SOON TO BID FAREWELL TO MY 1150GS

Big Al Litch

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Well the time has come, on 1st March I bid farewell :tears to my 1150GS (bought 1st Sept 2003) and take delivery of a shiny new Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX. :thumb2

The GS has done everything I asked of it and has generally been a fantastic bike, the only real downsides being the poor service from BMW dealers and initial reliability issues which were sorted when the factory fit parts had been replaced (front fork brace, paralever bearings, driveshaft, final drive seal & bearing etc). Servicing issues were sorted by leaving main dealerships (after warranty had expired of course) and getting my own hands dirty, what I couldn't (or wouldn't) tackle (bleeding the Evo ABS brakes) I left to Motoscott who restored my faith in those who wield spanners.
Nothing would tempt me to another new BMW so I am going back to an old love with the Moto Guzzi brand, I just hope it lives up to my expectations! :D

Although not the most prolific contributor, I still be on on here as an owner for a few more weeks and will pop back from time to time so it is not goodbye but merely au revior.


Bike is being stripped of most of the accessories before trade-in (agreed with the dealer) so come March there will be a few items up for sale. If anything takes your eye please PM me and I will advise you when I list them whether that be in the relevant section of GS'er.com or Ebay.
Items include:- Adventure panniers c/w frames & fittings, pannier safety clamps, Touratech centrestand skid-plate, Wunderlich rear-seat luggage rack, Wunderlich tall screen, Tobinators, Migsel light-bar, Hella FF50 spots, LED spots, SS rear rack extension, Wunderlich steering stops etc. I also have the Haynes & CD manuals plus several servicing items which I will no-longer require.
 
Funny you are going back to the Guzzi, I bought an 1100 V11 sport, beautiful to look at but... The paint on the engine, gearbox and final drive fell off in huge flakes, The rear damper let go of its oil in Poland, The relays had to be replaced under warranty then failed again until I bought Bosch replacements, the clutch had to be replaced, the regulator mounts broke.all in 10 months of ownership since new!
The Guzzi has a different charm to the BMW and I could be tempted back if only for another change, certainly not for expectations of a more reliable steed.
 
Interested to hear how you get in with the Stelvio. Having test ridden that and the 1200GS I preferred the Guzzi, perhaps it felt more like the 1150 than the newer BMW. However, since my GS refuses to give any problems and keeps working (it has only just done 100k) I have no need to change it in the near future.
 
End of an era for you, I've continuously had 1150s for 14 years and still use it for work, trips or to go out just for a ride. I'm fortunate in having other bikes as well, perhaps if I only had the one thing's would have been different, who knows .....who cares :D

I'm sure you'll enjoy the Stelvio:beerjug:
 
Can't have been a bad relationship if it lasted nearly 14 years:thumb
Sometimes a change is better than a rest, hope the new bike gives you as much pleasure :thumb2
 
I looked at the Stelvio when moving on from the Yamaha 900. The Mk1 did not have enough tank range for me & at the time the Mk2 was too costly for what it offered. I also wasn't sure about the fairing and headlight style.

So I ended up with a 1200GS Adventure with 30K miles shown. With hindsight I should have bought newer because I now have the usual issues of a well used bike. Fixing that is costing the same as a newer bike in the first place.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2
 
"Enjoy the Stelvio Al, will you be at the Last Drop on it?"
Hi Keith.
No more rallies for me i'm afraid. Last Drop 2-years ago was probably my final one, might ride over on the Saturday to say hello but not an overnight stop.

I know the Guzzi may seem an odd decision to some but the only other bike that appeared on my radar was the Triumph Explorer XC but after a test-ride I decided it just wasn't the bike for me. That done, it was back to the Guzzi which I have to admit, I had almost decided on even before I had swung a leg over the saddle. Only time will tell if I was right.

To anyone who has PM'd me I will reply very soon, accessories are needed at the moment but will be removed at the end of the month. :thumb
 
Grim Rider said:
Interested to hear how you get in with the Stelvio. Having test ridden that and the 1200GS I preferred the Guzzi, perhaps it felt more like the 1150 than the newer BMW. However, since my GS refuses to give any problems and keeps working (it has only just done 100k) I have no need to change it in the near future.
Click to expand...

That's the reason why I swapped my 1150gs for a Stelvio rather than a 1200gs. I just didn't like the feel of the 1200, and I don't think the finish and overall quality is as good as a modern Guzzi. I've now had 5 years of Stelvio ownership and I'm very pleased with the experience. I don't see me changing it anytime soon.
 
Just remembered a few other parts I will be selling off. :blast
Amongst them are several (brand-new) microswitches for the indicator buttons.

I had suffered the dreaded microswitch failure on & off for several years. A squirt of WD40 usually did the trick for a while but eventually a thorough clean was necessary, all would then be ok for the best part of a year before it all happened again.
Bought a few microswitches last year. I only needed one but the P&P wasn't insignificant and there was always the danger of damaging the new microswitch when fitting but all went ok so unless I suffer catasrophic switch failure in the next couple of weeks :eek: I will have a few up for grabs.

As with the other parts, will list in the correct place at the time. :thumb2
 
Couldn't let the GS go without checking out photos taken today with those taken on 1st Sept 2003.

Collection day.




Today.



Today.

 
sheene said:
youre gonna have night mares when its gone will haunt you !
Click to expand...

Hope not!
I've had some lovely bikes & vehicles over the years but only once have I ever looked back and regretted selling one (Mk1 Le Mans). I have enjoyed them all at the time but then made the decision that it was time to move on. Apart from my current Land Rover (which I have owned for 15-years) the GS has hung around for the longest but now is the time for change.
 
To anyone who has PM'd me, I have not forgotton you and will send out details of the parts when removed from the bike at the end of next week. I will be listing everything (along with prices) in the For Sale section but if you have already expressed an interest you have first dibs.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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