Advice Required

[phattire]

I currently ride a Vtr Firestorm, I am looking at buying a 1150 GS.

have a budget of about £6000 what, if any are the pitfalls of buying one of these bikes and what should I be looking out for at the dealers.

ie. How do I pick a good one

Cheers

Phats!

 

[Bryn]

Welcome Phats! as you probably realise the users of this forum are sometimes fanatical in their love for the GS... could i suggest you check out some of the bikes for sale on the forum?

chances are they are well loved, and cheaper than a main dealer..

Got mine privately and enhanced it somewhat (started off Manderin, now blue and white....)

Bryn

 

[Geoff2]

Phats, I agree with Bryn, you will get a much better deal private. I've had a BMW for four years, R1100RT and now the GS, engines are pretty much bullet proof, if you study the various BMW boards there are around, you will see some very high mileage bikes, typically 100 or 200K. That, I think is testament to their build quality. But as with all mechanical devices, they must be looked after with regular servicing etc. Good luck in your search

Geoff

 

[phattire]

Thanks Guys!

Thanks for responding guys,

I'm hoping the weather is kind on Saturday as Ocean BMW in Plymouth have a second hand one, which i'll try. I'll have a god look around and post on here to let you know and for more advice!

Cheers

Phats (Greg)

 

[phattire]

Charles

I just had a thought, you went from a VFR to a Storm and are now riding a GS - what made you (Or anyone here) decide on a GS and how did you find adapting (If you had to) to the different riding style.

Cheers

Greg (Phats)

 

[skybluebird]

Greg, I switched to a more upright style after breaking my elbow in an MTB spill a few years ago. The Firestorm I had at the time put too much weight on my forearms to be comfortable for long.

The arm's strong enough now (enough to hang on to a Blackbird ) but I finally got a GS due to a combination of a couple of test rides and all the bike mags raving about them. Now I see what the fuss is about!

I much prefer the GS position now, partly for the better view but mostly I think because you swing through a much greater arc when cornering, plus that feeling of being well leaned over. Even though I'm probably not.

David