£6K in my pocket, what should I buy?

[Boner]

Hi guys new to the forum...

Test rode a '16 GS last week and was blown away - what an incredible do it all bike!
Tried the finance route - but couldn't make the figures stack up, so got to go second hand.

I've got £6K - (£7K at a push) to go shopping with...

I've been looking around and have seen everything from an older low mileage to a newer high mileage bike.

What would be my best buy, newer (2010 ish) bike with higher mileage or an older (2006 ish) bike with lower mileage?

And whilst I'm talking of mileage - what is high mileage for a GS?

Sorry many many questions - and probably no "right answer"!

Cheers - Boner.

 

[Engineer]

Hi guys new to the forum...

Test rode a '16 GS last week and was blown away - what an incredible do it all bike!
Tried the finance route - but couldn't make the figures stack up, so got to go second hand.

I've got £6K - (£7K at a push) to go shopping with...

I've been looking around and have seen everything from an older low mileage to a newer high mileage bike.

What would be my best buy, newer (2010 ish) bike with higher mileage or an older (2006 ish) bike with lower mileage?

And whilst I'm talking of mileage - what is high mileage for a GS?

Sorry many many questions - and probably no "right answer"!

Cheers - Boner.

Buy a new one using the 6k as a deposit and get a bank loan for the rest - if you buy a second hand bike you will be disappointed - remember 6k wont get you the liquid cooled bike only the old air/oil cooled one.

 

[DJ GSA]

Hi guys new to the forum...

Test rode a '16 GS last week and was blown away - what an incredible do it all bike!
Tried the finance route - but couldn't make the figures stack up, so got to go second hand.

I've got £6K - (£7K at a push) to go shopping with...

I've been looking around and have seen everything from an older low mileage to a newer high mileage bike.

What would be my best buy, newer (2010 ish) bike with higher mileage or an older (2006 ish) bike with lower mileage?

And whilst I'm talking of mileage - what is high mileage for a GS?

Sorry many many questions - and probably no "right answer"!

Cheers - Boner.

PCP maybe on a new one. Just a suggestion

http://www.bmwbikes.co.uk/finance/?section=offers

Mileage is almost a non question with the GS, that said I've seen bikes knackered with low 000's miles on, and looked after ones with hi 000's of miles on that are near like new

If you want a LC (like Engineer said) you struggle unless you go the PCP route (which has its own pro's con's)

Plenty of good quality O/AC ones on offer SH if you're prepared to do the leg work.

Check out here (For Sale - Forum) there are always a few coming up

 

[Pazuzu]

My first ride on a GS was GSA demonstrator from BMW last year and I was blown away after years of sportsbikes.

I couldn't sell my current bike while the finance was 1.9% and by the time I was ready it was a silly 9.9% so I decided to see what i could get secondhand.

As it turns out I found a local bike for sale on the forum, a 2009 GS SE with spoked wheels, all the extras and luggage for pretty much my budget, which was the same as yours, and I couldn't be happier with it

26k miles but in great nick and I can also upgrade to a TC or LC in the future.

There are some great bikes out there and I wouldn't be too bothered about a higher mileage bike that had obviously been looked after - there was a 56k mile GSA on here that looked brand new and was next on my list if the local bike didn't work out.

Cheers!

Phil

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Get a 1150 GSA, best GS ever and you'll never regret it

 

[ManhattanMcC]

Something like this:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/422709-R1200-GS-2005-For-Sale

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/415055-2008-1200GSA-For-Sale

Fully loaded with goodies, ready to have 30k more miles put on it. In both cases it looks like for £6k you get out the door with road tax, a lock, maybe insurance... Also ZERO PAYMENTS

EDIT: Also, if you are shelling out the hard earned cash for one of these borderline Rube Goldberg machines. Pay the £10 or whatever and join the group... the data on here is absolutely priceless.

 

[Mav]

In case you're worried about mileage... I bought my GSA at 30k miles and it's now about to hit 100k. 'High' mileage is a great way in to BMW ownership

 

[Boner]

Thanks for all the replies chaps. Has set my mind at rest looking at bikes with 25-30k miles on the clock.
Am I right in thinking that a 2010 and thereafter would be Twin Cam? And is it worth pushing my budget for one? I'd a noticeable difference when riding?
Cheers Boner.

