Which is the Best GS?

[Captain Beaky]

I loved my 2001 R1150 GS. But - it had it's faults.
Mainly the paint finish on the engine and frame.
I spent hundreds powder coating parts, but always struggled to keep it looking smart - the corrosion seemed to creep in everywhere - even though I cleaned it rregularly - and always rinsed it off after being near any salt.

I am looking for another GS - but I really don't want something that's going to corrode like my last one.
I went looking last summer, and it wasn't reassuring to see an '07 R1200GS demonstrator in BVM that was 18 months old, with corrosion creeping into the front engine case cover...

What's the score - are any bikes worse than others?
All the R1100's I have seen do seem to have a noticeably better finish - with less creeping corrosion - it was this excellent quality finish that attracted me to the GS in the first place over other makes - I was so disappointed when it wasn't.

All the R1150's I see all seem to be suffering, as do many of the R1200's.

What's the score? What are the best bikes to get for a good finish?

I am really not bothered by which one - all really appeal to me - my preference would be for an 1150 (I like the headlights) - with ABS of course.

Or am I on a hiding to nothing - should I just get a really scabby 1150, and spend the cash putting all the paint right (and ending up with something really special in the process...)?

Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Timolgra]

Not all 1150s suffer with poor finish and corrosion, it seems to be a combination of pot luck and how they've been looked after

1100s generally have a reasonable finish.

1200's? well, less said the better

 

[Fanum]

Opinions are like arseholes....everyone's got one, but their one one is only of interest to themselves


No such thing as 'the best'....whatever rocks your boat, rings your bell, makes you hard or makes you just wanna get up and ride the fekker, that's what's the best.

Mine, of course, is the best, but so are most people's GSs to them.

 

[digga]

Best GS??


One thats got petrol in it and ridden ...

But there again,i don't have a GS!! -

R1150R is my ride - 04 plate and No corrosion to speak of..

 

[Timolgra]

Opinions are like arseholes....everyone's got one, but there's is only of interest to themselves


No such thing as 'the best'....whatever rocks your boat, rings your bell, makes you hard or makes you just wanna get up and ride the fekker, that's what's the best.

Mine, of course, is the best, but so are most people's GSs to them.

Guess you didn't read his question

 

[Fanum]

Guess you didn't read his question

Nope, I dodged it.

It was either that, or use the yawn smily or refer him to the search button

I chose to dodge.

 

[Captain Beaky]

One more thing...

My old GS was a 2001 R1150, the last of the bikes that had the "Brembo" brakes - with ABS. I'd be happy with this again - but want to do the research before I go looking.

What are the relative plusses and minuses of the later servo brakes?

What's the advantage or disadvantage of the servo - more to go wrong I would think?

Also - Twin spark or not?

And why not a 1200 - what's wrong with them?

And how would this lot stack up against an 1100 GS?

BTW - the GSA is just too darn tall for me - but I like the look nevertheless.

 

[Wrigsby1]

My 11GS is fairly corroded but that may be me My last 11GS was used all year round and lasted pretty well but once corrosion sets on it is usually hard to stop without getting serious about refinishing.

One thing I noticed when I sold BM's was that the 1150 was marginally worse than the 1100 and also that many people kept their bikes "dry" and expected the corrosion not to come. Most people with mint bike take an enormous amount of effort to keep them that way especially if they use them in the wet. I have always thought that bikes need protecting with sprays of your choice if you are not mad about constant cleaning.

11's had better stancions etc but worse wheels 1150's were cheaper when new Of 12's, i am ignorant

Painted alloy is not the best(all those fins) and the subframes are a bugger to keep clear as they dissapear into tight spaces all the time

Me, i keep the corrosion off what I can see when i'm riding

 

[Timolgra]

Nope, I dodged it.

It was either that, or use the yawn smily or refer him to the search button

I chose to dodge.

......

 

[Captain Beaky]

I forgot to say that I did do a search, but didn't turn up very much of decent set of answers.

