Thinking of changing my bike.....am I getting old?

[acwman]

I've been looking at the BMW 1150GS recently, and thinking of shopping in my ducati 749s for one of these.

Due to job and other things, I really do not have time to really go out and enjoy a blast in the countryside, weekend, and sunday rideouts. I'm finding more and more that I'm using the bike for commuting around, the place, and i'm finding that the 749 is not the most ideal bike for this.

It's hard to find decent luggage for this as its a monoposto version, and the only luggage system is which is convenient to use cost a small fortune..and the brackets for the luggage do not look nice on the bike...

My budget for another bike is what I can get rid of my bike for..I am therefore seriously considering taking the plunge, and shopping my bike in for the BMW 1150gs. The dealer has offered a straight swap.

Having ridden sports bikes all my riding life, I don't really know if i am doing the right thing... If I do change.. will a few months down the line yearn for the sports bike yet again...or is it old age setting in and its an inevitable thing coming to me?
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BMW R1200GS & Honda Fireblade 929RR
Bikes owned -Yamaha R1+akrapovic, Ducati 749S, Power Commander + Termi's,Buell XB12R - with race kit, GSXR600-K4 Titanium Scorpion end Can, ZXR400, RS125, Cagiva Mito, RS50, RG125, ER50, FS1E. https://www.bikepics.com/members/acwman/

[holyman]

A mate of mine has had all the GS's - he just bought his 2nd 1200.

They're not exactly slow, and many riders have a lot of fun riding them. Having said that you wouldn't catch me on one!

A straight swap is pretty rare.......maybe you could do better selling your bike privately?

Have you considered a TDM?

[Fahd]

I don't know if this will help but in my honest opinion I think the BMW you are considering looks hideous, the only BMW I really like is the K1200S however I'm guessing that's too similar to your Ducati and therefore a pointless buy. How about going 'half'-way' and getting a bike that can carry luggage but not an all out 'tourer'. The BMW F800ST has space for luggage and possibly even a top box...

https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/images/bikes/f800st/bike_photo_gallery_photos/1.jpg

It also has that sports bike look/ feel to it which I think you can agree the BMW 1150GS has not...

https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bike.jsp?b=f800st
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I Ride: Honda CBR 400RR.
I Drive: Audi S3.

[stinkwheel]

Try riding a GS before you get one. I had a go of a 1200GS this summer. It was a bike I considered my ultimate 'fantasy garage' bike but having ridden one, I wouldn't give it drive space.

It was not ten grands worth of motorcycle and I found the riding experience detached and uninvolving.

EDIT: It occurrs to me that for the same price as the BMW, you could probably buy a full-on sports bike AND a dedicated touring bike.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Seb]

Maybe consider a Sprint ST 1050, VFR 800 or as mentioned, one of the sportier BMWs? All have decent luggage options and all will be much more familiar ground compared to the more full on sports bikes your used to whilst offering much more flexibility and comfort.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[acwman]

Cheers for the advice....

I have been looking at other alternatives, and the VFR and f800 have actually cross my mind. The GS though seems to stir something inside me...and this was before ewan and charlie did the long way down!

Have checked out the TDM, but still think that the GS would suit me better. I like the idea of a shaft drive, as I don't really like cleaning and oiling chains. This ritual actually only gets done when I send my bikes to a service!

I have been getting back ache and elbow aches recently. This is probably due to my work. It generally can come and go, and when they do come, it can last weeks. The elbow is still hurting from weeks back.. and think that a bike with a better upright position is a better option than what I have now.

Anyway.. as I said in my first post.. Budget is limited. Basically it is what I can sell or part ex my bike for. Don't want to fork out anymore money, so having two bikes is not an option.

I think I would most definitely get a better deal selling privately, but I hate the hassle of this....and I generally just part ex my bikes when the time comes....

Think that I may try and get a test ride tomorrow on the gs
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BMW R1200GS & Honda Fireblade 929RR
Bikes owned -Yamaha R1+akrapovic, Ducati 749S, Power Commander + Termi's,Buell XB12R - with race kit, GSXR600-K4 Titanium Scorpion end Can, ZXR400, RS125, Cagiva Mito, RS50, RG125, ER50, FS1E. https://www.bikepics.com/members/acwman/

[Itchy]

Here is what a guy in France said:

The BMW is a good bike but lacks charactor even less so than Hondas these days.

