Row
Guest
Hello everyone this is my first post so please be gentle with me, currently ride a 2001 R1150RS that i am very happy with but quite fancy a GS, 1150 or 1200 ! any advice would be appreciated.
Mutley
Registered user
Hello Row
Welcome to the forum
As for your choice of bike, I think we need more information.
What do you want to do with it? Commute, Sunday bimbles, off-road, round the world 2 year tour?
How much have you got to spend?
How tall are you and how confident are you on a bike? Adventures are very tall.
Welcome to the forum
As for your choice of bike, I think we need more information.
What do you want to do with it? Commute, Sunday bimbles, off-road, round the world 2 year tour?
How much have you got to spend?
How tall are you and how confident are you on a bike? Adventures are very tall.
Row
Guest
Thanks for reply Muttley, dont use bike for commuting just for pleasure, would like to use GS for ride outs, road and lanes, and maybe some long distance touring, i am 5 10" dont fancy a GSA, moneywise could stretch to 05 or even new.
Droopy Dick
Registered user
I think what you really need to do it to pop into your nearest dealer and arrange an extended test ride on both machines.
If you can spare a mid-week day, you could do a morning on one and the afternoon on the other.
That way you'll know exactly how they both feel to ride.
After that it's down to your wallet.
If you can spare a mid-week day, you could do a morning on one and the afternoon on the other.
That way you'll know exactly how they both feel to ride.
After that it's down to your wallet.
rdover
Registered user
ROW
I used to have a 1150GS, sold it for an 1150RT as the gearbox was about to chuck it and 15 months later have just bought a 12GSA. My thoughts are thus:
The 1150GS is an immensley capable all rounder. Compared with a Bandit, Fazer Thou or similar it will do everything you want of it and in the right hands trounce anything on back roads BUT it is seriosly quirky and a decent test ride is a MUST.
1150 v 1200 comparison
1150
very characterful, bigger, heavier, better weather protection, more 2nd hand add on parts, cheaper to buy.
1200
Lighter, faster, more torque, better handling but far less character.
I didn't like the 12GS and many times have thoguht about going back to the 1150GS from the RT but couldn't face buying all the bits I'd just sold. All the things I like about the 1150 and 1200 are combined in the 12GSA.
Conclusion
Apart from being a 100% personal decision, the difference is in how get on with the bike as a complete package. The suspension is amazing once you get used to it and the best bit that you can use every bit of the performance.
I once had a wee race with an R1 over the Kirkstone pass and got to the A66 some 40 mins before the R1 boy. Why? GS's are generally ridden by people who can ride it to within 90% of it's capability 90% of the time R1s (and similar) are generally ridden by people who can use it to 50%, 50% of the time.
They are damnably odd from the lack of dive (unless you're really trying) to the rocking at tickover to the indicators but you'll be with the programme on most of these already. Go for the test rides and then you can tell us
I used to have a 1150GS, sold it for an 1150RT as the gearbox was about to chuck it and 15 months later have just bought a 12GSA. My thoughts are thus:
The 1150GS is an immensley capable all rounder. Compared with a Bandit, Fazer Thou or similar it will do everything you want of it and in the right hands trounce anything on back roads BUT it is seriosly quirky and a decent test ride is a MUST.
1150 v 1200 comparison
1150
very characterful, bigger, heavier, better weather protection, more 2nd hand add on parts, cheaper to buy.
1200
Lighter, faster, more torque, better handling but far less character.
I didn't like the 12GS and many times have thoguht about going back to the 1150GS from the RT but couldn't face buying all the bits I'd just sold. All the things I like about the 1150 and 1200 are combined in the 12GSA.
Conclusion
Apart from being a 100% personal decision, the difference is in how get on with the bike as a complete package. The suspension is amazing once you get used to it and the best bit that you can use every bit of the performance.
I once had a wee race with an R1 over the Kirkstone pass and got to the A66 some 40 mins before the R1 boy. Why? GS's are generally ridden by people who can ride it to within 90% of it's capability 90% of the time R1s (and similar) are generally ridden by people who can use it to 50%, 50% of the time.
They are damnably odd from the lack of dive (unless you're really trying) to the rocking at tickover to the indicators but you'll be with the programme on most of these already. Go for the test rides and then you can tell us
JAY
Guest
rdover said:
Mutley
Registered user
Row said:
I think both bikes will do all of this, and at 5' 10'' you'll have little problem with the height either. Your budget should cover a decent example of either as well. It seems it will come down to personal choice for you.
As has been said, there are differences in the engine and gearbox characteristics of the bikes. You'll need a test ride to see which one you prefer.
I bought an '05 1150 GSA because I wanted the off road ability and because I liked the looks. I don't think you'll be unhappy whichever you buy.
Bananaman
Guest
Concur with all above.
As the ad says....let the ride decide (the model)
As the ad says....let the ride decide (the model)
Deleted account 231211001
Registered user
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More of the same, but with the added bits of personal experience:
I went from an 1100RT to a 1200GS. The 12GS was a twat! Mine broke down 9 times in 8 months. The sophistication of the machine was its own worst enemy. (By all accounts I am the unluckiest 12GS owner ever, but one bitten and all that.) SO.... I got the 1150 ADV. Clunkier, odder, slower, but bags of character and more front than Blackpool. Never (so far) let me down in 6 months and 8k miles. BUT.... she's big and heavy. I'm 6'4 and can get both feet flat on the floor at lights. 5'10 may cause you some "interesting" moments. Take the previous advice seriously and try an extended test ride before you dive in. Either way, you'll not be disappointed.
I went from an 1100RT to a 1200GS. The 12GS was a twat! Mine broke down 9 times in 8 months. The sophistication of the machine was its own worst enemy. (By all accounts I am the unluckiest 12GS owner ever, but one bitten and all that.) SO.... I got the 1150 ADV. Clunkier, odder, slower, but bags of character and more front than Blackpool. Never (so far) let me down in 6 months and 8k miles. BUT.... she's big and heavy. I'm 6'4 and can get both feet flat on the floor at lights. 5'10 may cause you some "interesting" moments. Take the previous advice seriously and try an extended test ride before you dive in. Either way, you'll not be disappointed.
Row
Guest
Thanks
Thanks for reply's so far guys, as advised, i will test both.
Thanks for reply's so far guys, as advised, i will test both.
rdover
Registered user
Jay, you misunderstand what I mean as capability. The GS's capability is not simpy measured by power and torque but by feel, handling etc. Simply because a GS has half the power does NOT make it half the bike. Our bikes are not scalpel like, they are not so single minded, however they can, in their natural environment, easily keep up with R1s etc.
My point was that it's the rider that makes the difference and as most R1 riders (in my experience) are often poserish who have an R1 (or Fireblade or Busa - I'm not picking on R1s alone) because it is 'the fastest' or most powerful or most extreme NOT because they are either willing or able to make full use of its abilities. Being honest, an R1 in the right hands will trounce a GS using 2nd gear only but on average GS's are a match for big sports bikes when ridden by their average rider
My point was that it's the rider that makes the difference and as most R1 riders (in my experience) are often poserish who have an R1 (or Fireblade or Busa - I'm not picking on R1s alone) because it is 'the fastest' or most powerful or most extreme NOT because they are either willing or able to make full use of its abilities. Being honest, an R1 in the right hands will trounce a GS using 2nd gear only but on average GS's are a match for big sports bikes when ridden by their average rider
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