Old GS or older GS? which year for start?

[strsout]

I'm almost decided to buy a GS. But I would like to buy an old one. Either the GS100 or the GS1150.
Then there is the question:
Is there any year I should avoid?
What would be the advantages on a GS1150 towards the GS100?

The primary gol with this bike will be doing short weekends rides around South California. Then , I will upgrade to a GS1200Adv. if we really like this kind of ridding.

I can find good GS100 for under U$3000 but I've no clue if it would be a good buy since I kind of way out of the R models. Airhead or OilHead?

Pleese, if you have one, give me your input.

and yes, I will put a similar question at the Adventure web site too.

Thank you
Elton

[UncleRock]

The one thing that I noticed when looking at them.
Sometime mid 90ish they turned into fat pigs well over 500lbs.
(IMHO) Limiting their use in certain dual sport terrains (and smaller riders). I figure BMW saw this also as they put it on an exercise and diet program, shaved off about 75lbs in the later models.
Rock

[Keith]

If going with the 1150 many wish to avoid the servo braking system.
Buy pre 03 to have ABS but no servos.

[jkersh1]

The airheads do seem to get a premium and as Uncle says were smaller, lighter and simpler. They are also troubled with low output and somewhat problematic alternators, perpetual (it seems) diode difficulties, the need for the dread spline lube, and driveshafts with 30K miles lifespan. The oilheads did gain some heft but also fuel injection, ABS, oilcoolers that aren’t located as rock catchers, a little legroom if you’re not a midget, and 700 watt alternators to run all the lights and gizmos you desire.

If you want a dirt bike go airhead, go oilhead for a bike that can blast down a forest road then on to the interstate.

For the skinny on the whole GS line see http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/