Ok so I no longer have the Ducati and now ride a current fireblade which is fab given the miles I hack on it and the care I give it regarding cleaning!!! I am looking at getting another bike for weekend trips and maybe a tour or two? I am in to minds as to buy a new GS which is circa £13K or buy a good used version for around £8K?
Not much wrong with them, had one for 4yrs only got rid of it to buy a 1200RT as I wanted a bit of protection from the elements
Because a lot of people on here have owned or know of other people who have? Seems a logical answer to me, just because it's a Ducati Forum does not narrow the field of vision in my eyes.:biggrin:
I've had an older version for 8 years, and covered 60k miles. All sorts of riding from 2 up touring to group riding with friends on sports bikes. It's been an awesome bike. Always reliable, comfortable, fast enough, and with build quality to shame most brands. I've had a couple of minor problems (an oil leak from the final drive, and a patch of corrosion on the front engine panel) which were both fixed by BMW as a goodwill gesture, even though the bike was well beyond its warranty. I've ridden a mates Multi and loved it, especially the feel from the front end which you don't get with Beemers weird suspension and larger front wheel, but for my money the GS ticks the right boxes. I love the solid feel and the shaft drive, and it can be hustled along surprisingly well. I don't think I'll ever be without one.
Had a GS1150 before Ewan McScott Charley Booring turned them into the must have fashion accessory of the noughties, and it was ok did what it said on the tin, but not fun exciting or particularly brilliant at anything. A white consumable of the two wheeled variety. If you buy one do not get a twat suit, unless you like looking like your going the long way up down inside or out. The Uk gs website used to be a great site, I left when it became inhabited by wanabees and keyboard warriors.
Other half has a GS. He can't fault it, it does everything well, and he gives a friend with an R1 a run for his money. He looked at a Multistrada, test rode one and came close to signing on the dotted line but it was the threads on this forum that put him off, it seemed a lot of owners were having issues. The BMW hasn't missed a beat, though on our last tour in September the starter button fell out somewhere and he had to use a bit of twig to start it for the duration. Peoples view on BMW riders is interesting because he is the same guy that rides an MV Agusta Brutale?? I must add He doesn't wear the BMW clothing or the touring high is kit on the MV.
My advice would be not to compare the older 1150 with any of the 1200 versions - they are very different. The 1200's are loads lighter, more powerful, and have better suspension. Think of the 1200's as part of the new era of BMW - who'd have ever thought they would make a top-line sports bike? For me the 1150's are much more oldie world Beemer - for people in Git-suits with flip-front helmets, and beards.
I'd buy the KTM Adventure. The GS is just a fashion tool Like the X5. If you want real off road you buy the Range Rover. So if you want real off road you buy the KTM. Plus the KTM looks a million times better.
Test rode the 1200 wasn't overly impressed just felt like a natural progression over the 1150. If you want to do distances the RT is what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything other. You wouldn't want to off road on one and got to agree the KTM is a great looking bike. I like the brand but honestly would they have been as popular if ewan Mcscott had used a KTM? Like he wanted too? Nowt wrong with beards . I see the gs filling the market place in its niche as do HD, the difference is chaps or twat suits. QUOTE=cockneyjanner;246509]My advice would be not to compare the older 1150 with any of the 1200 versions - they are very different. The 1200's are loads lighter, more powerful, and have better suspension. Think of the 1200's as part of the new era of BMW - who'd have ever thought they would make a top-line sports bike? For me the 1150's are much more oldie world Beemer - for people in Git-suits with flip-front helmets, and beards.[/QUOTE]
He speaka the truth. Im on that forum myself but in the YAMAHA section. Some ppl know a lot about the GS.I think the new one has a few ppl scratching their head, a lot of debate about it ( do a search ). But lastr yrs model would be the one to go for. In saying that, I recently bought a 1200 Tenere. I took that and the GS for a test ride but there were more cons to the GS in terms in of reliability issues than the Tenere. Im not slating the GS but i could do without any hassle or wondering when it could happen. Shop around, there are bargains to be had but do not discount the Tenere. Mighty bike and handles well for its size and great fun over crests when you're todlling along.
