Single or twin Spark?

[Slipperyeel]

I'm busy looking for a replacement GS. I keep bumping into a variety of single and twin Spark. I've been reading up on the pros & cons of each. Apart from expensive stick coils i am thinking a twin Spark might be better? Whist this detail won't be my decision maker, it might help

Without starting a huge debate about which is better I'd be interested to hear from those who have experienced both.

Cheers

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[Neil W]

I owned a 1999 single spark from 2002 until 2011, sold it a work colleague who had it for 12 months and sold it onto another work mate, never had any ignition problems but 8 or 9 acquaintances with twin sparks ALL had coil problems

 

[MikeO]

My current (twinspark) Adv is by far the smoothest and best sorted 1150 I have ever ridden. I have replaced one stick coil and have two good used spares. My singlespark Adv had no ignition problems, but surged like a bastard from new - solved eventually by fitting a Techlusion unit.

On this experience I'd go for a twinspark, although I am looking at ways to move the stick coils out of the cylinder head and mounting them somewhere where they get an easier life.

The truth is, I'd go for the best bike I could find - the number of plugs wouldn't be a major factor in the decision.

 

[Decster]

Single spark, black engine.....

 

[DrAlf]

Single spark, black engine.....

Yeah what he said. I've had 2 x single sparks and my current twinspark. Twinspark offers no performance improvement apart from possibly being smoother at a constant RPM. Coil sticks fail and are expensive to replace.

I'd look for a single spark, black engine, no ABS with factory heated grips - oh and one careful owner from new, low miles with full BMW history. I'd also look for the long overdrive 6th gear but IIRC this was only on the very early 1150's and I'm not sure the black engine option was possible until later. Could be wrong on that though?......

 

[monkeyboy]

I've got the black engine and the long 6th and mine is a 52 plate single spark. I ran with another short 6th box for a while - deffo go long IMO.

 

[dicktheleg]

​

How do you tell if you've got the long 6th gear - mine seems quite long but how long is long?

20002 1150GS WITH NO ABS, HEATED GRIPS & black engine and gearbox...

 

[Chewie2112]

Yeah what he said. I've had 2 x single sparks and my current twinspark. Twinspark offers no performance improvement apart from possibly being smoother at a constant RPM. Coil sticks fail and are expensive to replace.

I'd look for a single spark, black engine, no ABS with factory heated grips - oh and one careful owner from new, low miles with full BMW history. I'd also look for the long overdrive 6th gear but IIRC this was only on the very early 1150's and I'm not sure the black engine option was possible until later. Could be wrong on that though?......

Funny thing,

I've just bought a 2001 single spark, heated grips, no ABS, 22,000 miles with full BMW history, one owner and pristine condition.

Sounds like I found a gem. Just a pity it didn't have luggage.

 

[MikeO]

I thnink you'll find the only 1150s with the short top gear were Advs and the 'Sport'.

As a 2002 GS Lite yours will have a long top gear (and will show an E instead of a 6 when in top gear). If you want to confirm, let me have the three letter code stamped near the gearbox number on the right side of the gearbox near the joint with the engine - I have a decode table somewhere...

Mike

 

[metropolis2k]

I've got one of both and prefer the twin spark as I find it smoother.

 

[Timolgra]

I've got one of both and prefer the twin spark as I find it smoother.

Yep, I've had three of each and find the twin spark smoother, less tendency to surge and somehow more 'eager' to go.
Only had one coil stick start to fail so far but carry a spare in the fuse box.

Hated the long (E) 6th gear when I had it, miss it when I haven't

 

[iftikartaxis]

Stick coils

Stick coils don't break every week mine went about 26k replaced both them at the same time never had any problems after that

 

[dicktheleg]

I thnink you'll find the only 1150s with the short top gear were Advs and the 'Sport'.

As a 2002 GS Lite yours will have a long top gear (and will show an E instead of a 6 when in top gear). If you want to confirm, let me have the three letter code stamped near the gearbox number on the right side of the gearbox near the joint with the engine - I have a decode table somewhere...

Mike

Cheers Mike - I'll have a look tomorrow but I think mine says "6" in top gear.

ATB
Rich

 

[Steptoe]

As a 2002 GS Lite yours will have a long top gear (and will show an E instead of a 6 when in top gear).

The "E" was only up until 2001, after that the high top gear showed "6" like all the other 1150's.

 

[MikeO]

The "E" was only up until 2001, after that the high top gear showed "6" like all the other 1150's.

Today's fact

 

[Colban]

The twin-spark makes the bike run smoother/cleaner but if you get bored with replacing coil-packs at £50 a pop,i believe Scrimingers can convert it to run on the older coil and HT lead combo (just one plug though).

 

[Slipperyeel]

Thank you gents! Most of your comments match my experience test riding. I now have some options: mint single spark GS with ABS (i want ABS - been useful so far -prefer to have it) or a late 05 plate ADV they're is mechanically sound but needs some cosmetic tlc? Both about the same price

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[Deleted account 200123001]

I would go for the adventure.
I believe the Adventure has different gear ratios (probably for the better, so in my view the 1st inst short enough and the 6th inst long enough, I have a 52 plate twin spark.
The odd thing is though that my 11rt seemed smoother to me than the 1150 does.

 

[dicktheleg]

I thnink you'll find the only 1150s with the short top gear were Advs and the 'Sport'.

As a 2002 GS Lite yours will have a long top gear (and will show an E instead of a 6 when in top gear). If you want to confirm, let me have the three letter code stamped near the gearbox number on the right side of the gearbox near the joint with the engine - I have a decode table somewhere...

Mike

Hi Mike

Looks like mine says GAG as the last 3 letters of the gearbox number - any use in identifying it?

Thanks
Rich

 

[MikeO]

Here's the data I got from ADVrider:

On the 1150:

GAJ => up to 2003, silver, normal 1st, short 6th
GAE => up to 2003, silver, normal 1st, Serie (= long 6th)
GAK => up to 2003, black, normal 1st, short 6th
GAG => up to 2003, black, normal 1st, Serie (= long 6th)

GAN => up to 2003, silver, short 1st and short 6th (only GSA)
GAP => up to 2003, black, short 1st and short 6th (only GSA)
JAL => from 2003 onwards, silver, short 1st and short 6th (only GSA)
JAM => from 2003 onwards, black, short 1st and short 6th (only GSA)

JAJ => from 2003 onwards, silver, normal 1st, short 6th
JAK => from 2003 onwards, black, normal 1st, short 6th

Gearboxes are of two basic types, those whose codes start with a G and those which start with a J (which are known as the lightweight ) - the internals of these are not interchangeable.

Rich - your gearbox is a 'heavy' standard GS (ie normal first and long 6th) and should have a black casing - is that what you were expecting?

Mike