R1150R or Rockster

[GSmonkey]

Thinking of getting an R1150R or Rockster for use as a commuter / hack. Would value a bit of input.

1) What is the ride like relative to the GS?
2) what is the practical tank range?
3) Any faults other than common GS faults?
4) Corrosion restistance - is the black engine of the rockster better?
5) I understand the rockster has wider bars pulling the rider forward. Is this still all day comfortable?

Cheers

 

[Schtum]

I've had a Rockster on loan while my GS was in for service on a few occasions. Two things stand out for me - a) wind blast, b) the seat.

I've always found 80 mph to be the practical open road sustained cruising speed because of the windblast and the relationship between bars, seat and footrests. The seat itself is one of the most uncomfortable I've sat on in 35 years of motorcycling. It always feels to me that it was designed for someone without testicles.

As ever, YMMV.

 

[sproggy]

I had a Rockster for a few months. I found the angle of the bars uncomfortable (they're not wider, just further forward and, for me, with the wrong grip angle), the (servo) brakes horrible, and the seat not particularly comfortable. Maybe the same seat on the R is better with the R's more upright riding position. No, the black engine is not more resistant to corrosion than the silver one. My black-engined GS backs this up.

From what I remember tank range was 150-160 miles or so. Wind protection non-existent.

I suspect that if you fitted a screen and different bars to a Rockster it'd be a better bike but it just didn't do it for me and if I had to choose between the two I'd go for an R instead. I had an R (just an 850 - sweet engine) as a loan bike for a day and really enjoyed riding it.

Neither compares to the GS IMO, but that kind of thing's really subjective.

 

[GSmonkey]

Cheers for the feedback.

One other thought I'm having is an R1100S which looks good price wise to use as a commuter/hack. Anybody had one of these? From the MCN review it would kind of imply good ergonomics.

 

[sproggy]

I had one of those too

For me the riding position is too leaned-forward but if you fit the optional touring bars (and screen) it does improve that somewhat. Tank range is a bit limited as standard (130-150 miles) but there are a few enlarged tanks kicking around if you're lucky enough to get hold of one. Lovely engine, particularly when 'messed with'. I took mine to Italy for a month but in the hills between Florence and Bologna I'd rather have been on a GS and it was that that made me sell it when I got home.

I'd say it's not an ideal commuting bike because of the riding position but it depends on your commute - I commute into London where I want to be upright, not leaned forward. I did that commute on the S for 6 months (more than I could manage on my VFR) so it's not awful, but......

Choice of bikes is a very personal thing - you really need to try these bikes for yourself and then make a decision - no-one else (magazine journalist or otherwise) can tell you what is best for your needs.

 

[er-minio]

Had a R1150R for a few kilometers, currently riding an R1100S.

1) What is the ride like relative to the GS?

Completely different feeling on the front wheel.
Compared to the R1150R, the 1200GS is easier to drive and a bit more "intuitive" for most users.
Still the R/R is a really easy to drive bike of course...

2) what is the practical tank range?

It varies a lot according to driving style.
I used to see the amber fuel light after 200 kilometers. 250 tops if driving really "relaxed".
Keep in mind I had eprom chip + Y + Remus.

3) Any faults other than common GS faults?

Same as 1150. That means almost nothing.
In over 100k kilometers I had little/no faults.

4) Corrosion restistance - is the black engine of the rockster better?

No idea.

5) I understand the rockster has wider bars pulling the rider forward. Is this still all day comfortable?

The rockster has:

- slightly different suspensions
- harder, taller and narrower seat
- larger bar

On my R1150R I mounted the rockster bar and both front and rear Ohlins (you can shorten the lenght of the front shock absorber +/-1cm). Seating is extremely comfortable if compared to the R1100S I'm driving now.
I'm 190cm tall and used to find the original bar (upright position) annoying. With the rockster bar, you lean forward a bit more (just a bit) that's better on you back, also the driving position is much more enjoyable.

How tall are you?

 

[Wrigsby1]

Used to ride one as a "company bike" now and again when working for a dealer. The Rockster was a styling job with straight bars and the normal was tons of fun but very windy! I'm 6'6" and I wouldn't own one without a screen. Not a GS but a very good "hack"!

 

[GSmonkey]

Seems things are mixed on the Rockster. I have no problems with full on sportsbikes, so I'm hoping I'd enjoy the rockster.

Still interested in the R1100S...........its a lot of bike for the money.

 

[sproggy]

Still interested in the R1100S...........its a lot of bike for the money.

It is a lot of bike for the money if you go for an early one, but some are really rough (I know - I looked at a lot). And the DDP (Dog D*ck Pink) ones are very un-sought-after.

I remember my first decent ride on an S, bringing mine home after I bought it. They are such a deceptive bike - I thought I was taking it easy but a glance at the speedo showed I was doing over 90 and I was on a relatively minor road. I think it was Kevin Ash who described them as the fastest long distance bike you can find, although that was a good few years ago.

If you buy or look at one they are VERY sensitive to front tyre wear - you can think that the whole front end is worn out (I paid a lot of money for a new telelever balljoint for this reason - the original one was fine) just because of the tyre. More so than any other bike I've ridden. It can be a good bargaining point if the seller doesn't realise the cause of the iffy handing