R1100S or R1150GS?

[Gromit]

Confused no mention of the 1100s here?
Just saying that I nearly fell into the trap of thinking the GSA was just a big GS and a lot more money but that does'nt do it justice Imho.
ian

Ian - in your first reply you stated your disagreement with my views on the 1150GS yet you referred, in that first post, to your 'recently purchased 1200ADV being bliss at speed compared to the BCR'. What's the 1200GS Adv got to do with the 1150? I have no argument with that as you're speaking from experience of a bike I have none of. However...

...I wasn't even making any mention of the 1200 in my initial reply to Mark, only the 1150 which is what he asked for. You confused the issue by throwing the 1200 into the mix in the first place.

[PBBoxer]

Ive owned both.


GS

[Gromit]

Ive owned both.


GS

Shame on you!!!

(I'd probably go for the GS aswell Paul....at a push, simply because it makes me giggle)

[PBBoxer]

I know, Ive never thought about it until reading teh question.

I'm biased because my back hurts a lot on an 1100s now, maybe that tainted it.
As a point to point blast bike teh 1100s every time but overall, do it all, tour europe etc for me, i would take the GS.

As an aside to earlier comment, have to say I've had a gs 12 and WHEN it ran OK it was good but the 1150GSA for me kicks it's arse

[Gromit]

As a point to point blast bike teh 1100s every time but overall, do it all, tour europe etc for me, i would take the GS.

As an aside to earlier comment, have to say I've had a gs 12 and WHEN it ran OK it was good but the 1150GSA for me kicks it's arse

Good points.

Bottom line in some ways, for me, is that when I think back to the bikes I've had and the amount of mileage I've done on them vs time owned, the 1150GS is the most I've done. I went everywhere on that damn thing...

Downsides?

1. Crap aerodynamics at speed on motorways - buffeting, noisy and headache-inducing above 90mph (in Germany...)

2. Never liked the overdrive top gear (1150GSA doesn't have it I believe?) although I have it on good authority that a pipe/chip change gives it more guts to pull it.

3. Drinks fuel at high motorway speeds.

4. Wobbles at speed with loaded luggage.

Upsides?

1. If I wanted a bike for motorway work I'd not buy a GS, of any persuasion.

2. Fabulous handling...laugh out loud stuff.

3. The ability (as Ian rightly says) of soaking up crap road surfaces and keeping the bike pointing in the right direction.

4. Good resale value.

[winger]

I'll take my Tiger everytime,but when it went kaput at Dover last year on the way to Monza,haveing already done a 500 mile round trip from home-Dover-Home,didn't stop us doing 770 miles the following day on the S,a good majority of it in pooring rain, it got the job done just the same.

[Phaedrus]

What were talking about is a Traillie V a Sports tourer

You guys all obviously have the experience, and I'm very grateful for all your replies - all I can do for now is read them and magazine/web articles.

But all I've read about the 1150GS so far largely discounts the 1150GS as a real "traillie", with the vast majority calling it more of a tourer. I'd certainly have absolutely no intention of taking an 1150GS off road, though some of my commute roads (on one of my possible routes) could genuinely almost be classed as "off-road".

In my perception (albeit somewhat academic at this stage), both R1100S and R1150GS actually tick most of the same boxes on any "all-rounder" pre-requisite list. As has been said, they'd each be very capable of doing the same thing(s) but in different ways.

It's very interesting that some guys on an 1100S forum would champion an 1150GS for the application outlined in my OP. In fact, I find that almost compelling - when you ask this type of question on a forum dedicated to something specific, typically the answers are invariably along the lines of, "do it - it's the best [insert "thing" here] I've ever owned". We all hope to gain approval and ratification for the choices we make and the preferences we have. But you guys seem to be quite honest and balanced. Thanks for that.

As it happens, I probably could get decent spins on both an 1100S and an 1150GS - a guy in work has an 1100S and he's sound: I'm sure he'd let me do a mile or two on it. And a mate of a mate has already offered me spins on his 1150GS. He stayed over on my house last summer for a local road-race meeting and was urging me to have a go. Incidentally, his stable also includes a VFR750, and a TL1000S. . He couldn't get it down the side of the house, but where there's a will there's a way, eh? Chop the bars, replace with 1100GS bars (13mm narrower, AFAIK), aftermarket bars - it could be sorted if I decided the 1150GS was the right bike.

