I was that "F650 interloper" though the 650 has long gone.Come back into the light, you know it makes sense
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
You must prefer the GSA over the V85TT ?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.
Similar to me thenNo 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![]()
Maybe I won't bother thenI 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.
Chalk and cheeseSome cracking bikes there
How does the 1150 compare to the 1100 gs
Good choice
Couldn’t agree moreGood choice
Bike with souuul now