Who said they’re boring? Not me! I can see the veritable GS1150 becoming my next road-bike after the gixxer (which may become track-only at this change time). I need something more flexible, and less, er, aggressive.
I can certainly vouch for them being expensive, hard to get fixed anywhere, not the best build anymore, certainly not the best designed anymore, far too agricultural, far too heavy, far to complex, unreliable - gearboxes are lousy to a one and make funny noises.
LOL
Exciting?
Hmmm.
Interesting? Certainly. I’m interested in what they are doing to the R1100s (I used to have one) replacement that’s due shortly. Maybe my (extensive) opinion will change…
Thanks for the comment Andrew, I’ll have to arrange a test-ride at some point to make my own mind up, though I’m keeping an eye on the KTM camp as well, their Adventure is a crazy bike, not sure if it’s for me though.
I used to have a GS1000 trailie, one of those horrible looking black and yellow things. I was given it as the girl that rode it kept dropping it and could not pick it up due to its extreme weight. I used to slate BMW’s but this thing was a real eye opener. It was great round town, sitting up so high gave you a great view and it turned really well. It was fairly juicy, but then I did used to ride it with the throttle wound open. I blew a head gasket on it but it was easy to replace (boxer engine). I destroyed one of the bearings in the shaft drive and that was a nightmare. The only people I could find to get out the broken one was an MZ garage. Did not cost much to replace though. Having shaft drive was a godsend, no chain adjustment or oiling. The Krausers were great for trips out but should never be used round town.
Off road was a different story, what a nightmare. Once the petrol started sloshing in that huge tank forget it, that bike was going down. Thank goodness for engine crash bars.
That bike changed my opinion of BM’s though. Despite the constant abuse it always came back for more. I had it for a year before parting with it for another sportsbike, but, I can look back at it with fond memories.
They certainly made great bikes, but I think (opinion of course) that the current bikes are being made too cheaply and sold for too much.
And I lost the drive shaft bearings twice on my 46000 mile 1100s - they are indeed a right expensive pain. Oh, and 2 gearboxes.
My opinions may not be representative of the whole, of course, but I did use every model at some stage as a courtesy bike.
I did have a sit on the GS1150 Adventure and I must say it felt really nice to sit on. I would love to eat up loads of miles on one or the KTM Adventure.
Will posibly look into one for a mamoth tour in the future.