1150GS

[Mustafa]

As if I need to try and convince anyone here, I just rode a 2004 1150 for the first time. AT wins - no discussion.

[mal]

Hi Mike
I'm not familiar with that make of stand,my 94@ is fitted with a genuine Honda stand which comes with a lifting handle which attaches to the nearside pillion footrest,it's still awkward even using the handle to lift it onto the stand ,practice makes perfect.

[DaveS]

Errr I think he's on about a beemer not a stand!

[Mustafa]

I might trade my center stand for the beemer, but not my AT.

[Pussyhorse]

Well I've got an AT and a GS ADV and I reckon they both rock in different ways.

[markh]

they both rock in different ways

The adventure is soooo sexy, though I declined the offer or riding one at park Lane BMW in favour of the vanilla 1150. It just looked a bit intimidating in the wet when I'd never ridden either! I'd be interested to hear a more detailed comparison with the AT, though.

P.S. I've now seen a couple of 1200s close up and they are PIG UGLY! Why the hell do they mess with these things when they already look great? I would seriously consider buying an 1150 Adventure instead of a 1200 on looks alone.

[DaveS]

Yes we did this thread a while back and I mentioned about the GS lacking character!
I think we decided that character is a personal thing.

I tried the two bikes back to back and even went back for a second ride on the GS but it just didn't do it for me, even though I'm still thinking about getting one!

[Mustafa]

My own assessment of the AT vs. standard 1150GS is quite simple really. I'm 6'4" and so the AT provides more leg room, always my main concern. The riding position forced me forward, rather than upright as with the AT, and I didn't like that so much. I was expecting the beemer to be smooth as butter, but I though it had equal or more vibration. And there was no real noticable difference for me in the power, except in low end grunt with the BMW taking the prize there. This 1150 did have the Adventure windscreen and that was better than the standard AT screen.

I know, it's all subjective.

Mike

[croydon@twin]

I test rode a GS a couple of years ago when I was thinking of changing my VFR. I really liked it but just couldn't justify the price tag. A GS would cost about twice as much as a @ but it's certainly not twice the bike.

Still, I do like them (something about sticky-out engines as I like Guzzis as well) but don't think I could ever justify the price

Tony

[robelst]

I love the GS's, had an 1100 meself (and older R80 and 100GS as well). I think they do have character (try a Triump Tiger if you want to know what lack of character is). The AT sounds better though I find, esp if you open up the exhaust a bit. The Telelever front is brilliant, makes you wonder why all other bikes are still using primitive telescopic pipe-works. Rear is not so good, the heavy shaft-drive and non-progressive linksystem makes the rear jumpy when going over a series a potholes. Finish impresses initially with its industrial / heavy metal look, in truth however the GS's get dull and flaky disappointingly quick, not much different from the AT. I prefer the GS brakes and performance over the AT's, but I agree the sitting position (I am 6"5) is not as roomy as you'd expect, footrests are relatively high and road-orientated. Biggest flaw that prevents me from buying one is the weak transmission, I have had broken gearboxes, shaft drives and oil-drenched clutches several times on both the 1100GS and an 1100RT which makes it a massively expensive bike to ride if you have no warranty. Don't know how much better the 1150 / 1200 are, I do know that the long-distance R1200GS in Motorrad Magazine (Germany) also suffered an oily clutch among some other embarrassing failures (like alternator drive for example). The AT breaks as well at times, but not in this dramatic or costly fashion.
I may be tempted to get an old R80GS or R100GS again, if you spend some money on decent suspension and front brake these bikes are great fun and very capable. Problem is it to find a decent one these days