Should I get an R1150R or a R1200GSA

[miked]

This will be a next season decision, but am looking at a new steed. Can anyone offer advice on which might be best for my purposes. I am not really an off roader, but really like the GS for riding position and comfort.

I live in New England most of my riding is either a daily commute (weather permitting), and weekend touring around 500 miles per weekend.

Wind management is a concern in the region, and as I already had an near death experience with a Guardrail on my K100RT (sold within days afterwards), wind management is important to me. My last BMW was an 02 K1200RS, which was solid and well behaved, but not so much fun in the twisties as I would have liked.

Thoughts and comments are welcome....

[MikeCam]

Get the R1200GSA because it is more modern, a proven design and offers higher performance. The R1150R is likely to have increased maintenance requirements and offers fewer wind/weather options.

Both are good performers. Many such as myself, prefer the heavier, less powerful, but more user friendly mechanicals of the 1150 family. Others rightly point out the enhanced engineering, performance, and handling of the 1200 family. Both offer a plethora of branded, after-market, and specialty fabricated accessories.

[owldaddy]

I can't make a comparison of these two bikes, I have not ridden the 1200GSA. I have a friend who once told me that his R1150GS was the perfect bike, he rides a R1200GSA now. I have to assume that he would tell you to go for the 1200. I just paid off my R1150R, I intend to enjoy it even more now, I love it. Wind doesn't seem to be an issue with it, but I doubt that it would be an issue with the R1200 either. To get a real comparison you might ask the same question on the Adventure Rider forum, I bet they have a few folks who have ridden both.

[R4R&R]

While I haven't compared the cost difference between the R1150R vs. R1150GS vs. R1200R vs. R1200GS, I would probably lean towards the R1200 bike in general. I think the engine was improved in a bunch of areas and would be the better performing bike. IMO, the R1150R looks better than the R1200R but again, if I didn't have the R1150R, I would probably go for the R1200R. Comparing the GS to R - think of the two bikes as equals, except that one is more dirt oriented and the other more street oriented. Otherwise, very similar bikes. Do you see yourself travelling on gravel/dirt roads? If not, save the money and get the R.

[GypsyRR]

I owned both an '05 R1150R and an '07 R1200GS (not GSA) this past year. I added the R1200GS in July of '08, thinking that it might be a good compromise between the R1150R and the DR650 that I had, and intended to sell the 1150 and the 650 once I got it. But it wasn't everything I wanted it to be. So I sold it in March of this year, and kept the R1150R and DR650. I like the little more aggressive riding position, as well as the handling of the R1150R better. I felt safer and more "planted" on the R1150R as well. But that's just me. A test ride of both would help you make the decision.

[jfslater98]

I recently went through some similar soul searching, with a Triumph Tiger 1050. I discovered that my attitude toward wind is very extreme: I want all of it, or none of it. Half measures shove wind into my helmet. The Tiger was no different. And its minimal fairing causes more problems in windy conditions (Trucks, SUV, etc.) than my non-faired Rockster. A recent 20 minute test ride on a 1200GS left me with a headache. Don't make the same $8000 mistake I did. Test ride both. In fact, the R1200R might be a better choice so you may want to give that a try.

[Dr. Strangelove]

better sit on them...the gs is taller. Unless you lower it.

JOhn

[wncbmw]

The GSA is even taller than the standard GS. The bike before my Roadster was a GS. Dropped it a 0 mph more times than I can count in 18 months. Just a heads up if you are vertically challenged! The Roadster is not only lower seat height but a lower center of gravity. The GSA has the high gas tank and holds an huge amount of gas. Great for passing up gas stations but not so good if you dump it with a full tank.

BTW, I have dropped the Roadster a number of times that I can count! ONE!

[bimrluvr]

If wind management is a major concern, then why wouldn't you consider an R1200RT? Between the R and GS, I would think the significant added height of the GS, combined with the extra top end weight of fuel, would make it just that much more unstable as compared to the R and that much easier to blow aside in a good New England gust.

[miked]

If wind management is a major concern, then why wouldn't you consider an R1200RT? Between the R and GS, I would think the significant added height of the GS, combined with the extra top end weight of fuel, would make it just that much more unstable as compared to the R and that much easier to blow aside in a good New England gust.

I like the unfaired nature of the R and GSA. The K100RT had a huge fairing and and a windshield the size of a small sail. Sort of put me off bikes with lots of tupperware.

Also don't like the looks much of the RT, however, every time I speak to an owner they love it....

[bimrluvr]

Every owner I've met loves them too. Also, in every comparo review Rider did where they included the R-RT vs. K-GT/RS, the R-RT always won out majorly because of handling, flickability, etc. I wouldn't write them off without a test ride.

[Dr. Strangelove]

[quote=Also don't like the looks much of the RT, however, every time I speak to an owner they love it....[/quote]

They look a lot less (sorry) dowdy when the side cases are off. In fact they look pretty sporty. Don't reject it automatically, they are very nice bikes.

[Flashdog]

I've had my 02'R1150R since new and love it. Last year at Bike Week I had the opportunity to ride the R1200GS and found it to be a far superior bike. I've been lusting after one since then. My brother has an 02' R1150GS Adventure that I just find scary and spindly to ride. I also have ridden 100's of miles in the Bay area of California on R1100GS and R1150GS. I did not care that much for them, I felt my R1150R was a much better road bike.

If you can or want to spend the money the advances in the 1200 family are incredible. If not, you will love the R1150R more and more everyday. You won't lose.

[bikermeow]

I am so darn impressed by the truly impartial and objective advice we are giving.