Bmw R 1150 Gs Review

Used Buyer Review

The R1150GS is the adventure bike that invented the template everyone else still copies. Buy one used and you're getting a genuinely capable machine that'll haul you across continents without drama. The 1150 Boxer is a torque monster low down, pulls cleanly from 2,000rpm, and that characteristic cylinder-head-in-your-boots feel never gets old. Oilhead engines are tough as nails if they've been serviced properly — check the valve clearances have been done every 6,000 miles, because neglected ones get noisy fast. The main thing to watch on used examples is the Paralever rear suspension linkage and final drive — they're not cheap to rebuild. Also check the throttle bodies sync properly; flat spots mid-range usually mean they're out. ABS pump failures are common on high-mileage bikes and genuine BMW parts aren't cheap. Wet splines on the driveshaft need regular greasing — most owners forget this entirely. Get a good one though, and you'll have a motorcycle that rewards experienced riders without ever punishing them. It's heavy at 229kg wet, but that weight disappears once you're moving.