AFTER A PAINFUL JOURNEY ON THE "WHICH BIKE ROAD" I HAVE FINALLY DECIDED ON THE 1150R FOR A JOURNEY TO ITALY NEXT YEAR. WOULD WELCOME ANY VIEWS OR COMMENTS ON THE CHOICE OF BIKE.

THANKS

I have ridden the 1100GS and that is a fine bike. A friend of mine has a 1100R which he likes alot. So far as I know the 1150R has upgrades such as the new 6 speed transmission, different oil coolers. The big unknown is the new interlocking ABS braking system. It is an option in the U.S.
A friend of mine went to the two day school on that system. He said that It took two full days to learn to bleed the brakes and that no one will be doing that at home. It will have to be done at a Authorized BMW Dealer only. I am suspicious of bikes that get too complex.

FWIW, the road test reviews on the R1150R have been unanimous in praising it. Also the ABS has received kudos, and the usual complaints about linked brakes have been replaced with - "I could live with THIS linked brake system".

Note that the linked brakes are part of the ABS - you can't have one without the other.

I have never been a fan of linked brakes, and would prefer not to have it, BUT I would definitely go for the ABS with no hesitation, and put up with / learn to live with the linked brakes. Note that they are quite different from previous versions in their actuation and what happens when you press/squeeze whichever.

The R1150R would be a first class choice if that is the style of bike you are looking for.

Enjoy !!

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Grant Johnson

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at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com