jamm13dodger
Registered user
Looking at a GS with >65k miles on it. Seems sound to me and price is right but what do people think?
How many miles is too many miles?
- Thread starter jamm13dodger
- Start date
65k miles is nothing for a boxer engine,nice if it's got some history with it.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284802
stephen.stallebrass
Registered user
I'd have a good look at service history. If the servicing is full and complete, if it has been well looked after and its the right price... Id take a punt! Just make sure you take it for a good test ride.
jamm13dodger
Registered user
Sounds like I could soon be a GS owner if I can agree on the p/ex then.
Cheers, JD
Cheers, JD
Personally I wouldn't jump straight in to a 65k bike.....there are issues with the GS 
There are always nice clean examples coming up for sale at "average mileage". Don't forget, average mileage for a bike is still 4k/yr, so unless it is 16yrs old, I'd still be looking around.
But its your money.
There are always nice clean examples coming up for sale at "average mileage". Don't forget, average mileage for a bike is still 4k/yr, so unless it is 16yrs old, I'd still be looking around.
But its your money.
If it's got a full service history I wouldn't worry about the engine - but check the rest of the bike carefully - that's a lot of miles. personally I'd walk away if it has servo brakes - otherwise if it looks good go for it
I just traded in my 1150 Adventure with 53,000 miles on the clock - it was running like a dream but it was entering a "high maintenance"
phase - by which I mean it occasionally needed attention outside the regular service schedule. That invariably means part not in stock at the dealer and for me that means and a week off the road while it is fixed (i have a long weekly commute) and the cost alternate transport
watts
Registered user
STUBBS
undead
happy gs ing
Myke Rocks
Registered user
Even nicre without the service history
The bike you are looking at is just nicely run in.
If there is no service history, it will be measurably cheaper, and thus an even better buy.
You pays your money, and takes a chance.
Me, I always buy privately, and if I can get a bike at an even lower price because there is no servce history, I regard it as a bonus.
Myke
Service history looks good, gives some people reassurance, and proves bugger all about the prospective life of the vehicle.65k miles is nothing for a boxer engine,nice if it's got some history with it.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284802
The bike you are looking at is just nicely run in.
If there is no service history, it will be measurably cheaper, and thus an even better buy.
You pays your money, and takes a chance.
Me, I always buy privately, and if I can get a bike at an even lower price because there is no servce history, I regard it as a bonus.
Myke
degsey
Registered user
Personally I wouldn't jump straight in to a 65k bike.....there are issues with the GS
There are always nice clean examples coming up for sale at "average mileage". Don't forget, average mileage for a bike is still 4k/yr, so unless it is 16yrs old, I'd still be looking around.
But its your money.
I was under the impression 6k was average yearly mileage
Didn't it used to be 12k a year..?
Goes down every year I guess
That's average car mileage per year
Mileage
My GS Panzer has just clocked 73k.... 4600 of which was done in Sept this year in Norway and Sweden.....TROUBLE FREE
Dont let mileage put you off
Heff
My GS Panzer has just clocked 73k.... 4600 of which was done in Sept this year in Norway and Sweden.....TROUBLE FREE
Dont let mileage put you off
Heff
jamm13dodger
Registered user
Well finally did it - picked up an 05 plate 1200GS in yellow today - even higher mileage than I originally asked about at 73k but it rides beautifully. Best part was it only cost me £3700. Has some cosmetic issues with bubbling on the cylinder heads and engine casing but that'll get sorted once we have some warmer weather.
The run back from London was fun. 60 miles and hands were toasty - that made a nice change. Rest of me was flippin cold by the time I got home though - guess I'm used to stopping sooner in these temps due to cold hands.
The run back from London was fun. 60 miles and hands were toasty - that made a nice change. Rest of me was flippin cold by the time I got home though - guess I'm used to stopping sooner in these temps due to cold hands.
Sounds like you got yourself a bargain, enjoy.........
jamm13dodger
Registered user
Sounds like you got yourself a bargain, enjoy.........
