Recommended 1200GS Model / Year

[Coolie]

hi

I've been riding a F650gs Anniversary for 12months now, really enjoying my riding having come off sports 600 / monster 1100, the GS style riding is clearly the way to go

I'd expected low power and poorer brakes on the F650gs to be the biggest issue - however in the real world i've not found that to be an issue. In fact its nice to be able to use the full power ava, and spank its arse plenty - sounds great with an aka pipe fitted. However, the stability on dual carriageways and motorways is a little limiting and less than comfortable - a problem from its lightweight.

So i'm looking to get on a GS1200. I've got 8-10k to spend, and i'm looking to source from a BM dealer i guess.

Which model year would you guys recommend i go for, sort of 2008 onwards or a later dohc model. what mechanical stuff do i need to concern myself with? - don't really want to end up with big bill repairs if the bike is out of warranty.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rodsharp]

Having done roughly 25k miles on a 2003 1150 which I really liked and another 25k on a 2007 1200 which was fine and both of them trouble free ,now have a dohc and this really is an improvement whether you just want to bimble along or push on a bit. It seems to cover the best parts of both models in that you can go slow and use the low down torque which is much smoother than the 2007 model or push on a bit which is a bit better than the earlier one,but to be honest whatever your budget either one is pretty good.
I still hanker after a low mileage twin spark 1150,they were a bit heavier and maybe not so sprightly but in my opinion had more character. I used to have a definate attraction to the 1150 "tractor" which is not there on the 1200s

 

[savage]

I feel the same . I too have a 1200 , but always miss The character of the 1150 . On paper the newer is better . Progress ain't always a good thing

 

[thosoneill]

hi
So i'm looking to get on a GS1200. I've got 8-10k to spend, and i'm looking to source from a BM dealer i guess.

with that amount to spend i would be buying private - plenty of nearly new 1200s on biketrader or mcn - go for the dohc model - best of luck