Advice required please..

[Spangle]

I've been having a peep at the site for about 6 months or so, since I had a test ride on a GS and decided it was the bike for me.

I was going to buy a new one (current model) in the next couple of months, but have been advised by a couple of other owners my money would be better spent on a good 2nd hand job (ooh mrs...) as there are a few bargains to be had due to new model coming out soon. Also remember reading on here that high milage isn't really a factor with a Beemer (unlike my current bike)as they take about 20k to properly run in.

Only been riding for 3 years and still on my first bike, Fazer 600. Great bike, not had any probs over 34k miles, but fancy doing more long distance stuff abroad which is better suited to a GS.

I'd be grateful for any advice.

....Ooops.....forgot to say hello...

 

[oblertone]

Can't comment !

Can't comment on 1150 or 1200 'cause I can't afford either, however the 1100 is widely recognised as being the dog's nutz ! Welcome anyway !

 

[Spangle]

Cheers mate...

Can't comment on 1150 or 1200 'cause I can't afford either, however the 1100 is widely recognised as being the dog's nutz ! Welcome anyway !

I should have made it clear I'm after an 1150. I did think about the 1200, but after reading general opinion on here about usual faults on first models, I've decided to go with the ones I've test ridden.

Had two test rides so far. SPC and Vines. Found SPC excellent, friendly and non-pushy. Vines friendly but very pushy! Once spent 35 mins in Park Lane without anyone even bothering to acknowledge my existance.

 

[oblertone]

Clarity

You did make it clear, i'm just jealous !

I've stood in Park Lane for hours with no-one taking any notice, mind you I was policing a silent protest outside the Embassy of Myanamar !

 

[MasterDabber]

Re: Cheers mate...

Had two test rides so far. SPC and Vines. Found SPC excellent, friendly and non-pushy. Vines friendly but very pushy! Once spent 35 mins in Park Lane without anyone even bothering to acknowledge my existance.

Bought my first 1150GS a few weeks back from SPC (secondhand). So far I've found my dealings with them very good but obviously this is early days. I can't comment yet on things like fault resolution, servicing, costs etc.... although having done the same as you, and asking around I got generally good feeling about SPC, hence my decision to buy from them (apart from liking the bike they had for sale of course - Graphitan, twin spark 2003 bike.

I absolutely love the bike... very different from my previous bike... an R1.

 

[Spangle]

Park Lane

It's hard to be ignored for so long in Park Lane, there was more chance of being offered a shag for £50 than a motorbike for £10k.

At least I saved £9.95k....or would have done.

 

[Reprobate]

Only been riding for 3 years and still on my first bike, Fazer 600. Great bike, not had any probs over 34k miles, but fancy doing more long distance stuff abroad which is better suited to a GS.

Spangle,

First of all, about the Fazer 600, my girlfriend rides a 2002 Fazer 600 and we made two trips with it - from Amsterdam to Perpignan to Barcelona and back, and from Amsterdam-IJmuiden-ferry to Newcastle-up the eastcoast of Scotland to John o'Groats, along the Northern road to the westcoast and down again-Skye-Oban-back to Newcastle and ferry home again.
The fazer performed flawlessly, packed with a set of 3 GiVi bags and a tankbag. So, if it's the 'long distance stuff' the Fazer does that just fine.

Second, when choosing the GS, don't knock the 1100 before you compared it to the 1150. A secondhand 1100 is only marginally slower and less powerful than a 1150, but around 1997/1998 most of the flaws were history. The 1999/2000 1150s have new flaws that had to be countered in the recent models.

Before I chose my current GS I rode on three R1100GSs [1994/1995/1998] and two 1150s [2002 and 2003] and a 2003Adventure.
The 1994 rode like shit, every time I changed gears it felt like someone kicked my rear tyre sideways.
The 1995 was a bastard [1995 frame with 1998 engine], that rode like a dream but I didn't trust the seller and his story. And it had no ABS.
I rode the 1150s next. Nice bikes both, lots of torque, flawless performance.
I rode the Adventure next, but deemed it too expensive in comparison.
I rode the 1998 R1100GS last. It performed flawlessly, lots of torque, handled just as good as the 1150s, and came with Touratech [Acerbis] handguards and virtually new touring panniers with liner bags, and a BMW tankbag.

After some soul searching, I bought the last bike. An R1100GS 1998 75th anniversary model with only 32.000km on the clock for 7500euro + 400 euro for the tankbag/panniers/linerbags.

With the new 1200GS coming, lots of 1150 riders want to get rid of their machines and buy the new one, but there are more 1100s than 1150 riding around. Exclusivity is not a factor, but ease in finding parts is. Also, there's a Haynes manual for the R1100, but it doesn't cover the 1150/adventure.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Second, when choosing the GS, don't knock the 1100 before you compared it to the 1150. A secondhand 1100 is only marginally slower and less powerful than a 1150

NOT!!

 

[Spangle]

Thanks chaps (assuming you all are chaps!). I'm gonna leave the big decision till March /April when the new one comes out and see how the second hand 1150 prices look then. Decisions..decisions..eh

 

[wessie]

I bought a year old 1150GS in 2001. It had 10k miles on it.

The biggest depreciation a GS suffers is on the day it rolls out of the showroom as the government takes their 17.5% etc.

I'm quite happy for someone else to take this hit, run it in (well start the job anyway, needed another 5k before it stopped burning oil excessively) and fix any build quality problems.

At one time I would be looking to replace a 4 year old bike with pushing 30k on it. Not now. Only non service parts replaced have been a rear brake caliper (BMW part financed) and a plastic spark plug cover that went missing.

 

[Reprobate]

....and a plastic spark plug cover that went missing.

Check out my thread on valve cover strip security

 

[Spanish Bob]

Re: Park Lane

It's hard to be ignored for so long in Park Lane, there was more chance of being offered a shag for £50 than a motorbike for £10k.

At least I saved £9.95k....or would have done.

Yep have to say not my favorite dealer, lets say they can be economical with the truth ate times. Wouldn´t even buy the 50quid shag from them

 

[Spangle]

Despite saying I'd wait till March/April, I took the plunge on Saturday with an '03 1150 (black) from SPC on Saturday. Picking it up next Saturday which means I've only got another 5 nights sleeping like a 5 year old on Christmas Eve. They're taking my Fazer off me too, which saved me a bit of hassle due to the high mileage. I felt I got a good deal all round off the chaps there.

I've asked them to stick a Y-piece and Remus can on it, on the recommmendation of a few other owners. Also considering having it chipped. Anybody got an opinions/experience of this?

At last

 

[robeekay67]

stay with the fazer family but get the thou instead....get a higher fazer screen off www.ceebaileys.com and with the cash you save on buying a cheaper bike, enjoy more touring holidays and more beer whilst you're there!!!

 

[BawdyMonk]

Re: Park Lane

It's hard to be ignored for so long in Park Lane, there was more chance of being offered a shag for £50 than a motorbike for £10k.

At least I saved £9.95k....or would have done.

One of the blokes out here sent them 2 emails and eventually called them, no apology was offered when he asked the reason, he got just "we've been busy" they don't seem to be a shining star in the wonderful world of BwM

Now he's not even buying a BwM