GSA is an inch taller, gearbox ratios are far better than GS and that useless high 6th gear
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- Thread starter DeuceBG
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GSA is an inch taller, gearbox ratios are far better than GS and that useless high 6th gear
tadhgocuilleain
Registered user
Here are two to get you started:
This one is a how-to:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/200089-1150gs-cast-wheel-conversion-pics
There are a few bits of useful info here too:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/405993-1150gs-alloy-wheel-conversion!!!
Apparently there can be trouble with ABS (if fitted) because of the different ABS rings fitted to the cast wheels.
Unlike you to talk bollox JB.. the high 6th gear is very useable, not just on M ways either..
Never suited me, on 3 1150GS's
Ok on the m/way perhaps - but on A&B roads it's crap (IMHO) because as soon as you snick into top and then then an incline appears and you're back down to 5th
On the 11GS and 1150GSA, the top gear ratio is better matched to the engine's torque characteristics and you can just wind on the throttle without the need to change down
If that's bollox, I apologise...................just my thoughts on the 1150GS 6th overdrive gear
As a matter of interest why are you considering that? On the standard 19" front you can ground out the pegs on dual sport tyres, I even raised my pegs slightly and could still ground them so it can't be from a need for better traction. It may mean the centre stand doesn't function as effectively too.
Ping Coolcarbon a message as he has a 17" front wheel in his 1150GS. Mind you that nutter used to ground out the sides of his passengers boots
On my 8th 11xx / 12 GS....
For me I most liked my 02 1150GS upto now as I've only just got my latest 1150 GSA.
It was just an alround cracking bike...
If I never was going to use motorways then I would choose an 1100 GS because i fink the gears rear just right for A / B roads and bimbling around the lanes.
But the 6th gear of the 1150 / 1200 s are better suited to long hauls.
For me the 1200 s engine is too buzzy and makes my hands go numb ( I have hand disabilities ) but less weight of the 1200 is always a bonus.
If you look after your GS, whatever model it will be OK if you don't then your asking for trouble.
Get which ever model suits you, nobody has the definitive answer as we are all different..
For me I most liked my 02 1150GS upto now as I've only just got my latest 1150 GSA.
It was just an alround cracking bike...
If I never was going to use motorways then I would choose an 1100 GS because i fink the gears rear just right for A / B roads and bimbling around the lanes.
But the 6th gear of the 1150 / 1200 s are better suited to long hauls.
For me the 1200 s engine is too buzzy and makes my hands go numb ( I have hand disabilities ) but less weight of the 1200 is always a bonus.
If you look after your GS, whatever model it will be OK if you don't then your asking for trouble.
Get which ever model suits you, nobody has the definitive answer as we are all different..
The GS has a sump guard too Tadgh.
I would also disagree with JB!
The 1150GS is perfectly capable of pulling the overdrive 6th gear - if fitted - remember, it was a no-cost option, so not all standard 1150's have the high 6th and likewise, not all Adventures have the low 1st, standard 6th - some had standard 1st and high 6th like the standard GS - again, a no-cost option.
I have owned my 2001 standard 1150GS from new with high 6th and do most of my distance running 2-up with full luggage - and it pulls high 6th no bother on a mixture of roads.
The only disadvantage sometimes is the step in ratio between 5th and high 6th - it's bit wide in certain circumstances
I believe the brakes fitted to the single spark bikes are better - the ones badged "Brembo" as opposed to the later evo "BMW" calipers. Far fewer problems with seized/binding calipers?
Finally, the OP states that most of his longer journeys are 2-up, so please bear in mind that the standard 1150 GS pillion seat is far more user-friendly than the Adventure. The Adv can be converted to standard seats - but its worth bearing in mind if pillion comfort and space are important.
Cheers.........................Grizzly
The 1150GS is perfectly capable of pulling the overdrive 6th gear - if fitted - remember, it was a no-cost option, so not all standard 1150's have the high 6th and likewise, not all Adventures have the low 1st, standard 6th - some had standard 1st and high 6th like the standard GS - again, a no-cost option.
I have owned my 2001 standard 1150GS from new with high 6th and do most of my distance running 2-up with full luggage - and it pulls high 6th no bother on a mixture of roads.
The only disadvantage sometimes is the step in ratio between 5th and high 6th - it's bit wide in certain circumstances
I believe the brakes fitted to the single spark bikes are better - the ones badged "Brembo" as opposed to the later evo "BMW" calipers. Far fewer problems with seized/binding calipers?
Finally, the OP states that most of his longer journeys are 2-up, so please bear in mind that the standard 1150 GS pillion seat is far more user-friendly than the Adventure. The Adv can be converted to standard seats - but its worth bearing in mind if pillion comfort and space are important.
