Buying tips
- Thread starter DaveS
- Start date
Mmmmmm, we should have a sweep on how far along we go before we get a sensible answer.
Avoid anything that has the numbers; 1,2,0 and 0 on the tank.
(Wont be reply number three then
)
Avoid anything that has the numbers; 1,2,0 and 0 on the tank.
(Wont be reply number three then
)
STUBBS
undead
anything that is yellow
Hi Dave and welcome accross from the AT site. 
I bought a 2001 model and it had 19k with full bmw service history. I have had the bike a year and it has never missed a beat.
Nice factory options would be ABS and heated grips. The aftermarket options are endless what with the Touratech catalogue and Nippy Normans etc.
I would say get a nice unspoilt bike that looks like it has been cared for. There are various horror stories floating about but same with the AT I suppose.
I have done 13k in a year and have serviced the bike myself and the valves still don't need adjusting. Most servicing is easily doable if you can handle some spanners.
Whats your budget Dave and what sort of model would you be looking at
I paid £5000 for a 2001 a year ago in standard spec and was offered £4700 by North Oxford last month as I was tyre kicking.
£4-£4.5k should get a nice 1150 or a very nice 1100. £6k should get you an ok adv 1150 and £7k a very nice one. £7k and up will get you a nice 1200 but where do you stop. Have been told the 1150 seat is more comfy than the ADV and a bit easier to handle due to the slightly lower ride height. All of them have a high and low seat setting dependant ou your stature
The standard lights on most GS's are pants and you will see a lot of peeps go for additional lights.
Just do a search and sit back and read for a week or two.
I am no expert but have picked a lot of info from this site. If you have any questions feel free to pm me and I will do my best to answer them for you.
Happy Hunting Dave
Jon
I bought a 2001 model and it had 19k with full bmw service history. I have had the bike a year and it has never missed a beat.
Nice factory options would be ABS and heated grips. The aftermarket options are endless what with the Touratech catalogue and Nippy Normans etc.
I would say get a nice unspoilt bike that looks like it has been cared for. There are various horror stories floating about but same with the AT I suppose.
I have done 13k in a year and have serviced the bike myself and the valves still don't need adjusting. Most servicing is easily doable if you can handle some spanners.
Whats your budget Dave and what sort of model would you be looking at
I paid £5000 for a 2001 a year ago in standard spec and was offered £4700 by North Oxford last month as I was tyre kicking.
£4-£4.5k should get a nice 1150 or a very nice 1100. £6k should get you an ok adv 1150 and £7k a very nice one. £7k and up will get you a nice 1200 but where do you stop. Have been told the 1150 seat is more comfy than the ADV and a bit easier to handle due to the slightly lower ride height. All of them have a high and low seat setting dependant ou your stature
The standard lights on most GS's are pants and you will see a lot of peeps go for additional lights.
Just do a search and sit back and read for a week or two.
I am no expert but have picked a lot of info from this site. If you have any questions feel free to pm me and I will do my best to answer them for you.
Happy Hunting Dave
Jon
Thanks Jon / Geeza.
I suppose I was thinking about faults more than equipment.
So what are the common fault areas that you would look for.
On the Africa Twin it would be rim corrosion, corrosion on the front frame down tube, left and right engine covers, aluminium bash plate, errr need I go on.
I have around £5K - £6K to spend.
I don't want an Adventure unless its more pillion friendly than I'm led to believe. The missus is a key part of this decision.
Unless I can find something reasonably quickly (as I have people interested in my bike) I may go for a Varadero and get an XR for the off-road stuff.
Going to phone some dealers today to see what difference cash makes, if any these days.
It's not over till the money's been spent!
I suppose I was thinking about faults more than equipment.
So what are the common fault areas that you would look for.
On the Africa Twin it would be rim corrosion, corrosion on the front frame down tube, left and right engine covers, aluminium bash plate, errr need I go on.
I have around £5K - £6K to spend.
I don't want an Adventure unless its more pillion friendly than I'm led to believe. The missus is a key part of this decision.
Unless I can find something reasonably quickly (as I have people interested in my bike) I may go for a Varadero and get an XR for the off-road stuff.
Going to phone some dealers today to see what difference cash makes, if any these days.
It's not over till the money's been spent!
Hi Dave,
You will find the front engine cover will corode but depends on wether it's been riden year round or not and how its cleaned. There is some paint flaking of the inside edges of the cylinder cooling fins on mine also.
The rest of the bike is pretty solid though. My wheels are like new and the bikes 5 yrs old and ridden year round. There is no rust anywhere on the bike.
Not having had any problems with mine I can't think of a really weak point in the bike. They are different though with the Boxer engine traits not being as smooth as some of the Jap bikes.
All part of the character though
Jon
ps.... £6k should get you a very nice one. Why don't you put a "wanted" add and you will get some nice bikes offered to you i'm sure
You will find the front engine cover will corode but depends on wether it's been riden year round or not and how its cleaned. There is some paint flaking of the inside edges of the cylinder cooling fins on mine also.
The rest of the bike is pretty solid though. My wheels are like new and the bikes 5 yrs old and ridden year round. There is no rust anywhere on the bike.
Not having had any problems with mine I can't think of a really weak point in the bike. They are different though with the Boxer engine traits not being as smooth as some of the Jap bikes.
All part of the character though
Jon
ps.... £6k should get you a very nice one. Why don't you put a "wanted" add and you will get some nice bikes offered to you i'm sure
mrTickle
Registered user
....it's all down to how lucky you are...
d-t
Guest
See a recent exchange on slipping clutches. Can be seeping oil seal or clutch fluid. Seems to pull away OK but will slip if given an enthusiastic handful in top - coming out of a bend or mid overtake. I've also had drive shaft oils seals go - look at the gater between rear hub & swingarm/drive shaft.
Is the RH side of engince casing stained? That signifies fuel leak from seals under tank. My dealer told me it was common...
Alarms can be a pain. Think hard before fitting. If green laning, you'll switch off for horses. If alarmed you then have to fumble for the fob to de-activate before restarting. Annoying in summer. Really annoying in winter when you are all zipped up and tucked in - with thick gloves.
Otherwise I love rinding the bike - just 'kin expensive to keep repairing.
Is the RH side of engince casing stained? That signifies fuel leak from seals under tank. My dealer told me it was common...
Alarms can be a pain. Think hard before fitting. If green laning, you'll switch off for horses. If alarmed you then have to fumble for the fob to de-activate before restarting. Annoying in summer. Really annoying in winter when you are all zipped up and tucked in - with thick gloves.
Otherwise I love rinding the bike - just 'kin expensive to keep repairing.
blues n twos said:ps.... £6k should get you a very nice one. Why don't you put a "wanted" add and you will get some nice bikes offered to you i'm sure
I have done in the For Sale / Wanted forum, its generated some interest but nothing yet at the age / mileage I want.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=720134#post720134
Thanks MrT and D-T for the advice much appreciated.
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