If you see a lot if potential in our work, subscribing will really go a long way to show your support and encourage us to keep going. We know we can do better, and your subscription will get us closer to putting our full attention on what we're really passionate about - authentic, experience based bike conversations! Thank you for watching! -The Wolf Tales Team
I don’t see these as Gen 1, 2 & 3, rather Gen 4, Gen 5 and Gen 7. I had a 1998 R1100GS with the square headlight which was really Gen 3. After that came the 1150 shown on the video as “Gen 1”. The original R80GS preceded my first GS by 18 years and the R100GS came between the first GS model and my first GS. I currently have a 2012 R1200GSA like the one in the video which is 2 gens after my first R1100GS, but that was superseded by the R1200GS (water cooled) and then the 1250GS.
Great job. I watched the video until the end. I'm a proud owner of a 2001 R1150GS with 130.000kms . What I like the most from this machine is the fact that they may fall or crash but they keep working. Alongside with the fact that they are really stable.
Owned my 1150GS since new in 2000. Have had a 1200RT since 2013 as well but selling it as I prefer to keep riding the 1150. Had the 1100GS in Hong Kong when it first came out and it took me all round SE Asia and got the 1150 when I came back to UK. Wilbers shocks, Sergeant seat and Adventure tank and luggage. I'll never get rid of it. Only problem it's ever had was gear box selectors jammed in 2003. No issues since.
Certainly an entertaining and informative first-person episode. I would've thought the R1100GS would be the 1st generation of oil head GS's, not the R1150GS. When out in the hinterlands, simplicity rules the day. That 2022 GSA looks monstrous compared to the 1150.
I’ve been fortunate enough to acquire a bit of a collection of hyper sport builds, as well as several different varieties of supersports/racing replicas. I added a 2004 R1150R. To my collection about two months ago and had it gone through by an absolute wizard of a BMW master tech… I’ve never experienced a more addictive little bike. I always thought the boxer guys were a bit weird, but now I’m totally one of them and I totally get it. 😂
Owned a 2001 1150GS for 4 years and 12,000 miles. Only problem it's given me is water in the tank caused by the drain hole under the filler cap blocking up. An hour spent with WD40, lighter fluid, lighter gas, harsh language and a lot of poking with an old guitar D string finally cured it, hopefully, for another 20 years. Yes. They use a lot of oil, but if you "read the manual" it reveals that a millilitres a KILOMETER is within acceptable limits! Mine runs better on Iridium upgrade spark plugs too. Oh... and change the fuel filter in the tank. They go from "working fine" to "letting you down" in the blink of an eye. Literally the best bike I ever owned. Protip: If you have ANY aspirations to go off-road, please do NOT attempt grass unless you change the Tourance tyres for Michelin Anakees. Trust me.
Ive had five GSs over the years and currently own a 2001 R1150GS (200,000kms and I've owned it on and off for 20yrs) as well as a 2019 R1250GSA (bought new, 65,000kms). One correction first up -- the 1150 is not a "Gen 1" -- it's a "Gen 2". There were approximately 15 years of air cooled boxers that were the first generation of GSs (R80 G/S, R80GS, R100GS, R100GS PD). The 1250 is an amazing bike and every time I ride it, it puts a smile on my face. At a long-legged 6' it also fits me perfectly. Hats off to the owner of the 1250 in the video!! Yet, there is something about the R1150 that is just so mellow. It feels tiny after the 1250 and you immediately notice the advances made in 20+ years but it is such a characterful bike. I sold it once and I'll never do so again!
I've got my 1150 since 2002. I fell in love at first sight and still is the best looking bike to my eyes. It has character, it is classic, I toured around Europe on it and God I hate tech. It has enough tech for me. I ll never sell my 1150
I've got an 1150 GSA and I came face to face with sheep on a dirt road doing around 60mph. I put the bike down and watched it take out a fence post. When the dust settled I dragged her back to the road and she started first time, without headlights and dash/clocks. The front end was literally gone, but the forks survived. I road back home 650km. If it was my 2017 1200, she would not have started. I sold the 1200 and kept the 1150 aka (The Pig).
Thanks for watching mate. The fellas on were awesome, really knew their stuff. Darren (guy in the middle) is one of the greatest mechanics around, really knows his way around pretty much anything and everything 🤘
For long distance I still believe a tourer is the better choice. There is more weather protection, especially not being in the wind so much makes you a lot less tired. Reliability is not an issue with older bikes (or cars), IF they are well maintained. By the way my 2001 1150RT already has heated grips, electric screen, ABS and power assisted linked brakes. The main drawback is that it does not run very smooth below 3000 revs. This is a well known problem with the big boxers that have only 1 sparkplug per cilinder. And the older big boxer twin is not the most refined power plant. If I want to enjoy a sweet power plant, I take my VFR out.
