Ownership

[yen_powell]

I'm reading this with trepidation.
Just in the process of selling my Africa Twin and potentially buying an 1150GS if it all goes well.
I hate the AT seat and that's the main reason for a move, as I now need to do more road miles. Anyway will see how we get on with a test ride.

Don't do it. How can you read stuff on this forum and still get rid of the Africa Twin. Don't come running to me when you're up to your eyeballs in over the top servicing charges and thinking wistfully that a malfunctioning fuel pump and rotten rims don't seem so bad after all!!!!!!!

Yen

 

[Hannu]

Don't do it. How can you read stuff on this forum and still get rid of the Africa Twin. Don't come running to me when you're up to your eyeballs in over the top servicing charges and thinking wistfully that a malfunctioning fuel pump and rotten rims don't seem so bad after all!!!!!!!

you forgot to mention the crap paintwork on the frame that needs touching up every year.

 

[yen_powell]

Don't do it. How can you read stuff on this forum and still get rid of the Africa Twin. Don't come running to me when you're up to your eyeballs in over the top servicing charges and thinking wistfully that a malfunctioning fuel pump and rotten rims don't seem so bad after all!!!!!!!

you forgot to mention the crap paintwork on the frame that needs touching up every year.

Only if you keep it clean, a bit of gunge and cack sorts that!!!!

 

[DrAlf]

Prior to owning GS’s I had a succession of 4 Africa Twins – including the original 650. IMHO the standard seat on the last Africa’s is the worst seat ever designed. The 1150 GS seat isn’t great but the Africa's seat was agony.

Although the GS offers more power and better on-road handling than the Africa, they do break down a lot in comparison. None of my Africa’s ever let me down, all of my GS’s have Still, it all adds to the character. They are great bikes, it just takes a bit of time to get used to their foibles.

As for the plug, I’d ride it til it was bald and then replace.

Good luck

 

[DaveS]

Don't do it. How can you read stuff on this forum and still get rid of the Africa Twin. Don't come running to me when you're up to your eyeballs in over the top servicing charges and thinking wistfully that a malfunctioning fuel pump and rotten rims don't seem so bad after all!!!!!!!

Yen

Oyy! What are you doing over here? You've found me out.
I stil haven't bought one yet though!

 

[Pukmeister]

I have 2 plugs in my rear tyre, both done by a trusted local tyre fitter after getting two punctures, both from 1 inch nails on separate occasions. About 4mm of tread left until it needs replacing (Tourance). I have absolutely no worries about speed, heat or blowouts having ridden on and off-road, at all speeds and temperatures. So long as the carcass of the tyre was cleaned and inspected and the plug was fitted properly, the repair is good.

Having said all that, if your manual states that the tyre is not fit for purpose after a plug then the dealer has breached the sale of goods and and should replace the tyre for you. The bike has to be 'of merchantable quality' and 'fit for purpose'.

 

[yen_powell]

Oyy! What are you doing over here? You've found me out.
I stil haven't bought one yet though!

I've been popping over here for quite a while. When I'm fed up to the back teeth servicing my bikes myself, I like to hear how much a dealer service costs (and what they forget to do) to remind me what I'm saving and so feel a little better. I like the arguments too, they get quite good sometimes. Oh and I've always liked GSs, just never been confident enough to own one for high mileage work. Still, one day hopefully, when I'm closer to work, I might get one.

 

[DavidHale]

Oh and I've always liked GSs, just never been confident enough to own one for high mileage work.

 

[Wizard]

Nah, no-one would be that daft. Would they?

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Nah, no-one would be that daft. Would they?

I think Yen can with all confidence say there is not many (if any ) people on this forum who's done 129000 miles to work and back on a single GS as he has done with his last Africa Twin

Oyy! What are you doing over here? You've found me out

Were watchin you

 

[Pat Creagh]

Yens credentials

Dirk,
He may have all those miles under his tyres and serviced his bike himself but has he spent loads a dosh in the Chrome and glass temples and written reams of sh1te on this board???
I think not;-))
He'll have to endure a hell of a lot more before he earns his spurs...
Pat.

