Thoughts on buying a 'keeper' 1150GSA

[Fanum]

Just some thoughts here......open for discussion, and aimed at 1150 owners who are not interested in getting a 12, so let's leave the "get a 12 instead, it's far better" type crap out

IF you were seriously looking at getting another 1150GSA, to be a long-term keeper, it seems to me that a single spark non-abs bike might be the best choice.

1) The single spark was replaced by the twin largely because of the 'surging' issues, but it was disguised as an 'improvement' to fit increasingly harsh emissions regulations.

2) Although the single spark DID have surging issues, the methods of curing this are pretty well understood and well within the capabilities of a DIY servicer like myself.

3) Secondary Coil packs are fucking expensive....I do have 3 or 4 stashed away, but in the long term, given that the 'surging' issue could be dealt with, perhaps having a conventional single spark setuip would be advantageous.....I reckon I've gone through at least half a dozen coil packs since I got my ADV from new in 2004

$) Non abs (or at the very least, non SERVO abs)
I LIKE the ABS on my '04 twinspark....regardless of the general debate about ABS, i know it's dragged me out of at least 1 potentially fatal accident....The Servo seems to be the weak point though, and for simplicity's sakes, maybe a non abs version would be better in the long term

5) Price....
A decent '02 SS adv would set you back around £4000-£4300 for a 40k miles-ish bike
A decent '03 TS adv would set you back around £4800-£5500 for a 35k-ish bike



Obviously, a lot of the choice comes down to condition, but there are lots of 30-40k miles GSA's out there, and with both the initial saving on buying a pre-twin spark, and the on going avoidance of the coil pack failures, I'm leaning to the side of going for a slightly earlier but good condition single sparker (Obviously with the 30 litre tank rather than the smaller one) than a twin sparker in the same equivalent condition.

Any thoughts?

 

[cookie]

i wouldn't worry about the servo ABS, as it's easy to remove.

only looking at non ABS bikes will limit your choices drastically.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I'm biased

But I would definitely go non ABS, for a twinspark and for ABS2 on a single spark

As for which is best, a late/last model seems to be always the best made - for some reason as it has been refined over the model build period

Coil sticks, expensive but not a show stopper compared to depreciation on a new bike

Fit and forget, pick up a few new ones along the way like you have, when they come up at a bargain price

Apart from that, 1150 GSA's do have a cachet all of their own, despite being down on power to all the 12 GSA variants

Power isn't everything, a 1150GSA is a very competent and lovely bike to ride

The BMW mechanic who serviced my black one, last week.... came back from a test ride after he'd finished and said it was lovely and he's been servicing all manner of post 2007 BMW models, all day every day and doesn't get a 1150 in to service as often as the newer stuff

So praise indeed, for a good bike

 

[Canuck]

Price wise... I sold a very very clean 2004 TS ADV with 37000 on the clock for £4200 with new cables, disc and pads all around. I think things are not moving too quickly these days and if ready someone could get a few bargains.

 

[AndyT]

Theres no such thing as a keeper...... I thought there was and had my ultimate bike but just had to sell it.

I personally think the last of the 1150 GSA's were the best and I would go for one with a black engine as they wear much better than the silver ones. Inside they are all the same).

Go for the best you can afford

 

[Fanum]

i wouldn't worry about the servo ABS, as it's easy to remove.

only looking at non ABS bikes will limit your choices drastically.

Absolutely.......my '04 still has its servo and ABS intact and it has never let me down, but I do know how to remove it without extra parts needed....

I wouldn't only look for non-abs, but I wouldn't worry that it did have it, knowing that it would eventually end up as such

Coil sticks, expensive but not a show stopper compared to depreciation on a new bike

Au contraire JB.....the depreciation of a new bike is irrelevant to me in the context, but the cost of a coil pack is VERY relevant to me.

The potential cost of a pack, against the potential tuning of a single spark is the only equation that counts in this, and I'm leaning towards the simplicity of a single sparker for a potential keeper.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Au contraire JB.....the depreciation of a new bike is irrelevant to me in the context, but the cost of a coil pack is VERY relevant to me.

The potential cost of a pack, against the potential tuning of a single spark is the only equation that counts in this, and I'm leaning towards the simplicity of a single sparker for a potential keeper.

