What should I buy

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gr8

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I am thinking of buying a bike. Its twenty years since I last owned one so I need advice. Have three/four bikes in mind so what would you pick?
650 GS, 1150GS, 1200GS or 1150RT?
I like to travel long distances, I frequently drive 250miles from Dublin to Dingle on a Saturday Morning and sometimes even come back that evening which is over 500 miles in the day. Is that feasible on all the above bikes?
My main purpose with the bike is for long weekend runs. It will seldom be used during the week. I would like to do some serious long distance work with it that is the Alps etc in Europe and I do like back roads, green lanes etc… Getting lost on narrow single track roads is very enjoyable to me.
Given that it is such a long time since I had a bike – a Honda 400 4 – and the power difference etc with modern machinery what would you recommend that I buy? I am a “shorty” but have sat on an 1150RT recently with no problem. I am slightly afraid of the RT with full bodywork as it would be damaged very easily with the slightest drop. The 650 may not have enough grunt for the kind of distances that I like to do. This is leaves me with the 1150/1200 question. I can afford a new 650GS but if I decide on either of the others it will be for a used model however I may go on the never/never for a 1200.
I have gone on the RT website but they all seem very subdued folks over there and even though I am fifty years of age I don’t think that I am really ready for that group just yet!!
 
I wouldn't consider anything other than the 1150GS, but that is just personal preference. The 650 would probably be better for off road but not so much for long distances, but if you are vertically challenged the 1150 is a relatively tall bike unless you have the lowering kit. I dont know anything about the RT but the thing with the 1200GS, you need to find one as they are rarer than hens teeth, if you want one before the end of the summer (I know because i tried to find one!!) you may be able to get an ex demo bike a little bit earlier. I saw a chap selling a second hand 1200GS privately for £10,500, i dont know if he got the asking price, but it seemed a bit cheeky considering it was a standard bike with no added extras!


(Buy an 1150GS ADV because they are ace!!!!!)


:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
 
Might be biased here..

We could all be accused of being biased, but then look at it this way,, there is a reason why we own 1150 GS and 1200..

I just bought one,, details of my views etc on here:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20517

The RT aint you from the sound of it.. and the 650 will lead to bad wrist ache and not the greatest comfort.

The 1150, is a cracker.. and to be honest, if you have to hit the never, never for a new bike,, dont bother with the 1200,, a good 1100... will still do a good job,, so dont rule em out, will leave to spare cash as well for the extra;s..

SO its 1100, or 1150.. you just need to find one and ride one..
The GS is completely different to most modern bikes, so ride one and see,, sadly there is a slim chance you might hate the way it feels,,..so ride before you buy! But my money is on you being smitten when you get on one,, give it a good ride and try before you make your mind up.. a good 2 hours or more if you can make it..
 
Absolutely agree with the rest of the replies. Had several bikes over the years the last one being a BMW K1200RS, which I fancied a change from, Test rides were booked on new K1200GT, R1150RT and R1150GS. My thoughts were as follows....

K1200GT - Felt no different to K1200RS, though with the different bars and seating position thought it might,

R1150RT was next.... Did not like it much at all. The bike felt like you were perched on top of it to me rather than sitting with the bike.

R1150GS - Felt like I was an all in one urban assult vehicle, kinda bought out the hooligan in me, and a great grin factor. Had to have one

Bought R1150GS adventure their and then. No questions just had to have one ;-). Have no wish at present for a 1200, you will be surprised at the acceleration and handling the bike gives... believe me
:beerjug:
 
I've had a 650, good bike, did some touring abroad but not enough poke.

I'm now a 1150GS & with only a 29" leg (er I have 2) its no problem given those nice people at Rainbow provided a low seat option, the trade off is less padding and it makes itself known after an hour or so. I will probably go back to the standard seat and risk the drop, not much to damage given its got engine bars.

Thought about the RT but the thought of all that plastic hitting the deck put the shits up me :D

Can't see me doing much off road but that may change after I've done the BM off road course. Got a 1200 on order and that should solve all my woes - except the bloody great hole in my wallet.

RT or GS - don't think you'll be upset either way.
 
I know the roads you'll be riding on, so if I were you it would have to be one of the two larger GS. In my opinion, the 1150 probably would be just as good in ireland as the 1200 as the extra 15 BHP of the 1200 would be more or less unusable.

But if you have the initial dosh the 1200 is more economical so maybe you'll fancy that one.
 
We could all be accused of being biased, but then look at it this way,, there is a reason why we own 1150 GS and 1200..


Oi rocks there's still a few of us 650 boys about :mad:




Lol :D
 
1200 I think...

Although I declined to buy a 1200, it would probably be a better bike for you, the weight would give you more confidence, especially up a narrow single track road, if you're going to buy a bike on the never-never you may as well get the best and not think of changing it until it's paid off.:beerjug:

BTW, the reasons I didn't buy one are not because it's not a great bike. As you can SEE HERE, I just prefer the Adventure, which I wouldn't suggest to you after a long time without a bike because of the height and weight.;)
 
Damded.. thought we had em all..

Oi rocks there's still a few of us 650 boys about

Bu**er.. thought we had em all... smeg.. will have to try again! :D
 
Having had (and thoroughly enjoyed) a 650 I would still reccomend an 1150 / Adventure for what you want to do. I find the seat on my Adventure pretty uncomfortable though, so try first if you are planning long trips.

Seat didnt stop me having a very enjoyable blast down to Cork and back though...

Quite a few Dublin based GSrs lurk around here so let me know if you want any local buying info...
 


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