Any ideas where to find a decent 2nd hand bike?

[ozziesda]

Hi all,
Firstly, please excuse if I've posted this in the wrong place but I'm new on the forum and I am specifically aiming this post at the Irish market. **Mods please feel free to move and edit if necessary**

Very shortly I'll be on the lookout for either an 1150RT or GS/GSA. I should have about €4k to spend so will be looking at between a 2002 and 2004 bike hopefully!!!

Seeing as any main dealers wouldn't have anything this old on their sales room floor and the independent dealers I know of (Maddocks and Platinum) haven't anything at the mo, I've been trolling the likes of donedeal and bikebuyersguide but to not having much luck.

I have recently sold my Varadero and have narrowed down my choice to either the RT or GS but I am torn between these 2 models.

My basic requirements are - Comfort for my 6'2" 18 1/2stone frame for 99% solo riding and 1% 2 up with no luggage, Tank range of 200+ miles, Fuel Injection - I'm hoping for better than 40 motorway MPG!, easy home servicing, reliability, readily available consumables parts and spares at a reasonable price and low depreciation.

I've always had a soft spot for the GS and I've had a few Trailie tourers over the years including a Vstrom 1000, an Africa twin, a Transalp and a Varadero but I'm straying towards the RT for the weather protection and gizmo's, plus for some reason they are representing great value for money at present.

I'm not a 'Mad' rider but like riding at a 'spirited' pace occasionally, usually hovering around a steady 85mph/140kmh on the motorway and I'd regularly put in 350 mile days in the summer. I'm planning on holding on to this 'new' bike for at least 2 years.

I know the main things to look out for - Clutch, rear wheel/ crown bearing, paralever/bevel bearing, corrosion on the alternator cover and fork lowers. Just basic overall condition and at least a part service history with Alt belt change at ~36k and regular clutch fluid changes.

Should I be worried/concerned/avoid bikes with the ABS by-passed??

I'm looking forward to BMW ownership and any input or advice, be it good or bad is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[dr fish]

dr fish

howdy dave,
your asking for a lot for 4 grand. but you can get good rt's for that money, a mate of mine bought a 03 with 26,000 miles for 3,500 from miskells in limerick. there out there just keep looking, i myself bought a 06 GS, a bloody great bike, my first GS and won't be my last, me i would go for the GS over the rt,very easy to drive and handles very easy and you have the height for it......

 

[Hairnet600]

ask mide about bargains in england



i think itd be worth it if you expanded to look here

 

[ozziesda]

@Dr fish,

There are one or two RTs out there sub 4k alright. I know of a 02 with 4odd k miles and a another 02 with about 37k on it, both with full luggage and a few extra toys and sensible mods I am planning on viewing soon.

As for GS', there seems to be a bit of a shortage of them second hand at the mo.

I'm in no mad rush to buy and don't mind waiting or adding a few quid more for 'the right one'. I'll have the B12 back up and running shortly so I'm not gonna be stuck.

Cheers

Dave

 

[ozziesda]

ask mide about bargains in england



i think itd be worth it if you expanded to look here

Cheers Hairnet 600

I think I'll definitely find a bike cheaper in Ireland when the exchange rate (£+25% to convert to €) VRT (€300), flight (€60) ferry (€60) and general travel expenses (€50) and possibly overnight accommodation (€50) are factored in. I agree that there will definitely be way more choice but it would cost lots more in the long run on a 8-10 year old bike..

Don't worry, the cogs have been grinding hard as I have been looking at autotrader and in the classifieds on this site as well as others !!!


Dave

 

[Mide]

ask mide about bargains in england



i think itd be worth it if you expanded to look here

I bought my bike here Mark

It was on French plates and the owner was selling cheap as she knew people wouldn't be arsed with the re registering! It was for sale a while before I saw it and bought it. It was an absolute bargain and in great nick! Thanks Mrs Roynie


I registered it here, paid vrt and got Irish plates

Have to say I absolutely love it

 

[luke scott]

Dave, dont bother with the RT . I'm 6'1" and now thankfully under 17 stone but the GS is yer only man. I'm on my third adventure. Pure comfort with no plastic to get damaged. Donedeal every few hours and you will find one. Bikes are now cheaper here than in the UK or Germany so wait until you find the right one. Welcome along by the way.

 

[ozziesda]

Cheers Luke . Was given your number by a good friend who is a 'member' a few years ago, spoke to you briefly by phone but forgot all about it then. Will you PM me your number and I'll give you a bell again please.

