Servicing dilemma

[BOBAD]

After owning an 1100GS when they first came out, followed by 2 1150GSs, (the last one for 13 years & 140,000 kms) I took the plunge earlier today and bought a 3-year-old 1200 (twin cam) with 9000 miles on the clock from Youles of Blackburn. I collect it next Tuesday, and I can't wait !

The thing is, the bike comes with the usual 4 month / 4000 mile parts & labour warranty plus a lifetime guarantee as long as I keep the bike, on all major components PROVIDED Youles do the regular servicing.

The dilemma is: Youles are a Triumph dealership and not BMW, so do I get them to service the bike in order to maintain the terms of the lifetime warranty as long as they use genuine BMW service items? I have been using a BMW specialist (Roy Gardner at RGM) up to now and I am more than happy with the service he provides. (The northern Steptoe..!) I wouldn't go to a BMW main dealer for obvious reasons (£).


Also, what can I expect different from a 1200 after running an 1150 for so long?

I would appreciate your opinions...... Thanks

 

[Packer]

I think that you will find that the cost of having it serviced will outweigh the cost of any major parts that you are likely to need. There again you pay for servicing anyway at RGM. Do you trust the Trumpeteers?

Lastly, much more performance

 

[samz]

What do Youles class as "regular servicing"?
Depends how often they wanna sting you for a service, guessing their labour costs won't be cheap!

Stick with your regular guy for peace of mind.

 

[BOBAD]

Samz: I am guessing that regular servicing means annually. I'll check.

Packer: Could you please expand on the main differences I'll find with the 1200 after so many years on an 1150? Is it much quicker, or marginally?

Thanks for the replies...

 

[Jon P]

The 1200 is a bit lighter and a bit more lively - the riding position is about the same. In truth the brakes and suspension feel the same because they are essentially the same. I know the press said that it was a huge jump forward but I don't think so. The only huge jump was from the R100GS to the R1100GS (that's not knocking the airheads, they are lovely bikes).

I am sure you will very much enjoy your new 1200.

 

[Packer]

Packer: Could you please expand on the main differences I'll find with the 1200 after so many years on an 1150? Is it much quicker, or marginally?

I'm not really the best person to tell you that as I didn't buy a 1200. I rode every model from 2004 up to the face lifted 2009 model year. The first 1200's weighed around 200kgs and had 100BHP. The last of the 1150's weighed about 238 kgs if equipped with ABS and had 85BHP. So 1200 = 0.5 BHP/Kg; 1150 = 0.36 BHP/KG, the power per KG on the 1200 was 39% greater. That sounds a lot but with a 100KG rider on board the difference is 32%. The 1200 also had 17% more peak torque though at 250 rpm higher up the rev range. With riders of equal ability the 1200 should romp away from the 1150 but in reality the older bike seemed more gutsy at lower revs and although the 1200 was definitely faster the difference didn't seem huge.

Even though the 1200 felt quite a lot faster for me the feel and feedback from the front just wasn't as good and I liked the overdrive top gear so I stuck with the 11½.

All personal choice really. I've now bought a new Yam Super Ten and sold the 1150 so I've finally got a 1200 it's just not a BMW

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I have the pleasure of owning a 2010 1200GSA here and a 2002 1150GS there. Had a 2005 1200GS here until 2010.
1200GSA is significantly more powerful, smoother and quicker. You will be pleasantly surprised!!
I love the 1150GS for Ireland, but for full-time motorway or similar, the 1200GSA would lick it.

Servicing - I can't see what the Triumph shop would add over your local Steptoe or doing it yourself. Lifetime guarantee on major components - if the rear drive goes, will they give you a new one? Maybe you can take an insurance separately for this type of thing?

Bin

 

[Jon P]

I'm not really the best person to tell you that as I didn't buy a 1200. I rode every model from 2004 up to the face lifted 2009 model year. The first 1200's weighed around 200kgs and had 100BHP. The last of the 1150's weighed about 238 kgs if equipped with ABS and had 85BHP. So 1200 = 0.5 BHP/Kg; 1150 = 0.36 BHP/KG, the power per KG on the 1200 was 39% greater. That sounds a lot but with a 100KG rider on board the difference is 32%. The 1200 also had 17% more peak torque though at 250 rpm higher up the rev range. With riders of equal ability the 1200 should romp away from the 1150 but in reality the older bike seemed more gutsy at lower revs and although the 1200 was definitely faster the difference didn't seem huge.

Even though the 1200 felt quite a lot faster for me the feel and feedback from the front just wasn't as good and I liked the overdrive top gear so I stuck with the 11½.

All personal choice really. I've now bought a new Yam Super Ten and sold the 1150 so I've finally got a 1200 it's just not a BMW

Some of these numbers can be misleading - BMW always used to quote bike weights as wet. When the 1200 came out they quoted dry because it only weighed 199kg in 2004 with no fluids and alloy wheels (spoke wheels weigh more). Fact is when wet (oils and 90% fuel) it weighed 225kg with no extras fitted. I have just been weighing mine up and I have 38kg of BMW factory fitted extras fitted (panniers, top box, engine bars, abs, tpm, hand guards etc). So my bike is 263kg before I get on it!!

 

[BOBAD]

Thanks to all who replied. Very helpful.

 

[Packer]

Some of these numbers can be misleading - BMW always used to quote bike weights as wet. When the 1200 came out they quoted dry because it only weighed 199kg in 2004 with no fluids and alloy wheels (spoke wheels weigh more). Fact is when wet (oils and 90% fuel) it weighed 225kg with no extras fitted. I have just been weighing mine up and I have 38kg of BMW factory fitted extras fitted (panniers, top box, engine bars, abs, tpm, hand guards etc). So my bike is 263kg before I get on it!!

Interesting, my 1150 set up for my Alaska trip including Verns 10" panniers and half a tank of fuel weighed 261Kgs on my calibrated pallet scale. I'd dumped the servo/ABS, the silly flappy rear mudguard thing, the rear can and the tool tray. It did have an enhanced standard tool kit including two 10" tyre levers and a puncture plugging kit under the seat plus Steptoes head protectors, after market footpegs and a rear spray guard behind the mudguard.

Not quite the porky beast of popular myth compared with the 1200