Which is better 1150gs or an 1150 ADV ?

[Baldrick]

having had "Herman" taken away from me last Nov (Fekin car drivers) & now that I am up & about again I am looking for another GS.

Is it true that the ADV is lower geared / slower, and use more fuel than a straight GS?

I like the idea of the bigger fuel tank less garage stops, but doesnt it make it even more top heavy?

I have looked at a couple of GS's this week one private & one @ Bahnstormers (a Graphitan 03 model twin spark & servo brakes) neither were in as good a condition as the late "Herman" (02 Graphitan GS only 28K when he passed on )

is the twin spark engine better than the single spark, doesn't the bottom spark plug & lead get all clagged up?

& Servo brakes... is this realy an improvement?


Sooo many questions,, so little time, so many roads, to ride


Quick befor the Missus knows Iv'e got the insurance money

 

[richie]

Get an 1100 and save the rest of the cash...

 

[Mech]

I don't want to high jack this thread but (Dumb question ) what is the difference between a GS and Adventure apart from the seat and longer shockers ?

 

[Ming]

bigger tank 33l (option on a pre 53 plate bike )

stainless braided brake lines

two gear box options


1. lower first gear for off road

2 .standard 6 gears same as standard Gs WITHOUT overdrive . (certainly no slower)

different crashbars.

different screen (bigger)

bigger guard on the beak

various other options from the stealer when new .

 

[Mutley]

Hello Baldrick

having had "Herman" taken away from me last Nov (Fekin car drivers) & now that I am up & about again I am looking for another GS.

Is it true that the ADV is lower geared / slower, and use more fuel than a straight GS?

I believe the gearbox option was only for a lower first gear so fuel economy will only be affected if you drive around in first

I like the idea of the bigger fuel tank less garage stops, but doesnt it make it even more top heavy?

Yes it's ferkin heavy with a full tank, so it's not necessarily a good idea to fill it up before going off road You don't have to use it all you know.

I have looked at a couple of GS's this week one private & one @ Bahnstormers (a Graphitan 03 model twin spark & servo brakes) neither were in as good a condition as the late "Herman" (02 Graphitan GS only 28K when he passed on )

is the twin spark engine better than the single spark, doesn't the bottom spark plug & lead get all clagged up?

I've never had a single spark engine but the dual spark allegedly solves the surging problems associated with the older models. It should also give a better burn and cleaner emissions with better fuel economy.

& Servo brakes... is this realy an improvement?

It depends who you talk to. I love mine although they are very fierce off road and when coming to a final stop. Some people hate them and say they have no feel. There are some isolated cases of servo failure which only leaves you with residual breaking however this is isolated cases and I have never experienced it.

You only get ABS with the servos on late models (not sure about the early jobs) so I think it's worth it just for the ABS. Others will be along to disagree soon

Sooo many questions,, so little time, so many roads, to ride


Quick befor the Missus knows Iv'e got the insurance money

Get it bought now

 

[Ming]

03 servo abs came in .

prior to that it was non servo abs which work very well. and in some respects are better than the brakes that replaced them .

The Adv I currently have has these earlier brakes and they are really good .

 

[blues n twos]

Having had both an 1150 and now an 1150 ADV, I would say go the ADV route.

Me personally.... like the looks better, find the brakes awsome (servo abs).

I had a surging problem on the 1150 after 36k and never really got to the bottom of it

Adv has been an absolute dream of a bike and great to ride. I won't be taking this off road as they are just to heavy for anything serious. I recently rode back from Zealand Point in Holland to West London, then to work and back next day. Fully loaded with full pannier system and got 350 miles out of the tank.

I put 31 litres in though so was vey low on fuel

Jon

 

[MIKE R]

The only way to decide is to ride them both, back to back. I am certain some dealers will allow it.

Having had both at the same time (2002 non servo abs standard GS and a 2003 non abs ADV) I sold the GSA.

Both are very good bikes but I found that the higher seat height was a problem as it made the bike feel heavier, it didn't handle as well (could be that the ADV had standard shocks and the standard GS was shod with Ohlins!), and the 6th gear was too low on long trips...I prefer the overdrive on the standard. The large tank was good, but I normally stop anyway for a stretch after about 150-200 miles. In 2005 I took the standard to Marbella and the GSA to Venice in 2006.

There again, this is only my opinion.

Mike

 

[Steptoe]

The difference is a load of old bollox - Easy to change a normal GS to ADV spec. In fact it's better if you keep the standard shocks unless your over 6ft .

 

[Baldrick]

is there a great deal of diffrence between the seat heights of a std GS & a GSA? Herman was a std GS & I had no problems (even with my stumpy legs)

what is the revs diffrence say @ 80mph? (my avge cruising speed)

The other bike I have my eye on is an 850 GS.....can't help feeling it is a bit like decaf coffee...looks the part but not the same oomph.

the 850 has a set of ally hepco & becker luggage 49K on the clock & the GS has a set of tourtec's 15K on the clock but 4K diff is a lota dosh! cant make me mind up.....

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

GS or GSA

Thought I would put my pennies worth in.
My mate has a 1150 GSA and I have a 1150 GS. Both good bike, riding both I found the gearing on the GSA different, 1st was taller gear and 6th gear was 1000 rpm higher at 75mph ish than the 1150 GS. Also found the front end harsh, but my front shock was replaced a year before I got it in April.

Does it really matter, as long as your enjoying yourself?

 

[Flipfly]

Looks wise, I prefer the ADV. I have a standard GS and love it, would like the extra shock length but hey ho, the cost of the ADV is what stops me from having one.

Don't like the big tank and there is little use for it on a day to day basis.

Here's my standard GS with a few extras

 

[Loiq]

a late 1150GSA is a design classic, you can see all the engineering it's hidden under bits of plastic and there's probably not too many places left on the planet where someone or other has not been on one. The ABS brakes I think it's alright did have a funny moment on it coming really hot into a round about with bad camber and it kicked under heavy braking...It put the fear of god into me and since then I've slowed. I ride more respectfully and find it better all round. Get one or either or both it's brilliant fun

 

[Stujw70]

I have had an 1150 adv since last Nov and love it. It suits me down to the ground, i'm just over 6ft. A couple of work colleagues have standard 1150's and they love them.
You asked about an 850GS, well i had one before this bike and it was great. Same bike as an 1100 but with a slightly smaller engine and with great build quality.

Only you can decide what you want, so best get out and test ride them

 

[Timolgra]

Very good condition std 1150's are considerably cheaper than the ADV.

I've had both and been all over the place on each of them.
To ask which ones best implies that you may find the limits on one of them

If you're serious about offroad, then the longer travel suspension on the ADV is a real bonus but not vital, as is the low 1st if you have that option.

Sixth gear 'E' on the standard is fine for fast motorways etc but I find top much more useable on the ADV.

Bigger tank is obvious, I never really notice the difference in weight off road when it's full, you just get used to it.



I have an ADV but with the std seat arrangement, although with Corbin seats, this gives me the best of both worlds ie more ground clearance and longer travel suspension but with a lower seat height.

Both ADV and STD seats are awful (for me)
.
The debate on servo brakes is endless since it comes down to personal preference, I was unsure at first but do find them reassuringly powerful.

ABS? well you can always disconnect that if you don't like it.

Twin spark seems smoother and fuel consumption possibly better, I've never had a real surging problem on either my std or the two ADVs

STD screen is naff although I also think that of the ADV screen and use and MRA.

ADV crashbars are rubbish, many crack and look like they're from an Argos tent, I use H&B.


So it may just come down to looks and there's plenty of either which can be made to look ok. £££

At least you're thinking along the right lines and not considering a ......