There is a saying about boating, the two happiest days of boat ownership are the day you buy the boat and the day you sell it. I don’t think the same can be said for motorcycles. Selling my candy copper SV650S was NOT fun. I put less than 200 miles on it last year and ever since acquiring and rebuilding a wrecked first gen Yamaha R1 the Suzuki has been basically collecting dust.

Feeling the urge to acquire yesterday I contacted a friend that is a BMW mechanic in Virginia who likes to fix up bikes. I was picking his brain on Yamaha cafe racer project I had found locally and was considering buying. It didn’t take long for the conversation to get very interesting. “Wouldn’t you rather buy this BMW R 1150 GS that I have?” He said. He had just finished doing a bunch of maintenance on it and other than some cosmetic stuff it looked good. It also has a full service history.

After a little wheeling and dealing we struck a deal. Next time I’m in the 757 (Hampton roads) I’ll be bringing home a bright yellow 2001 BMW R1150GS.

Excellent! Always loved the GS. Enjoy it.

Great project!

How tall are you?

Great bike. You'll have a ton of fun on that ride.

Nice, not my first color choice, but hard to go wrong with a BMW. Some (most) of the GS bikes are tough to flat foot, they're so tall (and I'm 6'0").

I've had my eye on a certain blue K75S for years, timing & budget just haven't cooperated.

Looks familiar.....

I’m almost hobbit size. 5-9 and 155 lbs. It should carry its weight low because of that engine right?

I sat on a new GS last year at a dealership and it didn’t feel too tall. The DR650 and XR650 are the only two bikes I’ve sat on and felt like it was too tall.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
Next time I’m in the 757 (Hampton roads) I’ll be bringing home a bright yellow 2001 BMW R1150GS.

Congratulations!

Is that the same bike that Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman took around the world?

Congrats! The ADV bug bit me last year. I got in on a much smaller scale though. I picked up a Royal Enfield Himalayan late last fall. So far it has been a blast. Enjoy it man!

The GS is a wonderful bike. I had one like yours and also a 1200 GS Adventure. Actually both were adventures. I’m 6’4” and the adventure fits me. I did several 900 mile days on the GSA.

You can outride most sport bikes in the twisties. The bars give you a lot of leverage to throw the bike into the curves.

The best thing I did to the GSA was put a set of Ohlins on it. Completed transformed the ride and handling.

Loved the GSA. Unfortunately I no longer have a motorcle. I had bad knee that would go out without any warning. I had it replaced last September and am still in the recovery phase.

I will be 70 this year and don’t plan on getting another bike.

Having said that, I was at a BMW ralley once and the oldest rider was 92 and rode in with his wife on the back, who was in her late 80’s. I also met a woman at another ralley that was in her 80’s and rode solo to the ralley.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
I’m almost hobbit size. 5-9 and 155 lbs. It should carry its weight low because of that engine right?

I sat on a new GS last year at a dealership and it didn’t feel too tall. The DR650 and XR650 are the only two bikes I’ve sat on and felt like it was too tall.

Not nearly as tall as those two. Have had two among a bunch of bikes. My favorite all around bike. My 97 I put a set of ohlins shocks on. That thing was like riding on rails. Took it to Keith Codes Superbike school and was passing sport bikes.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
I’m almost hobbit size. 5-9 and 155 lbs. It should carry its weight low because of that engine right?

I sat on a new GS last year at a dealership and it didn’t feel too tall. The DR650 and XR650 are the only two bikes I’ve sat on and felt like it was too tall.

Definitely taller and heavier than a DR650 but you shouldn't have a problem. I have 32" inseam and rode the bike you are getting with seat in the high position, heck my previous R1200 GSA's seat was 36-37". My friend is 5'-8" and rode a 2004 GS1150 for well over 100,000 miles, he did keep his seat in the low setting.
I wouldn't say it carries its weight low because of the engine because the heaviest part of the engine is the crank which is actually relatively high on a boxer.

R1150GS is a nice handling, comfortable, motorcycle that does a lot well. It handles curvy roads almost like a sport bike, does well on dirt/gravel roads, and with its tall gearing is in its element running 80 mph across country.

I see some kind of mounts are there bags on the one you're getting?

Nice looking bike! I've always been intrigued by BMW bikes, ever since I saw my Lt. on his brand new silver bike back in Germany in the late 80's.
Thing looked like a rocket with a muffler.

Assuming (bike idjit here) that these aren't as tall as the R1200GS? They seem to be billed for taller riders?

Congrats. I really like the GS. Not sure if this a valid comparison, but rode an SV650S as well. A 2002 then a 2004 until 2013. Only have room for one bike. Switched to a 2013 DL650. Definitely ride more and take different trips then I used to. Hope you find the same results with the GS.

I agree OP. Selling a motorcycle is not a happy day for me.

I had been trying to sell a V65 Magna in great shape and low miles for over a year.

Out of the blue, a guy I knew wanted to deal for it. We did and I was very happy with the deal as he was. But still I miss the bike and wish I would have ridden it more. I still have the Goldwing, but there are days when the body just cannot handle the big Wing.

I would like to ride the BMW you are getting, think it would be fun.

Congrats! So you sold one sportbike... That leaves you with only 37 sportbikes left in your paddock. True?

Todd

From the fine folks who brought you WWII! Welcome to the club!

Ridewv, good eye. Yes, it does come with Hepco & Becker hard saddlebags and lots of extra odds ends.

What kind of MPGs do you get? How is the range? It’s gotta be better than the awful 25 mpg I am getting from the R1.

GS bikes and boxer bikes always get my blood going.

Nice bike, be safe

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
I’m almost hobbit size. 5-9 and 155 lbs. It should carry its weight low because of that engine right?

I sat on a new GS last year at a dealership and it didn’t feel too tall. The DR650 and XR650 are the only two bikes I’ve sat on and felt like it was too tall.

Tall heavy bikes are just fine, once they are moving.

It is when shorter people have to come to a stop on uneven, slanted, slippery surfaces, and can only get a toe down right next to the bike …

… and with luggage and a passenger?