Buying a GS

[mrmoog]

Hi there again I need your advice, I'm trying to buy my first Adventure GS (and my first BMW) I'm a bit confused about what would be the best deal for the money, what should I be looking out for, there seem to be so many options MU, TU(what's that?), dynamic pack, non ABS model, twin cam the list just goes on and on......I've got max 11k to spend what can expect to get. Regards

 

[Mr K]

For 11k you can expect a nearly new GS with all the toys.

As for the options, I'd suggest you work out what YOU want, not what others say you need.

I think ABS is a must, others would rather chop their bits off than have it.

 

[snerkler]

Hi there again I need your advice, I'm trying to buy my first Adventure GS (and my first BMW) I'm a bit confused about what would be the best deal for the money, what should I be looking out for, there seem to be so many options MU, TU(what's that?), dynamic pack, non ABS model, twin cam the list just goes on and on......I've got max 11k to spend what can expect to get. Regards

As with anything it's all down to what you want, no-one else. However you've asked for opinions so here's mine.

You may as well get the best, and the best 1200 GS/GSA's are the twin cam aka DOHC (Double over head cam), which were first introduced in 2010.
As for the packages see the BMW motorrad site to see what's in them, and then decide which packages, if any, you want. Basically the packages were a way of getting extras cheaper.
http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/motor...0-gs-adventure/prices-and-specifications.html

ABS? I personally would always have it as its much better than it used to be on bikes these days. MU and TU? Can't help you with that, don't know myself.

For 11k you should be able to get a fairly low mileage fully loaded DOHC GSA.

 

[flatdog]

Have you ridden one yet?
If not then get down to a local dealer and try all varients.
With that amount of money, I'd be making sure it was right for me first.
Lucky sod btw.

 

[pedro]

MU means Model Update but as for TU ? Fuck knows.
ABS and heated grips are pretty essential. Traction control is just a gimmick and electronic suspension, can't comment on that, never had it but it seems rather expensive for something that I can easily adjust myself.

 

[snerkler]

MU means Model Update but as for TU ? Fuck knows.
ABS and heated grips are pretty essential. Traction control is just a gimmick and electronic suspension, can't comment on that, never had it but it seems rather expensive for something that I can easily adjust myself.

Why is traction control a gimmick? I have it, and although not had it kick in (except accelerating over a pothole) I find it reassuring it's there, especially when riding in winter.
ESA is something I have, find it makes a big difference and use it a lot.

 

[pedro]

I think it's a gimmick as in 18 months of use, I found that I could only get it to kick in by accelerating hard on wet cobbles at one particular junction. But if you like it I'm very pleased. As for the ESA, I don't see a need, just another thing that can go wrong but again, I'm sure loads of people will like it.

 

[mrmoog]

Okay chaps what i want to do is a few tips accross Europe and use it for what it's intended (I hope) I've seen photo's of the Stella Alpina Rally and it's got me hooked, I've done a lot of enduros, Welsh 2day etc etc (KTM250) and love off road, I wouldn't expect the GS to cope with such grief as that, but gravel tracks etc is the way I want to go, I'd like to get the purchase right first time, if at all possible

 

[forest biker]

TU is technical update

 

[zoot]

test ride

Hi there again I need your advice, I'm trying to buy my first Adventure GS (and my first BMW) I'm a bit confused about what would be the best deal for the money, what should I be looking out for, there seem to be so many options MU, TU(what's that?), dynamic pack, non ABS model, twin cam the list just goes on and on......I've got max 11k to spend what can expect to get. Regards

3 or 4 hour test ride over some favorite roads is what it took me to get the gsa. bought one with all the bits rather than wishing i had. only wanted to spend this sort of money once

 

[sven]

For £11k I'd just buy the newest, lowest mileage bike you can afford.

According to dyno tests I've seen in mags the 2009-2008 MU is a good 10-15bhp more powerful than the earlier models and the 2010 TU improves the low to midrange power - it certainly feels healthier and pulls a higher gear everywhere

I don't like the traction control on dry roads as it also seems to retard the ignition curve, but you can switch it on and off in a couple of seconds to suit the road conditions.

ESA is a must IMHO as the bike is more stiffly sprung and better damped, as are ABS and heated grips

 

[Paul S]

Test ride both the GS and GSA to see which one you prefer - they do feel very different.
Options - go for ABS and heated grips as a minimum -otherwise difficult when it gets to resale time.
The rest is down to personal preference but for that money I would want luguage included in the package.
ESA - some love it but personally I prefer to spend the money saved to go towards some proper supsension - Wilbers etc.
Traction control on the GS's is so crude I would not bother.

 

[phillh]

If I were you, I would visit a BMW dealer and test ride a GS or GSA with the old single cam engine and then a GS and a GSA with the twin cam. That should give you a good understanding of the differences between the GS and GSA and the new engine v the old so you can decide exactly what you want.

I planned to buy an older GS but after doing the above myself bought a new GSA and am very pleased with it.

£11k is a lot of money, I think you need to research it properly.

