Restricted (33hp) R1150GS

kevinppb

Hi All,

Has anybody driven a restricted 1150GS? I've taken one for a test drive and loved it - but it's a big, heavy(ish) bike and I don't know if it would be driveable with 33 horsies.

I've got 10 months to go on my A1 license.

I had a Honda cb400sf for 2 years - I took out the restrictor after a year, but I'd like to be 100% legal since I won't be driving the new bike in Ireland much. (Switzerland mostly, and they don't take kindly to unlicensed drivers)

Thanks for any advice or opinions.

K

P.S. - If you were the one who nicked my SF, give it back. Please?

Tomohawk

Have you considered a F650GS, similarish ride and styling to the 1150GS but lighter I would imagine. Or how about a KTM 950 Adventure, or the new 990 Adventure?

kevinppb

Hi Tomohawk,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I've looked at the F650, but it looked a little suspect as far as the build quality was concerened.
I'm not a huge fan of the KTM adventures, but I've never looked at them up close.

Basically, I want a solid machine that will keep me going for the next 3 or 4 years, but I don't want to have to change once my full A license kicks in.

If the 1150GS is driveable on 33hp, I'll make do for 10 months!

Cheers

Kevin

Garibaldi

I have an 1150GS (for sale, too ), but I can't imagine it being loadsa fun in restricted form. Then again, I've never ridden a restricted bike for any serious length of time (just a quick spin on the brother-in-law's SV650S), so I could be wrong. As you say, it's pretty heavy, but it's well balanced once you get going.

I like the KTM, so buy one of those and I'll swap with you.

Eye

Kinda unrelated to the bike in question really but just thought i'd mention it, back in Feb i bought a new FJR1300 and because i only past my test 6 months ago i got it restricted.
Now for the first week and a half or so the bike was unrestricted until the shop recieved and fitted the restriction kit. And to be perfectly honest i cannot tell any difference whatsoever from before to after, responsiveness from the throttle is great and acceleration was not affected from what i can tell, granted i've only had it upto around 110 before i started running out of straight roads but hey
So to summarise what i'm trying to say really.... Restriction kit = not as bad as you think

Paparazzo

I have a 1150GS, unrestricted. I asked Joe Duffy about getting it restricted, they said BMW don't do a kit.
I was stopped by cops to see my details, he asked if the bike was restricted, i said yes. What can he do? There's no restriction cert (is there?) so he has to take your word for it. Just be ready for the question, and say it with confidence and you'll be grand. Then when he lets you go wheelie away

Prenderb

The worry with this restriction law is that while perhaps you can't be checked on the side of the road without stripping the engine, might there be a possibility of your bike being checked after an accident?

Eye

Paparazzo, there is a restriction cert alright but really it's only purpose is to satisfy any queries your insurance company might have about the restriction kit.

Most cops wont have a clue about the restriction and very rarely will you get asked if stopped wether or not it's restricted. The main concern really is if you were to have an accident, then because your licence has the restriction on it, in general i beleive they do look into that, if teh bike is not restricted your insurance is null and void, no insurance = deep s**t, and also your licence would not cover you for the unrestricted bike so that means even more trouble for you. My advice is to get it restricted for your own peace of mind, that's what i did and to be honest you probably wont even notice the restriction kit is even there.

Prenderb

Eye, that's put it a bit clearer than I did!

Paparazzo

Didn't think the insurance companies would look for them. I'm only 3rd party, so i won't be claming on my insurance, unless i hit a ferrari. My insurance company (i can't remember which at the time, CN or Aon) told me that the premium is the same, restricted or unrestricted. They didn't recognise restriction kits. Bit of a joke the whole insurance setup in ireland.