R1150GS ... they still have "it", don't they?

To Date:

1 x R1100GS
1 x R1150GS
1 x R1200 GSA Hex
1 x R1200 Scrambler
1 x R1200 GS Rallye
1 x R1150 GSA
Next up

1 x R1200 GSA

I’ll be back……
 
Come back into the light, you know it makes sense:rob

Back in 2004, choice was (thankfully) far more limited. Only enlightened eccentrics rode GSes. In this photo I count 13 1150s, one new-fangled 1200, one 1100 and a solitary F650 interloper.

Pre Ewan and Charlie, en route to the Elan Valley. Dennis, Kostas, 2WheelHumvee and Ming all feature

I was that "F650 interloper" though the 650 has long gone.
 
Yes - best bike ever... mine is up to about 180,000 miles I think (on second speed just about to clock 100,000). Just sold the MotoGuzzi V85 so she is going back on the road in a month (post MOT) and then off to Italy.
 

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Yes - best bike ever... mine is up to about 180,000 miles I think (on second speed just about to clock 100,000). Just sold the MotoGuzzi V85 so she is going back on the road in a month (post MOT) and then off to Italy.
You must prefer the GSA over the V85TT ?
I saw the V85 as the natural successor to a 1150?
 
No your right JB... in many respects the V85 is as close as I have got to the R1150GSA in a modern machine, lovely bike, good to have cruse control, well balanced and set up brakes, surprisingly thirsty at motorway speeds, very sparse dealer service in Wales, few warrantee issues (switchgear related (all sorted now)) and a sense of a need of a change have made me move on. I certainly would not discount MG for any newer bike, i do chop and change every 3 - 4 years... the only constant companion in the workshop since 2002 has been my GS 🤩
 
No your right JB... in many respects the V85 is as close as I have got to the R1150GSA in a modern machine, lovely bike, good to have cruse control, well balanced and set up brakes, surprisingly thirsty at motorway speeds, very sparse dealer service in Wales, few warrantee issues (switchgear related (all sorted now)) and a sense of a need of a change have made me move on. I certainly would not discount MG for any newer bike, i do chop and change every 3 - 4 years... the only constant companion in the workshop since 2002 has been my GS 🤩
Similar to me then
Had a 1150 in the garage since 2000 and they’re a constant in my motorbike life, whilst other bikes have come and gone
Nothing comes close for me
Yes, they’re not perfect ….but I haven’t found a bike that suits me better
I don’t want 100 ++ bhp as it’s unusable on uk (and now foreign roads)
My Tenere 700 (whilst a parallel twin) is like a mini 1150 GS to me
 
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I test rode a V85 last year - it felt slower than my 1150 (and I kept hitting the rev limiter - guess it's quite low geared?) and apart from being noticeably lighter it didn't inspire the confidence of the 1150. The same day I rode a Mandello S for an hour which I felt was a natural successor to my Breva 1100 but the Mandello left me cold. It was quick enough, comfortable, rode beautifully on all types of road.......but no character from the engine, an AWFUL gearchange (even for someone used to an oilhead) and it just didn't do it for me. I returned it to the dealer wondering why I would ever change. I do still fancy something more modern to keep the GS company in the garage having sold my Breva and VFR but whatever I consider I realise that it's likely to just sit there while I ride the GS.
 
I test rode a V85 last year - it felt slower than my 1150 (and I kept hitting the rev limiter - guess it's quite low geared?) and apart from being noticeably lighter it didn't inspire the confidence of the 1150. The same day I rode a Mandello S for an hour which I felt was a natural successor to my Breva 1100 but the Mandello left me cold. It was quick enough, comfortable, rode beautifully on all types of road.......but no character from the engine, an AWFUL gearchange (even for someone used to an oilhead) and it just didn't do it for me. I returned it to the dealer wondering why I would ever change. I do still fancy something more modern to keep the GS company in the garage having sold my Breva and VFR but whatever I consider I realise that it's likely to just sit there while I ride the GS.
Maybe I won't bother then
 
Mines in the shop this week -MoT and service - Bertha is running on one cylinder occasionally and her speedo stopped working in December - she needs valve clearances checking and adjusted, new HT leads and spark plugs - then its sunshine and Clear roads baby....
 
Don’t forget the 850. Had mine 15 years now. She’s and old lady just like me and my gear 🙂.Don’t get much time to ride her anymore sadly.
 

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