Advice from old hands please?!?!

[shrek41]

Hi Guys,

my Wife and I currently ride a 500 Kawasaki and 750 Suzuki respectively. Due to the fact I am now old (at the ripe old age of 30) and on longer journeys the lean hurts my damaged shoulder, and my Wife is looking to trade up after 2 years post test; we are looking at the BMW GS.

After test rides the 12 particularly appeals to me, with my wife prefering the slightly lighter and narrower feeling of the 800.

Due to the fact that we have a budget of about £6000-£6500 per bike, cold anyone advise what age/mileage I should expect for that price for each. Also, is there anyting to look out for on a bike of the age we would be looking at.

Not worried about minor gripes due to BMW engines being easy to work on (just rebuilt the head on a K1200) but any advice would be useful.

Trying to gather info at the moment as the only mark against the GS appears to be the price compared to the offerings from other manufacturers.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Vern]

Don't rule out a couple of 1100/1150s, they might not be new, but they'll still give a 1200 a run for the money(on a track with a long straight)

800 aren't that light,and a pain to pick up as well.

Where abouts in Cheshire are you? My workshop is just outside Chester on the A41 if you want to pop in for a chat 01829 771040

 

[shrek41]

We are in Sale, opposite side of Cheshire to yourself.

I appreciate the 800's are not that light, but she who must be obeyed has fell in love with it so thats all thats important.

As for the 1100/1150's, I tend to keep my bikes for a long time, and would really like as new as possible.

I will probably take you up on your kind offer when I've done more research.

Cheers

 

[Packer]

We are in Sale, opposite side of Cheshire to yourself.

I appreciate the 800's are not that light, but she who must be obeyed has fell in love with it so thats all thats important.

As for the 1100/1150's, I tend to keep my bikes for a long time, and would really like as new as possible.

I will probably take you up on your kind offer when I've done more research.

Cheers

The 1100/1150's have simpler electroncis and are likely to be easier to maintain yourself. Get a late 1150 GSA SE for yourself.

 

[shrek41]

Thanks Packer,

is the Adventure worth the extra money or is the standard GS still as good. I only ask as I have a dirt bike and would never take the GS off road?

Sorry for all the questions - but if you don't ask you never know

 

[The smudger]

HI, welcome to the site!

I have an R1150 GSA and love it. Its all about personal preference really, if the missus likes the 800 then so be it!, although it is a tall bike!

800 wise, 6-6500 will get you a very good 800, go private, buy one in warranty then extend it when given the option, there are PLENTY of 800's around at the moment, go for the one with the most 'bling' on it, you can always put panniers in the garage......

1200, your money will get you around 07 plate. Condition is more important than mileage, these things have a corrosion issue if not looked after, i smother mine in FS365, its your best friend.....If you can stretch your budget slightly there are a few 07 ADVENTURES on here at the moment, Ricdunn is selling his, Manchester i think, a VERY nice bike for not a lot more than your budget.

Me, i'll stick with the 1150, its got more soul than the 1200...

Hope that helps.

Steve.

 

[Micky]

Don't worry too much about mileage, buy the bike because of it's condition!

1100RS 55,000 miles
1100RS 45,000 miles
R100R 50,000 miles
1150GS 83,000 miles
1150GS-A 60,000 miles
F650GS 55,000 miles
F800GS 51,000 miles (Current machine, going great)

All running better when sold than when new

 

[The smudger]

Thanks Packer,

is the Adventure worth the extra money or is the standard GS still as good. I only ask as I have a dirt bike and would never take the GS off road?

Sorry for all the questions - but if you don't ask you never know

Again, personally i prefer the look of the ADV. The longer tank range is a big bonus, only if you commute/tour alone. I go to Europe with a crowd and as i am the only one with a 31 ltr tank i always stop with the others to fill up, then think "i'll top mine up while i'm here", sort of defeats the object really.

Longer suspension travel, different seats (more comfy!) and styling are the only real differences.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

We are in Sale, opposite side of Cheshire to yourself.

I appreciate the 800's are not that light, but she who must be obeyed has fell in love with it so thats all thats important.

As for the 1100/1150's, I tend to keep my bikes for a long time, and would really like as new as possible.

I will probably take you up on your kind offer when I've done more research.

Cheers

You definitely don't want a 1200 then

 

[shrek41]

Cheers again Guys,

thanks for the advice smudger, luckily the wife is 6ft with a 36 inch inside leg so the 800 is still in bended knee territory.

As for Johnny Boxer, is there something in particular I should be worried about on the 1200?

Another point, I have found a low mileage (20,000) 1200 0n an 06 plate for good money. It appears to be one on the rare bikes which is non-abs. Do you guys think this is an issue or is abs just a luxury?

 

[The smudger]

Cheers again Guys,

thanks for the advice smudger, luckily the wife is 6ft with a 36 inch inside leg so the 800 is still in bended knee territory. PICTURES PLEASE!!

As for Johnny Boxer, is there something in particular I should be worried about on the 1200? ALL BIKES HAVE THERE FOIBLES, EARLY 1200's SUFFERED WITH NUMEROUS NIGLES, THE OLD ADAGE REALLY, GET A PRODUCT 'BANG ON' (1150 GSA), THEN STOP MAKING IT!!

Another point, I have found a low mileage (20,000) 1200 0n an 06 plate for good money. It appears to be one on the rare bikes which is non-abs. Do you guys think this is an issue or is abs just a luxury?

ABS IMHO IS A MUST. I THANKED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES, ONCE ON AN RT, ONCE ON A 1200GSA. WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DEFO IF NOT FITTED. PLUS WORTH MORE WHEN SELLING (NOT TO JohnnybOXER THOUGH!!

 

[andyclift]

+1 for ABS. It has got me out of trouble a couple of times.

Now on second 1200. First was a GS, now have a GSA. The GS had 30000 on it when sold and price suffered due to final drive and gearbox oil leaks. Look out for these - expensive to repair.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Cheers again Guys,

thanks for the advice smudger, luckily the wife is 6ft with a 36 inch inside leg so the 800 is still in bended knee territory.

As for Johnny Boxer, is there something in particular I should be worried about on the 1200?

Another point, I have found a low mileage (20,000) 1200 0n an 06 plate for good money. It appears to be one on the rare bikes which is non-abs. Do you guys think this is an issue or is abs just a luxury?

The 1200 has a couple of achilles heels, the main and most expensive is the final drive, which although can be rebuilt - this must be done by a specialist and most dealers just replace the whole unit (easier) for in excess of £1k - other things are fuel pump controller and immobiliser (although most of this should be sorted nowadays), plus Right side valves can sometimes let go and destroy the piston


Other things are the normal BMW stuff like leaky seals and premature clutch failure (due to seal leak) and gearboxes can sometimes give trouble on all models (1100/1150/1200)

ABS - avoid any servo ABS bikes (1200's about 2004 to early 2006) and 1150's late 2002 to 2006

 

[Greg Masters]

Advice from old hands please?!?!

Mr Timolgra to the house phone please!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

There you go, as if by magic

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248560

 

[The smudger]

There you go, as if by magic

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248560

One of the first GS's?

MMMMMMmmmmmm..........