the engine become so smooth that it no longer feels like a boxer engine? The 1150 instantly feels like a boxer engine, can the same be said of the new WC? I don't know as I haven't tried it. Not sure I'm explaining this very well. I think a few beers will help with my logic!

Why do boxer engines have to be not smooth? the new engine is still a boxer but just a better one.

Yes it does feel like a boxer engine, it makes a boxer sound, has oodles of torque and the torque reaction when the throttle is blipped is still there but much, much reduced and twitches to the left instead of the right - it is just less agricultural than the previous motors. The new engine 'spins up' much more readily than the old engine and pulls like a train in every gear from low revs - it is a boxer on steroids

 

[alp]

Engineer and others, don't get dragged into this, it's just the jealous 1150 boys having a laugh and trying to wind us up.

 

[Wrinkly]

As I've said before,something needs to be living to have "Character"

Steve

 

[karlp]

As I've said before,something needs to be living to have "Character"

Steve

Character is a word usually used as an excuse for something that is inadequate

A hotel that is said to have 'character' is usually a dump.

A bike that has character has something missing

A bike that has an oil leak is said to have character


An 1150 that has character is described by someone who knows it is lacking but cannot admit it to themselves.


Enough said

an 1150 is an old bike and some people cannot cope with the new age of electronics etc so leave them with

character

I would rather ride my new bike

 

[Jurassic Mark]

Logically an inline 4-cylinder Japanese engine has 'character' because you can identify its particular characteristics! So Japanese 4-cylinder engines have 'character', boxer engines have 'character', hmmmm single cylinder engines have 'character' etc, etc, etc.

As I've said before,something needs to be living to have "Character"

Steve

I know a few people who I think are living but they definitely don't have any character. I have to work with some of them; how the days fly by!

 

[Engineer]

So it seems to me that 'character' means unrefined in some way or another and that progress and improvement is for some reason to be frowned upon - sounds like sour grapes to me

 

[Yodagoat]

I think I'm just going to have to book a test ride and take it from there.

 

[APE]

'Character' just means old

Look at houses - the older the house the more character it has. The same goes for cars - those crappy Morgans for example.

Bikes no different. The boxer engine is far different to an inline 4 whether it's a 1100, 1150 or 1200.