Advice on buying please

[Popell]

So I have an opportunity to view a 2009 GS which has very low mileage on it (9k).
One owner, looks very clean from pictures.
Bit of background, I have had and enjoyed my “05 for the last 10years!(Hell, time flies!) I do all the servicing myself so am quite familiar with the early version of the sohc engine.
I have read as much as I can find on the net about the >08 model but thought that some personal experiences regarding what to look for or check.
Bike has engine bars, heated grips, ASC, ABS and ESA and varios x3. Prob need new tyres. Majority of the miles done before 1st MOT, been pretty much sat with a hundred or so between subsequent tests. Rear shock showing signs of needing a service.

Any other points guys?
TIA

 

[Santa-2512]

So I have an opportunity to view a 2009 GS which has very low mileage on it (9k).
One owner, looks very clean from pictures.
Bit of background, I have had and enjoyed my “05 for the last 10years!(Hell, time flies!) I do all the servicing myself so am quite familiar with the early version of the sohc engine.
I have read as much as I can find on the net about the >08 model but thought that some personal experiences regarding what to look for or check.
Bike has engine bars, heated grips, ASC, ABS and ESA and varios x3. Prob need new tyres. Majority of the miles done before 1st MOT, been pretty much sat with a hundred or so between subsequent tests. Rear shock showing signs of needing a service.

Any other points guys?
TIA

An 09 wont be vastly different to your old 05

The combined servo/ ABS unit will have gone, replaced with ABSII

The Shocks may have changed from Showa to WP

Tyres, Avon Trailrider very good , or Tourance, very good ( but they take ages to scrub in )

 

[NicD]

Not bike-specific, but I would check brake system. In the past I have seen bikes sat for ages that have inner brake hose lining collapse and caliper seals fooked with corrosion in seal seat. Even if bike put away in decent condition, humidity in garage can cause issues over a decade. If brake fluid flushed already it may be hard to tell.

Both shocks will need a service after that long. The nitrogen escapes over time and so damping becomes ineffective.

Also worth checking for recalls - i think the rear disc carrier, fuel strip, some software, and something else were all recalls - were on my 08 and i suspect that one the same. I woudl imagine you can still have them done by BMW, but may be a faff

 

[Santa-2512]

Not bike-specific, but I would check brake system. In the past I have seen bikes sat for ages that have inner brake hose lining collapse and caliper seals fooked with corrosion in seal seat. Even if bike put away in decent condition, humidity in garage can cause issues over a decade. If brake fluid flushed already it may be hard to tell.

Both shocks will need a service after that long. The nitrogen escapes over time and so damping becomes ineffective.

Also worth checking for recalls - i think the rear disc carrier, fuel strip, some software, and something else were all recalls - were on my 08 and i suspect that one the same. I woudl imagine you can still have them done by BMW, but may be a faff

No not a faf lol, when i sold the lemon, i got a letter from the DVLA a week later stating there was an outstanding recall on the bike (06 model)

Yet according to the supplying dealer, the recall had been done lol.

All the op has to do is call a dealer give them the vin, and it should be logged on they system.

To do a recall, they have to supply DVLA / VOSA a list or range of VIN's that are affected.

These have to be checked off before the recall is complete

I have two outstanding ones on a 53 plate car on my drive. as and when i can get to the dealer i'll get them to do it

 

[AberdeenAngus]

I have an 09 GSA.
Rear shock -'Denso' of this parish does them for a good price.
Check that the Fuel pump controller is the 'black' type. The silver ones were problematic but were mostly gone by 2009.
Ring antenna had been sorted by this year so shouldn't be an issue.
As has been said - rear disc carrier recall and fuel strip.

Apart from the above I havn't had any issues.

