R1150GS ... they still have "it", don't they?

retroman · Oct 24, 2022

MY GS turned 20 recently, I bought it on my 36th birthday, other bikes have come and gone but this has been my constant.

On my 56th birthday I took Big H (Helga) out for a celebration blast to our usual playground, the Brecon Beacons. There was a bloke from Bikerpics in the layby, call me vain but I just had to have these views of what I still think is the best bike ever.

PS turns out that the photter was an old colleague of mine from another life .. small world!

retroman · Oct 24, 2022

My best view, going away

Helga is an ABS-2 non servo bike, I'm told that this is the best batch of the lot, & has gone in for some work this autumn: time for a WILBERS shock rebuild, replacement front wheel (rattly brake dics on the old wheel due to elongated bolt holes) and new engine bars by SW-MOTECH after a couple of low speed drops in stupid lanes :blast

After a full service and some T&C I'm sure that this bike will see me through many more miles, currently on 67k (so just run in).

Rushy · Oct 24, 2022

Nice …… but get them fork legs sorted out :thumb2

retroman · Oct 24, 2022

Rushy said:
Nice …… but get them fork legs sorted out

I should do really.

GedJack · Oct 24, 2022

I have a 2002 1150 GS and in lockdown bought a 1250 GS. Every time I go to the garage I really struggle to decide which bike to ride. Mostly its the 1150 no idea why but I just love it.

retroman · Oct 24, 2022

GedJack said:
I have a 2002 1150 GS and in lockdown bought a 1250 GS. Every time I go to the garage I really struggle to decide which bike to ride. Mostly its the 1150 no idea why but I just love it.

My only issue is the weight. I like to explore ancient rural byeways and lanes etc, until recently the GS was just the job for this. Unfortunately I've had a couple of drops of late and as I get older I'm finding it increasingly difficult to lift the bugger back up again.

I've just bought a RE Himalayan (from Micky of this parish), my plan is to use the RE for the little lanes, the GS for longer tours involving greater distances ... but we'll see how it goes.

Sergeant Pluck · Oct 24, 2022

I have to agree. I’ve accepted that they are old now and superseded in most ways, but I still get a big grin riding mine. I still think they look business too

My third and final GS:

y4m0inbFQf0P2qJzk_Lo-9IGRQAA0PmHkNVWC8X7E0_0qyjlfqJRw4gVFIZKdZcFmhPE72wxsKfsEmGlpKDwlQi3BeMRDTCa4ILJCxtF8wUYMVmE2HZS3mOMezctfOuxg40l7aboQS1RyhRpxe4Ed3x14z7kzH7Y7h8S3eV77wKoxchmEi3WYUoVmCPdiEwXOMh

frost · Oct 24, 2022

I have recently gone back to an 1150 after many modern BMWs had one 15 years ago loving it they still handle brilliantly

Micky · Oct 24, 2022

One of the best bikes BMW ever made for sure :thumb2

theoneandonly · Oct 24, 2022

yes , they do.

KMD · Oct 24, 2022

Definitely the best bike I owned and a proper travelling companion, created some great memories on an 1150. Unfortunately I couldn’t resist ‘upgrading’ to a 1200 and always regretted it. Only covered in my entire ownership of the 1200, what I would have done in a good year on the 1150. So when a mechanically sound but cosmetically challenged 1150 came up recently I took it on and am now in the process of tidying it up. I’ve sourced some as new original parts for it and the search continues, but it is definitely good to be back on an 1150.

retroman · Oct 24, 2022

Seems I am not alone ... some cracking looking bikes in these photos :thumb2

I tried to recreate a 20th Anniversary photo:

Day 1, September 2002:

https://flic.kr/p/2nUS3bo

20 years later, wrong layby though :blast

https://flic.kr/p/2nUMXYr

Scooter Boy · Oct 24, 2022

I have to agree,I bought a new R1250R this year to replace my 2003 GS which I have owned from new,the R is much faster and easier to move around but the GS is such a pleasing bike to ride at normal speeds I just can't bring myself to get rid of it.

Paul Young · Oct 24, 2022

Had this beastie for 21yrs and it’s a bit like Trigger’s broom since I’ve modified it in all sorts of ways… That rock solid, hewn from granite feel that it has, has never been bettered by anything I’ve ridden since.

Udders · Oct 24, 2022

Rushy said:
Nice …… but get them fork legs sorted out

And those header pipes! :blast

retroman · Oct 24, 2022

Udders said:
And those header pipes!

Nah, never seen the need.

I like the Oily Rag look TBH. My bike was parked up amongst all the brand new shiny stock outside M&P Cardiff recently, some grizzled old biker turned up and pointed out my old GS saying, "that's a PROPER motorbike, someone obviously uses it ..."

A bit like the Millenium Falcon ... not a garage queen, a bit battered and bruised, but it's how I like it :okay

twizzle · Oct 24, 2022

A few weeks ago……

Owned from new by a long term GSER - bought by me via MikeyBoy…

It’s a keeper….

JohnnyBoxer · Oct 24, 2022

R1150GS ... they still have "it", don't they?

I think so
I have 2, so they must be good

The black one I have had for 3-4 years and has done 67,000 and I am the second owner

The silver one I have had from new in April 2005 and has covered 37,000 - it’s mint

Both have Ohlins suspension front and rear and only difference on the silver one, is that it’s got a GS twin seat & rack set up

Apart from that they both have MRA screens/Sargent seats/BMWs Global system panniers and are bog standard with Cat fitted and a road legal Remus Ti can and exactly the same Baglux/Touratech/Wunderlich and Motorradical trinkets and accessories

KTM-AL · Oct 24, 2022

retroman said:
My only issue is the weight. I like to explore ancient rural byeways and lanes etc, until recently the GS was just the job for this. Unfortunately I've had a couple of drops of late and as I get older I'm finding it increasingly difficult to lift the bugger back up again.

I've just bought a RE Himalayan (from Micky of this parish), my plan is to use the RE for the little lanes, the GS for longer tours involving greater distances ... but we'll see how it goes.

I too have a 1150GS and a Himalayan which I mainly use for green laneing. You will need proper knobbles if you want to play in the mud. -1 tooth on the front sprocket also helps.

retroman · Oct 24, 2022

KTM-AL said:
I too have a 1150GS and a Himalayan which I mainly use for green laneing. You will need proper knobbles if you want to play in the mud. -1 tooth on the front sprocket also helps.

Duly noted, with thanks. I'm not an off-roader, for the majority of time there will have to be some sort of tarmac somewhere under my tires. The RE will be better at green laning than I am.

R1150GS ... they still have "it", don't they?

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