My budget is pushing me towards the RT value wise, although I do know of a nice 1150GSA I would also like to view 'down south' but is tipping the scales at over €4500 - €500 more than I have at present. Its still WAY cheaper than they are going for across the pond though.

I did say I'd cough up the extra for the right bike though so I haven't ruled it out. I was thinking the GSA might be a bit bulky for commuting through Dublin traffic in. The Varadero was awkward enough for filtering without another 8 litres of fuel sloshing around

Dave

 

[Kamikaze]

awkward enough for filtering without another 8 litres of fuel sloshing around

Dave

Don't fill it.
I've had both the GS and the GSA. I think they're the same width and I felt the adventure handled better.
If you fill it, you will notice the extra weight but you don't have to fill it.

Welcome, by the way.

 

[ozziesda]

Cheers Kamikaze,

Don't fill it. - Was waiting on and absolutely 100% deserved that!!

I thought the GSA was a much bigger beast altogether!!!

Bottom line here - I need to get my finger out and test a few of these bikes out for size and fit etc.

Was also offered a 2005 31k mile 1200GS for €5000 that comes with a top box and a few other little bits. Would this be a 'better buy' than a 2003 GSA resale wise in about 2 years time or will the 1150GSA have reached a higher 'cult' status?

My poor head is like a washing machine on a spin cycle this week with all this bike talk !!!

 

[essjay]

Here's my bike currently on DoneDeal. I've not been very proactive with selling it though

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/4097878

I was using it for commuting between Drogheda and Dublin for a month before I bought a car and was getting 53mpg. Loads of toys - was going to strip all the accessories next week when I finally get a chance.

I bought it off a chap in Dublin this time last year and I've only done around 3000 miles. Great bike in great condition (apart from the cover) and sad to be selling it but unfortunately I have to.

 

[DrFarkoff]

I've a pal here near me who is looking to Downsize

He's an Ex American Police R1100RT with the crashbars and extra lights

It's on a Norn Iron plate BUT was on a Dublin plate when he got it

He's looking about £2k

Comes as you see it with the spotlamps bar backs panniers etc

About 60,000 miles on it Had a rebuild last year inc new hall sensors, fuel pump and recon injectors (it was the sensors but not the way they normally fail) I think it has an odysey battery, the ABS is offline, but brakes are plenty powerful enough and a Hagon rear shock too

 

[Firefox]

Dangerous

I'm not a 'Mad' rider but like riding at a 'spirited' pace occasionally,
Dave

That must be why the fork seals were blown on the Varadero

Welcome aboard "Dangerous"

Hold out for a GS, it's much more your style.

 

[ozziesda]

Fork seals on the Varadero were perfect... now the Bandit12 is a different story altogether!!

Cheers D.O.

 

[ozziesda]

GS definitely seems to be winning the vote here. I think the RT might be a bit too bulky for manoeuvring around the side of the house to put in the shed.

I have one 'half viewed' and have another few lined up for viewing in the near future- weather permitting!!

If anybody knows of any more GS' for sale that aren't advertised in all the usual spots, please point them my way.

Thanks.

 

[ozziesda]

Well lads and lassies, Im now officially a Tosser.

Picked up a 03 silver GSA wih 36k miles on her in Cork on Thursday. Rear shock is nearly knackered and the front calipers need rebuilding as they seized on during the test ride but we managed to strike a deal at a reasonable sub €4k price.

They're the Bmw evo brakes (tokico) so unfortunately the seals arent available on their own so I had to buy the whole kit for both sides including new pistons - Total for both kits €153 !!
Ill be collecting them from Joe Duffys next thursday and should be on the road by next weekend. I have the calipers stripped and cleaned so just have to pop in the seals and pistons, bleed the brakes and im away in a hack!

Bike is buried in the shed under a load of 'Santy stash' so Ill get pics up ASAP after Xmas.

 

[GerryC]

Santa came early - but he's a man

Best of luck with new toy - many miles & smiles to you

 

[beatmeier]

Well lads and lassies, Im now officially a Tosser.

Picked up a 03 silver GSA wih 36k miles on her in Cork on Thursday

Bike is buried in the shed under a load of 'Santy stash' so Ill get pics up ASAP after Xmas.

congrats.....

 

[luke scott]

PM sent.

 

[Kamikaze]

Congrats.
Enjoy.