 

[Alwaysawayround]

I've had the MU 08 adv, great touring bike, takes everything in her stride. She took us 2up to Gibraltar and back to Ireland 13k miles in 3 months BUT I went back to 1150gs Adv, it feels different, the r12 is empty somewhere, I don't know if it's the computer, the plastics, the motor or what but the 1150gs adv has something they don't, it's hard to explain anyway my 08 had the fuel strip issue, changes were twin cam 2010 I think, that's the more the upgrade if I were looking for a 12, oh and bike randomly had a power cut off (dangerous) and sometimes wouldn't start.



Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Mistacat]

I changed from an 09 to a 2012 twin cam.
Both running full Remus exhaust system and AF-XIED`s I did not notice any power difference. there is an increase on paper but only because they increased the rev limit by 500 rpm.
My main reason for changing was the fuel strip, now the return to float is an easy conversion to do I may not have changed.
The final drive on the 2012 has disc side bearing in the oil bath, the 09 bearing is easy to change without even removing the final drive and will last if it is not pressure washed.
As stated check the recalls are done, steel rear disc carrier, fuel pump outlet reinforcing disc fitted, clutch hose moved.
Tappets are cheaper and easier to set on an 09 but twin cam shims don`t need to be touched very often. Spark plugs only last 12K miles and are a stupid price for the twin cam and no direct alternatives available. Iridium plugs in an 09 40K miles and still OK.
All the problems from the 05 have been sorted by the 09, Fuel pump controller, larger pinion bearing in the final drive, ring antenna, gear position potentiometer is better sealed, etc.

 

[jags]

i bought my 09 s/h at 12000mls. the fuel strip was knackered and was replaced before delivery, had no more probs with that. i sold it at 33000mls. the f/d bearing was replaced at 15000mls and the rear esa shocker shat itself at 17000mls. rebuilt by firefox.
other than that no probs.

 

[Popell]

Thanks for all the help, I’ve added the identified areas of concern to the ones I’d already thought of, Rear shock will be going to visit Denso, front might go with it.

Have to check but I think it’s fsh so will check the recalls, not heard of the clutch hose issue. Had the steel wheel carrier done on mine. Aware of the fuel strip issues. One of the photos with the ignition on shows about 40% full so hoping for the best as I thought the fault showed as perm empty tank??

 

[Sgt.Cupid]

I thought the fault showed as perm empty tank??

My 2005 fuel strip fault causes tank to show full until I get to around 120 miles from fill up when it drops to show around quarter full and then seem to work as it should from there on in with mileage left and low fuel warning triangle on dash. Been like that since 2013, so just rely on resetting trip meter.


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[Mistacat]

I had not heard of the clutch hose re-routing until I took my 09 bike in for the fuel pump recall.
The Technician (as he called himself !!!) said that he had done the clutch hose re-route as there was a recall for it. But it might be just more BS.

 

[Popell]

Thanks again, saw the bike today (at a safe distance from the owner), she's a beaut!
Lots of paperwork which mentions the fuel pump check etc and it has had the steel rear disc carrier fitted. Had a look at the clutch line but have no idea if it has been rerouted or not !
Fuel tank shows around half, maybe just under with a range of 135miles and an average of 47.8mpg. Owner assures gauge is good.
Its got ESA, ASC ABSll, TPMS, grips, spots, fender extender, Ilmberger carbon hugger, Zumo550. Varios, pans and top with bag inserts
Tyres are Continentals from 2008 according to the sidewall date - possibly the originals, I'll change those and the rear shock is a little wet round the bottom so I'll be chatting to Lukas about that.

So deal done and I'll collect upon lockdown lift and will be offering for sale my current bike as well as AF-XIEDs and a few other bits. I'll be sorry to see her go and in fact, wouldn't have conceived of selling her if it were not for this rather special find (mileage/conditionwise)

Keep an eye out in the For sales if you're looking for a well looked after early 12!

 

[Mistacat]

Well done, sounds like a lovely bike that you will get years of pleasure from.
I purchased my 09 with 6K on the clock and sold it at 60K, brilliant bike.
Surprised you are not transferring your AF-XIED`s to your new bike.
Good luck with the sale of your 05 bike.

