Der Panzer

[Couchy]

Has the ABS been removed, or was the GS available non-ABS?

I only mention it as it looks like there's a sensor missing from the FD (compared to my KRS).

IIRC on all the R259 series the ABS was an option. But there were so many 'special editions' that had the ABS included, and so many GS buyers included the option, it sometimes seems like they ALL had it.

Most ABS bikes used the ABS ring & sensor as the speedo timing signal as well, but for non-ABS bikes it depends on whether or not the speedo is an analogue cable-driven one, or digitally driven. The GS has (IIRC) a spinney cable driven speedo from the front, Some K-series bikes, the R1100S and Rockster had digital speedos and so there was a castellated ring on the crown gear (just pushed on!) that was 'read' by a sensor that dropped into the top of the Final Drive.


Couchy - I thought you were taking the engine bars off??

Engine bars off is next job but got to take tank off for that looking at the top mount bolts. The daft extra lights will be gone too. I also need to source grab handles as I’ve took the pannier rails off. It’s turning out pretty nice.
I’m considering a pair of YSS shocks but I’ll decide after a couple more rides

[Tricky]

Nice as it is to see, I have to say you seem to be getting a bit carried away with this one old boy- does it mean " that time" finally come?

[Couchy]

Nice as it is to see, I have to say you seem to be getting a bit carried away with this one old boy- does it mean " that time" finally come?

Depends what that time is, wouldn’t it be a surprise if the one I keep is an old GS, would be a surprise to me that’s for sure

[crust]

I reckon your missus is putting something in your tea.

[Dodgy69]

Youngest GS owner I know is 53.

How low can we go.

[KungFooBob]

I bought the wife a brand new GS when she was still in her late 30's.

She's 44 now and the bike has 666 miles on the clock.

It's only the 700GS tho'

[Couchy]

Youngest GS owner I know is 53.

How low can we go.

I’m 53 but every time I see this GS I age 10 years

[Dodgy69]

What's it say in the owners manual.

[KungFooBob]

He'll tell you when he finds his reading glasses.

[Taipan]

What's it say in the owners manual.

It's online if he can't find it.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/BMW_GS_Owners_manual

[Couchy]

Proper ride planned for today with a few friends two of which has never been off road but have adventure bikes so we were off adventuring. Nothing too hard as they are novices and all of us on road tyres. Joining my 1150 was an new 1250GS a 750GS and a CB500x. 
On the way to the meet i stopped to fill up as I had just over half a tank, still took another 12 litres and that was very noticeable picking it up off sidestand . On the move though all the weight goes, roads were greasy but jumped on the motorway for a junction and happily sat at 90mph in complete comfort with heated grips on. Engine is lazy and relaxed with perfect fuelling. We met up and headed to the peaks. I’d chosen a couple of gravel roads for the novices. Soon as we turned on I stood up and the big GS likes to move a lot. Once I’d got used to that and the wheelspin every time I touched the throttle it was good fun. The 1250GS though was lagging behind. I went back to help, it was in road mode and every time the rear spin it cut the power. Changed modes and he was away. A bit out his depth but picking it up quick. Back to tarmac and off to the next lane, a lot longer one this time. The wind that was forecast was an issue so I kept us to the backroads as much and off the moors. The next lane was great fun for all. But when we stopped to turn round the 1250 went over, oops. As we picked it up o noticed it was calling BMW with the SOS system . We cancelled that just in time but it’s a neat feature. At the end of the lane the 1250 again got caught out blown over by the wind, tbh we all nearly did. The 1150 was superb in all this and just so easy to ride. A blast to the cafe on tarmac was next for lunch. There’s more....

[Couchy]

After the cafe I wanted to try the 1250, 20 years on from my 1150 so it would be interesting. 
Jumping on its smaller and lighter, the clocks are modern and it doesn’t rock as much when revved. It doesn’t feel as substantial as the 1150. Onto the road and it’s lively very lively, free revving but with a very touchy throttle. With TC off it wheelies in 3rd over crests. But it’s not as relaxing or as lazy. It doesn’t fuel as well as the 1150 and the 1150 feels like it has a heavier flywheel and pulls from tickover. The 1250 just isn’t what I like about the 1150, the 1250 is flightier but the 1150 easier. I’m sure in every way measurable the 1250 is better but I was happy to get back on the 1150. It’s a very easy bike to ride fast. The 1250 I just didn’t like the touchy throttle and it didn’t want to do smooth and relaxed. It was quick though. 
I’d perhaps like to try the 1200 that came after my 1150 to see if that has the same relaxed feel.

[Couchy]

Untitled by Tony H, on Flickr

[Couchy]

Untitled by Tony H, on Flickr

[Couchy]

Untitled by Tony H, on Flickr

[Couchy]

Untitled by Tony H, on Flickr

[IanB]

After the
I’d perhaps like to try the 1200 that came after my 1150 to see if that has the same relaxed feel.

Welcome to try mine mate, I think the 1200 may be the sweet spot of the GS range.

Might need some different tyres next time though

[Couchy]

After the
I’d perhaps like to try the 1200 that came after my 1150 to see if that has the same relaxed feel.

Welcome to try mine mate, I think the 1200 may be the sweet spot of the GS range.

Might need some different tyres next time though

The 1250 was obvs very good, I like the lazy feel of the 1150 and the perfect fuelling. 1250 very quick revving with a snatchy throttle and didn’t like really low revs. You wouldn’t have said both were aimed at the same buyer.

I assume the early 1200 is more like the 1150 ?

[Beancounter]

Looks like a cracking day out. I’ve got a Caponord that I’d like to take out on some novice gravel lanes this year.

[Rockburner]

After the
I’d perhaps like to try the 1200 that came after my 1150 to see if that has the same relaxed feel.

Welcome to try mine mate, I think the 1200 may be the sweet spot of the GS range.

Might need some different tyres next time though

The 1250 was obvs very good, I like the lazy feel of the 1150 and the perfect fuelling. 1250 very quick revving with a snatchy throttle and didn’t like really low revs. You wouldn’t have said both were aimed at the same buyer.

I assume the early 1200 is more like the 1150 ?

From memory the 1200 will be a bit more like the 1250 than the 1150. With the 1200 BMW were trying to appease the bikes media and so went to the fast revving side of things.

I love they grey and blue of your 1150, add me to list of people who might be willing to buy it if and when you decide to move it on.