Sold My R1200 GS Adventure , thinking of a R1100 GS ? Any good ?

[Robbo1200ADV]

Sold mine and thinking of getting an old GS1100 preferably in Kalahari . What are they like day to day ? I dont do lots of miles , but did not want £12000 worth of bike sitting around doing very little . Would I hate it after a 1200@ Had 2 1150's which I liked , test rode an 1100 in 1998 and liked it , would it be a real step back in time or a nice change ? anyone gone 1200 to 1100 ? Cheers Cgaps

 

[Schtum]

Before the Luddites step in and tell you that an 1100 is the best thing since Original Sin.....

As an owner of four 1200s to date and only ever having ridden one 1100 which belonged to Muppet of this parish; it was ok, went quite well and handled nicely (Muppet used to make it stay with a group of us hooligans on VFR800s on Highland roads). However, I remember that it vibrated like a hammer drill when you thrashed it and generally felt a lot more agricultural and less flickable than a 1200.

 

[duckspeed]

Sold mine and thinking of getting an old GS1100 preferably in Kalahari . What are they like day to day ? I dont do lots of miles , but did not want £12000 worth of bike sitting around doing very little . Would I hate it after a 1200@ Had 2 1150's which I liked , test rode an 1100 in 1998 and liked it , would it be a real step back in time or a nice change ? anyone gone 1200 to 1100 ? Cheers Cgaps

I have gone form 1150 to 1200 as the former was written off, very sad to see the 1150 go and can see me going back the same way you are considering. I think finding a really nice one might be a mission however, as they are a long way for new now!

 

[dizzyrascal]

1100

Well i have an 1100 and have had a few test rides on the latest 1200's as they have evolved.
I have to say that each time I have thought that the 1200 is different but not better and then I would read about some of the issue's re reliability and put the idea of a change on the back burner
In my opinion the 1100 is more stable than the 1200, and what is this about vibration at what speed !!, my 1100 will cruise at 90 all day pulling 5000 rpm and there is no vibration at all.

 

[tosh23]

I think post 1998 is the one to get, something about the gearbox or something like that...could be wrong tho', it has been known before...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Get a 1998/99 R11GS or a normal R1150GSA (no Servo ABS)

2 of the best bikes BMW have ever produced

 

[Twotter]

I tried a 11GS when I still had an 1150 and the thing I found a bit strange was the 5 speed gearbox, as I kept trying to shift up to '6th'

 

[Felters]

It's a dreadful idea. Don't do it...

Oh - I meant to say that I did exactly that same thing from a 1200GS, via an 1150 RT. The 1100 is a more relaxed ride but can still keep up with most stuff. More accurately it'll go a lot faster than I can. Zero depreciation, easy servicing and very well built.

I bought mine privately in April, pumped up the tyres and four days later cracked off round Spain and France. 4,000 miles in two weeks including going over the Pyranees in appalling weather. Needed a new battery about half way through, but otherwise I didn't even put any oil in it. Steptoe gave it a good going over last week and pronounced it to be a good thing. I love it.

Do get one of the later 98/99 bikes or be certain that the gearbox has been upgraded if it is earlier.

 

[biker/trucker]

Sold mine and thinking of getting an old GS1100 preferably in Kalahari . What are they like day to day ? I dont do lots of miles , but did not want £12000 worth of bike sitting around doing very little . Would I hate it after a 1200@ Had 2 1150's which I liked , test rode an 1100 in 1998 and liked it , would it be a real step back in time or a nice change ? anyone gone 1200 to 1100 ? Cheers Cgaps

ive had mine 3 years, bought it with full service history, ive put 28,000 miles on it,now at 54,000 all its cost me is a speedo cable, along with oil changes, heading for portugal on it in few weeks time ive ridden the 1150 and 1200, id love to get my hands on a 1150, wasnt impressed by the 12s tho, only thing with mine is to keep an eye on oil level, burns a drop nothing major

 

[Fluffmeister]

I had an 1100 for a while a few years back when I was commuting from Germany back to the UK just before leaving the Army, mine was a 99, never had any horror stories, and it never missed a beat apart from the odd sip of oil.