 

[Santa-2512]

We need pictures please

 

[botus]

should be a good bike....

got to put the AF-Xieds on it... ALL BIKES need help to get them to run properly....
I wouldn't care about tyre age or doing the shocks.... tyres wear out on their own, then change them. If you think new ones will do better then you should be driving a car if that scared. The shocks are nasty (like any other ones fitted to a bike) but they'll move and that's about all you can expect with OEM suspension.

 

[NicD]

The shocks are nasty (like any other ones fitted to a bike) but they'll move and that's about all you can expect with OEM suspension.

I disagree with this. And note the tyre life you get will be affected by whether the suspension is working properly, and set up properly

 

[botus]

really? the stock concrete tyres last 8k on the front and 5k on the back pretty much regardless how you ride... the suspension is nasty, stiff with poor damping, and terrible ride quality. the gimmick between modes is between wrong or more wrong.

road tyres transform ride comfort and safety, and to be honest they way these things handle and behave off road, I don't think road or dirt tyres is really part of the picture. Unless you really are brave and want to play in soft ground, but here I would rather stay home and just use a rusty nail down my fingernail to inflict pain and suffering, at least the bike won't get dirty.

Plush, compliant well damped long travel suspension units with spring rates to suite the load you have will definitely bring in the enhancements you suggest are desirable.

But ESA of this vintage can't do that. I had on both my K1300 and GS LC and here the issue was the joke set up offered by BMW, is as I put above totally wrong or worse... on the GS LC you had to move between comfort under 40 and sport above 40. Which is something that all bikes have always needed and until the 2019 ESA models wasn't thought of by a manufacturer on any bike.... quite ludicrous the Japs never tried this on sports bike's 20+years ago

 

[NicD]

Any shock with no nitrogen charge will perform worse than it would if serviced.

Your argument is that if the shock isn't high quality, whatever condition it's in is the same.

That's not a good argument.

 

[Popell]

I'm getting depressed guys!

I've paid for the bike so too late to worry. I'll be putting some road tyres on it - although the Avons I have on current bike seem decent enough.

I don't kid myself that I'm anywhere near a riding deity and seriously couldn't really tell the benefit of fitting a Nitron to the last bike - wooden arse probably, reckon a Denz0 sorted standard will see me fine.

Might have to see how the engine feels before I decide what to do with the AF-XIEDs

Hoping for a relax of the lockdown or I might have to go fix a dripping tap in the vicinity .

I think if I'm totally honest, it was the trip computer that sold it to me - I bloody love them!, main reason I quickly resold a Honda Accord Tourer VTec years ago, was cos I was pee'd that it didn't have one!! Mind you I've kept my '05 for over 10years so it has something going for it!

I'll get some picture up when I've collected and washed it!

Guess I'll be on the lookout for a GS911 soon.....

 

[Santa-2512]

I'm getting depressed guys!

I've paid for the bike so too late to worry. I'll be putting some road tyres on it - although the Avons I have on current bike seem decent enough.

I don't kid myself that I'm anywhere near a riding deity and seriously couldn't really tell the benefit of fitting a Nitron to the last bike - wooden arse probably, reckon a Denz0 sorted standard will see me fine.

Might have to see how the engine feels before I decide what to do with the AF-XIEDs

Hoping for a relax of the lockdown or I might have to go fix a dripping tap in the vicinity .

I think if I'm totally honest, it was the trip computer that sold it to me - I bloody love them!, main reason I quickly resold a Honda Accord Tourer VTec years ago, was cos I was pee'd that it didn't have one!! Mind you I've kept my '05 for over 10years so it has something going for it!

I'll get some picture up when I've collected and washed it!

Guess I'll be on the lookout for a GS911 soon.....

You should have said, I sold my one last week