I'm not bothered by which model - I've ridden the R11,1150 and 12's - they all have their own merits and price tags. I am more interested to know if the paint will flake off like a fiat by the seaside?

And what other foibles are there to the different models.

 

[raginmund]

Is it not just down to the owner? I bought an 01 1150GS with 53k on it that looked like new. It's up to me to keep it that way..?

There's little bits of wear of course (like a rust spot where the rear brake reservoir has rested on the subframe) but overall I'm impressed with the build quality.

 

[GSAde]

One more thing...

My old GS was a 2001 R1150, the last of the bikes that had the "Brembo" brakes - with ABS. I'd be happy with this again - but want to do the research before I go looking.

What are the relative plusses and minuses of the later servo brakes?

What's the advantage or disadvantage of the servo - more to go wrong I would think?

Servo brakes are lousy, got shut of my 1150 with them after 20k miles as I still hadn't got used to them, snatchy horrible things. Now got (& had for 22k miles) an 05 1150 GSA with non servo, hence non ABS brakes - powerful, smooth & controlable. Also no problems with servo failure (which is not uncommon) leaving you with very little "residual braking"

BM have now discontinued the servo system 'cos it was total crap - my unbiased opinion anyway

Also all my GS's 11 / 1150's have been immaculate, there again I look after 'em - that's what makes the difference.

Ade

 

[STUBBS]

I forgot to say that I did do a search, but didn't turn up very much of decent set of answers.

I'm not bothered by which model - I've ridden the R11,1150 and 12's - they all have their own merits and price tags. I am more interested to know if the paint will flake off like a fiat by the seaside?

And what other foibles are there to the different models.

cant go wrong with an 850 all the ones ive seen have lasted very well

 

[elevensies]

my 1100 review

superb ride, great gearing, great road holding, composed, looks rugged and purposeful, does everything well


needed change of suspension to make it go well, needed 2 new final drives and a new bevel box, looked rugged because it was covered in hammerite black and silver, did it all well because it costs me to keep it running like that.

all in all, i much prefer the 1100 to any of the others because it just seems built........... but the finish, the clutch, the suspension, will go.

no definitive answers, well yes actually there is,

buy an airhead, better finish, just as capable and hold price.

 

[Steptoe]

One more thing...

My old GS was a 2001 R1150, the last of the bikes that had the "Brembo" brakes - with ABS. I'd be happy with this again - but want to do the research before I go looking.

What are the relative plusses and minuses of the later servo brakes?

.

I have the later brake calipers with ABS and no servo. They made them that way for a couple of years before the servo appeared.
Much better calipers than the brembo type.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Nope, I dodged it.

It was either that, or use the yawn smily or refer him to the search button

I chose to dodge.

you haven't been around here for a while have you ?

the place is full of questions like this lately.

still, they're your customers now so don't be opinionated

 

[Wrigsby1]

I am more interested to know if the paint will flake off like a fiat by the seaside?

I live by the seaside and there are no Fiat's (left)

 

[motobiker]

Only issue I have with my bike is the (almost inevitable) bubbling on the alternator cover.. I plan to replace it with a 'black' one as soon as I can justify the expense. Apart from that its in fantastic condition given its 10 years living outside. I would have another 1100.. simply for the gearing which is spot-on for my type of riding. I almost never use Motorways.

 

[MattW]

The one you own

At 15 years old, my 1100 is one of the first into the country. For its age the finish is holding up remarkably well. It has the usual slight bubbling in the front cover and one of the rocker covers has some flaking - apart from that it's just wear and tear - a 15 year old bike is going to pick up some scuffs.

The most tedious thing to keep nice are the wheels - raw alloy Arkont rims - I'd like some anodised rims that I didn't have to break my knuckles cleaning every month or so. Mine have settled to a clean but non-shiny matt grey which is where they're staying!

 

[Stewart H]

Now that most of the paint from my engine front cover, barrels and rocker covers is safely lying on the garage floor it seems to have stopped further deterioration, the raw alloy has taken on a pleasing brownish hue, the bike itself which is now approaching 110k is actually running and riding beautifully

Stewart