Had a R1150RT. Bit heavy parking and moving. One on road great. Now got a R1200GSA triple black 2012. Its got to be the best option. Saved up and did my research. Not too heavy or complicated. Plenty fast enough. Loads of spares and accessories available. Only issue is when clutch needs replacing. Big job. But still manageable. You need GS911 diag tool. then self maintain is poss. Bike for life. brilliant engineering. Good video.
I used to have the 1150Gs and was a beautiful touring bike. 90% of the rides were 2 up. It was so good and cobike that, to me, there was no need to buy an RT model even to only ride on the hard surface roads. It was a shame that an R850 version was not available just to have a lighter model as an option.
1150 without servobrake is the most reliable and durable ever build Gs .. a lot of technology brings some power and leds but also failure and problems what you can t fix on the route without assistance..and corect is 1100.1150.1200.1250 All is great bike but if i want to surround the earth i choose 1150 R21 Chears riders!❤
The 1150 is gorgeous!!! Old school style brother...great story Cant believe I sat through the entire 50 plus minutes!! I truly enjoyed it! Thanks Wolf Tales!!
Having owned both the gen one 1150gs and the gen two 1200gsa I really enjoyed this episode and would go as far to say if I get to the point of owning a second bike it would be the gen 3 1250 gsa
You can see very well that the 1150 is the most beautiful of the 4V GS. My 1150 ADV now has 178,000km on the clock and keep going Why are they so popular? Because two people can sit comfortably on them and still cause problems for the superbikes. ;-D But even if you only talk about the 4V GS, the first generation, the 11er, is missing. . .
A tremendous vid this lads & my mate Millar has owned these 3 very models in a row now & highly suspect he'll have an R1400 GSA in a few years time, when & if their prices has deflated by then! 👍😬 In the few years I've been riding & of all the GS riders I've spoken with, I've only met 1 guy who said he'd bought the wrong bike for his own needs, a 2023 R1250 GSA & he just said it was too cumbersome! 😮 He said he only realised when he took it in for it's first service, where he sat on an S1000XR & he rode away on the XR & he was in his mid 70's!, 🤣👍
Water wasn't a necessity for technology advancement but necessary to be able to pass future euro emissions standards😢 so they had to be more bulky, heavier and more complicated. I Mean look at the middle one, its a behemoth compared to that 1100 next on its left.
I ride a r 100 gs pd from 89. I love it. But I love the 1150 gs , too. The newest gs models aren't my cup of Coffee 😉 but every like he/she/it prefers...ride on...
to add. I would not touch new ones with a barge pole. Way too expensive and complicated. He said it correct. You could buy a 2010-2012 GS twin cam. best one. Then a spare one. Ive got 2 F650GSs. Even buy a track day sports bike. Instead of all your money in one that depreciates.
I also think These new gs models are like the Honda goldwing. They are Sofas on wheels...;-) ok with the gs models you might can ride offroad...but this is the only difference in my opinion...
A GS fest not for me but I can see how people get into them ,it is a life style thing I think and of course loads a money if you want the all singing and dancing one .Interesting but at what point do they just become to much money and price themselves out of the market or maybe they are so loved by the fans it won't . 👍Nice one
I think that’s just it isn’t it, if you’re wealthy enough to buy a GS you normally buy the all singing and all dancing one 🤘 Great bikes for what they do, but certainly not a bike for all
Great review., very informative. The 1150 is rare but cheap in Norway. But the 1200 really is not that expensive. And there are many of them. Would love to own a 1200...😊
If you see a lot if potential in our work, subscribing will really go a long way to show your support and encourage us to keep going. We know we can do better, and your subscription will get us closer to putting our full attention on what we're really passionate about - authentic, experience based bike conversations! Thank you for watching!
-The Wolf Tales Team
I don’t see these as Gen 1, 2 & 3, rather Gen 4, Gen 5 and Gen 7. I had a 1998 R1100GS with the square headlight which was really Gen 3. After that came the 1150 shown on the video as “Gen 1”. The original R80GS preceded my first GS by 18 years and the R100GS came between the first GS model and my first GS. I currently have a 2012 R1200GSA like the one in the video which is 2 gens after my first R1100GS, but that was superseded by the R1200GS (water cooled) and then the 1250GS.
Great job. I watched the video until the end. I'm a proud owner of a 2001 R1150GS with 130.000kms . What I like the most from this machine is the fact that they may fall or crash but they keep working. Alongside with the fact that they are really stable.