Fair enough, but if the bike was right, I'd have either a single or twinspark

I was only highlighting the cost saved on buying newer bikes v running an older one

I was chatting to a bloke with a 2005 GSA and it had 185,000 miles on it, I don't recall him mentioning he'd broken/had a failed coilpack to date, the bike was bog stock and he'd not messed about with it, fitting any electrical accessories

Only things he's done were rear drive bearings/paralever bearings and new shims/bearings in the gearbox and if he'd not been in the bike for the gearbox, then he would still be on the same clutch perhaps

 

[Flipfly]

Well mines not a GSA, but it is a single spark, non abs bike.

It's my second one (first one had non servo abs and should have been a keeper in hindsight ).

The simplicity of the bike is a real bonus for me. I've fitted a y piece and one of those thingies that fools it into thinking it's colder than it is, making it run richer, and it has no surging issue at all.

Personally I prefer the earlier bikes. The old ABS is ok as long as you don't off road. My first one with ABS was a pain because the ABS kept resetting off road, this one means I don't have to think about it.

The price was the biggest bonus. Bought a 20k mile bike which was a little rough around the edges for £2200. Added all the TT bits I wanted and a set of used Vern paniers for a further £800.

I have just come back from a trip to Almeria (2 days there, 2 days back) and apart from an alternator belt (checked before I left and it looked ok....be warned, always carry a spare!!) and an o ring on the fuel quick couplings needing replacement (10 cents to you sir!, cost me more in fuel to get to the shop ), the bike ran flawlessly. Sat at a steady 75-80mph on the GPS speedo, 200 miles to a tank and reletively comfy (1000 mile day was a little too much for the bum tbh, but it wasn't excruciating).

Why do you need any more than that

 

[monkeyboy]

I love my old 2002 SS non servo ABS GSA. I won't sell it. Ever. What would be the point? It's worth so little (100k and looks like keith richards on a bad day) but its a memory bank. Same as my 175k 1100S I went RTW on. Keepers both.

I definitely plan to get another in the future to run alongside the other. Simple and cheap enough and with a wealth of disassembly experience of keeping mine alive and kicking plus a garage full of bits. I don't care about keeping it shiny. It's for riding, not for looking at.

It's a big blunt instrument and although it often drives me mental (with a knuckle mark in the tank) I love it.

 

[metropolis2k]

I've been having similar thoughts recently. I've got a standard '00 GS, single spark with ABS2 (although it's constantly on a warning light at the moment which I can't seem to solve). I also have a twin spark 1100S. I know the engines are drastically different but I have real surging issues with the GS and none at all with the S. I wouldn't personally go for servo brakes (not through personal experience, only horror stories) and so of a later bike would probably go non-ABS but as mentioned that will siginificantly limit your options.

I guess in the end I'd be happy to take either a twin spark non-ABS or a single spark ABS if I could get on top of the surging.

At a bit of a point now where I need to decide whether to switch to a different GS. Mine is a bike that I'm fairly happy with, is tidy enough but I will lose money on (compared to what I'd normally expect to lose on a bike) given the recent work I've done on it. If I was to keep it I'd replace the aftermarket (shit) heated grips and probably strip and repaint a fair amount of it. I'd still have the same bike but it'd probably look and feel a bit nicer. Alternatively I could 'upgrade' and try to find something a bit tidier with fewer miles, but then I'd be taking a gamble on that not causing me headaches in the long run and wishing I'd stuck with what I had!

 

[Grizzly]

Why Adventure???

If you fancy an 1150 GS as a keeper why not just go for the "standard" GS? - what's the fuss with the Adventure - unless you must have the Charlie McGregor look
the main difference is the Adv's have even more bling and irrelevant extra's bolted on - which increases the weight.
Both bikes are much the same - and the "best" features of one can be easily fitted to the other if required (mostly!)
There are some crackin' low mileage mint 1150GS's come up for sale now and again for what seems quite reasonable money?

Cheers.....................Grizzly

 

[Cook1e]

Had 2 1150s (GS, not GSA 'cos I have short little legs). For me, a very competent, do anything-go anywhere bike which is cheap & easy to maintain.

Part of that is the minimal complexity - I have removed the ABS on both (gave me more grief than confidence) and if the only point of the twin-spark is emissions control, why bother?

