1200gsa or 1150gsa??????

COMBATXE2 · Sep 30, 2009

First off hello to all, me being new here and all that.
now i know this question has probably been asked way too many times on here but just wanted to get some up to date info if you kind people wouldnt mind.

i am currently an f800s owner and have ridden the 1200gsa a couple of times and loved it, but haven't ridden an 1150gsa. as there is a wide selection of bikes on here just wanted to know reliability etc of both bikes.
i am an all year round rider, and have heard various stories of the 1150 being better built than the 1200, just wondered if this is true or just people having friday afternoon built bikes (exception to the rule).
any help is much appreciated.

cheers

Mark

Mav · Sep 30, 2009

I've only been riding a couple years so I'm not that qualified to speak on the subject...

But from what I can tell - they all have issues so buy on the basis that you are likely to have spend some money fixing it. And if you don't, it's a bonus.

You're correct that some people will claim that the 12GSA is less reliable and has more corrosion... but then the 1150 is lardy and slow

Personally - I ride a 12GSA (in case you hadn't guessed) I've done nearly 20k miles in a year on it, it's just had it's 48k service and the only significant work it's had done is the input seal which I think was a 4/500 pound job.

I don't think you can wrong with either bike - try them both as they are quite different and go with which ever bike feels better to you.

HTH

D6 · Sep 30, 2009

both have their merits, if you get a 12, try buy the newest you can i recon, the 12,s arnt much quicker than an 1150 ,may be better on fuel though,, they are livelier, but i havnt let a 12 get away from me on the 1150 yet,i havnt seen a really badly finished 11 OR 12 , (someone will no doubt prove me wrong)
its not about speed wi these anyway, and they really are very different, test rides are what you need

GSmonkey · Sep 30, 2009

Both corrode and both have expensive bits to go wrong. The 1200 specific faults eg ring antenna and fuel pump controller are cheap and simple to fix at the roadside.

Get the 1200, if you've the budget.

contact23 · Sep 30, 2009

GSmonkey said:
Both corrode and both have expensive bits to go wrong. The 1200 specific faults eg ring antenna and fuel pump controller are cheap and simple to fix at the roadside.

as long as you carry the spare parts with you..... and have a manual handy..

Bryn · Sep 30, 2009

COMBATXE2 said:
First off hello to all, me being new here and all that.

Welcome to the site Mark

Its down to personal taste

Started my GSing with a standard 1150 Nice bike- changed for an 1100 Anniversary -very nice - then an 1150 ADV which was great.

Then a 1200 GS - did all I wanted of it but I didn't grow to love it

Just got another 1150 GSA :bounce1

Timolgra · Sep 30, 2009

GSmonkey said:
Both corrode and both have expensive bits to go wrong.

I've had three 1150's continuously over the past ten years, my current bike has NO corrosion just like my previous two.
In 10 years of all weather biking none my 1150's have ever failed metouch wood

Get the 1200, if you've the budget.

You'll need it

Surrey Yeoman · Sep 30, 2009

1150 GSA for me every time - just seems to have more character and feels more alive. As for speed - if you want to go fast, go buy some Japcrap race reptile! GSs are for travelling in comfort and style!

That said, the best bike in the world is always the one you're riding!!

LBL · Sep 30, 2009

try both

Welcome Mark,

Try both, for me they are like chalk and cheese, i test rode an 1150 in 2001 and really didnt like it at all.

After 7 years and 7 new bikes, i test rode a 12gs and loved it, had it 10 months and brought a new 12GSA, 5 months and 5k later im still a very happy boy.

I recently helped a mate buy an 03 1150GSA from this site, we swapped for 100 miles a few weeks back, i couldn't wait to get back on mine, and my mate get back on his :nenau

try them both you WILL fall in love with one of them.

hope that helps

JohnnyBoxer · Sep 30, 2009

1150GSA every time

(speaking as an EX 1200GSA owner)

haydw · Sep 30, 2009

Got a standard 1150 and a 1200GSA- use the 1150 every weekday for work trips (long and short)and the 1200 for weekends and holidays. They are literally like chalk and cheese.

There is enough power in the 1150- not a jap rocket by any means but plenty enough for our roads. The power curve is very linear and there is sod all top end- the 1200 does feel more highly strung and the gearing is different- there is a very noticeable step in power at 4k revs onwards. The gearbox on the 1200 is as smooth as silk-not like the 1150 that needs a good prod and clunks in every gear.

The 1150 can be thrown about very easily on country lanes, but the suspension is by no means as refined- it is a very involving bike- there is vibration, but this is all part of the character. The 1200 just goes from point to point like a missile in comparison, but the sheer size of it makes it a bit more difficult to hussle.

