Confirming age of a bike

[Deano]

Is there anywhere on the bike that can confirm that it is a 2006 model. I have just placed a deposit on a bike and I have been assured that it is an 06 model, but i need to be sure.

Secondly my bike is fitted with the alloy rims while every other GS i've seen has the wire spoke wheels. Is there something wrong with the alloy kind to make them not as popular?

 

[Timolgra]

Secondly my bike is fitted with the alloy rims while every other GS i've seen has the wire spoke wheels. Is there something wrong with the alloy kind to make them not as popular?

Spoked rims are supposed to be more robust in off road use, so to give that image many 1200 owners have them fitted.

In reality you would have to be riding very hard on rocks to damage an alloy rim.

 

[Gog yn y De]

Is there anywhere on the bike that can confirm that it is a 2006 model. I have just placed a deposit on a bike and I have been assured that it is an 06 model, but i need to be sure.

Secondly my bike is fitted with the alloy rims while every other GS i've seen has the wire spoke wheels. Is there something wrong with the alloy kind to make them not as popular?

Cut it in half and count the number of rings.

 

[Steve]

You can get date of first registration here:

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/vehiclechecks/dvla_lookup/

 

[Deano]

Thanks steve, however this bike has never been registered in the UK. Are there any identifying features that differentiate it from and 05 model or is there something to the chassis number. I checked the plate on the left side and there was no mention of the date of manufacture.

 

[Denis]

06 model

The following differences may be noted
A. Colour: 06 saw grey as an option
B. Side stand is a different design
C. Centre stand is a different design
D. 1200gs graphic under carrier no longer on 06 model
E. the knob for rear pre load adj. is different
F. console display graphics are different
G. No separate hazard warning switch (now done with both indicator switches)

I am sure there may be other differences but these are some.
All the best with the purchase

 

[Steve]

There's a site somewhere where you can enter the BMW engine/chassis number and it will give you the manufacturing details - don't know where it is though.

 

[gavin@iow]

Is there anywhere on the bike that can confirm that it is a 2006 model. I have just placed a deposit on a bike and I have been assured that it is an 06 model, but i need to be sure.

Secondly my bike is fitted with the alloy rims while every other GS i've seen has the wire spoke wheels. Is there something wrong with the alloy kind to make them not as popular?

http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi If you know the vin no.

 

[Deano]

Gavin, Steve and Denis, thanks. I'll chack that site when I get the VIN tomorrow. Of the lest that Denis gave me of changes, the only one that I know for sure of is that the hazzard lights are activated by pressing both indicators together. Anyway, Thanks again.

 

[bonox]

i wouldn't trust that site much - my 06gs adv model VIN comes back from that site as an F800 made in december 2004.

ps, isn't the compliance plate a giveaway? If it says manufactured: sep/05 or later it's an 06 model.

 

[Deano]

it doesn't mention anything on the compliance plate. That might only be a requirement for aussi bikes!?! Either that or i'm looking at the wrong plate. Its the one on the left hand side on the frame beneath the silver side cover. Thats the only one I could find.

 

[bonox]

hmm, allright then. Don't you have some paperwork (or a plate on the bike) that tells you when it was made, imported, certified to comply with EU road regs (or whatever dubai uses) etc? We get a stamped plate on the vehicle that also contains the VIN (copy of the number stamped on the head stem). Yours might be paper?

You can't call BMW and give them the VIN and have them tell you what it is?