It's still taxed as well checking the DVLA, T960 AGT in Kalahari yellow, one of the best bikes I ever owned.

 

[Old Codger]

1100GS

Bought a tidy low mileage 99 one last year and am really enjoying it
Nothing I cannot work on mechanically myself
Flushing the ABS a doddle for instance

Nice smooth relaxed ride no slouch either
Paint and finish much better than newer bikes May be something to do with EU meddling and water based paints the norm now

5 speed box seems well spaced not missing or looking for the extra cog

Up against my 03 1150gs twinspark I really wonder what the progress into servo brake land was ?

Worth waiting for a tidy one they do surface from time to time

3 for the price of a new 1200 without the depreciation

 

[Geno]

I have my 1100 for 9 years , and other than speedo cable ,it has been usual tyres and oils . I love the size the 12 was made for the shorter legged people . Get a late one , but mine is 95 with no gearbox issuses and if the do , there are people who can fix and update them to new .

 

[Fanum]

My old Kalahari is sitting in a shed with a Humvee at the moment.......I stroked it this morning and it purred back....If my fuel injectors for the lebbenfiddy don't arrive from BeemerBoneyard this week, I shall be riding the 11 again


I've ridden but not owned a 1200, but frankly, given the choice between a 1200 or that 1100 Kalahari and a couple of year's petrol free, it would be a no-brainer decision

 

[Felters]

I had an 1100 for a while a few years back when I was commuting from Germany back to the UK just before leaving the Army, mine was a 99, never had any horror stories, and it never missed a beat apart from the odd sip of oil.

It's still taxed as well checking the DVLA, T960 AGT in Kalahari yellow, one of the best bikes I ever owned.

That'll be mine then...

I bought it from a chap in Esher last month.

 

[phooey]

I got an 1150 ADV as a summer bike last November. ( Borderraiders bike ). Took her out earlier this month and I absoferkinlutely love it. I like GS's for their slightly agricultural feel compared to IL4's. The 1200 which I've had for 4 years is a great bike but the 1150 is much more fun.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I got an 1150 ADV as a summer bike last November. ( Borderraiders bike ). Took her out earlier this month and I absoferkinlutely love it. I like GS's for their slightly agricultural feel compared to IL4's. The 1200 which I've had for 4 years is a great bike but the 1150 is much more fun.

Just done 1400 miles this weekend around the north of Scotland

Mainly in the company of new 1200's

The 1150 was equally competent, only downside was on fast straights , due to the 20 HP deficit

Good fun to ride

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Thanks for the replies chaps . I did very well selling my 30 year anniversary,and though I'll miss it ,it was not getting the use it needed. Will keep a look out for a late 1100 or a mint 1150SE ,may be some time I guess , but half the fun with bikes is looking for the right one

 

[The Other PaulG]

I have really enjoyed my 1100s. Whether you get on with it or not, is entirely your judgement.

But as has been said, with 0% depreciation, look out for a decent one and give it a few months, what's to lose??

PG

PS I do know what you're saying about having a load of cash tied up in a bike... whether you marginally prefer the 1200 or 1100, the fact is that ultimately they both do exactly the same job.

 

[Fluffmeister]

That'll be mine then...

I bought it from a chap in Esher last month.

A quick snap of it on my wall in front of me, the kids on it are 21 and 17 now

The Buell that the Mrs is sitting on just below is what I chopped in for the 1100, was fed up of bit's falling off on longer trips

 

[Gecko]

Recently road tested a 1200GSA after 12 years 1100GS ownership. Excepting the monetary value , would I swap...? No! The 1100 is nimbler, more rideable, more serviceable, less lardy and frankly a better bike in my view. I've got Ohlins on mine and it eats up the roads and off roads. I've got over 100,000km on the clock and it's a sweet as a nut. The 1200GSA - albeit a formidable machine , felt cheap and plastic in comparison. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not about slagging off anyone's ride but given a choice to ride , I'd opt for my 1100 everytime. It's not perfect, but what is?