R 1150 GSA - What's the best year ?

[BLUEJAY]

Hi Gents,
I may be shopping around for an 1150 GS ADVENTURE and was wondering :

Which, in your opinion, is the best year to choose and why ?

What main bugs (if any ) should I be looking for ?

Any of you have swapped back from 1200 GS ?


Actually, I have decided to change my '03 F650 GS (no complaints overall - great bike ) at the end of this year, and to replace it I am checking out the following models, although I have not yet tried any:


F800 GS (as New bike) :

Up =
Seems nimble and lighter
good power/weight ratio
good capabilities for light/medium off-road
very good MPG
chain driven

Down=
worried it won't be too confy for longer runs
low end torque ?
Too much electronics ?


1200 GS (as Used bike) :

Up=
Nice motor/performance
good appeal
very good/confortable on roads
low end torque

Down=
too much electronics
heavier than 800
telelever suspension (for O/R)
some bits are plasticky


1150 GSA (Used, of course)

Up=
Metal made
good range
very good appeal (read "unique")
though made "old timer"
low end torque
simple made construction (read not much electronics)
first lower gear ratio option

Down=
Heavy
Heavy
Heavy
Fuel consumption ?
telelever suspension (for O/R)


Just a few thoughts....what do you say ?

Still some time to decide I know, but I wanted to get it right, be convinced at the end and made some deep research with the help of you experienced long-time owners.


Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers


P.S.: If I decide for the 1150 GSA, I'd be definitely looking for a "lower first gear" equipped one.

Awesome is the 2006 Special Edition

 

[jonogs]

Best GSA?


1100

 

[Bronco Billy]

Probably best to go for the best example available at the time. I always think the bloke selling the bike is almost as important as what hes selling if you know what I mean. If two examples were dead the same then probably go for the one before the twinspark came in ..... Cant remember what year that happened....somebody on here will shout up. You dont get the problems that you sometimes get with the coil packs on the twinsparks but theres not a lot in it if you ask me .....

 

[John Armstrong]

And pre-twin spark was non-servo brakes. Just like the 07 1200 GS

I've gone the 1150GS - 1200GS - 1150GSA - 1200GSA route and personally the 1200 GSA suits me much better than the 1200GS. Partly it's looks, but I reckon if you're after a GSA then the lightweight GS of either persuasion will always be there saying "you should have got me".

 

[davegs]

1150 gs.

Avoid servo brakes.

 

[Colban]

Avoid servo brakes.

Seconded.

Some early ones had the 22l tank so make sure it has the proper 33l.
I prefer the single spark motor as there is less to go wrong,but some say the twin-spark is smoother.
I think ALL GSAs had the "Enduro" box.That is low 1st and 6th gears compared to the std GS.

 

[pgibbins@gmail.com]

I have 2002 1150gsa single spark (i think twin spark came in 2003) non servo non ABS and love it - nice and simple

 

[D6]

twin spark, u heathens

 

[Trippy]

55 plated SE's.
Future classic.

Not a normal one with a lick of gloss white and a 2nd hand seat.

 

[sani]

I can seriously say that I have a 1150 GSA
Twin spark ABS Servo etc.24000m so far no problem's

Same bikes they do go wrong with the wrong riders

 

[grandtrousers]

"03" Twin spark ABS servo no problems and stops me and pillion VERY quickly.

 

[GS_Mad]

I'm one of the lucky ones with an SE. Had it since new and now have 17k on the clock. No issues at all.

Love the bike and all paid for - can't see me selling this one.

Cheers

 

[MikeP]

I think ALL GSAs had the "Enduro" box.That is low 1st and 6th gears compared to the std GS.

Nope. Low first was an option until they made the Tarts Handbag white SE (Spare Extras) model. If you want to check, just give the last seven of the VIN to a BMW dealer and check for Option 631.

The Adventure had the same ratios as the "vanilla" GS when the overdrive top gear was deleted unless the option was specified.

Go for the latest one you can afford. Low first is worth having (and I didn't realise just how much until I rode Fanum's bike up part of the Tinehir in Morocco. Compared to mine with the low first, it had to be either a lot of clutch slipping or a fistfull of revs). It makes it a better bike for filtering too.

Servo-ABS III is much better than the earlier versions, good enough to be carried over to the 1200 models unchanged. The Servo assistance doesn't seem as sharp.

 

[Global Rider]

P.S.: If I decide for the 1150 GSA, I'd be definitely looking for a "lower first gear" equipped one.

Good plan!

As for which one, the 2 Spark model with plain old everyday brakes.

I never even considered any oilhead till BMW came out with the 2 Spark in January 2003, I believe it was.

 

[nunesaf]

Bluejay (if you are hearing us ),

It all depends on the use you will give to your bike.

Just a few other points for you to consider:
- F800GS engine: I wouldn't consider the engine worse than the 1200. I have a F800S and it beats the 1200GS (which I know quite well too)
- And if you are looking for speed, you can find better bikes out there
- The 800, 1150, 1200 will be an improvement compared to your 650 (lovely and nimble bike, you will miss it...)

I would give you these high-level indications depending on the use you will give to it:-
Trips:
Probably the GS1150 will be the best choice. It has a long final sixth speed and heavy which makes it particularly stable

More offroad:
F800GS - obviously

City:
F800GS - light and economical. Cheap to run

Misc (open road with medium size trips):
1200GS - you can have a low consumption if you make trips over 20 miles and it is confy


I own a 1150GS (ABS and non-servo and glad for this), with an older look but I like it lots. And it doesn't have those mambo-jambo electronic issues. And with the help of this fantastic community here and a good set of spanners and sockets etc you will be able to service it (if you enjoy that sort of work).

