reliability issues

[FatAl]

I am in the process of selling my 1978 R100s, and hope very soon to have sold my R80st, and me old Beeza;WHY? because I want to own a GS1150/ADV/or a 1200.
I'm not sure whether to take on the loan required for the 1200, but I should have enough cash for a decent 1150.
I'm not too well up on the modern twins, I've been an airhead fan ever since I rode R80RT police bikes back in the 80's. What i need to know is this; How reliable are these oilhead bikes? I've heard rumours about gearbox and driveshaft problems, my other concern is the fuel injection system and electronics reliability. I'm a fairly competent mechanic and do all my own maintenenance and repairs, but this is on much simpler machinery.
In some ways the Adventure model appeals more because of it's larger fuel tank, but it's seat height puts me off (30inch inside leg!) Is a lower alternative available? Is the ADV just as agile a bike on the twisties as the standard GS?
My other bike is a Harley superglide sport, I love it to death and no way would I sell it, not even to fund a GS1200!
Thanks. Fatal.

 

[Spanish Bob]

I was a confirmed airhead until recently (still am actually). Is sold my r100rs motorsport and r100gs to "help" buy an adv. Mine has done 20k kms in 9months. Its makes irritating peculiar noises, (more techy sounding ones than the airheads).

Mine has been fine.

Adv - there are not many differences I think. They have the bigger tank, longer suspension, lower first gear maybe, screen etc. I would say they look different rather than being very different.

My inseam is 33inches and mine has a higher Bill Mayersaddle. Yous shouldn´t worry with 30inch inseam, you can always get a lower seat.

bob

 

[cookie]

seat height put me an adv off too. like you i have 30" inside leg & i can just get toes of both feet on the ground on an adventure. nearly flat on the vanilla 1150 i bought. still too high, but manageable.
i can just about propel my bike backwards from the saddle, no chance on an adv.

i do think the adventure looks better though & other gearing options are available on them. i would definitely have bought one if not for my "stumpy little legs" as a female GS rider described them rather tactlessly a month or two ago

plenty of people shorter than me seem to manage them ok & some drop them

i can tell you that when i get back on my R100GS PD it feels like a pushbike in comparison to the 1150

 

[laughingBob]

I also have 30" inside leg. Back in the summer I rode an Adv at Wolastons. It was actually a loan bike while mine (1150RT) was in for a service. It, apparently, was fitted with a low BMW seat. I was able to get one foot at a time flat on the ground or the balls of both. I was very confident that the seat was fine for me. I was so impressed with the bike I nearly asked about a part exchanging my 4 month old RT when I returned to collect it.

My last few bike have all been big traily's (apart from the RT) Varadero, Africa Twin, 100GS, KTM 640 Adventurer etc, and was able to ride all of them confidently, although if I'm honest the KTM with it's 940mm seat height was pushing it and I did have a few 'moments' but never actually droped it.

I have now px'd the RT for a 1200GS but was more concerned wih the weight saving rather than the seat height.

Good luck with whatever you decide on there both great bikes.

 

[poulan]

Seat height

From the base of my heel to the upper fastenings of my scrotum I also have a 33" inseam - am I likely to be able to plant both feet at the same time for such a heavy machine? I've got a really tall scooter right now and I can't do that on the scoot which worries my because I've dropped it from time to time.

Alan

 

[laughingBob]

I would say you'd be fine with the low seat but, your best bet would be to road test one from a dealer before you buy. There's technique to riding tall bikes, or even standard road bikes for the short of leg. I 've owned alot of bikes that would be considered far to tall for someone with a 30" inside leg. The KTM 640 Adventurer was tallest road bike but, I've also ridden enduros with a seat in excess of 960mm.