What is the Best GS, Which on is BS??

[james0133]

What is the best model of GS? Someone told me that some of the 1200's are dodgy but of course he is a 1150 owner.
Anyone out there owned a few different models? Are there some reliability issues with the early 1200's?

 

[MattW]

The best? 1100 - no contest.

 

[GreatScott]

Mine ! Who cares what anyone else's is like

Seriously - if you're looking at a GS get and ride a few.

 

[AdamA]

The one you like the most is the one that is best for you.
That may well differ to others.

Having owned a standard 1150, 1200 and 1200GSA the GSA wins hands down for me.
Plenty prefer the other two or indeed the 1100 tho.
They are all fine bikes, not without their problems.

 

[GSband]

I've owned a 06/2005 red R12GS (60000km) and am now currently on a grey 12/2007 R12GS (28000km).

The R12GS was ill-conceived and costcutting is clear. My first bike was plagued with the well documented problems (do a search). At some stage it started being reliable. Most bikes from early production will have problems sorted out by first owner.
The only reason I changed bikes is when the brake assist gave up in heavy traffic. I bought another R12GS (without brake assist) because it's the perfect bike for me, I like it's versatility, and I'm having loads of fun, anyday, anywhere. I've not had major hick-ups with the second GS.

It seems the 1150 is of better build, but I'd stay away from all BMW brake assist models (production 2001~2006). It's great when it works, but you don't want to find out what it's like when it goes bust. Scary.

 

[ianboydsnr]

The best? 1100 - no contest.

I would probably agree, as long as it is a post 97 model, the 1150 was improved in some areas, but got worse in other areas, the jump from 5th to 6th, the headlight is worse, though it looks better, the Gsa is just a big lads version


I have a 2003 1150 twinspark ( that was no upgrade either)

 

[Slowdown]

Red ones are faster.....

 

[Wreford Miles]

Depends on what you want to do with it?

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Which one?

"......It seems the 1150 is of better build, but I'd stay away from all BMW brake assist models (production 2001~2006). It's great when it works, but you don't want to find out what it's like when it goes bust. Scary....."
It comes as no surprise that the latest ones (GS or GSA) are the 'best.' The 1100 was a bike that owners loved - then along came the 1150 wich was certainly better. The 1200 feels very light and nimble after the 1150 and the latest 08 models have a little more power, a new improved gearbox and a few other refinements; it is safe to say that in general if your bike is properly maintained they have become more reliable as they have developed.
What do you mean by 'better build'? More solid appearance perhaps but that means nothing. If the ABS packs up you will still have enough braking power to get you out of trouble - it should not be scary but of course it depends on your riding style.
If you have owned a bike from new and it has been dealer serviced you will appreciate, as I do, how they have steadily improved - otherwise those of us who can afford it , would not change would we?

 

[STUBBS]

the yellow 850 's

 

[Dahoum]

Moved to a more generic area for fuller opinions

 

[motobiker]

The question 'what is the best GS?' would be better rephrased as 'what is the best GS for {insert budget here}?'

3,000 =/- will buy you a very nice 1100

for not a lot more you can have a very nice 1150. GS or GSA.

There are more second hand 1200's on sale now than you can shake a stick at... or indeed a tree (copse/wood/forest).

or you can buy brand new.

which is best?

my answer to that is - IT'S NOT FOR SALE.

But seriously - whats best for me probably isn't best for you. so try them all.

 

[GSband]

... If the ABS packs up you will still have enough braking power to get you out of trouble - it should not be scary but of course it depends on your riding style. ...
If you have owned a bike from new and it has been dealer serviced you will appreciate, as I do, how they have steadily improved - otherwise those of us who can afford it , would not change would we?

For the record, I was talking about brake assist, not ABS, a different matter altogether.

When the brake assist module fails (production 2001~2006), it goes without any kind of warning, so dealers cannot help you out before it happens. Warning lights come on as you brake- a bit late don't ya think ? Residual braking power is laughable. Instead of stopping behind a van, you're in it.

I resent this talk about riding style; there's no discussion : it's the brake system that's faulty. Since you live in France, imagine a failure on Alpine roads. BMW ('unstoppable') has belatedly recognized the power assisted brake system is not fail safe, and have withdrawn it from production. I consider myself lucky without major damage, where a personal friend of mine (R1150R) needed back surgery, and others have had broken ribs (Dutch forum member).

In short, my '05 bike was new, properly maintained, the brakes went, I could afford it, and changed bikes.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Sorry

You were talking about the servo brakes. I did not realise that they fitted them to the 1150GS but I had them on my early 1200 (September 2004) and I found them excellent. I had no problems at all - except for the one time when the handguard had slipped into contact with the brake lever and the servo didn't work; I was on the way to the dealer when I realised what had happened & easily rectified it - but I was very agreeably surprised that the 'residual braking' was more than adequate; you say"........I resent this talk about riding style;" No need to take offence; I simply meant 'to ride within the limitations of the brakes and your own reaction time' - easier said than done!
The roads were I live are arguably more dangerous than Alpine roads - come down and visit us sometime. We are almost neighbours - when the weather is fine!

 

[GSband]

No offence taken. I agree that you have to ride within the brakes' limits.
But it's pretty scary when the brakes suddenly have different limits.

Thanks for the invite !

 

[AdamA]

Residual braking still stops you just fine, you just have to pull like hell on the lever rather than have it one finger servo assisted. Yes it is a shock when you first pull the lever but even the slowest of minds will cotton on PDQ and give a good tug on the lever. Problem solved. Nothing major to worry about. Unless of course you scream up behind vans hard on the limit of the brakes as a matter of course.

 

[MMC]

The best? 1100 - no contest.

I'd agree with that one, but then I am a little, eensy, weensy bit biased...

I've had two 1100s, an 1150 and two 100s.

The 100s are a delight to work on - and you might be doing that quite a bit with an R100GS (preventative fiddling really). Not too quick and have fear-assisted brakes. Bulletproof mind. Neither of mine ever went wrong.

The 1150 has the 6th gear, which is handy on motorways. Built pretty well, bit of corrosion on fork-braces but that's hardly the end of the world. My 1150 ate its driveshaft and that's about it. Nasty bill though...

The 1100 just seems to be milled from billet, goes on and on and on and needs sod-all apart from regular maintenance. Mine's junked a Hall Sensor and a starter motor in around 20k (up at 44k and running in nicely).

Ride a few, see what you like and get on with and don't be worried by mileage - buy on condition and gut-feel. The latter's not too hard with most tossers

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Braking

".....Unless of course you scream up behind vans hard on the limit of the brakes as a matter of course." Which is exactly what I meant as 'style of riding." Pretty normal round here for the Kamikazes on their scooters of course - but they (the survivors) have sharper reactions than us oldies!

 

[motobiker]

Residual braking still stops you just fine.

2 points. BMW removed the servo assist from the GS range. (they dont do such things for no reason)

also its a regular question in the 1100/1150 technical - how easy is it to remove the servo? I doubt they want this based purely on a whim.

If the servo was 'just fine' then this wouldn't be an issue - but it quite obviously is.

Problem solved. Nothing major to worry about.

This is probably exactly what the designers at BMW are thinking now that they've dumped it.

 

[AdamA]

2 points. BMW removed the servo assist from the GS range. (they dont do such things for no reason)

also its a regular question in the 1100/1150 technical - how easy is it to remove the servo? I doubt they want this based purely on a whim.

If the servo was 'just fine' then this wouldn't be an issue - but it quite obviously is.



This is probably exactly what the designers at BMW are thinking now that they've dumped it.

Yes, it breaks. It's not required, so they removed it. What's your problem?