Cheers.........................Grizzly
I ride both the 1200 & 1150 GSA and have done so for several years now, as previously mentioned, its a very personal choice and what suits one etc. On a personal note although I wouldn't change either as they both have differing likable characteristics, the 1150 always seems to be the one I take out the garage. I guess you will never know until you try both.
Feel free to disagree, it's only my opinion on the gearing ratios and not necessarily correct
However all 1150GS came with the higher 6th gear and standard first - but from about 2003 onwards you could order the 1150 GS 'Sport' which had the lower 6th gear from the Adv
Similarly the Adv could be ordered with a lower 1st gear at no cost, or standard 1st (same as 1150GS) - however all Adv boxes have a shorter 6th gear as standard and altering it to overdrive 6th wasn't possible as a factory order in Adv guise
I dont think the above is strictly correct JB? but my memory is not that great
so open to correction!Although MOST 1150GS's were probably ordered with high 6th, there was also the option for standard 6th and for the first few years (probably until the ADV was launched?) if you had high 6th then the RID gear display showed 1 2 3 4 5 E (= E for enonomy)
if it had the standard 6th the gear display showed 1 2 3 4 5 6.
I know the above is correct because I had to choose the gearbox when I ordered my 2001GS
When the Adventure was launched it was clearly explained to me that there were TWO gearbox options -
you could have low 1st and standard 6th OR standard 1st and high 6th - BUT - you could NOT have low 1st AND high 6th (an option that quite a few people wanted)
I think MOST Adventures were ordered with the low 1st option - partly because it sounded more suitable for the "Ewan and Charlie"
type adventures
- and probably would be
By the time the Adventure was released I believe ALL gear displays showed 1 2 3 4 5 6 on both GS and ADV - immaterial of which gearbox was fitted.
I'm sure others may have more information - but I think the above is accurate
I hope this is not confusing the OP's original question? - but there has been quite a bit of confusion over gearbox options over the years - not helped by BMW's own sales brochures not detailing clearly the options fitted.
It's important to him to know, when considering a bike OR test riding one, which gearbox is fitted
For example, he is now speaking about alloy wheels - so he's really not needing the low 1st on an Adventure perhaps?
As others have said, we all have different tastes, requirements and riding styles.
Cheers.........................Grizzly
Thanks Grizzly,that's pretty much everything I wanted to hear!!I would also disagree with JB!
The 1150GS is perfectly capable of pulling the overdrive 6th gear - if fitted - remember, it was a no-cost option, so not all standard 1150's have the high 6th and likewise, not all Adventures have the low 1st, standard 6th - some had standard 1st and high 6th like the standard GS - again, a no-cost option.
I have owned my 2001 standard 1150GS from new with high 6th and do most of my distance running 2-up with full luggage - and it pulls high 6th no bother on a mixture of roads.
The only disadvantage sometimes is the step in ratio between 5th and high 6th - it's bit wide in certain circumstances
I believe the brakes fitted to the single spark bikes are better - the ones badged "Brembo" as opposed to the later evo "BMW" calipers. Far fewer problems with seized/binding calipers?
Finally, the OP states that most of his longer journeys are 2-up, so please bear in mind that the standard 1150 GS pillion seat is far more user-friendly than the Adventure. The Adv can be converted to standard seats - but its worth bearing in mind if pillion comfort and space are important.
Cheers.........................Grizzly
Quick Update Guys:
I've just taken the Plunge and bought my first GS!!
She's a 2003, Standard GS Twin Spark with various GSA Parts already added and 35k Miles.
The Gear Box is the one that reads "6" instead of "E" (if that's relevant at that age of Bike?).
Looking forward to many happy, trouble-free miles together......Fingers Crossed!!
I've just taken the Plunge and bought my first GS!!
She's a 2003, Standard GS Twin Spark with various GSA Parts already added and 35k Miles.
The Gear Box is the one that reads "6" instead of "E" (if that's relevant at that age of Bike?).
Looking forward to many happy, trouble-free miles together......Fingers Crossed!!
I dont think the above is strictly correct JB? but my memory is not that great
Although MOST 1150GS's were probably ordered with high 6th, there was also the option for standard 6th and for the first few years (probably until the ADV was launched?) if you had high 6th then the RID gear display showed 1 2 3 4 5 E (= E for enonomy)
if it had the standard 6th the gear display showed 1 2 3 4 5 6.
I know the above is correct because I had to choose the gearbox when I ordered my 2001GS
When the Adventure was launched it was clearly explained to me that there were TWO gearbox options -
you could have low 1st and standard 6th OR standard 1st and high 6th - BUT - you could NOT have low 1st AND high 6th (an option that quite a few people wanted)
I think MOST Adventures were ordered with the low 1st option - partly because it sounded more suitable for the "Ewan and Charlie"
type adventures
By the time the Adventure was released I believe ALL gear displays showed 1 2 3 4 5 6 on both GS and ADV - immaterial of which gearbox was fitted.
