Which is the Best GS?
- Thread starter Captain Beaky
- Start date
Captain Beaky
Registered user
Yeah - been away for a bit - since I sold my GS. But I want another one now... Missing it.
It seems that the paint finish on the 1150's seems very variable.
I really looked after mine - washed it regularly - made sure that no salt was left on it etc etc,. The bike lived in a really nice dry garage, and didn't do much in the way of wet weather work at all.
In contrast, my 6 year old XR250 is only now starting to show any signs of deterioration - and that gets hammered by comparison. My 14 year old VFR that was looked after just as well was still in mint condition.
And still the paint came off everything.
At about 2 years old (I had it from 4 months old, and it was absolutely immaulate)
The steel rear subframe, the cylinder heads, the suspension yoke and wishbone, the fork legs, the wheels - everything started to flake off. The only things that didn't was the tank and the plastics.
I'm homing in on an early 1150 - or an 1100 I think.
It seems that the paint finish on the 1150's seems very variable.
I really looked after mine - washed it regularly - made sure that no salt was left on it etc etc,. The bike lived in a really nice dry garage, and didn't do much in the way of wet weather work at all.
In contrast, my 6 year old XR250 is only now starting to show any signs of deterioration - and that gets hammered by comparison. My 14 year old VFR that was looked after just as well was still in mint condition.
And still the paint came off everything.
At about 2 years old (I had it from 4 months old, and it was absolutely immaulate)
The steel rear subframe, the cylinder heads, the suspension yoke and wishbone, the fork legs, the wheels - everything started to flake off. The only things that didn't was the tank and the plastics.
I'm homing in on an early 1150 - or an 1100 I think.
dizzyrascal
Registered user
FINISH
I own a 97 1100 and ride all year, I do look after it particularly in the winter regarding salt etc. I have had the bike for 3 years and in that time I have covered 35000 miles and the finish is still very good.
I know where you are coming from because I will have the same concerns when the time comes to change, in fact I did consider the other GS variants when I bought my bike and came to the conclusion that looked after to the same degree the 1100 is better finished, and post 97 models more reliable than the current model
For me I also considered running costs and if you are inclined, you will be able to service and repair the 1100 / 50 yourself and not have to pay BMW prices when things need doing. Talking to other owners over the last few years I have been amazed at how much some people are paying each year to BMW dealers to service their bikes.
If you take for example the rear drive of the 1200, if this goes wrong you have to replace the whole unit, the same problem in the 1100/50 can usually be resolved as a repair at a fraction of the cost, as an owner I do not see this as progress, there again if money is not a consideration to you this would not influance your dessision.
I own a 97 1100 and ride all year, I do look after it particularly in the winter regarding salt etc. I have had the bike for 3 years and in that time I have covered 35000 miles and the finish is still very good.
I know where you are coming from because I will have the same concerns when the time comes to change, in fact I did consider the other GS variants when I bought my bike and came to the conclusion that looked after to the same degree the 1100 is better finished, and post 97 models more reliable than the current model
For me I also considered running costs and if you are inclined, you will be able to service and repair the 1100 / 50 yourself and not have to pay BMW prices when things need doing. Talking to other owners over the last few years I have been amazed at how much some people are paying each year to BMW dealers to service their bikes.
If you take for example the rear drive of the 1200, if this goes wrong you have to replace the whole unit, the same problem in the 1100/50 can usually be resolved as a repair at a fraction of the cost, as an owner I do not see this as progress, there again if money is not a consideration to you this would not influance your dessision.
You see, there common sense for ya
Leave the 11/1150's to us guys who hate the inside of a dealer and who are get mucky hands, tight arse types
Very good reasoning from DizzyR why we persevere with older 'eens even though we are given the look from the 12 brigade
.....
What is true is that 11's etc were cult bikes and with the major rise in sales with the 1150/12's there are more here today, gone tomorrow GS riders...
My 11 is for keeps I think.... doubt if anyone would buy it anyway
Leave the 11/1150's to us guys who hate the inside of a dealer and who are get mucky hands, tight arse types
Very good reasoning from DizzyR why we persevere with older 'eens even though we are given the look from the 12 brigade
.....What is true is that 11's etc were cult bikes and with the major rise in sales with the 1150/12's there are more here today, gone tomorrow GS riders...
My 11 is for keeps I think.... doubt if anyone would buy it anyway
rudiemoto
Registered user
Mine is getting lighter all the time as acres of paint falls off all over the place.
As it gets used all winter in just about any weather (I try to avoid snow covered roads) with very occasional cleaning this is to be expected. The only acknowledgemnt of care that it gets is a can of ACF50 each winter. As that hasn't stopped the corrosion perhaps I'll save my money in future.
The servo brakes work fine but one day will doubtless fail, probably in an emergency. If I and the bike survive said failure I'll simply remove the servo kit and make the bike X Kgs lighter. You need a delicate touch with them and the right pads otherwise they are snatchy. I use Steptoe supplied Ferodo Platinum.
Buy a ratty lookin 1150 that runs beautifully and just ride it.
As it gets used all winter in just about any weather (I try to avoid snow covered roads) with very occasional cleaning this is to be expected. The only acknowledgemnt of care that it gets is a can of ACF50 each winter. As that hasn't stopped the corrosion perhaps I'll save my money in future.
The servo brakes work fine but one day will doubtless fail, probably in an emergency. If I and the bike survive said failure I'll simply remove the servo kit and make the bike X Kgs lighter. You need a delicate touch with them and the right pads otherwise they are snatchy. I use Steptoe supplied Ferodo Platinum.
Buy a ratty lookin 1150 that runs beautifully and just ride it.
bladerunner
Registered user
Dunno what I'm doing right with my bikes but I don't recognise this corrosion malarkey.
1150 GSA 03 52k miles
1100RT 98 60k miles
Barely a spot of rust on either.
They always get rinsed down after a winter's ride
They are garaged and given liberal 365 spray
Otherwise ridden far and wide.
Given the choice I probably wouldn't go for servoed brakes again, but would have ABS (you can always turn it off)
1150 GSA 03 52k miles
1100RT 98 60k miles
Barely a spot of rust on either.
They always get rinsed down after a winter's ride
They are garaged and given liberal 365 spray
Otherwise ridden far and wide.
Given the choice I probably wouldn't go for servoed brakes again, but would have ABS (you can always turn it off)
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