Advice On Buying First GS Please

[stu1969]

Hello all

This is my first post and would like some pointers on buying a GS please.

I test rode the latest 1200 GS today and I have to say within 30 seconds of setting off from Rainbow in Rotherham I was loving it. So now I have the bug!

I have been advised to go for an 08 or younger if my budget will allow. If I get a pre 08 model what differences will I notice when I ride it?

Regards

Stuart

 

[sutty]

it really depends on your budget,how much you planning on spending.

 

[Rasher]

My understading is the 2008 was a model upgrade:

About 10 BHP More
Sharper Steering Chassis Geometery
FPC Angled so it does not fill up with rain
New type EWS
Updated Final Drive
New Type FPC

From what I gather looking around here the Final Drives are still weak, maybe not as weak as the earlier models, but still prone to expensive failure at very low mleages. The FPC's are also still prone to blowing up from time to time, but again maybe not as often as the earlier ones.

I think the advice of buying the newest you can afforrd is pretty sound regardless of make / model. But if the choice is low mileage 2007 Vs high mileage 2008 I would go for the much lower mileage.

But if you can stretch to low mileage 2008 then probably worth doing so, I personally would rather sacrifice options to get a lower mileage / later bike, with the exception of Heated Grips I think the other options (Which can add up to £2.5k) are of relatively little use.

The exception is ABS which some find essential and other do not care for, but ESC / ESA / Tyre Pressure Monitors etc I think most of us can live without.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

My understading is the 2008 was a model upgrade:

About 10 BHP More Correct
Sharper Steering Chassis Geometery Don't think so, but you could get ESA shocks
FPC Angled so it does not fill up with rain Really.... they still fail
New type EWS
Updated Final Drive Doubt it, only fitted a drain plug, just like 1100/1150's to enable changing the oil easier
New Type FPC

From what I gather looking around here the Final Drives are still weak, maybe not as weak as the earlier models, but still prone to expensive failure at very low mleages. The FPC's are also still prone to blowing up from time to time, but again maybe not as often as the earlier ones.

I think the advice of buying the newest you can afforrd is pretty sound regardless of make / model. But if the choice is low mileage 2007 Vs high mileage 2008 I would go for the much lower mileage.

But if you can stretch to low mileage 2008 then probably worth doing so, I personally would rather sacrifice options to get a lower mileage / later bike, with the exception of Heated Grips I think the other options (Which can add up to £2.5k) are of relatively little use.

The exception is ABS which some find essential and other do not care for, but ESC / ESA / Tyre Pressure Monitors etc I think most of us can live without.

Fixed it for you

If you're buying a 1200, make sure it comes with a warranty for definite

 

[Hexme]

Stuart,

As JohnnyB says, make sure you get a warranty, apart from that try to get a low mileage and as new as your budget can afford.

Most importantly, ride, enjoy and forget about things that could go wrong unless they do.

HTH

Tony

 

[CuzGS]

Get newest lowest mileage you can, preferably with warrantee left, get on , ride. , simples . Enjoy

 

[stu1969]

Thank you for your replies, some good advice there. I am on a BIG learning curve with all things BMW so forgive me if I as something obvious!

What I am asking really is, if I were to ride an 08/09 model back to back with, (say) a 06/07 model, would they feel like different bikes. Would I notice differences in breaking, engine or handling etc?

Regards

Stu

 

[cookie]

What I am asking really is, if I were to ride an 08/09 model back to back with, (say) a 06/07 model, would they feel like different bikes. Would I notice differences in breaking, engine or handling etc?

Regards

Stu

not much. the post 08 models are slightly perkier, but not much. they do have a slicker changing gearbox.

chassis wise, they are essentially the same.

 

[Wapping]

... if I were to ride an 08/09 model back to back with, (say) a 06/07 model, would they feel like different bikes. Would I notice differences in breaking, engine or handling etc?

Nope, they all break

 

[sven]

I've ridden the 2004 (?) model GS (when they were first released), the 2008 GS MU with and without ESA and the 2010 GSA TU (twin cam).

Each engine was noticeably smoother and quicker than the previous version, but not by a huge margin. The twin cam definitely pulled a gear higher everywhere than my 2009MU and the top gear roll-on performance seemd better when I rode them back-to-back.

The ESA-equipped MU is more firmly sprung and damped than the the non-ESA version and I personally feel the handling is much more precise and confidence inspiring as a result. I would not buy a GS without it

I also prefer the handling of the GS over the GSA due to its lower CoG and firmer, shorter travel suspension, but that seems to be a personal preference.

