Twin Spark Vs. Mono (new Vs. used)

[dfulgosi]

It's me again...
I found a very beautyful, fully equipped (except panniers) GSA March 2003 with 5000Km., but despite the date of registration SHE's still a mono-spark .
I found also a new one but, of course, more expensive...

Which would be your choice?
Any idea from somebody who used to own both, will be highly appreciated.

 

[Mick_rw]

Sparks

I own a single spark R1150R, whilst it was in with SPC for a service they loaned me a twin spark R1150R, and I must admit didn't notice any difference,

 

[Alex B]

Stay with the single spark and save the cost. After all, in Piacenza you won't know la differenze !

Ciao.

Alex B

 

[dfulgosi]

...in Piacenza you won't know la differenzA !

...he, he, very well said

Honestly, I'm oriented for the used one, but my biggest concern is relevant to the "surging" phenomena, which I've never experienced, I know it only in theory from what I learnt in this forum. Since both bikes are in Germany, I'll have to test-ride the used one, the very same day of the purchase, so I'm not sure that I'll be able to recognize it. Moreover I know myself: I'll be there with "little blood in my adrenalin"!!!

 

[Spanish Bob]

I have been looking and trying

I would get a twin spark without ABS (because its the only way you can avoid servo brakes). The twin is smoother but as I am used to airheads so I would be happy with either!

I am sure many people are happy with the servo brakes, but I ride around town a lot and they are not ideal for that (grabby at low speeds compared to normal brakes) and the idea of the brakes failing due to low battery charge (how often do you need to trickle charge a GS battery!?!?) scares me rigid. Anyway the original brakes work well.

Get any of them and then ride up to the UK and across to barcelona to show us you bike!!!

 

[Jarv]

Twin Vs Mono, New Vs Old

Stopped by SPC yesterday on the off chance as I had been looking for an Adventure deal for a few months.

They had three, yes three similar spec bikes, two used (one a demo) and one new '03 in stock! (They now only have two )

The twin sparkersdon't seem to have any more power etc but for the greenies out there (no not that sort!!) they're 'sposed to by kinder to the environment AND smoother throughout the rev range, esp. at the bottom end. Not having ridden the '03 I could tell you if this is the case or not.

However what sold me on the new bike was a) a great deal - who says BMW's dealer don't do deals and b) the linked electronic ABS.

My vote is for the '03, but the '02's run a very close second. Don't 'spose you can go wrong either way

 

[thesanguine]

Erm.....

If it's used, why don't you test ride it to see if it surges?....also, you could ask the dealer to tell you if it surges or not and get it written. Furthermore, you could ask the previous owner.

 

[BawdyMonk]

Re: Erm.....

If it's used, why don't you test ride it to see if it surges?....also, you could ask the dealer to tell you if it surges or not and get it written. Furthermore, you could ask the previous owner.

Test ride the new one as well, I did, and didn't notice any surge, after 9000kms I still haven't!

 

[Adventure Boy]

twin spark

on my third 1150 GS now this one another brand new bike, although a twin spark fully loaded Adventure so I do speak with some experiance, there does not seem to be anymore power, but it does seem smoother there is less side 2 side movement when stationary and you give it a rev thats for sure, it seems smoother at speed did a 300 mile round trip last week and a lot of the way was at 100mph according to the sat nav and it was better than I expected I would go for the twin spark

 

[Jimb]

dfulgosi

I thought you already had bought a new silver one ??
Last post I read you were going to pick it up in Germany.