At the end, just mind what you want from your bike and go for a test drive and you will be for sure make up a good decision.

Could you though consider the 1200GSA? If I change my 1150GS, it would be by that one - I am only afraid of electronics (EWS stuff and etc).

Cheers and hope this confusion will enlighten you

 

[BLUEJAY]

Bluejay (if you are hearing us ),

It all depends on the use you will give to your bike.

Just a few other points for you to consider:
- F800GS engine: I wouldn't consider the engine worse than the 1200. I have a F800S and it beats the 1200GS (which I know quite well too)

I have "heard" good things about this engine and some of you really talk heaven about it.

- And if you are looking for speed, you can find better bikes out there

Nope. No road bikes at all ! thanks The only speed I am after is cruising speed during those unfortunate times when I have to take the highway. For the rest, I live in the Alps and thus winding steep roads are my piece of bread

- The 800, 1150, 1200 will be an improvement compared to your 650 (lovely and nimble bike, you will miss it...)

I know I will
From my small experience, the F650GS single has been a very well made and enjoyable little bike, which I would endorse to anyone who doesn't look at the stars, if you know what I mean
The improvements over my 650 I am looking for are :
More capability off-road
More confort on road (protection and cruising speed)
A little more power

I would give you these high-level indications depending on the use you will give to it:-
Trips:
Probably the GS1150 will be the best choice. It has a long final sixth speed and heavy which makes it particularly stable

More offroad:
F800GS - obviously

City:
F800GS - light and economical. Cheap to run

Misc (open road with medium size trips):
1200GS - you can have a low consumption if you make trips over 20 miles and it is confy


I own a 1150GS (ABS and non-servo and glad for this), with an older look but I like it lots. And it doesn't have those mambo-jambo electronic issues. And with the help of this fantastic community here and a good set of spanners and sockets etc you will be able to service it (if you enjoy that sort of work).

I do not either like those mambo-jambo electronics and that's my biggest concern in "going forward"

Actually, I do enjoy some wrenching and I am quite proud I changed my steering head bearings and my fork seals so far with good results (so far...).

At the end, just mind what you want from your bike and go for a test drive and you will be for sure make up a good decision.

I will. A buddy of mine is getting is F800GS in a couple of weeks....
Additionally, I will be in Garmisch on July for the Motorrad days (5th time) and I am very much looking forward to take the chance and test-ride some of the bikes I am interested in (F800GS, R1200 GS/GSA).

Could you though consider the 1200GSA? If I change my 1150GS, it would be by that one - I am only afraid of electronics (EWS stuff and etc).

I like it a lot ! Way better than "normal" GS.
The biggest drawback is its price !!! Even used ones are going for 12/13 K (Euros) here in Italy at the moment, and that's like 20/30% higher than going for a brand new F800GS for example.

Cheers and hope this confusion will enlighten you

Thanks for your positive thoughts, which I will keep in mind.

 

[nunesaf]

Thanks for your positive thoughts, which I will keep in mind.

Hya Bluejay,

I am glad you are doing a well informed decision. Fantastic, you live in the Alpes!!! I will be driving there at the end of June on my 1150GS along with my brother and another friend . Looking forward for the twisty roads and the breathtaking landscapes, and the food, and the good weather and and and... all good stuff that life has to offer.

Thinking about your requirements, probably the new F800GS is what you are looking for. Though some riders don't like the seat, it vibrates less than the F650GS. Anyhow, should you have any questions, please by all means give us a shout here!


Good luck!

 

[BLUEJAY]

Hya Bluejay,

I am glad you are doing a well informed decision. Fantastic, you live in the Alpes!!! I will be driving there at the end of June on my 1150GS along with my brother and another friend . Looking forward for the twisty roads and the breathtaking landscapes, and the food, and the good weather and and and... all good stuff that life has to offer.

Thinking about your requirements, probably the new F800GS is what you are looking for. Though some riders don't like the seat, it vibrates less than the F650GS. Anyhow, should you have any questions, please by all means give us a shout here!


Good luck!

Yep ! I am taking a year to scan around and find out what's my next bike going to be like, and I must say I have been waiting some time for the 800GS to come on the roads, even though I still have some bugs on boxers
Not a long list of bikes, but still some thoughts to be gathered


If you come by the Lake of Como area, let me know and we can have a beer together (the rest you'll have to find it yourself ), so that we can have an updated chat on Beemers

I live about 20 minutes (as a bike flies ) form the Lake and 1.5 hours from the swiss border.

If your planned trip comes closer and you have the time, I can give you my e-mail, to arrange for the meeting.

 

[Cullen]

I have a 2003, 42,000 miles, non-servo, non-ABS, with a big tank and BMW luggage. Once I had a lot of electrical problems when I first got the bike but they all vanished when I fitted an Odyssey battery and the bike hasn't so much as hiccuped in the last 35+ thousand miles. Extra lights should be considered an essential upgrade.

 

[Spout]

Bluejay, having had most types of GS, I can assure you that the telelever front end is fine off road (trail riding - not competition), and its advantage of partially seperating braking and suspension on the road is well transferred to the dirt.