 

[Sea Lion]

If it's any consolation, I changed a 650 Transalp for an 1100GS.

To be honest if I summed up each bike in one word:

Transalp - Underated
GS - Overated

There are plenty of dissapointed GS owners around. Understandably not on this forum though (except Tentoone et al)

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Dirk,
He may have all those miles under his tyres and serviced his bike himself but has he spent loads a dosh in the Chrome and glass temples and written reams of sh1te on this board???
I think not;-))
He'll have to endure a hell of a lot more before he earns his spurs...
Pat.

Aye that's true Pat, my mother always said you can learn the easy way or the hard way obviously Yen picked the latter and have no sense of adventure

 

[franco]

?

If it's any consolation, I changed a 650 Transalp for an 1100GS.

To be honest if I summed up each bike in one word:

Transalp - Underated
GS - Overated

There are plenty of dissapointed GS owners around. Understandably not on this forum though (except Tentoone et al)

Having had a Transalp, and an Africa Twin, and an R80GS, R100GS-PD, R1100GS and now an 1150GS Adventure, I feel fairly well qualified to comment on this thread. Adventure is THE best bike I've ever owned. I used to chop and change bikes a lot, but had the ADV for a trouble-free 45,000kms, and won't be changing in the near future. Hondas? No thanks.

p.s. I've had a few bottles of Rose out on the terrace tonight and been swimming in the pool with the lights on, so my opinions count for all really...good night

 

[blues n twos]

I'm reading this with trepidation.
Just in the process of selling my Africa Twin and potentially buying an 1150GS if it all goes well.
I hate the AT seat and that's the main reason for a move, as I now need to do more road miles. Anyway will see how we get on with a test ride.

I did the same a year ago... I even had a Touratech seat on the AT but 70-80 miles was the most I could do. Sore arse dosen't come close.

You will find the GS a lot more comfy. I rode 240 miles to Wales with one fag stop and arrived as fresh as a daisy.

You will find the GS has less leg room than the AT believe it or not

Have a good test ride and give yourself time to get used to the Telelever front end. No dive on the brakes. The GS has a lovely planted feel round the bends and is a well balanced bike.

Try and get one with some usefull extras as well. ABS, Heated grips, Tobinators, crash bars etc. All handy

Happy hunting

 

[phooey]

So far as reliability is concerned - although I only had my 1150adv for 11 months - the only thing that ever managed to stop it going was a volvo estate on the A406.
Sadly after 12,000 honest miles together the now 30,000 mile bike was laid to rest in the spare parts bin.

I replaced it on Friday

As for running costs - you can service these things yourself in 30 minutes for about £30.
Great MPG
Great tyre life - compared to sportsbikes.

I've had nothing but fun riding beemers - guess now I've put a Hex on that

 

[Hannu]

more ownership woes

OK contacted the dealer, got a new tyre fitted at there expense, (fitted a new front at my expense while I was at it Tourances) got a second hand low seat FOC for the lack of service history so all in all not a bad result.
Just come back from a week in Wales and getting to like the bike however.
On my return found the V55 log book waiting behind the door.
Bear in mine at this point due to my last attempt to buy a GS and on finding another owner on HPI other than what the seller told me about I categorically ensured with the dealership that it was a ONE owner bike.

YES you've guessed it TWO owners one for one year and the last for two years.

I'll be back on the phone Tuesday

Guess I'm just not cut out to be a GS owner.

 

[Wizard]

I'll be back on the phone Tuesday

Guess I'm just not cut out to be a GS owner.

Just because you got a less-than-good dealer, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the bike. Give the dealer a bollocking, find someone else to use for next time, and get back out and ride the damn thing!!!

 

[Deadskin]

more ownership woes

Have i missed the name of the stealers
or is it time to name these jokers

 

[Hannu]

"Jokers"

Have i missed the name of the stealers
or is it time to name these jokers

mill sunderland