I have fitted a stubby so I don't have to give valuable luggage space to a useless silencer and a Power Commander which solves the surging that I didn't have, but flattens the torque curve so she pulls like a good 'un all the way up the rev range. If this failed, I could remove it by the roadside.

Plan to keep this one forever. Anticipated future shortages of unavoidably complex components (Hall sensors, TPS, Motronic) will be addressed by hoarding spares - otherwise see no reason it shouldn't be on the road as long as an old airhead. Back-up plan, convert it to carbs.

If I want a cheap thrill, I can have another bike. Currently have a V-Max, toying with the idea of a Buell.

Works for me

 

[MikeO]

Both my bikes are keepers (the best laid plans etc)

My first was a 2002 single-spark non-abs. It was a cancelled order, but was the exact spec I would have chosen - except it didn't have the optional low 1st gear.

My criteria for a bike I planned to keep was that it should not be the subject of costly repair several years hence, therefore I saw no need to pay extra for ABS - something I could live without and which would inevitably fail eventually.

When (after 160k miles) the bike burned out, I found a great 2003 twin-spark with 15k miles. I immediately removed the servo ABS and even fitted replacement Brembo calipers and new discs on the front, to replace the Tokicos and skinny discs fitted.

I have had to replace one stick coil - time will tell whether these are going to be a regular replacement item. If they are then I am sure there will be a cheaper after-market replacement available in due course. I will say that the twin-spark is a LOT smoother than my single-spark ever was, though.

On balance, I think I would have bought a single-spark if a similar bike was available, but I came across the right bike at the right time and at the right price, and that made up my mind...

Mike

 

[Stewart H]

I read somewhere (advrider) about folks fitting a regular coil and HT leads in place of the stick coils on twinspark bikes, widens the circle a little.

 

[Fanum]

I read somewhere (advrider) about folks fitting a regular coil and HT leads in place of the stick coils on twinspark bikes, widens the circle a little.

Yep.....it's been copied over to here a couple of times as well.....interesting stuff.

ISTR that it got a little more complicated than just swapping out the primary coil and coil sticks for a single, quad pole unit to drive all four plugs though......I will look the thread here up again, but ISTR that Neil fired a technical torpedo into the theory.

In principle though, it could be the perfect solution.

Whether Mike has been lucky in only having one failed coil pack, or I've been really unlucky (or more likely, just plain daft riding through so many hundreds of rivers deliberately ) to have half a dozen go on me I don't know, but I do know I've spent out several hundred quid on coil packs over the years.

 

[chad]

I read somewhere (advrider) about folks fitting a regular coil and HT leads in place of the stick coils on twinspark bikes, widens the circle a little.

ive read that too , but buggered if i can find it

ive had three 1150 GSs now the first was a single spark , second GSA twin spark and the latest is a twin spark oly issue ive ever had with any of tem was an FD bearing and servo failure on the second bike , servo removed and it carried on great till i was forced to sell it

the third bike's servo is now gone im well happy to be back

i dont fell the coil packs are an issue and both my twin sparks are much smoother than the single spark ever was

 

[MikeO]

Whether Mike has been lucky in only having one failed coil pack, or I've been really unlucky (or more likely, just plain daft riding through so many hundreds of rivers deliberately ) to have half a dozen go on me I don't know, but I do know I've spent out several hundred quid on coil packs over the years.

In fairness, the failure I had was almost immediately after I bought the bike and I've done so few miles that it's not worthy of comparison...

I've bought a good used spare to keep on the shelf

 

[Fanum]

ive read that too , but buggered if i can find it

The original ADVRider thread is HERE

I could spend another 30 seconds or so to find its corollary here, but I need a wee

 

[ahutcheon]

I've had one stick coil fail since I got the bike new in '03 (OK, I bought and fitted a pair, but kept the still working one as a spare and threw away the one that smoked); it's not the sort of component that would drive my choice of bike.

I suspect (OK, I'm guessing, and I can't be arsed to search for confirmation) that the primary and secondary coils fire at slightly different ignition advance; if so you could replace the stick coils with something else and plug leads but you would have to keep the secondary coil. But isn't it a conventional coil up under the tank, and when did anyone have one fail?

Keeper? 'till it's too heavy, too unreliable or something more appropriate to my needs shows up. But being mine and paid for makes the price/performance ratio look pretty good.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just buy the one you want & don't stress about things that may go wrong