The BMW R1200GS & R1150GS effect

No need to travel far to see the BMW GS effect, I'm sure you haven't missed it!

I don't know about you but I can remember when everyone had or wanted a shiny new Honda VFR, those where the days before these alien looking BMW GS bikes took over the road. You have to wonder what made them this successful was it Charlie Boorman and Ewan McCregor? I don't think so, they certainly did the BMW GS rage an enormous favour but all and all the GS is an absolute top bike.

Often you will hear about people mentioning that they would like to take a new BMW R1200GS out on a test ride, my advice and the advice of countless others would be don't event bother. Ring your nearest dealer or if you are after a used GS please visit the Used For Sale forum on the UKGSER site and have a look there. I will bet that you will take two weeks and then jump on a website to review the GS and share with us all how much you love it.

When speaking to the more traditional BMW rider most would admit that they prefer the R1150GS over the new R1200GS which sold from 1999 to 2005 it was also briefly available in the Adventure form before the new R1200GS launched with the standard BMW R1200GS and then also the R1200GSA. These bike are very expensive new but due to them being so popular you can now often find a very clean example for about £5000 if you shop around. This is certainly a much better price than the full £12000 when you buy a new model with a couple of ad-ons. Please click here to read the Motorcycle News review on the BMW R1200GS Adventure

If you have any comments on the GS or own one and want to share your experience please feel free to share with us.