Owned my 1150GS since new in 2000. Have had a 1200RT since 2013 as well but selling it as I prefer to keep riding the 1150. Had the 1100GS in Hong Kong when it first came out and it took me all round SE Asia and got the 1150 when I came back to UK. Wilbers shocks, Sergeant seat and Adventure tank and luggage. I'll never get rid of it. Only problem it's ever had was gear box selectors jammed in 2003. No issues since.
What a wonderful interview!
I have a 05 and I do my own maintenance and I find myself marveling at the engineering.
Thank you
Certainly an entertaining and informative first-person episode. I would've thought the R1100GS would be the 1st generation of oil head GS's, not the R1150GS. When out in the hinterlands, simplicity rules the day. That 2022 GSA looks monstrous compared to the 1150.
I’ve been fortunate enough to acquire a bit of a collection of hyper sport builds, as well as several different varieties of supersports/racing replicas. I added a 2004 R1150R. To my collection about two months ago and had it gone through by an absolute wizard of a BMW master tech… I’ve never experienced a more addictive little bike. I always thought the boxer guys were a bit weird, but now I’m totally one of them and I totally get it. 😂
Thank you, guys! My goose 1150 is coming to me from Japan.)))
Owned a 2001 1150GS for 4 years and 12,000 miles. Only problem it's given me is water in the tank caused by the drain hole under the filler cap blocking up. An hour spent with WD40, lighter fluid, lighter gas, harsh language and a lot of poking with an old guitar D string finally cured it, hopefully, for another 20 years. Yes. They use a lot of oil, but if you "read the manual" it reveals that a millilitres a KILOMETER is within acceptable limits!
Mine runs better on Iridium upgrade spark plugs too.
Oh... and change the fuel filter in the tank. They go from "working fine" to "letting you down" in the blink of an eye.
Literally the best bike I ever owned.
Protip: If you have ANY aspirations to go off-road, please do NOT attempt grass unless you change the Tourance tyres for Michelin Anakees.
Trust me.
Ive had five GSs over the years and currently own a 2001 R1150GS (200,000kms and I've owned it on and off for 20yrs) as well as a 2019 R1250GSA (bought new, 65,000kms). One correction first up -- the 1150 is not a "Gen 1" -- it's a "Gen 2". There were approximately 15 years of air cooled boxers that were the first generation of GSs (R80 G/S, R80GS, R100GS, R100GS PD).
The 1250 is an amazing bike and every time I ride it, it puts a smile on my face. At a long-legged 6' it also fits me perfectly. Hats off to the owner of the 1250 in the video!!
Yet, there is something about the R1150 that is just so mellow. It feels tiny after the 1250 and you immediately notice the advances made in 20+ years but it is such a characterful bike. I sold it once and I'll never do so again!
First of the 4 valves was the 1100 and it is different from the 1150
I've got my 1150 since 2002. I fell in love at first sight and still is the best looking bike to my eyes. It has character, it is classic, I toured around Europe on it and God I hate tech. It has enough tech for me. I ll never sell my 1150
Great stuff again, really good to see the 3 bikes compared
Thank you so much for watching and supporting us mate, we really appreciate it 🤘
That's exactly why I gelled with my r850r. The power delivery is so nice👍🍻
I think BMW do great engines across the board really, never rode a BMW and not liked the way it performed
I've got an 1150 GSA and I came face to face with sheep on a dirt road doing around 60mph. I put the bike down and watched it take out a fence post. When the dust settled I dragged her back to the road and she started first time, without headlights and dash/clocks. The front end was literally gone, but the forks survived. I road back home 650km. If it was my 2017 1200, she would not have started. I sold the 1200 and kept the 1150 aka (The Pig).
really good breakdown and I like the comparisons over the 3 generations. I dig the one in the middle
Thanks for watching mate.
The fellas on were awesome, really knew their stuff.
Darren (guy in the middle) is one of the greatest mechanics around, really knows his way around pretty much anything and everything 🤘
For long distance I still believe a tourer is the better choice. There is more weather protection, especially not being in the wind so much makes you a lot less tired. Reliability is not an issue with older bikes (or cars), IF they are well maintained. By the way my 2001 1150RT already has heated grips, electric screen, ABS and power assisted linked brakes. The main drawback is that it does not run very smooth below 3000 revs. This is a well known problem with the big boxers that have only 1 sparkplug per cilinder. And the older big boxer twin is not the most refined power plant. If I want to enjoy a sweet power plant, I take my VFR out.
Had a R1150RT. Bit heavy parking and moving. One on road great. Now got a R1200GSA triple black 2012. Its got to be the best option. Saved up and did my research. Not too heavy or complicated. Plenty fast enough. Loads of spares and accessories available. Only issue is when clutch needs replacing. Big job. But still manageable. You need GS911 diag tool. then self maintain is poss. Bike for life. brilliant engineering. Good video.
The guy with the 1200 should know that he does in fact have a radiator, a oil cool radiator.
