what to buy - mint r1100gs vs not mint r1150gs

[vteec]

hello
amazing forum. thank you to everyone who contributes - i managed to become a gs expert thanks to you :)

i am in the process of choosing between a 26k kms 2002 r1150gs and a 35k kms 1999 r1100gs.
i prefer the r1150gs as regards the looks, hydraulic clutch and sixth gear.
both bikes have been taken care of by their owners.
the r1150gs has been stored in a slightly humid garage and has signs of oxidization and corrosion (rust) on some parts, e.g. bolts, mirror holders, around the boxer heads, exhaust, spokes etc..
it is not in a bad condition but i think you get the idea of what happens if you store in a humid garage.
the r1100gs is mint. not even one rusty bolt.

i just want the r1150gs to be the in the same condition :(

what would you choose please?
my mecchanic told me that the corrosion is not that bad on the r1150gs and it is only cosmetic.

thank you

[Traveling QMS]

Sounds to me like your mind is made up and you are going to be cleaning up some corrosion and neglect.

I have both and when I am starting out to go for a few days, I take the 1150. The overdrive makes the 1150 a much better rig for higher speed roads. My 1150 tends to get a little better fuel mileage than the 1100.

A mint bike is a nice thing to have and if all I had was an 1100 I would still have a very big smile on my face.

Are you facing a big price delta between the two? Is one fitted out better than the other?

[vteec]

Traveling QMS i think you are right i will be cleaning the corrosion :)

i think the r1150gs is for me.
i also have a g650xcountry i use for everyday, before considering the r1150gs i was toying with the idea of selling the xcountry and getting a new f800gs but i don't know why the f800 does not give me the bmw character feeling.
i just love the boxer engine and shaft drive. so i decided to keep the xcountry and get this r1150gs.

thank you for your reply

[pcwirepro]

Don't leave us hanging here man.

[vteec]

pcwirepro i should have the bike by end of this week if mecchanic gives go ahead to buy.
i had a friend who is into bikes have a look at the bike today and he said that it is just minor oxidization and only cosmetic.

will keep you posted

[mouthfulloflake]

1100gs

the hydraulic clutch is a con, not a pro on the later bikes, in my opinion. ( easy and cheap to replace a clutch cable, search for threads and issues with the slave cylinder on the later bikes)

lower final drive ratio makes the 1100 more friendly at low speeds and offroad ( you dont have to slip the clutch off road)

the gears are spread fine, I cant imagine needing a 6th gear. it cruises at 85 mph... and the engine is perfectly happy there.

[sdpc2]

the 1100 is a fine bike. It would be my preference, unless you were doing lots of highway miles.

Originally Posted by mouthfulloflake

1100gs

the hydraulic clutch is a con, not a pro on the later bikes, in my opinion. ( easy and cheap to replace a clutch cable, search for threads and issues with the slave cylinder on the later bikes)

lower final drive ratio makes the 1100 more friendly at low speeds and offroad ( you dont have to slip the clutch off road)

the gears are spread fine, I cant imagine needing a 6th gear. it cruises at 85 mph... and the engine is perfectly happy there.

[vagueout]

Likewise with Mouthfull, i see no advantage in a hyd. operated clutch, rather the potential for three failures waiting to occur, ie 1)master cyl fail. 2) slave cyl fail. 3) clutch plate fail due to leakage from failed slave cy. All in all an absolute trip stopper compared to a humble cable change. As to cleaning a weathered 1150, you may be surprised at the before and after of a serious 2 hour scrub session starting with brushes and kerosene, moving onto car wash and brushes including tooth brushes and small towelling type face washers . Lots of mr sheen and car wax, silicone spray oil for all the plastics and you really turn shit to shinola. A very rewarding experience and worthy of a chilled brew or three afterwards. Good luck with your purchase.

[silrakj]

As a new gs owner, I was in the exact same position at the start of the summer. I went with the r1100gs and could not be happier! That bike is wonderful.

[rfbarker]

I ended up with an R1100GS after looking at 1100s and 1150s. I know I'd be happy with either but I love the lower first gear (same as the 1150GSA) and the clutch cable. I was worried about the lack of 6th gear but I just finished a ride from Bellingham, WA to Glacier NP that included a lot of sustained 85 mph slab and MT highway riding. The 1100 never felt too buzzy even at those speeds. If I had a sixth gear I would have shifted into it but I didn't really miss it. Plus, I saved $4k over the 1150GSA that I was tempted with.

The 1100s are a helluva bargain that I used as my introduction to the GS line, although it may just be the only one I'll ever need to buy.

[bush pilot]

The R1100GS is a better bike. Many of the fittings are of better quality and hence better corrosion resistance. The engine is more tractable. Better low end torque and engine braking than the 1150. Just carry a clutch cable. The extra clutch effort you get used to quickly.
The stock 1100gs seat sucks, as do the shocks.
I'd expect with only 35k it hasn't had many of the requisite upgrades, like TT hard parts, brake lines and ebc rotors, spline lube, Alternator belt, tensioner upgrade, shocks, hatll sensor rewire. Those would be all questions I'd be asking, as they add up to significant money real fast. Also any bike that age will likely need all brake hydraulics overhauled. The 1100GS in particular likes to have the calipers overhauled periodically. Also the 1999 model is he last year of the 1100gs and the best year of all to own. It already has the m97 transmission upgrade.

[vintagerider]

The 1150 is faster, next generation. I'm doing my part to help the marque's reputation by retiring those embarrassing 5 speed clunkers. Please pm the location of the 99 1100 and I'll get a tow truck over there right away. The bounty paid on these is a free hydraulic slave cylinder for your new 1150.

[Jim Moore]

That 99 R1100 is one of the most awesome bikes ever built. The 02 R1150 is a list of expensive disasters waiting to happen. Spline issues, final drive issues, slave cylinder issues. It goes on and on. Buy the 99.

[Galen]

I like the 1150's beak better. Other than that, eleven hundred with an M97.

[Recker1]

My $.02: I've got an 1150 and love it. My buddy has an 1100 and it's a great bike as well. Between the two though, I'd say 1150 all the way. Looks better, sounds MUCH better, rides nicer, etc. etc. Mechanical issues aside (and I've had none), it's not like BMW went backward when they designed the 1150. I just finished a 3 day trip that included a lot of state routes and highway riding and I can tell you the 6th gear was great to have!