Collection Day!!!!! Common issues and must checks help please

Craig782

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Purchased a 2019 GSA TE covered 13k miles

Collecting today subject to inspection test ride etc

The photos and video look immaculate, no signs of any corrosion , full main dealer service history, 1 owner

Just after what are the main niggles and things I should be checking for

Many thanks in advance
 
Pop the bike on the centrestand. Sit down along side each wheel, grab them at 3 and 9 o' clock and wiggle them. You are checking for bearing wear which should be minimal or non-existent in a relatively young bike. A very small amount of movement is fine. Rotate the rear wheel by hand and feel for any roughness in the final drive, again it should be smooth in a young bike. On the test ride, check the grab point of the clutch, ensure there is no pulsing sensation when braking gently (possible warped disc). The ABS light should go off once you start rolling and the sensor picks up the movement of the disc. While on the ride, select the different preload settings and ensurre the rear of the bike rises and falls as expected (this can only be done when stationary with the engine running). If equipped with a quickshifter ensure it works by shifting up and down without using the clutch. Do this from 2nd upwards, and only as far down as 2nd or even 3rd gear. Quickshifter works best at close to full open throttle when going up the box, and with fully closed throttle when going down the box. The GS quickshifter is not as smooth as most other bikes/bike brands in case you are expecting butter smooth results.

As JB said, look around the bike for any signs of oil dampness, especially near joins in the engine csasing and also at the joins in the final drive. Same thing goes for corrosion - these are the spots where bubbling in the paintwork tends to start. Check oil, and brake fluid levels (a good way to see if the owner was taking good care of the bike). Ride the bike at tickover to ensure the fuelling is good and there's no lurching from the bike. The boxer engine is full of torque and should manage to do this once the engine is warmed up. If you are getting luggage with the bike ensure it fits okay and the bike key locks and unlocks the boxes with no issue. Lastly the bike should be nice and clean and presented well, a proud (and therefore fastidious) owner will be keen to show off their bike - this is more a test of the owner rather than the bike itself.

None of the above is targeted at specific GS/GSA niggles (bar the paint bubbling thing) - they are just a set of ways to check for possible issues. This was meant to be a short and sweet post - my apologies! :)
 
dealer or private sale?
done a HPI or similar check?
bikes of this era should have a free shaft check and drain valve fitted. Replaced at 37000 miles or earlier if it fails the check. All free at BMW dealer. Hopefully done if it has had a BMW dealer service in last 2 years.
Check all the switchgear works, especially left side. There was a batch of wonky switches and I had a new left one under warranty as mine became notchy.
 
Thanks guys , it was from a dealer and have to say it was pretty immaculate. Could have had 500 miles on clock to be honest…! Kudos to the previous owner as looks like they took very good care of it 🤞

So far I seriously can’t fault a single thing on it , tiny mark on the panniers which I knew about but extremely please

Thanks for the comprehensive replies , gave me a few extra things to check and cast eye over . Much appreciated
 


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