Thanks Dave56, it's tipping down with snow outside and I need to be in work at 0430hrs so I don't think I'll be riding it tomorrow
mark2jag
Registered user
Service history means nowt if its forged. I went to look at a GS with all the stamps but something rang alarm bells. Turns out the service history was a really good forgery. nearly fell for it... but didnt... I tend to look at condition as a primary thing. Im told anything with a digital speedometer reading can be reset for it to read however many miles you want. Not that i'd do that sort of thing but those who go to the lengths of forging service stamps and service history wouldnt bat an eyelid at it. Just my 2penneth, as there are some bloody good high milers out there, and I woudnt mind betting on balance of probability that yours might well be one of them.
Mark
politbike
Registered user
Had to laugh at the comments about 65K being high mileage and to tread with caution; I've just bought a 2000 model R1150GS with 127,000 on the clock. Am I mad? Maybe! In addition, I then rode it 500 miles home from the north of Scotland 
, just for the fun of it!
In my 29 year biking career
, I've had 2 BMW's. First an R45, then an R100S, which must have been a "Friday afternoon" job; so much went wrong with it in the year that I had it, I vowed I'd never get another. However, the chap I sold it to was an engineer by trade, and he took it to 220,000 miles with relatively little trouble.
A good friend of mine has been riding BMW's for years, and he owned my GS for 10 years, having done most of the miles on long touring holidays, so I know its history. For the last 3 years it has been second transport to his R1200RT. We agreed a price, and now it has a new owner!
Yes, it isn't a new bike, and yes, it needs a good clean, but it has, as they say, been "ridden, not hidden". I'm fairly ok when it comes to servicing & repairing my bikes, so there are a few things tlc-wise I plan to do to it over the next few months. As it is the non-ABS model, that's one less thing to worry about!
Apart from a short (60 mile) jaunt on it a few months ago, the 500 mile ride home to Yorkshire was my first trip on it. How did it perform? Faultlessly. Constant 70-75 on motorways, returning 50+ mpg. With the telelever & paralever, It cornered as if it was on rails. I was impressed. My lower mileage Triumph Trident wasn't this good.
Watch this space and I'll let you know how it progresses!
(P.S. anybody want to buy a Triumph?)
, just for the fun of it!In my 29 year biking career
, I've had 2 BMW's. First an R45, then an R100S, which must have been a "Friday afternoon" job; so much went wrong with it in the year that I had it, I vowed I'd never get another. However, the chap I sold it to was an engineer by trade, and he took it to 220,000 miles with relatively little trouble. A good friend of mine has been riding BMW's for years, and he owned my GS for 10 years, having done most of the miles on long touring holidays, so I know its history. For the last 3 years it has been second transport to his R1200RT. We agreed a price, and now it has a new owner!
Yes, it isn't a new bike, and yes, it needs a good clean, but it has, as they say, been "ridden, not hidden". I'm fairly ok when it comes to servicing & repairing my bikes, so there are a few things tlc-wise I plan to do to it over the next few months. As it is the non-ABS model, that's one less thing to worry about!
Apart from a short (60 mile) jaunt on it a few months ago, the 500 mile ride home to Yorkshire was my first trip on it. How did it perform? Faultlessly. Constant 70-75 on motorways, returning 50+ mpg. With the telelever & paralever, It cornered as if it was on rails. I was impressed. My lower mileage Triumph Trident wasn't this good.
Watch this space and I'll let you know how it progresses!
(P.S. anybody want to buy a Triumph?)
andybharris
Registered user
miles no problem
mileage is not a problem if the bike has been cared for and not been thrashed and received regular oil changes,, i bought an R850r for commuting to work on it had 148,000 miles on the clock no service history and ran like a dream and infact felt better then my 1999 r1100gs with 42,000 on the clock. service history not always the ket factor as i do all my own servicing i keep the receipts for consumables as part of the proof, yet my service book isn't stamped.
mileage is not a problem if the bike has been cared for and not been thrashed and received regular oil changes,, i bought an R850r for commuting to work on it had 148,000 miles on the clock no service history and ran like a dream and infact felt better then my 1999 r1100gs with 42,000 on the clock. service history not always the ket factor as i do all my own servicing i keep the receipts for consumables as part of the proof, yet my service book isn't stamped.
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