Airhead addict?

[Monty]

Hi folks,

Less than a week ago I sold my much-loved R75/6 because I rarely used it and I could do with the money to put toward a 1200 GSA. When the bike went away I felt relieved, but then suddenly life (and the garage) felt a little empty.

Now I find myself on the look-out for an airhead GS to sit alongside the V-Strom 1000. Am i just a bit deranged?

Some of the airheads I am interested in are getting on a bit, and I don't want to saddle myself with a "classic" that turns into a money pit. Any advice on what to look for, which models are the most solid etc? I am quite interested in Forester's Bumblebee as I have always had a soft spot for them, but I want to make sure I am doing the right thing.

The alternatives are to by an 1100 oilhead or to keep the money in the bank and stick with the Strom until I have the money to part-ex for the 1200 GSA.

Cheers,

Monty (aka Matt)

 

[(RIP) Proff]

There are and have been some fantastic airheads for sale on here

Just depends whether you want a paralever GS or a mono g/s
Myself I'm biased towards Monos
Just let us know what you want and we'll all look out for you


Never worry about distance from you as we have ways of working round that without ripping you off

 

[BillN]

GSs are fine but it depends on the kind of riding you want to do with the airhead.........but on the black stuff......I'd go for a R75/5, (Why - /5 last of the BMs build qualitywise), or a mono mid 80s R80.....but I am a bit perverse.
Both great fun, cheap to run and no worries about loosing money on either

 

[MickDB1]

If I were you

I would get that airhead cos Its the best on here for a long time

Read all posts about 1200's and there woes and maintenance and everything else what folk moan about um

Ride the 100 airhead for a couple of thou test ride - to looooove it more

You will probably not want another bike ( them Vstroms are great bikes )

HTHY
Mick

 

[Monty]

Never worry about distance from you as we have ways of working round that without ripping you off

I am a little concerned about distance, I must admit. I am quite taken with Forester's bumble but I am a little jittery about a full day's round trip only to come home disappointed with the cash in my pocket. Don't think I am saying I don't believe the description, and I am sure most of the bikes here are straight, but each of us have our own opinion of condition.

This was brought home to me when selling the 75/6. I sent loads of photos and was very honest with the description, but one of the chaps viewing it was really disappointed when he arrived. The next guy said it was even better than he had hoped and paid the full asking price immediately.

Do people here reckon £2200 is a good price for the bumble? I would hope that I could buy, ride for a year and sell on (unless I fall in love!) for not much less than I paid. Better than earning the paltry amount of interest in the bank at the moment!

Thanks for all the advice so far, and I would appreciate any more pearls of wisdom. Apologies to Forester if you think I am talking about you, mate. I am just a GS virgin needing a bit of reassurance.

Cheers.

 

[BillN]

Photos almost always look better than the real thing.........as long as you keep that in mind there is no reason for you to be disappointed

IMHO £2,200 for a half descent R80GS or R100GS is not expensive

When buying, a good history is important...most will have been serviced by their owners, you would expect a bundle of MOT certs, and all the main "bits" should be good, the bike should not have been neglected.......and you can usually tell a lot by talking to the owner.............but you know all this if you have bought Bikes before

Good luck..........buy right and you will not lose money.........buy before 1973, (but that won't get you a GS), and you will have no road tax to pay.

FRANCE - no road tax and no MOTs on Bikes - you can ride around on any old shed

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

If you want a bike to use rather than look nice and fill the garage get the GSA12 you wont regret it ,the new GSA is a great bike ,I've got a nice RED one and its the best bike I've ever bought ! The Air heads have a charm but there is really no comparison between them and a GSA12 .Nice position to be in though ,half the fun of biking is dreaming of your next bike!!

 

[Monty]

If you want a bike to use rather than look nice and fill the garage get the GSA12 you wont regret it ,the new GSA is a great bike ,I've got a nice RED one and its the best bike I've ever bought ! The Air heads have a charm but there is really no comparison between them and a GSA12 .Nice position to be in though ,half the fun of biking is dreaming of your next bike!!

The problem is that I do not have the money right now for a GSA, and I don't do finance for bikes. It will be a year or so before I get the cash together for the age and spec I want, and I feel the need for a GS in the meantime.

I think an oilhead GS will be too similar to my Strom to make a worthwhile second bike, hence I was edging toward an airhead.