Thanks for your replies guys,

Thanks too, BTW, for not ridiculing my budget - it seems the snobbery associated with BMW car owners (no offence intended) isn't prevalent in BMW bike owners . . .


Mark

[Gromit]

Hi Mark - you'll find that the guys (and girls) on this forum, whilst obviously being quite passionate about their bike choice, still maintain a high degree of objectivity. As you've rightly said, it can be quite refreshing when one compares the replies/prose used on some other forums. I once criticised the VFR800 on the VFR Club forum when I had my 800 (can't remember what I said in all honesty - long time ago!) but got virtually ex-communicated for it. That went some way to making me get rid of the bike...not good for encouraging other people to join the fold!!

When Chris means 'Trailie' he no doubt means 'in the style of'. I once took my GS off road whilst up in Scotland - managed about 4 miles before thinking 'sod this' then turned round and got back on the Tarmac again.

[eggcup]

What were talking about is a Traillie V a Sports tourer

You guys all obviously have the experience, and I'm very grateful for all your replies - all I can do for now is read them and magazine/web articles.

But all I've read about the 1150GS so far largely discounts the 1150GS as a real "traillie", with the vast majority calling it more of a tourer. I'd certainly have absolutely no intention of taking an 1150GS off road, though some of my commute roads (on one of my possible routes) could genuinely almost be classed as "off-road".

In my perception (albeit somewhat academic at this stage), both R1100S and R1150GS actually tick most of the same boxes on any "all-rounder" pre-requisite list. As has been said, they'd each be very capable of doing the same thing(s) but in different ways.

It's very interesting that some guys on an 1100S forum would champion an 1150GS for the application outlined in my OP. In fact, I find that almost compelling - when you ask this type of question on a forum dedicated to something specific, typically the answers are invariably along the lines of, "do it - it's the best [insert "thing" here] I've ever owned". We all hope to gain approval and ratification for the choices we make and the preferences we have. But you guys seem to be quite honest and balanced. Thanks for that.

As it happens, I probably could get decent spins on both an 1100S and an 1150GS - a guy in work has an 1100S and he's sound: I'm sure he'd let me do a mile or two on it. And a mate of a mate has already offered me spins on his 1150GS. He stayed over on my house last summer for a local road-race meeting and was urging me to have a go. Incidentally, his stable also includes a VFR750, and a TL1000S. . He couldn't get it down the side of the house, but where there's a will there's a way, eh? Chop the bars, replace with 1100GS bars (13mm narrower, AFAIK), aftermarket bars - it could be sorted if I decided the 1150GS was the right bike.

Thanks for your replies guys,

Thanks too, BTW, for not ridiculing my budget - it seems the snobbery associated with BMW car owners (no offence intended) isn't prevalent in BMW bike owners . . .


Mark

Yep
Spot on Mark this is one of the best sites,havent been on lately as my Father passed away and Ive had to do all the donkey work.
According to most Mags etc the VFR is the gold plated Sports Tourer I found it bland ugly in the flesh and her indoors hated the seat.
It might well be ultra reliable but but it did not motivate me to want to go back out on it.
The Triumphs lovely in your face engines but the 1100s well for a start you could'nt just get on and ride like the others I had to refocus myself to the bike learn new riding skills it was a challenge to learn to go really fast on this bike.
But it was this site that finally swayed it for me,at the end of the day the right bike for you is the one you love riding not always the one everyone else rides.
ian

[stoney]

I've had both an 1150gs and a 1200gs too. The 12gs for me was a better bike then the 1150gs (not GSA). It was smoother, faster and lighter. I had both for 12 months and 18 months respectively. I then bought an R1200s which was a better bike (for me) than both. I find it more comfortable as my weight is spread more over the seat, tank and bars. On the GS all your weight goes through your seat and I found my back was always aching.

So for me the 12s is a better all round bike than the GS. I can tour on it, do track days on it and take a pillion if I wish. Apart from not being able to go off-road and being a bit choppy on the bumpy back roads is more fun (for me) than the GS.

