2014 GS.. do they have any issues?.. being told 'it took some time to get e'm right'

beaver

beaver

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As it say really.. did it take some time to get the LC's right?... could I have problems with a 2014 GS if I bought one?
Private sale so no dealer cover... any big issues... would be nice to know...

thanks
 
If you're unsure and your budget allows buy secondhand from main dealer as all used bikes sourced from BMW now have 2 year warranty...peace of mind, etc..
 
It's a mate selling it at a good price as he's getting out of biking..
But will I have issues.. at this age are they prone for anything?
 
beaver said:
It's a mate selling it at a good price as he's getting out of biking..
But will I have issues.. at this age are they prone for anything?
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Did your mate have any issues? Least you should know some of the history of the bike if it's from a friend
 
Plenty of folk here running '14 GSs very happily. They continually improved, particularly gearbox and drive train with the Sep 16 (2017.1) model, but it wasn't a exactly dog on first release. These are, despite their knockers, great bikes. More important is the history and condition of the one you're looking at, I'd say. Corrosion is often cited as a weak point and can occur at a very early stage, so if it hasn't got any and you continue to look after it as your friend did, you may be on a winner.
 
Okay.. so no majors like electrics packing up or small ends going .. or issues with water pumps etc....
 
beaver said:
Okay.. so no majors like electrics packing up or small ends going .. or issues with water pumps etc....
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As previously suggested, buy from a dealer and you are covered for two years, I’ve had the 2013, 2014. 2015, 2016, and get my 2018 next week. They have all been fabulous bikes, each one getting better than the rest, although my 2013 bike was the most exciting, the 2014 is the better of the two bikes to go for with the heavier crankshaft and the fitted steering damper, the motor felt more grown up and the fuelling was better at town traffic speeds on the 2014 bike, also the damper did calm the steering down at bit on fast bumpy corners.

No issues at all with any of my bikes, approx 8,000/11,000 miles per annum.

Go out and buy one you’ll love it! :thumb
 
batman1 said:
As previously suggested, buy from a dealer and you are covered for two years, I’ve had the 2013, 2014. 2015, 2016, and get my 2018 next week. They have all been fabulous bikes, each one getting better than the rest, although my 2013 bike was the most exciting, the 2014 is the better of the two bikes to go for with the heavier crankshaft and the fitted steering damper, the motor felt more grown up and the fuelling was better at town traffic speeds on the 2014 bike, also the damper did calm the steering down at bit on fast bumpy corners.

No issues at all with any of my bikes, approx 8,000/11,000 miles per annum.

Go out and buy one you’ll love it! :thumb
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I thought the heavier crank did not come untill 2015 ?

I could be wrong but the LC ADV was first to get it and that wasnt until late 14
 
Are you near enough to a dealer to get it checked over first maybe?
 
redrick said:
I thought the heavier crank did not come untill 2015 ?

I could be wrong but the LC ADV was first to get it and that wasnt until late 14
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The 14 had the lighter flywheel. Mine's a 2014 model, but had the engine changed under warranty in 2016 due to paint issues. The difference between the engines was very noticeable with the 14 engine feeling more responsive, but the 16 engine having a better gearbox.
 
TBH the lighter FW is probably where I want to be as it will spin up quicker.. most of my riding will be road based, little off road, so I'm not too concirned about that... clunk on the box?... I had a few BM's so again I'm okay with that.
with regards to getting it checked out.. no need.. I'm an Engineer (so is my mate).. so we can tell if there is an issue now.. it just if any future issues come up on these things?

May be worth a play.. If I don't like it I can use it for a season and sell on.. probably still get my money back?...
 
beaver said:
TBH the lighter FW is probably where I want to be as it will spin up quicker.. most of my riding will be road based, little off road, so I'm not too concirned about that... clunk on the box?... I had a few BM's so again I'm okay with that.
with regards to getting it checked out.. no need.. I'm an Engineer (so is my mate).. so we can tell if there is an issue now.. it just if any future issues come up on these things?

May be worth a play.. If I don't like it I can use it for a season and sell on.. probably still get my money back?...
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The later heavier flywheel isn't exactly slow spinning up. Far from it.
 
ChazzyB said:
The later heavier flywheel isn't exactly slow spinning up. Far from it.
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is it that noticable?.. As the post above... yes it is.. but I've also had people tell me they did not think anything had changed?.. don't know.. I've not tried both so can't comment...
 
beaver said:
is it that noticable?.. As the post above... yes it is.. but I've also had people tell me they did not think anything had changed?.. don't know.. I've not tried both so can't comment...
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The heavier flywheel,IMO is the better bike to ride. Just feels gruntier when you twist the throttle !
Nowt wrong with the lighter FW bikes just my preference.

Gearbox clunk = they all do that sir although some were worse than others

As with anything bought privately it is buyer beware but all that said they are good bikes but not without some well documented issues that seemed to affect a few so if the bike seems free of these issues now it should be OK
 
yes.. I'd agree... and let's face it.. they can go wrong at any time anyway... He may have the extended warrenty on it so I could keep that going?

On the crank.. did I read they increased the crank weight (on all 2014) and then the flywheel thereafter.. So it should have the heavier crank...
I would have though it should have enough grunt being a twin.. and if I've never been on a newer one, will I be disapointed in the grunt?... I'm sure not ...
anyway, less rotating mass, the longer it will last LOL....

I did read the lighter ones vibrated a bit more at motorway speeds... but isn't that down to balancing and not the mass of everything?
 
beaver said:
is it that noticable?.. As the post above... yes it is.. but I've also had people tell me they did not think anything had changed?.. don't know.. I've not tried both so can't comment...
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I've only owned bikes with the heavier flywheels. It could not be considered slow to spin the engine up.
 
All the changes made since 14 have been incremental ones, and you could buy an 18 and get them all, but I doubt you'd find a night and day difference even if you rode the bikes back to back. Don't be put off by how far into the model updates your budget takes you.

Yes, the later bikes are improved, not only the flywheel and gearbox but also things like lean angle sensitive abs, but the price difference is significant. I went through similar considerations last year and for me the sweet spot was a pre reg'd Euro 4 version, but that will have been more money than your mate is asking, I'm sure.

At the end of the day, get the best one you can for your budget and if that's your mate's 14, the jobs a good 'un. However, remember that an approved used one will come with the peace of mind of 2 years comprehensive warranty and assistance/recovery package so factor that safety net in when you're comparing prices.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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