Twin spark or not

[PIGGLET]

After much deliberation and self justification I have decided to invest!!?? (helps with the self justification ) in a 1150ADV. Pricewise i'm looking around the 2002 - 2003 era. In the real world is the twin spark engine a big improvement over the single spark? I don't know whether to get a 2002 with some goodies or a less well spec'd 2003 bike.
Also are there any mechanical gremlins or significant expenses to be expected with a bike thats done 30k miles?

I await enlightenment

 

[enabb]

Changed to a twinspark gsa this summer, from a w reg (2000) gs,
Loads better....smoother..... no surging.....and faster (yes its black )


HTH.

 

[Teddy]

I have a 2002 single spark motor. I first tested a twin spark jobbie but to be honest probably not long enough, (only covered 30 miles or so).

I have spoken to different people in the past before I brought my single spark and to be quite honest didn't really get a resounding yes or no to your question.

I decided to go with the single spark purely because I caould spend that little extra towards all the goodies and once that's taken care of the monthly payments for me were lower, (got to think of the cashflow!!).

As for Gremlins, I have had mine since 6000 miles and after a year it is climbing the 20's. Apart from the cam followers being a little rattly, (replaced by SPC free of charge), I have had no problems. It helps to keep the oil clean and change it and the filter regularly as this is the only thing keeping it cool and spinning. Imust confess there are no problems with the bolts coming undone like the Chelsea Tractor 1200.

I think it's a personal choice but either way you won't be dissapointed!!

 

[cookie]

i can't tell the difference.

single spark is cheaper on maintenance. do the math

 

[longdog]

Twin spark was brought out essentially to apease the enviromental legislation, i.e. 2 sparks are better than one, less unburnt mixture exiting into the atmosphere. My advice, FWIW, is to get the best example, either twin spark or single spark, that you can afford. If it's been well looked after and the engine is in a sweet state of tune, you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

 

[Cheesy Mike]

I have one of the very last single spark bikes built (single spark with servo brakes) and found it rough as a bear's arse until I put in Splitfire plugs. That did the trick. The bike got smoother still when I put on a y-piece.

Mike

 

[PIGGLET]

Nice one

Thanks folks. I guess i'll go for a 2002 with som extras and add a Y piece and splitfires. Got my beady on one already

 

[Tsiklonaut]

2 spark or 1?

One of those wierd questions on oilheads i never fully understood...

->>> it's Fuel Injection - fuel is sprayed in gaseos like form into cyl - then it's exploded by spark(s).

Well, on airheads with carbs fuel is "pissed" into cyl, then i understand the need of 2 spark making better spatial explosion in the cyl. But on FI machines - get the new injectors coz old ones aren't doing job OK!

But "surging" itself is a mystical phenomena on oilheads - i think it's rather problem of Lambda (O2) sensor. My previous R1100GS NEVER surged and i didn't know what the so called "surging" means, until Iran and Middle-East expedition i ran on leaded fuel thousands of kilometres and poisoned the Lambda sensor. After that for the first time i felt so called "surging", but only when the engine was cold (0-3 bars) on accelerating and "God's hand held the bike back" somewhere 3K rpm only. On warm engine it worked OK again (Motronic adaped? Lamda sensor got clean?)

Haven't tested my "new" current R1100GS enough, but after 300kilometres i've done with it, no surging from cold engine to warm. It also has the lambda sensor sending signals to Motronic. No surging what so ever, completely smooth.

Personally i think the surging is a problem of non-Lambda equipped oilheads (or malfunctioning Lamda) vs Motronic brain making "mistake" on calculation, if you don't have the Lamda and your bike "surges", get the Techclusion box rather complain it 1-spark problem. Sure 2-sparks per cyl optimizes the explosion in spacial terms in cyl, but i'm sure it isn't effective enough to earn extra money per 2 spark you need to pay additionally on FI oilheads. I.e. compare the fuel consumption between 1150 2 spark and 1150 1 spark(!) If it surges, get the Techclusion box!

Now the discussion please!

Margus

 

[GSAde]

Go Twinspark

Had 2 1150 single sparks, both excellent bikes & once over 20K miles real smooth - so I thought. In fact as riding into Rainbow to chop in the last one for a new June 05 twinspark GSA I thought "Why am I doing this when the old girl with 20k on is so smooth now" - then remembered I hated the servo brakes & would have to put up with the new servoless bikes roughness for a while.

Revelation - new twinspark bike with 2 miles on it sooo much smoother than the old one, even better now with 6k on. I thought I might miss the overdrive top on the GSA (as it has a lower top gear) but as the engines so much smoother I'm happy to cruise 1000 revs higher than the single spark.

Thats my twopenneth anyway - whatever you buy you've got the best bike in the world with a GSA ENJOY

Ade

 

[walrond]

I have a 2001 model with the single spark and it's smooth as can be with no surging.
A little off topic but another thing to consider is the braking system. I have ABS without servo brakes. I think that's the best of both worlds.

 

[PIGGLET]

I have a 2001 model with the single spark and it's smooth as can be with no surging.
A little off topic but another thing to consider is the braking system. I have ABS without servo brakes. I think that's the best of both worlds.

cheers walrond hadn't thought about brakes.
A big thanks to everyone else for all for all your info