Apart from ESA, I'd also make sure you buy one with ABS and heated grips as they're both essential safety aids.

 

[stu1969]

Again thanks for your replies.

Please can you forgive my ignorance and explain some of the jargon. It still a bit new to me.

2008 GS MU?

2010 GSA TU?

MU?

Don’t hate me for not knowing!!!

Stu

 

[Engineer]

The only big difference occured with the 2010 model, which has a new engine design - it is torquier, smoother, less lumpy at low revs and generally all round nicer than the previous engines - the rest of the bike apart from styling is pretty much unchanged.

Oh avoid the servo/abs brakes as they seem to have had lots of niggles.

 

[Ian M]

Stu, are you, perchance, considering going from a VFR to a GS? It’s been done before and you’ll recognise more than a few of us on here.

GS = the standard bike, GSA = the Adventure model.
MU = Model Update, i.e. a 2008/9 model as distinct from an earlier 1200.
TU, I am guessing but am not absolutely certain, is the Twin Cam Update, so the 2010/11 models.

Would you notice a big difference between an 08 and an 06 is a question I shall leave to those who’ve more GS experience than me. But (in response to Wapping) they don’t all break – my 2009 model has very good brakes but is not broken.

 

[TeaPig]

I've had most of them since the 1100 and as Sven says they have got better and generally more reliable each time. I agree with pretty much everything that's already been said though I noticed very little difference between the pre and post 08 models on the road, which may have been just hav ebeen down to getting off an old bike and onto a new one. However, the twin can ESA model is noticeably perkier, smoother and better handling

If you ride in all weathers then the ABS is very handy, most GS's were sold with that option. Personally I'd rather have ABS even if it meant an older model with servo brakes than a later model without either (in case you are wondering, the servo models used a motor to assist braking all under the control of an ECU but it's a whole can of expensive worms if it fails).

Again, get the latest, lowest milage you can afford, pref' with warranty. It still won't guarantee you'll be free from problems but it'll give some peace of mind.

As an off the wall alternative, if you tend to ride steadily and have no interest in fast corners you could look for a late 1150 in god nick and use the spare cash to a) keep safe for the odd repair and b)tour europe with the rest. However, don't buy an early 1200 instead

 

[GrinningGSer]

New Type FPC We are all on new type FPC's after BWM conceded a recall. They still fail


Fixed it again

 

[davegs]

GS s

Get an 1150, indestructable and I've been trying for ten years! still works,
(slowed me down in the process!).
Dave GS (Mine in Italy on it's hols as it needed a break!).

 

[Steptoe]

. If I get a pre 08 model what differences will I notice when I ride it?

Regards

Stuart

No two used bikes are exactly the same - Even the same model bikes of the same year vary from bike to bike.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I have an 05 R1200GS. I was told on here to "Just get on and ride it, and stop worrying. Just enjoy it."

That's exactly what I've done.

At the end of the day (god how I HATE that phrase) it's still only a motorbike. It's just got strange indicator buttons.


Welcome in. It's not a club.

Ps. NEVER EVER EVER ask ANYTHING about oil on here..... http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214299

 

[trainman]

ABS is useful but I would put full luggage, GPS and other body mods like good aftermarket screens above ESA and servo brakes, as they add real value

a warranty is fair enough if you do have ESA or servos but at re sale I can see a lot of people being wary of all the extra electronics on an ageing bike thats maybe 8 years plus old

no doubt a few will disagree - all personal opines

 

[Rasher]

I could not tell difference between 2010 test bike I rode and the 2008 model I picked up two weeks later, I am sure back-to-back it may be apparent, but in reality the GS is not a bike where a few more BHP really matters.

Fitting a £30 accelerator module really improves drive and smoothness on my 2008 bike, de-cat headers (from @ £200) also help noticeably, so there is a fair bit you can do to perk them up (and probably for a lot less than getting a newer model)

Dunno about suspension difference between ESA and non ESA, but I found my 2008 (non ESA) bike OK - again no better or no worse than the 2010 ESA test model, although I really like great suspension so fitted Wilburs (which do make a huge difference) but the bike handled fine on stock stuff, even two-up.

The thing I found when shopping was many 2008 bikes come with a lot of options (compared to earlier bikes for sale) which can push the price up, so if you want a 2008 model you may have to be patient to find one in your price range.