Almost there.....!

[Andiman]

What a superb forum! I've learnt more in a week or so from this than you could pick up anywhere else.
Anyway, after being "born again" to an F650, a couple of years ago I couldn't make up my mind between a GS or R1100RS. Well I went for the RS which is a great bike for the sometimes two up commute into the city, but..... now it's time for a change and the hankering for a GS wont go away.
A couple of questions. SPC seem to have the widest selection of s/h in my area, any ideas on their reputation?
Insurance, I use Carol Nash who have been superb, especially after my RS demolished a T Tiger who pulled out on me, can anyone recommend others? any discounts for Gsers? And finally for now......do you list all the mods on your insurance? Oh yeah, and is it poss to have switchable ABS as I hate mine in the dry (overshooting etc) but its saved my bacon a couple of times in the wet!
Thanks for your help, see you on the A127,
Andy

 

[MikeO]

Hi Andy, welcome aboard. Not sure on SPC's rep. BMW Insurance at Red Star Equity have given me very competitive quotes (40% less than the nearest competition!) there are restrictions with the policy, though (ie second bike has to be BMW, no travel outside Europe etc). I declare everything to my Insurance company, because I want them to pay out if I have a claim . I don't have ABS myself, but I believe you can de-select it, although it's not a straightforward 'on/off' switch (you have to turn off the ignition etc).

MikeO

 

[pint6x]

Andy

Welcome etc.

SPC seem to have the largest selection of 2nd hand 1150GS's - although if you want an (older) 1100GS, CW in Dorset have more of those.

SPC import a lot of 1150's, change the speedos, then sell them on - they're always open about what is imported and what isn't (doesn't make a lot of odds IMHO).

Their workshop has a good reputation and they stock lots of goodies to add to your GS. They also let you take long rides on their demo bikes.

My only gripe with them was that their salesmen seemed too busy to deal with me after I returned on a GS after a demo ride and after 30 minutes mooching about trying to attract their attention I left.

One of them did pause between phone calls to tell me a "price to change" with my R1100R as part-ex - I felt that was a reasonable point to start negotiating from, but sadly his phone rang again and he was unable to resist the temptation to answer it. After sitting there like a spare prick at a wedding for ten minutes I decided to leave.

GS's sell themselves, new, used, imported or whatever. Your decision has to be whether you want to buy privately and save some dosh, or whether it's the dealer option with a warranty. If you have a part-ex, you may have to go the dealer route, but I would be tempted to try and sell and buy privately - that tends to be my preferred route.

Cheers

6X

 

[Deadskin]

Hi Andy
I bought my used 1150 from spc had a few warranty probs
most sorted, still owe me a fuel sender,but seeing what a bodge
job they did on my rear shock i'm not letting the muppets near anything else
As you say they have a large selection of used GS's + a excellent parts dept if they have what you want go for it but give it a thorough check.

Carole nash quoted me £347 this year
BMW quoted £233 sorry carole

G

 

[pint6x]

Gates

Looks like you need to sell it to me.....

6X

 

[Deadskin]

Almost there ............

Well are we Mr 6x

 

[pint6x]

Good thanks Mr. G - your good self ?

 

[Colt]

Hi Andy, I too had the RS first and then went to the luvverly GS.
You after an 1100 or 1150?
Part exd for the gs at Caterham South london Motorcycles with paul.
Well worth a look there ,even just for clothing or to see Darren/Adam in parts dept.they have a small range of GS related bits.
Happy GS "ing"

 

[Deadskin]

Good thanks Mr. G - your good self ?

Very well Phil just popped out today to see if my chaps were ready

Gates

 

[MikeO]

Very well Phil just popped out today to see if my chaps were ready

Gates

Are you keen on chaps then, Gates?

MikeO

 

[rickyxsara]

Gates, could you post a side pic of that awesome paint job if only to make me jealous, Thanks, Ricky.

 

[Deadskin]

Mike chaps as in leather

Ricky you've twisted my arm pic No 3142 + counting

 

[Colt]

Are you called Gates because these are the gates to your mansion?
after 3142 pics the paint still looks luvverly

 

[Andiman]

Nearly there.....

Thanks for your comments about SPC. It's just a question of getting the time to track down exactly the spec. i want and going for it!
I sorted the ABS question so that looks straightforward now. On Insurance for the 1100RS I just got renewl from Carole, basis 3yr no claims, garaged, spyballed, 250 excess, quote is 195 fully comp with breakdown etc, etc. Although this is a good thing i think its means I,m getting old......
will shout when new baby arrives.... thanks again
Andy

 

[Banjaxed]

Have a word with SLM

I compared prices of S/H imported GSs and South London Mororcycles (Caterham) were about £300 cheaper than SPC (or the same price with a much lower mileage). I bought mine through SLM, everthing went very smoothly and sales service was excellent. Haven't used them for service yet, but very helpful guys so far. Probably your closest dealer too.
Go buy it NOW!

 

[pint6x]

Also - just keep looking everywhere - I just bought from Vines in Guildford - somewhere I never thought I would buy from because I thought they were over-priced - turns out their stuff seemed better value than SPC.

Fact is, GS's hold their value like probably no other modern motorcycle - demand far outstrips supply. Vines said they supplied 10 new Adventures last year and that they could get no more.

Just keep looking on BMW approved used bikes - occasionally something appears at a reasonable price as I found on Monday. Also look at biketrader, get MCN regularly, check this website, check the BMW owners' club website - check independent importers like Bracken's in London and James Sherlock in Devon - just keep doing the rounds until something within your budget comes up with the right spec.

Don't restrict yourself only to SPC though.

Cheers

6X

 

[timmy]

Hi Andy, you dont appear to be the newest member here now! That might be me! Have you bought a GS yet or have I not read the thread?
Tim

 

[Andiman]

Thanks, know what you mean about Vines being expensive. I've been riding Beemers for 5 years, bought both bikes from Vines (when they were Coombs) 'cos they were substantially cheaper to buy than from other dealers. I used to live in Guildford at w/e and in Essex during the week, so could compare Vines and Cannons. Vines s/h were cheaper to buy but the servicing (and repairs, oops!) much, much cheaper at Cannons.
I have so many websites for used GS on the PC its going to break in a minute but I think the thing to do is decide the budget, get ABS and grips, and let the rest take care of itself, colour is not that important what with Bagpuss or whatever.
I spoke to South London M today and they were the first to take an interest in the RS, because its met black with a black seat, so being a lazy bugger can see a px coming on!
The mirror question. I commute from Redhill up the 217, through Brixton and into the City. The RS mirrors are just below van mirror height, but I think the GS mirrors are scientifically designed to hit everything. Whats the solution?, apart from sitting behind the bloke who rides a GS in front of me everyday! Can you get diff mirrors?
Andiman

 

[pint6x]

Very well Phil just popped out today to see if my chaps were ready Gates

I'm worried about Gates - he's talking about leather chaps and hanging out with the Hardley Movingson brothers.

When's the Fat beer gut-o-glide coming then ? gonna trade the GS in ?