Advice Request

AndyI

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Hi,

I'm looking at purchasing a low miles (7K) 12 plate 1200GSA Triple Black, private sale, and would be grateful for any advice on the following:

How comfortable is the lowered BMW seat option? And is the riding position compromised to a noticeable extent? I would need one.

The bike has BMW (top loading) aluminium panniers and top box. Will all/any of these take a full face helmet? Are they waterproof? Is the key required every time the catches are opened, essentially do they lock every time they are closed?

The bike is in excellent condition, but in need of a service and new front tyre. Extras include fender extender/hugger, touratech deflector on top of the screen and switchable power socket. It's up for £8800, is this a fair price?

Any other top tips gratefully received.

Andy
 
On my GS I have both the Original seat (which has a low option) and the lower seat. The second one gives you a few inches closer to the ground and it does compromises a bit in comfort, but after a few hours of riding you get used to it. For long, long trips I'll probably switch back to the original seat in the low position.

In terms of riding position, with the lowered seat you sit a bit lower into the bike obviously, makes it feel a bit sportier if you will... but not a big difference either.

Panniers are waterproof and with the top loading ones I'm not sure if you'll be able to put a full face helmet. On the Vario Panniers (plastic, side loading) you can fit it.

Here in Ireland the prices are mental, so that number sounds like a sweet deal to me.
 
Hi Andy,

I have the same bike as you, and my third Adventure. I can't compare the stock seat to the lower seat as I have short legs and have always used the lower seat, however never had any comfort issues.

Judging by the mileage I take it the bike has had its 6000 mile service and due an annual? I've just been quoted around £180 from my local dealer but will vary depending where you take it.

I would say £8800 sounds a fair price with all the boxes but others may disagree, at the end of the day if you're happy with the bike its your money.

Good luck mate.
 
....good price with the ali boxes but getting close to lc money, especially if you can find a decent one privately
 
Got standard and low seats for my GS. I've not got long legs but I find the low seat leaves me short of legroom and although I quite like the feeling of being in, not on, the bike the bars feel too high for me. One advantage is the screen works better with the low seat. For me the advantages: better able to get a foot down and more effective screen don't outweigh the disadvantages.

Been offered £6250 as part ex for my 2012 Rallye with 20k miles and full luggage. I'm keeping it.
 
Greenman14 said:
Got standard and low seats for my GS. I've not got long legs but I find the low seat leaves me short of legroom and although I quite like the feeling of being in, not on, the bike the bars feel too high for me. One advantage is the screen works better with the low seat. For me the advantages: better able to get a foot down and more effective screen don't outweigh the disadvantages.
Click to expand...

I found the Kahedo Low Low to be bottom friendly and great for reach to the floor. But the handlebars felt like ape hangers and knees were scrunched up so it wasn't for me. Maybe I could have fitted lower handlebars but the knees were still an issue. I got soon used to the weight and height so the low seat wan't needed.
 
Thank you all for your valuable feedback.

I believe it's due an annual service, not seen the book yet.

Andy
 
You will find the bike is most stable with one foot on the floor and the other foot on the footrest. I can comfortable "flat foot" when I use the one leg. I usually stop right foot down as that avoids me finding a dropped drain cover to put my left foot into. Road camber (UK) is also in my favour.

Avoid paddling the bike backwards. Climb off, put it in gear and push backwards. Use the clutch as a brake so it can't run away from you. I generally have the side stand down at the same time.

Climb onto the bike while its on the stand - horse rider style. The stand is more than strong enough.
 
What Bendy says is spot on. I too saddle up cowboy style, it's so much easier. I had a 2012 TC . I fitted the low seat and felt happier when stopped with more control. It was a little less comfortable than the stock seat. I now have a WC with the factory fitted low seat, and it is more comfortable than the TC low seat. I did 1148 k (713) miles in a day this July no problem with comfort.
 
full face lid will fit in the topbox on its side (the lid not the box) oh and price seems fair if it has the premium and dynamic packs and full luggage:thumb2
 
AndyI said:
Hi,

I'm looking at purchasing a low miles (7K) 12 plate 1200GSA Triple Black, private sale, and would be grateful for any advice on the following:

How comfortable is the lowered BMW seat option? And is the riding position compromised to a noticeable extent? I would need one.

The bike has BMW (top loading) aluminium panniers and top box. Will all/any of these take a full face helmet? Are they waterproof? Is the key required every time the catches are opened, essentially do they lock every time they are closed?

The bike is in excellent condition, but in need of a service and new front tyre. Extras include fender extender/hugger, touratech deflector on top of the screen and switchable power socket. It's up for £8800, is this a fair price?

Any other top tips gratefully received.

Andy
Click to expand...

GS comfort is very individual and some fine the standard set up fine and other's don't. There is no real answer to it.

The top box will hold a helmet but the side boxes are not completey waterproof. I'm yet to see aset which keeps all teh moisture out so get some waterproof bags which with any luck will come with the bike.

My advice on servicing is get yourself a good indie and get him to give it a complete once over after you get it it. You will save a small fortune and you get your bike serviced up to date and running perfectly from the get go. Looking at your location, you will have a fair ride to find one but it will be worth it. I use Mikeyboy in Leicester and my 135,000 miles 56 plate 1200ADV is going better than ever.

Price looks sensible but would look a lot better £500.00 cheaper as it needs a servive and tyre.
 
GSA low seat is basically a standard GS seat with a two tone cover , had both for my 2011 GSA and the GS seat was more comfortable than the standard GSA one
 
I hated the standard height GSA seat. Too hard. Too narrow. Too high.

The GS seat was better but a lump or lumps at the back under the padding dug into my sacrum.

The Sargent was too wide but I could see how taller people would like it.

Kahedo/Touratech Low Low - too low although better for leg to floor reach.

Kahedo/Touratech was too high but by far the most comfortable and not silly wide. Not unusably high but not confidence inspiring either.

Kahedo/Touratech GS height does the job for me. It's less comfortable than their GSA version but still way ahead of the others for comfort and usability.

Kahedo/Touratech seems to use the OEM seat pan.
 
Depends where you are in Hants but the nearest I know of and have used is Gary Webb in Bracknell, Berks
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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