I can't offer a comparison between the 11s and 11/1150gs. The 1150GS was a great bike BUT...the gearbox was a bit clunky (but better than previous models), it was really heavy - especially when heavily laden...and it was a bit slow. On the flip side it was rock solid stable, the build quality was great, it was more comfortbale then the 12GS and it had a great pillion perch.

For me the Boxers are all great - the 12s are fantastic, and the 12s suits me down to the ground.

test 'em all and buy the one you like the most! The BCR seems to be the one that holds it value the best...followed by the 1150gsa...I' sure both are really smart purchases.

[Archie]

you guys seem to be quite honest and balanced.

Honest yes, but balanced

[nab 301]

.

There are 1100Ss on Autotrader and mobile.de for under €4000. GSs seem to be maybe €500 - €1000 or more for the same year.


Mark

You mean you won't be shopping local? ( Sorry I can't offer advice on the 1150GS) And I'm sure you're not interested in a high mileage S

Nigel B

[Ade B]

I've never ridden a GS so can't comment on it. However, if on a budget my thoughts would be to steer clear of overpriced BCRs and GSs and buy a bog stock old S for not a great deal and then spend some money saved on the standard tweaks to bring up the performance (if that is your thing).

My scruffy 2000 SS just past 40k miles last week, recently had its first set of rear pads since I bought it on 6k miles and has only let me down once in 5 years. It has to be worth all of £1200- 1500 if I spent a day cleaning it really hard..

I'm sure there are plenty of early bikes around that have lead pampered lives (unlike mine). Lot of bike for not a lot of money.

Ade

[julian]

I had an R1100GS back in the day. The best bit over the S was the ability to remove the pillion seat pad and strap a couple of cases of wine and 24 pack of beer to the flat paltform unerneath

[Phaedrus]

You mean you won't be shopping local? ( Sorry I can't offer advice on the 1150GS) And I'm sure you're not interested in a high mileage S

Nigel B

What's a high-mileage S? 100,000? 50,000? If a bike's mechanically sound and not falling apart and there's nothing missing and it's not damaged and it's not cosmetically destroyed, then why should high miles be a problem or something to fear?

My 94 Corolla has over 220,000kms up on it and it runs like a dream - honestly. I've considered replacing it, but don't know why or what with - it's mechanically perfect (needs new rear shocks and has a few small scuffs): starts every time, drinks very little juice, and is plenty comfy.

If I thought I could get a decent 1100S on home soil, sure I'd have a look at it.

But when I set my sights on a FireStorm back in 2004, I could barely find one at all in Ireland, let alone one at a price comparable to anything in the UK.

(FWIW, as it turned out, I surfed for a few weeks till I found what I wanted - a 1998 sliver model (had to be silver) with around 20,000 up, IIRC. It was immaculate - Datatool alarm, rear seat cover, tinted double bubble screen, new tyres. I had some correspondence with the dealer (in Heywood IIRC), and flew to Liverpool where an uncle collected me and drove me to the dealer. We did the deal and I rode to Holyhead and home to Dublin. Even after my flight and re-registering the bike, that VTR cost almost 2000 euros less than any Irish VTR at the time.)

I've assumed that an R1100S would be even rarer than a FireStorm, so thus assumed that the UK or even Germany would be where I'd be shopping.

Check these 2 Irish examples out:

2001 R1100S, 3219kms, 8500 eu (private)

http://cars.rte.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?f ... rID=984449


1999 R1100S, 39,000kms, 5000eu (private)

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/801057


Now look at what I could do by going to the UK:

http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/ ... _stock.htm (6th bike down). 1999, 32,000 miles, 2795 pounds (3500eu)

Flight to Leeds-Bradford: 15eu
Re-registering bike in Ireland: 300eu

That's well under 4000eu for what seems to be a decent R1100S. Ireland sucks.

If anyone on here could point out cheaper/better R1100Ss, I'd be grateful. For my budget, I realise that I probably will be looking at higher-mile older bikes (though I definitely don't want a tatty ex-crash bike, or a "fixer-upper"), but if folk like me don't buy those bikes, where do they go? Scrap? Is it really acceptable that a bike costing almost 8000 pounds new should be past its lifespan within 40,000 miles?

And this all goes for any 1150GS I'd consider, too.

Mark