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Hello Chaps,

It's been a while but I'm toying with the idea of buying another BM, possibly a GS. Given that the 1100s spent more time off the road than anything else I've ever owned with the exception of the pair of MK1 Guzzi Lemons I've owned, is the GS any better? Budget will stretch to a decent 1150, possibly a 1200. There seems to be plenty of rumours of unreliability on the 1200's with final drive failures and electrical issues, any truth in this?

Bear in mind I don't use bikes as a Sunday runabout, this will be an everyday, year round bit of transport. So GS or another Blade? Thought I'd ask here rather than a GS specific forum as all I'll get there is owners telling me how great their bikes are.

Malc

I changed my 2007 GS1200 for the R12S. I only had the GS for 3 months and 2,000 miles but it just didn't put a grin on my face and when I opened the garage door in the morning I didn't think wow, gorgeous,
Post 2007 bikes are better due to non servo brakes which are reliable and work.I imagine most final drive issues in early GS's are well sorted by now.

Anyway R1200 GS my thoughts.

Pros.
Does what it says on the tin.
Great wind protection.
All day comfort
Luggage capacity
Economy
Great Handling

Cons.
Too heavy.
Too tall
Underpowered
Image problem. Everone thinks you are a tosser who has a GS with full luggage to go to Tesco on.

Anyway my "Adventure bike" experiment ended and I am now back in my comfort zone. Afraid I don't understand the adventure syndrome.

My neighbour is on his second 1200 GS.
He does some serious miles.
The first one he bought had over 50,000 miles on it, and he went on to rack up a further 60,000 miles in three years.
He had two problems.
First was the Datatool alarm which stranded him, (so not the bikes fault), and the second was an oil leak from the bevel box which was fixed by the dealer even though the bike was out of warranty.
The latest one he bought new about a year ago and he’s done about 15,000 on it so far without any issues.
He swears by them and it’s easy to see why.

I've only rode a 1200 once, for a day in the Peak District. I thought it was a very nice bike.

It's more fun than I'd been led to believe. While not fast compaired to the 12S on quick roads, it feels fast and agile and is great for dirty, twisty, broken up country lanes.

Proper all day comfort and good around town. I can see why they have such a following.

Good for wheelies too!

If you want a more road orientated bike, try an R1200R.

We have a club member that ride an 1150 GS Adventure. He has no trouble in not only keeping up but drawing ahead of a mixed bag of 1200 GS, KTM ADventure, R1200ST, 2 x KTM Dukes, 1300GS, etc. He recently did the Brit Butt Rally on it and did a total of around 2000 miles over the weekend (including going to and from the start point in Yorkshire). Watching him you can see how agile a big and tall bike can be.

I love my (06) GSA and use it more the I am using my Mamola.

It goes like stink, handles very well and has never missed a beat in several years of ownership.

Had the 18k service done earlier this month and it is running sweetly

My other bike is an 1150GS. I actually had it before the S so it's the one I'm more familiar with.

I tend to use it in the city more than the S because despite being bigger and heavier it's easier to ride, even at slow speeds, and the suspension is much more suited to the shit roads in London.

In terms of distance it's obviously extremely comfortable and while it's not as fast as the S or the 1200 it's enough for every day riding. In terms of reliability they're old enough that you know exactly what you need to look for and what you need to keep on top of. I've probably only spent around £500 in servicing and a bit more in parts in the 2.5 years I've had it but some of those were cosmetic changes I wanted to make so not exactly necessary. I've just replaced all the brake discs and pads because I have no idea what the previous owner did with them and that was the biggest expense I incurred.

Any other questions about the 1150 give me a shout. I am somewhat tempted to look for a 1200 to update the 1150 eventually but I am put off my the electronics and all the things that can potentially go wrong. I have a bit more trust in the big ugly 1150!

The 1150 looks better too, more like a GS should. IMO.....

Malc - firstly, great to see you back on here, hope all well with you.

Personally, I'd take the 1150 over the 1200 for the simple reason that there appear to be less issues with them. That's not to say the 12's not a better bike to ride etc but with the mileage you do, I'd bet the older bike's more solid.

The R1200GS is an astounding success story - and well-deserved.

A great all-rounder, that is at home on highland roads as autoroutes.

Handling is great, with the benefit of stable geometry when light or loaded.

Forget the Vario luggage - as it is too heavy when empty, but there are plenty of pannier options from Touratech, BMW, Holan, ArdCases, Metalmule, Caja Sahel etc.

I've only owned the 1200 Adv variant, which is a bit less agile, but wears big panniers better, and has a mammoth fuel range (33l tank).

Metzeler Tourance tyres (original variant) are pretty incredible for being a kind of hybrid road/offroad tyre. great grip and 6,000 miles from the rear - easily.

I'm a fan

Al

I went for an 1150GS for exactly Gromit's reason, less electronics, all issues well known, huge knowledge base etc etc. Also specifically for winter riding in rural Warwickshire which is a bit perverse. Weather protection is OK but it's a cool bike for winter; but handles well in the mud, slush, snow, ice etc.

So far it's been OK - Hall Sensor failed at a mere 30+k which is bit pathetic (and a total pain), but sorted OK.

It's a very game bike - I don't go wow when I open the shed (unlike the 100RS), but it's a great fun bike to ride and refuses to let me dislike it. It's fine on the motorway, tbh it's a bit wide for London (100RS scores there. even with panniers), and it's great on country roads - particularly B and C roads which I prefer when I can get to them.

My brother and my old man have 1200GSs.

They love them. Seat height is too tall for me though, they also look like they have been crashed.

Cheers for the replies.

Stopped by the BM dealer on the way home for a chat with the mechanics (I pop in occasionally as I get on well with them). They reckon the 1200's are OK. The non servo 1150's (I need to research model history) are a better buy, servo trouble can be expensive apparently.

They also said to avoid the 1200s but go for an 1100s if I fancied re-visiting the sporty side again. They reckoned the 1200s is difficult to get running smoothly and can be difficult in traffic.

So now I need to discuss budget with wifey. Sold on a nice CB1000R a couple of weeks ago so already have a decent amount put by. Can't believe how well GS's hold their value though. Anything I can see advertised that's worth looking at is at the other end of the country, so just a matter of waiting for the right bike.

Gromit, promise I'll stop by more often.

the GS's holding their price is what makes the 11S such awesome value for money

Malc wrote:Cheers for the replies.

They also said to avoid the 1200s They reckoned the 1200s is difficult to get running smoothly and can be difficult in traffic.

.

Patent nonsense.

But in fairness, they would be less than ideal for commuting.