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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 11 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by 4x4overland View Post
I really would like to buy a Bike to keep someone put me right.....:confused1:
I've had my R100GS for 20 years - the reasons I bought are completely different from the reasons I keep it.

I've owned an 1150GS for 3 years in the meantime (amongst others) and really didn't like it and for the same reason wouldn't buy a 1200 - I've developed an irrational hatred for Telelever front forks. Also comparing the 1150/1200 to the good old airhead find that so much technology just makes it too complex for travelling to many places without a support crew.
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Old 11 Jun 2010
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I've had my R100GS for 20 years - the reasons I bought are completely different from the reasons I keep it.

I've owned an 1150GS for 3 years in the meantime (amongst others) and really didn't like it and for the same reason wouldn't buy a 1200 - I've developed an irrational hatred for Telelever front forks. Also comparing the 1150/1200 to the good old airhead find that so much technology just makes it too complex for travelling to many places without a support crew.
Whats the difference in technology and gadgets between the 1150 and 1200????Also what if i bought a 1200 without abs and traction control etc...can you do that just so theirs less to go wrong...
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Old 11 Jun 2010
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??Also what if i bought a 1200 without abs and traction control etc...can you do that just so theirs less to go wrong...
You seem to be buying this for road use in Europe--I think it would be a bad idea to go without ABS just because it might break someday. The ABS on the 1200s is pretty reliable and IMHO is a very desirable safety feature for on-road riding.
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Old 11 Jun 2010
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Whats the difference in technology and gadgets between the 1150 and 1200????Also what if i bought a 1200 without abs and traction control etc...can you do that just so theirs less to go wrong...
have you test ridden one yet ? things might all change if you just don't get on with it (the ergonomic indicators for example), or if you really love how it feels.
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Old 11 Jun 2010
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It would be interesting to know if anyone has had final drive failures on '09 or 2010 1200's. Surely they've sorted out the problems now. I bought a 1050 Tiger when they were "new" in '07. I had a few teething problems but I'm sure now the model is a few years old they'll be fine. But wait, they've just fitted the new GS with a 4 valve head, Welcome to BMW Beta testing! Ha ha.

I guess the trick is to buy a model a few years into the run. Then get used to working on it before you do any big trips. There's a lot to be said for riding the bike you've got.
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Old 11 Jun 2010
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It would be interesting to know if anyone has had final drive failures on '09 or 2010 1200's. Surely they've sorted out the problems now. I bought a 1050 Tiger when they were "new" in '07. I had a few teething problems but I'm sure now the model is a few years old they'll be fine. But wait, they've just fitted the new GS with a 4 valve head, Welcome to BMW Beta testing! Ha ha.
....
Not quite ! The engine comes from the HP2 Sport. The DOHC has been around for a while. While the valve-train is of a really cool design, I don't like the fact that now it takes spheres, i.e. shims to adjust valves. The other thing I dislike is the back-pressure flap "doohickey" in the exhaust to provide more low-end torque and help reduce emission further. So, in all fairness, its not a complete Beta version. But, IMO, no real improvement either...

That is actually the reason, why I bought an '09 GS in addition to my '07 GS. The '07 will be auctioned off as soon as I get back from Alaska. They are just outstanding, rock-solid, reliable-as-deadbolt bikes...
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Old 11 Jun 2010
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Thomas, it's always good to hear from someone who has actually got some experience of these bikes instead of just " what they've read" Thanks.

I saved up to buy a 1200 when they were a brand new model but as it happened I turned my car into a banana in an accident so had to use the funds for 4 wheels! When I test rode one though I really didn't have the legs for it, it was too tall for me. And that whining brake servo would have drove me nuts.

My choices since have been a Tiger 1050 and now a Guzzi 1200 sport. Both great bikes. I tend to alter my riding style slightly to fit each bike. At the end of the day it matters not what you ride but how it makes you feel. Of course for serious riding I have my XT250 Serow, now there's a bike!!
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Old 11 Jun 2010
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...
At the end of the day it matters not what you ride but how it makes you feel. Of course for serious riding I have my XT250 Serow, now there's a bike!!
You hit the nail on the head BTW, love both bikes, the Tiger and the Guzzi. I owned one of the Italian mistresses a few years back....
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