A quest for a 1200GS

[SERVDAVE]

Just got back after another test ride in a 1200GS! This time was different as I had my other half on the back to see what she thought of it!

After a beautiful ride around mid Sussex I have decided to take the plunge and get myself one!

I am looking for a good condition 09 plate (as this suits my budget) I was just after tips of what to look out for? I have a little time yet before I can get to pro active with the hunt as although I shall be p/x my 659gs twin I am going to save up a little dosh to go towards it!

 

[siwhite]

Well done Dave, I've recently done a deal on a '09 GSA to replace my F800.

Are you after a GS or a GSA? The latter seems to command anything up to £1k over a GS. Likewise ESA - big price premium over standard.

Try and buy a bike from the forum - at least you know the previous owner! Plus it seems to save a good few hundred quid over a dealer's premium.

 

[SERVDAVE]

Well done Dave, I've recently done a deal on a '09 GSA to replace my F800.

Are you after a GS or a GSA? The latter seems to command anything up to £1k over a GS. Likewise ESA - big price premium over standard.

Try and buy a bike from the forum - at least you know the previous owner! Plus it seems to save a good few hundred quid over a dealer's premium.

Thanks for the advice. I am after standard gs as the GSA are loftf for me! I shall probs get one from a dealer as there still is finance owed on my 650 twin. But I have a friend in the trade that will look after me!

I am mainly worried that an 09 will feel quite different to a new one. I was of a brand new bike in the test ride and worry that an 3 years one won't be the same?

 

[Davey B]

Stretch the budget for a 10 plate twin cam ? Latest engine and all that

 

[david a hall]

Thanks for the advice. I am after standard gs as the GSA are loftf for me! I shall probs get one from a dealer as there still is finance owed on my 650 twin. But I have a friend in the trade that will look after me!

I am mainly worried that an 09 will feel quite different to a new one. I was of a brand new bike in the test ride and worry that an 3 years one won't be the same?

Not very different and you will love it cos its yours

 

[bod]

When I first rode a twin cam it felt VERY DIFFERENT to my 1200 !

 

[phillh]

Twin cam will be v different to an older 1200. Suggest you try them back to back before you buy. I planned to buy an older 1200, after trying several bikes went for a new twin cam gsa. Brilliant bike imho.

 

[Yonkyo]

IMHO, the best 1200's were the 08 - 09 MU models.
Going from personal experiance, and info from my local dealer, these were the most reliable models. Even more so than the current DOHC GS's.

 

[SERVDAVE]

Thanks for all the feed back guys, I shall have to take an 09 bike out for a test ride! I'm rather excited though as the 1150/1200gs is the bikes that got m into biking!

Any thing to be aware of when buying second hand?

 

[SERVDAVE]

Day one of gs shopping proved to be interesting! Went to vines guildford to have a look at a 09 with 10k on the clocks for £8600. Nice looking bike it was just the offer fob my bike and the monthly payments that killed it!

Waiting for my friend to start at his new dealership and than we shall be able to get things on the road!

 

[k1300sporscheeater]

I believe he starts on Thursday.

 

[birdseye]

Well done Dave, I've recently done a deal on a '09 GSA to replace my F800.

Are you after a GS or a GSA? The latter seems to command anything up to £1k over a GS. Likewise ESA - big price premium over standard.

Try and buy a bike from the forum - at least you know the previous owner! Plus it seems to save a good few hundred quid over a dealer's premium.

Not so sure about the latter point. I'm looking for a GS around the 6/7k mark but keep finding private sellers ( I prefer to buy privately) with prices at or above dealer level. I'd expect a private bike to be a good 1k cheaper which would still be more than the dealer buying in price.

 

[Sooty09]

I have been looking to swap from an F800gs for a while now. There seems to be a lot of Twin cams With low miles in the dealers these last few weeks. There was a big advertising/sales push two years ago with a tempting buy-lease deal. Two years at £x per month and then £y after two tears or give the bike back. The deal was for max 4000m year so lots of good bikes in the dealers.

 

[SERVDAVE]

I believe he starts on Thursday.

Indeed he will be, I am planning to ride up saturday and have a chat!

Indeed sooty, there is lots of good used one on the market! Fingers crossed!

 

[k1300sporscheeater]

I had the same idea in mind for Saturday Dave,if i remember correctly,its your shout for breakfast isnt it ?I was then going to ride down to the coast and instruct the serial sackers to remove my details from their database.Iv had 2 new bikes from them,but am thoroughly appalled and disgusted the way they treat staff/fellow human beings.I have spent a lot of money there,so have my pals,but we are all voting with our feet and wallets and taking our hard earned to SLM and Bahnstormers,2 fantastic dealerships that warrant and deserve our support.As for Chandlers from now on,i woudnt give them the steam off my shite.

 

[ihandyman247]

Thanks for all the feed back guys, I shall have to take an 09 bike out for a test ride! I'm rather excited though as the 1150/1200gs is the bikes that got m into biking!

Any thing to be aware of when buying second hand?

If you get the chance to find a good 1150 GSA then go for it otherwise it will be a good idea and money well spend to get a new bike 1200gsa .
Don't be fuled by getting a 09 bike etc. any bike is a good bike , you have to think about money well spend , like a good 11500 it will go long way and you probably will not spend more then £4k then you have all the rest off the money to play with , If you get a new bike then you probably need just a little extra but with 2 years warranty and that save's you a bunch off money plus you enjoy the benefit off a new bike, there is 3th option to get a finance on the bike and renew the bike every 3 years witch most people dose this days !
Anyway good luck and hope that you will get what you will think is best for you!

 

[mcnaughty2010]

I had the same idea in mind for Saturday Dave,if i remember correctly,its your shout for breakfast isnt it ?I was then going to ride down to the coast and instruct the serial sackers to remove my details from their database.Iv had 2 new bikes from them,but am thoroughly appalled and disgusted the way they treat staff/fellow human beings.I have spent a lot of money there,so have my pals,but we are all voting with our feet and wallets and taking our hard earned to SLM and Bahnstormers,2 fantastic dealerships that warrant and deserve our support.As for Chandlers from now on,i woudnt give them the steam off my.

Well said that man!

 

[SERVDAVE]

I had the same idea in mind for Saturday Dave,if i remember correctly,its your shout for breakfast isnt it ?I was then going to ride down to the coast and instruct the serial sackers to remove my details from their database.Iv had 2 new bikes from them,but am thoroughly appalled and disgusted the way they treat staff/fellow human beings.I have spent a lot of money there,so have my pals,but we are all voting with our feet and wallets and taking our hard earned to SLM and Bahnstormers,2 fantastic dealerships that warrant and deserve our support.As for Chandlers from now on,i woudnt give them the steam off my shite.

Haha, I don't know how you worked that one out! Surely it Chris's shout?

I couldn't agree more about chandlers! I am glad we are all voting with our feet lets hope the message gets to them however I feel it won't!

I am not sure what time I am going up sat but I am sure we can work something out!

ihandyman247,k thanks for the advice. I think its very true, you have got to find the right bike for you. I am sure a little patience will pay off and I hsall get a great bike!

 

[SERVDAVE]

The saga continues.......

No luck with an 09 gs at the moment, however I got a quote on a 12GS rallye and was surprised that it was only 210 quid a month! My budget was 150-190! So is the extra money. Worth it?

 

[Nutty]

No luck with an 09 gs at the moment, however I got a quote on a 12GS rallye and was surprised that it was only 210 quid a month! My budget was 150-190! So is the extra money. Worth it?

Without a doubt. Do it.