oh cr*p i have gone and confused myself

[richb77]

Ok,

Some of you may have sen my thread asking for buyer guidance for a 1200GSA i am after.

I have now gone and thrown a spanner in the works buy checking out a mates 1150 GSA...

I would like some advise from you experienced owners

Obviously there are distinct advantages to the 1150...Its a hell of a lot cheaper for starters.

I am a big guy so the weight disadvantage doesnt worry me but i would love to hear from people that have had both or experienced both and help me decide what one to aim for.

I have test ridden both a 1200GS (not adventure) and a 1150 GSA but so far apart and for too short a time to get a feel for long term life.

Any help would be appreciated. I am like a dog chasing its own tail at the moment.

I should add i am coming from a Fatboy so i am used ot BIG shakey motors.

 

[Popeye]

TRY HERE for starters

 

[richb77]

still confused even more so if thats possible

Ok.

I know the differences between the 1200GS and the 1200GSA they are pretty obvious.

But i am finding it harder to find listed differences between the 1150GS and 1150GSA.

Is the tank larger on the 1150GSA? Taller? Anything else different?

I know i want an adventure if i went for a 1200 but am not entirely sure what the difference is on the 1150 if i chose to buy one of them.

Cheers for the help!

 

[Twotter]

The search button is your friend

Basically though it depends on the spec of the bikes you're considering. You could find the 1150GSA is slightly taller, has a lower first gear, the wheels are a different colour (bluey purple vs silver), has a bigger tank, comes with BMW crash bars and has BMW ally luggage rather than plastic system cases. But they're all options (apart form the wheels IIIRC) so you can't take that as gospel.

Just buy which one you prefer

 

[RayS]

Ok.

I know the differences between the 1200GS and the 1200GSA they are pretty obvious.

But i am finding it harder to find listed differences between the 1150GS and 1150GSA.

Is the tank larger on the 1150GSA? Taller? Anything else different?

I know i want an adventure if i went for a 1200 but am not entirely sure what the difference is on the 1150 if i chose to buy one of them.

Cheers for the help!

Hi
I have the 2005 1150GSA in white and bought it as new. There were several versions but normally the differences from the standard 1150GS were the 32 litre tank, seat height, the amount of travel on the suspension, a lower first gear and a lower top gear, engine bars fitted as standard, some detailed colour changes on the valve covers, wheel rims etc
You can see from the spec it was supposed to be a bit more suited to offroad than the standard GS, but having said that neither bike is really suited to offroad unless you are Superman.
Compared to the 1200 the 1150's all have more reliable electrics, much better low down torque, smoother engine at low revs (particularly useful in heavy traffic, tight hairpin bends two up etc) but the 1200 has a few more horsepower, a higher top speed and possibly a bit better acceleration but, the 1200 does need to be rev'd a bit and the gearbox used a bit more.
Yer pays yer money & takes your choice...... I know many 1200 riders who previously had an 1150 who wish that they were still made and I for one have no intention of ever buying a 1200.
Cheers
Ray

 

[richb77]

Thanks for the answers guys. Sorry about the search and ask as i have done. I searched and to be honest was swamped and got my knickers in a twist.

I have to admit i initially wanted a 1200GSA but having seen some of the extremely nice 1150GSA's on here for sale my head has been turned.

I did try a 1200GS and a 1150GS on the same test ride (1200 first then the 1150) and i was leaning towards the 1200 for two reasons. The 1150 was 56k mile example and the 1200 was a demo bike. and the 1150 was a bit rough, also the crash bars where a pain in the ar$e as i kept hitting my shin on the corner (with the weld and plastic cap) so i would sort that but i think as soon as i have been paid for my Harley i am heading to 1150 town

Cheers for the help and advice. I cant wait to post the "i've bought one" message

 

[Big Nick]

The 1150 will do everything the 1200 will do and some would say its more reliable .

I went with the 1200 as I prefered the looks, the extra power and also wanted the warranty!

I think you're best to test ride both and weigh up your finances, if you buy wisely you could get an 1150 and if you don't like it sell it on for minimal loss and get a 1200, alternatively the 1150 could be all the bike you need.

 

[bladerunner]

I walked into Rydales asking for an 1150GSA and Peter pursuaded me to have one of the first 1200GS in Wales. I put £500 down site unseen and waited 5 months before seeing it in the flesh. I was a little disappointed by the flimsy, rather plastic nature, but kept it 1 year.


I sold the one year old 1200GS to buy a 3 year old 1150GSA. The 1150 (03) still looks near new, the 1200 (05 I think) looks a dog - but that may be how it has been kept since.
The 1150 has lost maybe £1.5k in 4 years, the 1200 probably £5k+ in that time.

The new 1200GSA have a much better reputation for reliability than previous, and are very capable bikes (as they should be for the price). Faster reving, lighter, faster and amazing tank range.

For me the 1150GSA is iconic and give the impression of being bombproof (though I note recent MCN). Sit on each bike and hold the handlebars - which feels nicer? Which feels more BMW?

If both were available now brand new for the same price - personally I'd buy the 1150GSA. But that is just my 'umble opinion and another will be along shortly!!

 

[Bryn]

Rich, its going to be down to personal preference, and there will be pro's and cons for both the 1150 and the 1200....

I personally started with a standard 1150, moved on to an 1100 anniversary, then an 1150 ADV , then a standard 1200...I felt that I needed to try one of the 'new ones'

Had it a season and it did everything I asked of it, including a two up trip in europe , and the only thing that went wrong with it was a headlamp bulb blowing

I then decided that I wanted another 1150 ADV and picked up a nice one on here The 1200 IMHO doesn't feel so 'substantial' as the 1150, and I think long term I'll lose less with the older bike.... but thats' just me

 

[(RIP) john plane]

Just my humble opinion the 1200 is lighter faster but prefer the 1150 for long distance.You can get some good ones for sale on here for half the money of a 1200.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

I'd like to speak up for the 12 owners, if I may? I've an '05 GS, owned from new, which has been brilliant at touring, popping to the shops, commuting and staying in good nick even though I treat it like crap. I've had a couple of fuel pump controller failures, but now carry a spare, plus a couple of battery issues which seem to have gone away. I've recently been thinking of changing it only because my family is about to double in size and I doubt I'd get much use out of it, for a while anyway. I do prefer the look of the 1150GSA though.

 

[Boxerboy55]

As an average 5'-8" lightweight I found an 1150GSA far too heavy for comfort, the 1200GSA a bit too tall (+probably too heavy loaded) for comfort, so settled for a standard 1200GS.
Significantly lighter than an 1150GSA and the extra poke was welcome too. Sure it was dearer, but lighter and younger (just how I like my girls - sorry wrong forum).

If I was a Big Bloke I could certainly have been tempted by clean 1150 GSA. There are some nice ones out there.

 

[Mort]

I've had 2 1200's (non GSA) and now back on an 1150 (non GSA)
I prefer the 1150 but I can't say it's a better bike, just different. I loved the lighter weight and extra power for a blast on the country lanes but the longer legged more substantial 1150 gets my vote (although a GSA has shorter gearing).
Funny enough I was saying that it may have been a mistake selling my 1100GS as the 5 speed box is much better on the B roads than the 6 speed

At least my wife has an 1100 if I need a quick fix