Advice on almost new GS12, appreciated

[virco]

Cheers mates.
I am in rather advanced discussions with a local dealer for a 2005, 2.000km (cca. 1350 mi.) GS1200 that was used as a test drive bike. The machine looks and feels pretty good (it is to be expected for such low mileage) but there are 2 things that worry me:
- 1. both front top fork seals leak (there are oil marks on the inner chrome element and the rubber seals are soaked) and I wonder if this might just be the rubber getting old (the machine is 2 years old now) or a result of too hard or improper usage / handling.
- 2. being a test drive bike I presume nobody took the care to keep it under 4k revs for the break-in period so I am wondering at what extent improper or absent break-in usage (heavy use from 0km) might compromise the motor, gear box and transmission life.
The bike still has 18 month warranty but the kind of damage heavy early use can produce I think appears longer in the machine's life.
Please tell me what you think about my concerns and what are the other things / places I have to check to detect early problems or signs of obvious misuse.

Thanks a lot.

“Don’t ride faster than your angel can fly”

 

[Chris Terry]

I wouldn't worry about the 4000 rpm run in, if it doesn't smoke or rattle there's no problem. You'll probably need a new battery soon (they last about 30 months). Check for oil leaks around the final drive shaft & the join between the engine and gearbox (there should be no sign of oil). get the fork seals sorted and off you go & have some fun.
With 18 months warranty you're OK.

 

[Sparky GS'r]

The "oil" marks around the seals is probably some silicone spray they have put on the bike to make it look shiny.

Standard dealer way to make a bike look good.

Stu

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

Wouldn't worry about the running in procedure. I found it too hard to keep below the suggested rev limit. Had the bike for 2 years and 25k and it's running nicely.

Have you asked the dealer about the fork seals? Get him to give you a guarantee that they are OK, or insist on them being checked as part of the deal etc.

Kai

 

[Boxerboy55]

You Want Nearly New?

Cheers mates.
I am in rather advanced discussions with a local dealer for a 2005, 2.000km (cca. 1350 mi.) GS1200 that was used as a test drive bike. The machine looks and feels pretty good (it is to be expected for such low mileage)
“Don’t ride faster than your angel can fly”

There's a good looking one for sale on here. I'd snap it up if I hadn't bought an older one for top dollar from a delaer in May.