You can feel nowt through the front end ,

BUT

on an unknown road the BMW is king

on gravel etc the BMW is king,

however since that guy was a Nicksanders type who went on a customised R1 through muddy swamps , YMMV
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[sagalout]

I went from sportsbikes to a tiger 4 months ago and don't regret it all. The tiger is such a great alleound bike I couldn't think about going back to a sportsbikes , at least as an only bike. I haven't ridden an 1150 but have tried a 1200gs. First ride I didn't think much of it, by 2nd ride I gelled with it. I think I still prefer the tiger but the be is a great bike, with bags of torque.

If you're wondering if you are going to change your mind further down the line, well I had doubts after a couple of months and took a zx636 for a testride - hated it and couldn't wait to get back on my bike

I'd say at least go for a test ride and see how you feel about it. Personally I love the comfort, the practicality and the abilty to ride without the pressure to be doing over 100mph everwhere, but still have enough power to have fun

[Finglonga]

[stinkwheel]

As sagalout mentioned it. If you're considering a GS, try one of the new 1050 Tigers. You won't be disappointed.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[acwman]

Right.. Today I took the bike out for a test ride. Not quite 30 minutes, but near enough. It is most certainly different to what I'm used to. The BMW type Indicators for one thing...the upright position and height!

I'm not that tall... 5' 6" and tbh I found the bike a little on the tall side for me. The seat was set on the lowest position. On flat ground I could basically tiptoe with both feet. In the real world of riding roads, and having to stop with cambers on the road, I felt it a little unerving, Especially with the size and weight of the bike and when coming to stops. I do like the bike, but the high seat height is a big problem for me. BMW do do a lower seat.. which I think I would have to get if I do change the bike.. but they are not cheap, at £150.

The ride was pretty comfortable, and you have another perspective, that you end up looking over cars, rather than what I'm used to on the ducati... looking through windscreens!

The R1150GS I did see today was not for me though, as It had a few more wear and tear marks that I felt comfortable with. A small ding in the fuel tank, the engine casings were bubbling up in places through corrosion, and so was the rear rack..(I think it's part of the rear subframe)..where a lot of the paint on it was lifting away.

I think that should it have been a lot cleaner, I would have done a deal though..I felt it hard to give up my perfect condition bike for one which showed too much age for me. I think I may carry on looking though..

Finglonga...
What did you hate about the 1200, and what do you like about the 1150 over the 1200??
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BMW R1200GS & Honda Fireblade 929RR
Bikes owned -Yamaha R1+akrapovic, Ducati 749S, Power Commander + Termi's,Buell XB12R - with race kit, GSXR600-K4 Titanium Scorpion end Can, ZXR400, RS125, Cagiva Mito, RS50, RG125, ER50, FS1E. https://www.bikepics.com/members/acwman/

[acwman]

[stinkwheel]

Triumph have come a long way in the last ten years. I rode these three bikes this summer. The new triumph was head and shoulders above the rest.
https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=53772
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Ravo]

Humor me and test ride a Honda Shadow VT750 while you're at it.

[Grav]

[Shamrock]

I went from an SV650S to a GS1150 a year ago.

Did it for the same reasons as you as I started a new job further away and needed some luggage space.

It was a lovely bike. Super-comfy and reliable. ABS great for wet weather riding and the top box was perfect lugging my things around town.

I am slightly taller than you and although the height was strange for me at first I quickly got used to it( And the BMW indicators).

Ive now sold it to buy a car for work but if I had the money id definitley consider it again. Although my I do have my eye on a FJR1300....

Also consider the V-Strom 1000, lovely bikes IMO and if you want to stay italian the Capanord is by far the nicest looking trallie out there.

[_Will_]

BMW indicators suck.
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[Shamrock]

The indicators are grand, its the horn location that sucks!

[acwman]

[Finglonga]

[mark83]

I've been having the same thoughts mate.

I'm currently considering a Ducati Multistrada.

And to answer your question: YES WE ARE GETTING OLD!

hehe


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Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo

[feef]

There's nothing 'old' about out-performing people on their sportbikes, when you're on a big trailie or a tourer

a
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Mudskipper wrote: feef, that is such a beautiful post that it gave me a lady tingle
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