Buying a 1200GSA

[Spike]

Hi Guys
Been scouting around this site for about a week now dreaming of owning a GSA. it will be used mainly for touring two up, France spain italy etc.
I am one step closer to getting one now as 1 of my bikes has just been sold. so a few questions.

It will probably be a 07/08 model that I buy as thats what funds will allow, and it will more than likely be from a shop as I will/should be able to claim the VAT back when it is registered over here in Guernsey.

Why do I see so many forsale without a top box? I can understand no luggage at all as moved to new bike etc etc.

What sorts of things should I be looking for, trouble spots etc. as it will be a lower milage bike I will be looking at, so things to think about that might/will need replacing?

I will probably have loads more questions as the time goes by

Thanks

spike

 

[forest biker]

hi spike , if your buying a low milage 07/08 their shouldnt be alot wrong with it, as for luggage alot of people put it onto the new bike or sell it seperate thats what i found when i was looking for my first one

 

[wideparting]

Why do I see so many forsale without a top box


the top boxes are extra,over the last few years bmw have been giving the side boxes for free on some deals,so there seems to be plenty around.the top boxes are harder to come by.anyway youll need that space for carrying the tent and chairs to all the rallys that you will be attending.hth. j

 

[Rasher]

I bought a 2008 that had panniers, as stated BMW do seem to regularly throw in panniers. I managed to haggle a top box into the deal on my bike, I think it is about £350 for a Vario type new.

From my research I understand the non Adventure bike has gone through 2 revisons, others here will know if Adventures follow the same.

The early bikes were from 04-07, in 2008 they got a bit more power and sharper geometery plus they angled the FPC to stop it filling with water, then in 2010 a new engine.

Even my 2008 bike has had a couple of recalls so they obviosuly still ain't quite got them right at this point but I think most the electrical gremlins should be banished (FPC / EWS) on later models (or done by recall on earlier ones)

Not sure about VAT as on used bikes there won't be any

I am sure some experts will be along to shoot down my poor knowledge and give you chapter and verse, doubt they would have bothered to just reply, but these guru's will not be able to resist criticising my ignorance

 

[Beemerman59]

ESA and ASC plus a few smaller options were introduced on the 2008 models as well as a 5bhp power hike. I think a lot of issues have been sorted by this time. Its worth a good look at the final drive - check the rear wheel to see if there's any sideways play when rocking at the 6 and 12 oclock positions. If there is and you can also feel a humming when feeling the drive casing while spining the wheel you will need a repair or worse so factor that in. If not then buy, ride and enjoy it.

 

[Stretchamus]

Anyway youll need that space for carrying the tent and chairs to all the rallys that you will be attending.hth. j

Hi Spike,
Leave the wife at home, buy a top box and put your tent/chair where the passenger seat would be.

Works for me

Good look with the GS search

Best regards Stretch

 

[Spike]

Thanks for the answers so far guys, BMW throwing in a set of panniers explains the no topbox theory then.

Thanks Rasher for the informative post, but as for the VAT why would there be non to claim back on a 2nd hand bike as I know that if you bought my gixxer that I have forsale in the forsale section then you would certainly have to pay the VAT when re-regestering it in the uk.

I have sent a couple of emails to dealers to ask the very question so should have an answer soon

Thought of another question, can you guys give me the names of some good dealers in the south that i could look at and book mark for when I will be buying.

Thanks again

spike

 

[Spike]

Hi Spike,
Leave the wife at home, buy a top box and put your tent/chair where the passenger seat would be.

Works for me

Good look with the GS search

Best regards Stretch

Why do I see so many forsale without a top box


the top boxes are extra,over the last few years bmw have been giving the side boxes for free on some deals,so there seems to be plenty around.the top boxes are harder to come by.anyway youll need that space for carrying the tent and chairs to all the rallys that you will be attending.hth. j

I get away with alot with the wife like trips on my own but sometimes she does like to drag along so the top box is a must as she always feels like she is going to fall off the back otherwise.

spike

 

[Geezer]

Thought of another question, can you guys give me the names of some good dealers in the south that i could look at and book mark for when I will be buying.


Spike - things to check

My 08 GSA with 11k miles had a warped rear disk - replaced under warranty.

There was also a recall on the front brake pipe - not sure what the problem was but check its been done.

Who

I've had both my GSA's from Wollaston - Northampton. Ask for Steve.

 

[Rasher]

I think if your looking at used you may find prices vary a lot, I got mine from Cotswold BMW in Gloucester, their used stock was considerably lower priced than North Oxford Garage who were much closer to me.

