1988 R100GSPD vs 2002 R1150GS

[Rene Cormier]

40 miles into an Colorado-Alaska trip in July I blew the bottom end out of my R100GSPD. Three days later I bought a slightly used 2002 1150GS and completed the trip. Now that I had replaced the entire bottom end and freshed the top end, I am considering using the GSPD instead of the 1150GS for a RTW adventure starting next summer. The reasons for considering the GSPD for the journey are: simplicity to work on; low miles on the rest of the bike (26K); and by selling the 1150GS it would stick a bit more money in my jeans to allow me to travel longer. I would invite discussion on the merits of one bike over the other from experienced travellers for this kind of journey.

[Roboyobo]

The PD is hard as nails as far as crashing is concerned. Mine recently blew over in a storm and demolished a wall - with no damage to the bike at all.

Problems i've had (50,000 miles on the clock) are the usual:

alternator rotor;
gear selector return spring;
knackered battery;
rear-shock worn out;

and a few days ago a gearbox problem, probably the outer bearing on the output shaft.

I haven't had any problems with the drive shaft yet, but expect something one day soon!

Rob

[John Ferris]

I love airheads so I would stay with the R100. Also you will get more money for a used R1150. For every thing that was bad with the R100's someone has made a fix or an improvement.
I am curious, did you say the bottom end went at 26K? How?
John Ferris

[Rene Cormier]

Complete operator error - didn't snug down oil drain plug, it worked loose, dropped oil, rod bearings went. My fault.

[brendan christie]

I own a 93 GSDP which has done over 100,000kms thru out Australia (lots of unsealed road). Repirs to this bike have been, gearbox overhaul(50,000Kms), repace rear shock (W/P), starter motor(70,000Kms),+ general repair wheel brgs.etc. But in general has been a good all round bike and easy to fix.