I’m looking to buy a BMW R1150GS for a trip to Russia. Does anyone know if its worth me paying that little bit extra for the adventure?? Is there’s that much of a practical difference with the two models?

I ride an 1100GS myself but I did the BMW Enduro course in Germany on an 1150GS Adventure. Main advantage for me was it is a bit taller - I am 6'3" tall with 36" inside leg and I like the height. For your trip , the larger tank (32 litre vs 22 litre) will be an advantage to give you more range between fuel stops. Off road I'd prefer the adventure . The one I rode had the lower ratio first gear which makes things a lot more confident on hill descents. I can imagine if you are loaded up , this would be good too - for easier pulling away from a standing start in the dirt. I like the single seat on the adventure too - it allows you to vary your sitting position more than on the 1150 which has a two piece stepped saddle. The dark 'gunmetal' wheels on the advanture look cool too but that's just cosmetic. On styling I lilke the adventure more too - it's got more 'presence' if you know what I mean Beware the servo brakes - if you can get an ABS equipped bike without servo they are the ones to go for. The servo brakes are fierce and unforgiving off the tarmac and it's just another bit of technology to go wrong on you in the middle of nowhere - having said all that I wouldn't swap my 1100GS which is an altogether far superior machine.

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Both bikes have their pros & cons. The standard 1150 is lighter, slightly lower and thus easier to handle. On the other hand, the suspension of the ADV is absolutely fabulous on rough pistes.

The fuel range lies somewhere between 350 - 400kms (very easy going...) compared to 600+ of the ADV.

I prefer the 2-piece seat of he standard, because removing the rear seat means a slightly lower centre of gravity for the luggage roll.

Both are excellent and comfortable touring bikes - more so the ADV, due to the better suspension. It is rather a question of size that matters. The ADV is pretty tall and comes with ALOT of weight As long as you're moving, this doesn't matter, but try to prevent the bike from falling in an unexpected situation: it's like trying to stop an army tank single-handed

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Ph, why do you think you need an offroad bike to cross Russia?

It really isn't necessary. I rode Korea to Italy (via Russia) earlier this year on a Burgman 650 maxi-scooter. It handled the dirt more than sufficently well - there's under 2,000 kms of the stuff anyway. An expensive BM really is overkill for this sort of trip.

Garry from Oz.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

True there is a tarmac road to pretty much everywhere these days, but isn't the point of an overland trip to 'explore' rather than just get there?

Using a dual-sport type of bike opens up far more route possibilities, and is a good safety net over indeterminable terrain and the unexpected wash out etc. They also tend to be more ruggedly built which can only help with longevity?

However, I'd agree with you that a big BMW GS is a bit of overkill (everywhere!)... but something mid-sized (say a 650cc thumper) would be a great bike which ever route you decide to take... and would be a whole lot more fun than the big BMW on the dirt!

xxx

Keep the focus folks..... there are too many threads spoilt by my bike's better than your bike nonsense or smaller is better than bigger .

Our man here is asking the simple question and wants some info about the 1150 GS versus the GSA.... Whilst I'm sure the Burghman trip was great or a 650 would be fun that's not this thread .

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I agree! Having done two long trips on a GS1150 and a DR650, keep your options open. Being completely selfless for a moment, why not buy a DR650 like this...plus it has an Australian pedigree too...!

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...scotland-38633

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BMW R1150GS
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Yes!!!!




Personally I would choose the GSA because it has better suspension and better range.

The 4 things about the Adv over the standard GS that pushed me to spend the extra money were:

1- Larger tank (you don't always have to fill it if you are worried about the weight)
2- Lower first gear ( better compression braking on dirt/gravel downhill and easier on the clutch when getting going especially loaded)
3- Braided brake lines ( these bikes are starting to age ab bit and I had the rubber line on my 1100GS swell causing lower pressure as well as just more robust)
4- Better protection out of the factory (engine guards, skid plate)

The things I didn't like (and changed)
1- Ride height was an issue because I am a short arse (swapped to GS height shocks, center stand)
2- Adv seat was better for dirt riding but not as comfortable. (changed to GS seats and rack, much better for the pillion and highway riding but not as good offroad. Also it is easy to find someone willing to swap your Adv stuff for their GS stuff. Not as easy to find people to do a swap the other way).

Now saying all that when I had both the 1150Adv and the 1100GS both in the same country I decided to sell the Adv and keep the 1100GS. I figured that the 1100GS covered all the good points of the Adv (has lower gearing, not as big a tank but did have all the farkles like braided brake lines, ohlin shocks, skid plates, engine bars) but the main reason was that if I had to make the decision to leave the bike behind due to injury/political situations, the 1100 owed me less money and still did the same job.

Just something else to consider.

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All that stuff is NOT standard on all ADVs. At some point it became extras.

It can still be an Adventure with "small" (23lt?) tank, normal (high) first gear & no engine bars.

I think when the ADV first came out they got everything as standard, then later most of it became extras.

Again, I think a R1150 GSA will always have as standard through the years-

- better suspension thats also taller
- alloy sump plate
-dualseat
- braided hoses
-power outlet (s?)
-grey/blue anodized rims
- "beak" protector

Probably more, but can't think of it!

Thanks guys I think in the end I will go for the ADV. It’s not really that much extra anyway. Just been looking at the cost of buying a larger tank and almost that alone makes it worth the extra for the ADV.
Oh and I agree with the remarks of Gecko, there’s too much “my bikes bigger than yours” on here. I know I could do it without the off road ability of the beemer. I also know I could do it in a car or 1st class on a plane. I have made a choice to get one of these as I like them. That’s as complicated as it gets.
I do like the idea of DR650 thou. I had one a few years ago and it was great. I even thought about going on the ZZR600. But the old girl isn't up to it anymore. Mind you my old back isnt up to sitting on the ZZR either, arghh-ohh (old man noise)
Cheers
Paul

Paul
Don't believe the half of it . Most people who say the big beemer is crap off road have never tried taking one off road. Granted it isn't a pogo stick on steroids but the Beemer is hugely capable off road and the GSA is well up there.
Have a look at some of these pictures from the BMW Hechlingen off road course and you'll get an idea of the kind of terrain that these big machines can handle.
BMW Enduro Park Hechlingen - June 2005 - Shared photo album - Photobox

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Hi, My wife and I are 82000 miles 130,000+ks into an around the word trek on our 1150gs adventure. www.pooleglobaltrek.com I would'nt choose the bike next time. Too heavy for mild off road stuff. we're on our third bevel drive bearing ( got another spare!) paraleaver suspension went, oil seals at the transmission and little pinion went twice. Magnetic pulse sencer went( electronic ignition). The single saddle is the most uncomfortable I'd ever ridden, covered with an airhawk until we had it rebuilt in Thailand. If I could ditch the servo/abs breaks I would. The bmw luggage is great the tank 30ltrs great and needed. Heading for India next then a leasuly ride home to blighty, well its been two and a half years!!!
For one man get something lighter and japanese. good hunting. Nick.

I have the 1150 GSA and on the couple of times I have done off road riding, I cant say I enjoy it, the tank is the main bugbear and I find it makes my knees ache like hell ( I had cruciate surgery 1 year ago). I love the bike for road but its a no off.
I also find when standing on pegs that hitting a pot hole or anything that makes the suspension compress my feet wack the stands, which I guess would be the same as an 1150 GS
I leave the off roading to my XR4

Do an 'adventure training course' with the bike. You'll learn lots and get more confidence in both yourself and the bike. They come up form time to time over on 'advrider' site - in the Australia forum .. or with the bm NSW club..

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S