I know NOG are much loved here, I have also visited Bahnstormers (Near Basingstoke) on an open day and they seemed very good too, being bikes only they all seemed very enthusiastic about the brand and the bikes.

If buying used it is more likely to come down to who has the right bike at the right price at the right time, at least an Approved Used BMW will have some good assurances in case it all goes wrong.

Not sure what happens with the Warranty and BMW assist if your taking it "over seas", probably best to check the level of support you will receive once you are back home - also can you get it serviced locally or will it be a mainland trip each time?

 

[Spike]

There is a BMW dealer on island, mainly cars but they do sell bikes too, would never use them for servicing or anything else for that matter but they are an official approved dealer so warrentry would be honoured i guess i will check them out, and see what they say.

The reason i would never use then is they cost a bloody fortune, spoke to one guy who told me he could get hid bike serviced in the uk by a bm dealer and he still saved enough for the ferry fair and the hotel thrown in.
They charge £80 up over an hour

spike

 

[v8legend]

I think if your looking at used you may find prices vary a lot, I got mine from Cotswold BMW in Gloucester, their used stock was considerably lower priced than North Oxford Garage who were much closer to me.

I searched every dealer before buying mine. Managed to get a fully loaded (every box ticked) F800GS from NOG. They matched the price of the cheapest I could find (Chiswick Honda!). Had excellent service from them since.

Aren't Cotswold quite a new dealership? It might make them a bit keener.

 

[Rasher]

The reason i would never use then is they cost a bloody fortune, spoke to one guy who told me he could get hid bike serviced in the uk by a bm dealer and he still saved enough for the ferry fair and the hotel thrown in.
They charge £80 up over an hour

Every BMW dealer I have spoken to over here charges over £80 an hour so not sure how you would save

I was told 6k, 12k and 18k services (assuming no extra's such as tyres / brake pads are needed) are between £200 and £250 with around £150 - £200 being labour.

So unless your dealer is charging well over £100 an hour I cannot see any savings to be had

 

[Beemerman59]

Every BMW dealer I have spoken to over here charges over £80 an hour so not sure how you would save

I was told 6k, 12k and 18k services (assuming no extra's such as tyres / brake pads are needed) are between £200 and £250 with around £150 - £200 being labour.

So unless your dealer is charging well over £100 an hour I cannot see any savings to be had

On the money with the above but don't forget the "Annual" service pricing which needs adding on. I spent about £45 on consummables for the £18K service I did myself plus the parts costs of an annual is minimal.

 

[buncobooth]

I was after the same as you but I waited for a nice 2008 model to come along which had the new stuff ESA Tyre Pressure Monitors etc. I got mine from Wollaston and managed to get them to throw in service new tyres and the aluminium panniers instead of a discount. I paid about £10k back in July 2010 for a 15,000 miler. I have had a couple of warranty jobs done fuel guage and my aux light switch was loose but Clarkes did these jobs great. Personally I don't like having a top box - I prefer a Touratech tool bag with tools and straps in, I don't really need the extra space even for 2 up. Hope you find a nice one !

 

[Spike]

On the money with the above but don't forget the "Annual" service pricing which needs adding on. I spent about £45 on consummables for the £18K service I did myself plus the parts costs of an annual is minimal.

I do all my own servicing and repairs to me bikes cars etc. Saves me a fortune, ok the book does not get stamped but i keep all receipts so i have a record of things done when.

Got some good news today, spoke to the BMW dealer over here and got told that they will honour any BMW warrentry I get from whatever dealer I buy my bike from in the UK. So good news on that one.
Still waiting to hear from the dealers on the VAT situation but will call the customs office tomorrow to find out anyways.

Spike

 

[Spike]

been looking around and it seems all bikes seem to be well looked after and well maintained.

Just after some advice now, what do you guys think of this one for the money??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320642158034&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

Thanks

spike

 

[freeloader]

Thread hijack, sort of

One thing I'd be interested in knowing when buying a GSA, is: does it have the extra-low first gear option?

If I was buying one, it's something I'd want to know in advance.

Apart from asking the owner, is there a failsafe way of telling? (I'd prefer not to have to run it at a constant speed in first gear on the centre stand, counting the number of wheel rotations over a set time interval )

 

[Spike]

Found out now that I can only claim the VAT back on the profit margin of the dealer in question, so that reduces my budget quite a bit so it will now be a low milage 06 or a high milage 07.
Got my eye on a few so fingers crossed. Me and the wife should be in the uk this weekend picking one up if all goes well.

woohoo GS heaven here I come

spike

 

[forest biker]

Spot on good luck with the bike search spike , if you need any info regarding the dealers 'independant or main' in my neck of the woods just give me a shout i will help if i can