That 1250 looks like a GoldWing with an identity crisis.
I used to have the 1150Gs and was a beautiful touring bike. 90% of the rides were 2 up.
It was so good and cobike that, to me, there was no need to buy an RT model even to only ride on the hard surface roads.
It was a shame that an R850 version was not available just to have a lighter model as an option.
1150 without servobrake is the most reliable and durable ever build Gs .. a lot of technology brings some power and leds but also failure and problems what you can t fix on the route without assistance..and corect is 1100.1150.1200.1250
All is great bike but if i want to surround the earth i choose 1150 R21
Chears riders!❤
The 1150 is gorgeous!!! Old school style brother...great story Cant believe I sat through the entire 50 plus minutes!! I truly enjoyed it! Thanks Wolf Tales!!
Great episode again, loving darrens bike packed with goodies
Like he said Kawasaki are a fantastic brand but the BMW is such a piece of kit
The BMW certainly is a nice package, so much luxury for long distance riding 🤘
You all look tiny in between those bikes!
They’re big bikes 😅
Having owned both the gen one 1150gs and the gen two 1200gsa I really enjoyed this episode and would go as far to say if I get to the point of owning a second bike it would be the gen 3 1250 gsa
I actually can’t imagine you on a GS considering how difficult it is to the cafe racer 👀
You can see very well that the 1150 is the most beautiful of the 4V GS. My 1150 ADV now has 178,000km on the clock and keep going
Why are they so popular? Because two people can sit comfortably on them and still cause problems for the superbikes. ;-D
But even if you only talk about the 4V GS, the first generation, the 11er, is missing. . .
Great stuff.
Thank you so much for the support guys🙂
A tremendous vid this lads & my mate Millar has owned these 3 very models in a row now & highly suspect he'll have an R1400 GSA in a few years time, when & if their prices has deflated by then! 👍😬
In the few years I've been riding & of all the GS riders I've spoken with, I've only met 1 guy who said he'd bought the wrong bike for his own needs, a 2023 R1250 GSA & he just said it was too cumbersome! 😮
He said he only realised when he took it in for it's first service, where he sat on an S1000XR & he rode away on the XR & he was in his mid 70's!, 🤣👍
Great vid! Subbed
Nothing to do with money, I’ve just sold my 1250GSA to buy my old 1150GSA back 😂😂😂
Old tech rules 👍
It totally does.
Great group of guys and a nice spread of development. I think the first gen would be my pick. Ugly, sturdy and built to drop.
I'm not sure that 1250 would fit in my garage. 😁😁
A lot of motorcycle goodness in this one.
...So why did you go for the ZZR? :/
Because it’s the greatest bike ever 👀🤘
Water wasn't a necessity for technology advancement but necessary to be able to pass future euro emissions standards😢 so they had to be more bulky, heavier and more complicated. I Mean look at the middle one, its a behemoth compared to that 1100 next on its left.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I ride a r 100 gs pd from 89. I love it. But I love the 1150 gs , too. The newest gs models aren't my cup of Coffee 😉 but every like he/she/it prefers...ride on...
I have r80, k1100 and last year production r1100gs and looking at the new R series I do not see this as development. Sorry.
To each his own of course.
What's the seat on the R1200 GS?
A question for Darren, how tall are you?
He is 5 foot 7
to add. I would not touch new ones with a barge pole. Way too expensive and complicated. He said it correct. You could buy a 2010-2012 GS twin cam. best one. Then a spare one. Ive got 2 F650GSs. Even buy a track day sports bike. Instead of all your money in one that depreciates.
Eh, where is the actual Gen 1, the R1100GS?
I also think These new gs models are like the Honda goldwing. They are Sofas on wheels...;-) ok with the gs models you might can ride offroad...but this is the only difference in my opinion...
R1150GS for the win. Simply cause of the looks. The newer ones are disgustingly ugly.
Who says R1150GS is Gen 1? get your facts right. Gen 1 is R80GS then comes R100, R1100 so this makes R1150 Gen 4.
Old wide boy in the middle nearly as wide as his elephant he rides 🤣
A GS fest not for me but I can see how people get into them ,it is a life style thing I think and of course loads a money if you want the all singing and dancing one .Interesting but at what point do they just become to much money and price themselves out of the market or maybe they are so loved by the fans it won't . 👍Nice one
I think that’s just it isn’t it, if you’re wealthy enough to buy a GS you normally buy the all singing and all dancing one 🤘
Great bikes for what they do, but certainly not a bike for all
There isn’t a better bike available for a tall rider with pillion.
It’s perfect.
Great review., very informative. The 1150 is rare but cheap in Norway. But the 1200 really is not that expensive. And there are many of them. Would love to own a 1200...😊