Old GS or older GS? which year for start?

**strsout** · #1 30 Sep 2006

I'm almost decided to buy a GS. But I would like to buy an old one. Either the GS100 or the GS1150.
Then there is the question:
Is there any year I should avoid?
What would be the advantages on a GS1150 towards the GS100?

The primary gol with this bike will be doing short weekends rides around South California. Then , I will upgrade to a GS1200Adv. if we really like this kind of ridding and we (the wife and I) will start planning for a long RTW trip. Current the wife and I are ridding a K1200LT (about 18K miles/year).

I can find good GS100 for under U$3000 but I've no clue if it would be a good buy since I kind of way out of the R models. Airhead or OilHead?

Pleese, if you have one, give me your input.

**Ekke** · #2 1 Oct 2006

Hi StrsOut,

For riding in North America, two-up you can't go wrong with the 1150. I had an 1150 Adventure for a couple of years and absolutely loved it. That bike did everything I asked of it and was always ready for more. Whether it was running down the Interstate at 90 mph or going 20 mph on the Dempster to Inuvik that bike did it with aplomb.

I personally could not recommend an Airhead to someone unless they are already in love with one (you know who you are!) An Oilhead you could just get on and ride (much like the K LT) but an Airhead requires tender loving care to keep going. The Airhead has lots of advantages too (light, simple and cheap) and those are the main reasons I sold my Adventure and am going around the world next year on my trusty old 1989 R100GS. But my wife rides her own bike so we don't have to worry about being two-up.

My opinion is that the R11XXGS would be a better two-up bike, especially in North America. But then my opinion is worth what you paid for it!

**pappy** · #3 1 Oct 2006

I will have to agree with the previous poster. 1150gs is great for North America-Alaska.. I am also opting for the R100GS for South America Travel and hopefully the world. Yes there are some weak points that need to be addressed. Diode Board. Starter. ETc. But it's an Airhead. You only know what that means if your nostalgic glutton for punishment. It is lighter than the 1150 which is a big plus.
War Pony performed respectably in the mountain trails of NC riding with long travel dirt types piloted by young pups. It made this 63 year old look good.
Enough said.
Pappy