I'm sure others may have more information - but I think the above is accurate
I hope this is not confusing the OP's original question? - but there has been quite a bit of confusion over gearbox options over the years - not helped by BMW's own sales brochures not detailing clearly the options fitted.
It's important to him to know, when considering a bike OR test riding one, which gearbox is fitted
For example, he is now speaking about alloy wheels - so he's really not needing the low 1st on an Adventure perhaps?
As others have said, we all have different tastes, requirements and riding styles.
Cheers.........................Grizzly
I think you're a bit confused between E and 6th
E or 6th was just a marker on the RID display
On early bikes (yours up to late 2001) had E and then from 2002 onwards they changed the display to read 6 and not E
There was no difference in actual gear ratio in the box, between early and late 1150GS
BMW just got rid of the E moniker as it confused the issue, for some people
I had a 2000 1150/2002 1150/2004 1150 from brand new and all had identical gear ratios in top gear irrespective of whether it said E or 6, so I can be certain of that
All Adv's from 2002 said 6 on the RID and had a lower 6 gear ratio than the 1150's - you couldn't ever buy an Adv with a high 6th - because I tried
You could order the 1150GS from new in 2003 with the 'sport' box from the Adv, for no cost
Quick Update Guys:
I've just taken the Plunge and bought my first GS!!
She's a 2003, Standard GS Twin Spark with various GSA Parts already added and 35k Miles.
The Gear Box is the one that reads "6" instead of "E" (if that's relevant at that age of Bike?).
Looking forward to many happy, trouble-free miles together......Fingers Crossed!!
Congratulations and a great choice of bike. Worth noting that the 1150 and especially the telelever front end do take some getting used to so take your time before forming judgement.
With regards to your earlier question - you can fit 17" cast wheels from many different R and K bikes. There's a thread on here somewhere but to save you time - R1150R (or RS or RT) front and 5.5" K1200RS rear with disc carrier is the best combination in my experienced experience. The standard wire wheels are fine though - especially as you can now get good 19" rubber.
Finally, it's worth investing in a good set of aftermarket shocks - Ohlins used to be the shock of choice then it turned to wilbers now it appears to be Nitron. At close to 20 stone and with a pillion and luggage the OEM shocks are going to struggle a little
Enjoy
Ok JB,
I think your maybe right in that you couldn't get the High option 6th on the ADV - but you did get TWO options with the standard GS - as I descibed - And if you check out Max BMW or Rainbow BMW Fiche you'll see that the standard 1st with standard 6th box was fitted to both GS and ADV and has the same part number
But I don't think it's worth a debate - I just wanted to make sure we gave the OP the best info we had - so what he bought turned out to be what he thought it should be
Hey DeuceBG, glad your sorted post some pics when you get a chance - ENJOY
Cheers..........................Grizzly
I think your maybe right in that you couldn't get the High option 6th on the ADV - but you did get TWO options with the standard GS - as I descibed - And if you check out Max BMW or Rainbow BMW Fiche you'll see that the standard 1st with standard 6th box was fitted to both GS and ADV and has the same part number
But I don't think it's worth a debate - I just wanted to make sure we gave the OP the best info we had - so what he bought turned out to be what he thought it should be
Hey DeuceBG, glad your sorted
post some pics when you get a chance - ENJOYCheers..........................Grizzly
Congratulations and a great choice of bike. Worth noting that the 1150 and especially the telelever front end do take some getting used to so take your time before forming judgement.
With regards to your earlier question - you can fit 17" cast wheels from many different R and K bikes. There's a thread on here somewhere but to save you time - R1150R (or RS or RT) front and 5.5" K1200RS rear with disc carrier is the best combination in my experienced experience. The standard wire wheels are fine though - especially as you can now get good 19" rubber.
Finally, it's worth investing in a good set of aftermarket shocks - Ohlins used to be the shock of choice then it turned to wilbers now it appears to be Nitron. At close to 20 stone and with a pillion and luggage the OEM shocks are going to struggle a little
Enjoy
Thanks for the Info DrAlf.
I'll look into the Nitrons when I've tried her out in anger.
Hopefully at 35k miles there should be a decent life left in the OEMs and I'm guessing most of my initial riding will be solo anyway (have you seen the weather
).I'll post again once she's been with me a while and we're properly aquainted...
Hey DeuceBG, glad your sorted
Cheers..........................Grizzly
Thanks Grizzly, will do.
And thanks to everyone for all your Input, hopefully I can spend more time riding than punching keys now!!
Thanks Grizzly, will do.
And thanks to everyone for all your Input, hopefully I can spend more time riding than punching keys now!!
WHAT
And denude the forum of input agents. Don't be so hasty. 
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