 

[RJT_Berlin]

I had a 2009 GSA and then just last week rode a 2010 Twin Cam GS - I appreciate not the same models BUT the engine on the TC was SWEET!!!! Not sure if this was weight related but very lively and super engaging to ride. You should be able to get one. I was looking at one for £7k incl luggage with roughly 27k miles on it

 

[Stevie4scoops]

I would borrow around £4k and buy a second hand LC. I bought my 2014 TE with loads of extras at three months old with 2,000 miles for £11,500

 

[Deleted account Aberdeen GS]

Also give yourself a "pat on the back" for not blindly signing a PCP.
Older bikes arguably more resiliant an dlong lasting. All good advice above . Good luck .

( PS...Pazuzu ..great post ...and what a gorgeous GS! )

 

[Boner]

Thanks for all the advice guys.
Can't really justify borrowing money at the moment. Going to play it safe and spend what I have in the bank.
Perhaps in a couple of years when life settles down (and the kids leave home) I'll have more flexibility and go shopping for a shiny brand new bike. In the mean time a TC sounds like it'll do the job nicely.
Cheers Boner.

 

[pitrat101]

I had the fortunate option of choosing a 2014 WC or a 2012 TC and for me hands down the TC won, I liked the feel of the bike and the far better gear change, also has no gizmo's just ABS so for me its more of a riders bike. The newer WC bike felt hard and not as smooth as TC again down to personal choice! I read a lot of posts and asked a few good questions and I can see what everyone means in there opinion, from me the best thing to do is test ride both at same time, then you will see the difference! and keep an open mind! both rides are a world apart and only you will know if worth stretching your budget. Which ever you choose you will not be disappointed! I just left a GSXR1000 behind and would never go back to that cramped style. Hope your search goes well!

 

[Deleted account 210604001]

Some brilliant bikes about for your budget, and personally, I won't borrow a penny now. I'd rather save then spend so can't fault your logic at all.

All this talk about monthly payments and PCP slightly frustrates me, as no one talks about total cost, or amount of interest being paid.

RBW.

Thanks for all the advice guys.
Can't really justify borrowing money at the moment. Going to play it safe and spend what I have in the bank.
Perhaps in a couple of years when life settles down (and the kids leave home) I'll have more flexibility and go shopping for a shiny brand new bike. In the mean time a TC sounds like it'll do the job nicely.
Cheers Boner.

 

[Flipfly]

For your budget you could buy 2 bikes and have the best of both worlds.

You could buy a really nice 1150 GS for touring/long distance and have a very capable sportsbike for whooping LCs on. Best of all when you sell them you'll get almost all of your money back when you have saved up to buy something newer (if that's your thing).

 

[mark71]

You should buy my KTM 690 Rally Raid

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/422891-KTM-690-Rally-Raid-2012-6000-Miles-£6500

 

[Wrinkly]

Welcome Boner,
Definitely look for a Twin cam. Don't get me wrong 'some' of the WC's are nice bikes, but the Twin Cam is the best GS yet produced. IMHO. If you're looking for a big adventure bike, don't discount The Guzzi Stelvio or the Triumph Explorer, both offer great value for money.

Steve

 

[Boner]

Yeah, was looking at that on flea bay... Nicely sorted bit o kit.
The 690 is another bike which I'm considering... But I'm afraid it would have to be the SM to satisfy the hooligan in me!

 

[Engineer]

The twin cam is a good bike, I had a 2010 model GS, however if you test rode a year 2016 water cooled bike then you will notice that the twin-cam is a little 'softer' so try one out before parting with your money.

 

[cookie]

knowing what i know now, i wouldn't be looking at a GS at all, but a KTM SMT or Adventure.

there's been great examples for sale here for your budget.

can you get a WC GS for £6K? i'd be surprised if you find a nice Twin Cam for that, but if you really must buy a GS, the TCs are really nice bikes.