Love them both- I am very lucky that I have the option of which one to get out of the grage each morning.

flytoolow · Oct 1, 2009

Not that Im an expert by any means - Never tried a 12GS/A and probably wont for the forseeable future.
Never had a problem with my 1150GSA, its big, its metal, its comfy, its got real character, it vibrates, shakes, rattles and rolls. Its heavy (especially when full) but gives more confidence in the twistys. I dont worry about "the paint" or the scratches if I drop it. :augie

(Twice on the first day :blast

).Neither the mud, the dust, or other "unmentionables" Just pick it up, start it up and go. I dont envy 12gs riders, with the shiny plastic (nor the sunday HD riders with "all the leather" :ymca

) - mines the original. Love parking next to rice rockets - It just towers over almost anything else.
I expect both bikes will have differing problems - and neither "is more reliable" than the other, and consequently neither "is better" than the other. Like all aspects in life - Is a new puppy any more lovable than "old yella", or a new series "Porsche 991/997" better than a 1973 911 RS (err definately not!). It all depends on what you value yourself - not what "The Jones nextdoor" thinks you should ride.
..OK said enough...

lastcard · Oct 1, 2009

Not much more to add to all the above.......................but.
I`ve have had 2 standard 1150`s 1, 12 and now have a new 12 GSA.
I prefered the standard 1150 to the standard 12 :nenau

Though never had any issues with either..(24k in 8 month on 12 in all weathers...not that yer interested :augie

)
Have too say though after 5k on the 12GSA it`s my fave by far :thumb2

I`m sure peeps on 1150GSA`s will disagree

Only one thing too do mate and thats too test ride `em both. Great excuse to go trawling around bike dealers instead of Next and M and S at the weekend :augie

COMBATXE2 · Oct 1, 2009

Guys many thanks for the advise, much appreciated. looks like i need to go and have a go on 1150gsa, speed isn't an issue. been there with various sports bikes and got bored of that. must say it is amazing how your need from a bike change over the years. now in my 20th year of riding on the road whatever the weather (although drew the line at the snow last year), and find i don't need to get everywhere at warp factor 9. although it still is fun to have some stupid speed now and again.
Now i think the only problem i'm going to have is finding a 1150 gsa to test.

Once again many thanks for the advise.

Cheers
Mark

Shep · Oct 1, 2009

Don't be swayed too much by the 1150 phillastines :nenau

They are right, speed isn't everything, but I think you may find the 1200GSA is the better bike at most things, not just speed, it's lighter, better handling, more top end, more bottom end, according to some it's better offroad, the brakes are fantastic (and I mean really fantastic)

Sure the 1150 is a great bike, but the 1200 is better, i'd not sell an 1150 to get a 1200 unless I really needed too but I'd also never sell a 1200 to get an 1150, if I wanted an old school historic vehicle i'd get an Airhead, the 'real' original GS (g/s)

Good luck with your purchase :thumb2

Shep

chad · Oct 1, 2009

Shep said:
if I wanted an old school historic vehicle i'd get an Airhead, the 'real' original GS (g/s)

Good luck with your purchase

Shep

you do

horses for corses sheps right

I'm sure somebody near you wouldn't mind you trying their bike

mind if you break it you've bought it :thumb2

COMBATXE2 · Oct 5, 2009

Once again thanks for he help guys, went to my local BMW dealer and took the 12 gsa out again and a 1150 gs. definatly sold on the 1200, cant explain it just seems to fit me better than the 1150.
no the big dilemma i have is do i want and get a new one with the engine mods???

John Armstrong · Oct 5, 2009

One thing with the late 1150 and early 1200 GSA's is servo brakes. Most people don't like them / like the increased complexity caused by them.

Had an 1100 then 1150 then 1200 GS / GSA's and back with an airhead and 1100. Seems a fairly common bike ownership cycle.

Shep · Oct 5, 2009

John Armstrong said:
One thing with the late 1150 and early 1200 GSA's is servo brakes. Most people don't like them / like the increased complexity caused by them.

Really?

I think the word 'most' is a bit strong, 'some' would be more accurate. The bike was still a top seller even with the servo set up.

Shep

andyclift · Oct 5, 2009

One thing with the late 1150 and early 1200 GSA's is servo brakes. Most people don't like them

I had a 12 GS with servos and now have a 12 GSA without. Never had a problem with the servo brakes (over 33000 miles) and the brakes were very good. The only difference with the 12 GSA without servos is very slightly more effort to come to a quick stop and no servo motor noise. In the real world no difference.

Bottom line is I would go for a non-servo for simplicity if possible but if the right bike came up with servos it would not stop me buying.

1200gsa or 1150gsa??????

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