Which ADV should i go for???

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Hi Guys...
I'm in a bitter of muddle here. I've currently got a 1150 GSA with 73k miles on the clock and things are wearing out (broken down recently due to possibly battery and going to need a new starter motor and cables soon), but I'm tempted with a 2008 1200 GSA which I'm going to test ride tomorrow. Now my questions is, do i go for a 2008 which has supposedly had all the niggles from the prviouse model ironed out or will an earlier one be just as good (and cost less)

Just adding the figuers up by the time I've added all TT extras i would want on it this 08 bike is going to be a very expensive investment, and I'm trying to justify it.....

or of course should i just stick with my 1150 and keep getting it fixed when it goes wrong (which isn't very often but after 2nd time being stranded by the side of the road it becomes a pain)

Maybe i should hang on a little more till the 2010 has been out for a bit longer and more 08 models come on the 2nd hand market......

Got a week to decided :-)
 
Which adventure?


Load up your credit card, stick a pin in your calender and on that date go to an airport catch the first aircraft you can get a seat on, no matter where it's going then enjoy:aidan

Probably best if you try and walk home again, that should be an adventure allright:thumb2
 
It all depends on what you want Gary.

If you spent a fraction of the cost of another bike on a major refurbishment of your 1150 it would probably be good for the same mileage all over again.

The flip side is of course that the 1200GSA is lighter, faster, more fuel efficient, probably better wind and weather protection but cursed with faults such as undersized battery, electrical weak points including the ring antenna and fuel pump doodah and in my opinion the worst of all a canbus electrical system that severely restricts what you can add or modify on the bike.

The final drive can be iffy as well but as some of the 1150's including my standard GS have had fd failures they're about equal on that.

How much do you love your 1150? I had been starting to lean towards a new 1200GS but reading articles on here about the hassle and workarounds apparently necessary to do something simple like install HID headlamp conversions with canbus I'm backing to thinking that I'll stick with the 11½.:) Plus I think that the 1200's look like ugly plastic toys whereas the 11??'s are things of beauty, where is the tongue in cheek smiley when you edit?
 
a battery is hardly a major breagdown, and cables,starter arnt either,
stick wi the 1150 and spend the extra money on a second bike?
 
Much prefere the look of the 1200GSA over the standard one, and being lighter, quicker, more efficient with better weather protection is definaly all in it's favour just a little concerned about reliability,

Is there really much differant in say an 06/7 model and a 08/09 model?

I do like my 1150, great and capapble bike it's just starting to have reliability niggles which can't be found yet, I know I can get £3000 part ex as standard, but if I keep it another year or so it's going to clock about 80 - 90,000 miles, how much would it worth then..... oooohhhhhhh!!!!
 
As Packer says, what will the cost be to get a really thorough service / refurb on your 1150? I am sure Steptoe will tell you that. Your existing bike has minimal depreciation and can be home / independently serviced as it is out of warranty, so your ongoing running costs are lower as well.

Look at some of the posts about the 2010 GSA. People with the 09 GSA are being quoted £3,000 - £5,000 to change after 1 year. That's a lot of depreciation on a new bike!

Of course, if you really want a 1200 ....
 
I had an 08 Adv

Now i'm on an 1150 Adv and personally i reckon its a better ride and a more characterful bike. Get another?:thumb
 
Keep the 1150, treat it to a full refurb. at an independent workshop, buy some bits for it, think of all the miles you've done on it, don't buy into the upgrade cycle and then go and ride to somewhere far away... that'll be an adventure :thumb2
 
Amazingly very few people suggesting I go for a 1200 ADV :-)

Test rode it, was very nice, mainly for weather protection but to be honest I think I'll be keeping mine for at least the time being anyway :-)

.... now how can I fit the 1200GSA front end to my 1150GSA :-)
 
a battery is hardly a major breagdown, and cables,starter arnt either,
stick wi the 1150 and spend the extra money on a second bike?

i'am with this one.spend £300 on sorting out then buy a cheapish second bike.better the devil you know then the devil you don't
 
i had an 06' 1200, it had 2x FPC screw up and an antenna ring failure
now i've got an 08' ADV, had 1 FPC screw up and 1 brake fluid dump (before the recall :blast)
SWMBO has an 06' 1200 and never had a problem at all, with similar mileage.
you can feel the extra 5bhp on the 08', i'm stickin with mine :thumb2
 
Stick with your exsting bike if I were you and just start fixing the bits yourself. Had a 1200 and had to keep taking it the dealer to get bits done and just the labour charges added up to the value of my 1100!

David
 
Buy mine (58 plate adv) top spec with extras and under 6,000 miles

I've just fallen hopelessly in love with a Daytona Orange R90S, and apparently I can't have two bikes and stay at home :D

I will be putting it up for sale officially in a week or two

David
 


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