So talk me out of this

[Billd]

OK boy's back in Canada at the moment but coming home soon.
Have a 2002 R1150GSA that's a good solid bike that's been well cared for with 59k miles on it, I've put on 4k since I've owned it.

Here's the deal, have earned a bit of money and was thinking of selling it off and buying a twin cam but I really like the single spark, non electric ABS 1150GSA so may just get it as close to new as practical on a rebuild and keep it instead.

Want your advise and piss taking!

 

[Neil W]

Had a non abs r1150gs single spark ,then a non abs, non esa 2011 gsa twin cam and now a esa, abs lc

Loved the 1150 and at first did not get on with the tc (until I uprated the suspension ) ,it is now a superb bike enough toys , quick and handles beautifully but no abs or esa to expensively go wrong in a few years time and to be honest its build quality is streets ahead of the newer lc.

Riding the tc back to back with the lc the tc has the edge for everyday use, it handles better is less harsh and is plenty quick enough.

A late low mleage tc is a very good bet and with current prices one will be very little more expensive than a comprehensive rebuild on an 1150 and will be a minimum of 8 years newer

 

[Billd]

Great reply! Thanks.

 

[Wreford Miles]

I had a year 2000 1150 non abs for 13 years in the later half it had Ohlins

I nearly went for a LC

But ended up with one of the last TC a 90 yr with all the fancy stuff.

The TC is a great bike, it retains some of the low end gruff and character if an 1150 but is a much better bike.

If I was replacing the 1150 again and an option was a basic TC with no ESA I'd be tempted to go that route and fit some Ohlins. My ESA TC is not bad, it's just that Ohlins are so good

 

[Flipfly]

Why rebuild it, it's barely used?

Put some decent shocks on it (if it hasn't got the already), a couple of hundred quid on powder coating the subframe etc and the jobs a good 'un.

Went out for a ride on my nitron shod 1150gsa yesterday and never needed any more power or handling. The bike is more than good enough to hold my pace and when pushed it is forgiving and let's you get out of your comfort zone well before anything nasty happens.

I keep looking at newer bikes, but then I remember that I've seen 2 1200s going home on the back of an Rac truck this year and my bike won't disintegrate if I forget to wash it.

The newer biker is quicker, lighter handling etc etc, but ask yourself if you really need it.

Your bike doesn't need to look like new, it certainly doesn't need 000's spending on it on an expensive rebuild.

Stop being a tart and enjoy it. If it is a bit dog eared, take it off road and have some real fun on it

 

[Slipperyeel]

I can't offer any advice, but I'm really interested to see that suspension is such a feature. Having renovated/bought new earlier this year I can safely say it has transformed my 1150 GSA. I need to fork out for a proper rear shock (they're not cheap, especially with the hydraulic preload added), but the renovated item is doing OK for now.

So, maybe keep your 1150 and just splash out on new suspension?



Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[Davey B]

I have both bikes at the moment but will likely drop back to a single bike in the Spring.
One is a TB 1200GSA from 2013, so last of the line, the other was a purchase off here in March, an 03 1150 GSA with low miles, bought to take the wife and I around North America and Canada for a few months in the next couple of yrs. (Trouble is that the 12 has over 3" more legroom for the wife so she cvant bide the 1150). For me ? The 1150 is superb, I love the solid feel, the more relaxed ride etc etc. If I was single or the wife didnt pillion, I'd keep the 1150 over the 12 if I had to pick one...as it is I 'need' the 12 to ensure a stressless marriage.
My 1150 is standard except for Nitron shocks. A superb and worthwhile upgrade and as stated, maybe £1k chucked at yours will refresh it for a few years to come. Stick with it.

 

[Stujw70]

Went from a number of 1150GSA over the years. Up until last month I had a 08 12GSA which I added Nitrons to . Really enjoyed, just fancied a change. Nearly bought a 2012/13 bike for 10k, but in the end decided on giving a 1150GSA another go. Although I have been having a number of running issues, I'm actually quite enjoying the hands on spannering which I never really bothered with on the 12.

This one has 92k on the clock and a set of WP front and rear shocks. Really quick enjoy it and reckon the only thing the 12GSA has over the 1150 GSA at present is the screen for me.

I might have a 12 again in the future, but happy with the 7+k in the saving account until something comes along I like

 

[Loutre]

Went from a number of 1150GSA over the years. Up until last month I had a 08 12GSA which I added Nitrons to . Really enjoyed, just fancied a change. Nearly bought a 2012/13 bike for 10k, but in the end decided on giving a 1150GSA another go. Although I have been having a number of running issues, I'm actually quite enjoying the hands on spannering which I never really bothered with on the 12.

This one has 92k on the clock and a set of WP front and rear shocks. Really quick enjoy it and reckon the only thing the 12GSA has over the 1150 GSA at present is the screen for me.

I might have a 12 again in the future, but happy with the 7+k in the saving account until something comes along I like

do you already have tobinators fitted? There is a spanish manufactorer that builds a lookalike 1200GSA screen for the 1150GSA. That may cure all your problems.