 

[Chapperz]

Hi there again I need your advice, I'm trying to buy my first Adventure GS (and my first BMW) I'm a bit confused about what would be the best deal for the money, what should I be looking out for, there seem to be so many options MU, TU(what's that?), dynamic pack, non ABS model, twin cam the list just goes on and on......I've got max 11k to spend what can expect to get. Regards

Hi MrMoog,
I have just brought my first GS. Before I decided, I testrode a `10` Plate Single Cam GSA & then an `11` Plate GS. Noticed a difference! Twin Cam felt smoother & slightly quicker on pick up. As for the extras, I got Comfort Pack & Dynamic Pack, + Panniers & Top-Box all for just over what yer budget is. The bike got delivered with less than 5miles on the clock.Good luck with your choice, as I am lovin mine so far Just go ride the different bikes before you commit & spend your money. Just incase you didn`t know, if you buy new before the end of the year, you get £800 worth of FREE accessories

 

[Rasher]

Test ride both the GS and GSA to see which one you prefer - they do feel very different....


Options - go for ABS and heated grips as a minimum -otherwise difficult when it gets to resale time....

The rest is down to personal preference but for that money I would want luguage included in the package.....

ESA - some love it but personally I prefer to spend the money saved to go towards some proper supsension - Wilbers etc.....

Traction control on the GS's is so crude I would not bother.

Spot on

The GS feels quite sporty and chuckable with better feedback than the GSA, but the GSA feels a shade comfier and has a HUGE tank range - ride both and see what you prefer.

The GS Traction Control is very crude and cuts in too easily IMO often stopping hard acceleration even on goo dry roads, it also cuts in very heavy handedly (like someone has turned off the ignition) I am not sure this sudden cut-out would always be a help in a sticky situation. But the Dynamic pack also adds tyre pressure monitors and ABS so worth having.

Heated Grips are great to have, and I agree that a GS without them is likely to be unpoular just because 99% have them fitted so a potential buyer has lots of similar choice with them - a comfort pack provides the grips and the onboard computer and most bikes have this (or the premium pack which also includes them - but also has electronic suspension)

So look for Comfort pack as a minimum, Comfort + Dynamic will give ABS (and the slightly less useful TC) on top of the Comfort pack.

I prefer to buy top quality suspension, although can see how handy electronic suspension is the problem with the BMW setup is you can't tailor it, so if you are not the same weight as their "average" rider, with a pillion the same as their "average" pillion and carry the same weight as their "average" load then the settings will not be spot on.

The other problem is OEM suspension is always built to a proce, yet costs a fortune when it goes wrong, I am guessing replacing the ESA shocks when they are knackered at 10k / 20k or whatever will be expensive, my Wilburs work much better over a wider range and will last for years and can be fully rebuilt for far less than a new unit, and serviced every few years for about £200 to keep them tip-top.

2008 / 2009 are MU models - more pokey than earlier ones, but not quite as powerful and smooth as 2010 onwards, I am guessing your budget should get you a fully loaded 2009 easily, although you may prefer to get a slightly lower spec 2010 for the better engine.

 

[snerkler]

Wow, some folk must be much more ham fisted than me. I like to accelerate hard and have not had the traction control kick in, accept for 2 incidences. One was going over a pot hole whilst accelerating, and the other (which I forgot about until recently reminded) was when I was more ham fisted than usual and the front wheel started to lift. Made a not very pleasant spluttering sound but did what it was supposed to and prevented any dramas

 

[boxerfrogs]

Personally, I prefer the R100GS.

 

[Paul S]

Personally, I prefer the R100GS.

...........and very nice they are - had a blue and white one many years ago, but not convinced that's what the OP is lookin for

 

[Paul S]

Wow, some folk must be much more ham fisted than me. I like to accelerate hard and have not had the traction control kick in, accept for 2 incidences. One was going over a pot hole whilst accelerating, and the other (which I forgot about until recently reminded) was when I was more ham fisted than usual and the front wheel started to lift. Made a not very pleasant spluttering sound but did what it was supposed to and prevented any dramas

snerkler - had it on my last bike and hardly ever kicked in on the road. Tried it on gravel tracks and it was just too intrusive. It is just way too crude IMO to be anything more than a gimmick.
Now if it was something more advanced like Aprilia's latest system and it still only cost £350 I would be very interested

Needless to say on my latest 1200GS TB it is not an option I went for

 

[snerkler]

snerkler - had it on my last bike and hardly ever kicked in on the road. Tried it on gravel tracks and it was just too intrusive. It is just way too crude IMO to be anything more than a gimmick.
Now if it was something more advanced like Aprilia's latest system and it still only cost £350 I would be very interested

Needless to say on my latest 1200GS TB it is not an option I went for

Yeah I think BMW will improve it over the years, as they have the ABS. Apparently the new 1000RR has a better system on it so they're already making progress.

As for the crudeness on the GS/GSA, well it's the first bike I've owned with it on so have nothing to compare it to All I know is that when I got careless and gave it too much throttle it sorted it out for me I don't hang around, but I don't ride on the edge either so therefore have never found it intrusive. I've not took mine off-road so don't know what it's like on gravel When I do I'll be turning off all the gizmos anyway

It's like all these things though, ABS, Traction control, ESA, some will like em, some won't