Considering an 1150gs with high mileage

[Decster]

There was a small ding in one side of the tank.. not too noticeable, but it was still there.

Get a tank cover

Also there was corrosion to parts of the engine casing, and also the rear silver metal luggage rack on the bike (To the extent that you could quite easily peel the silver away).

The 1150's are not famous for their finish, generally the forks paint is first, but i am sure there will be a discount and is easily touched up.

BTW I'm 5' 6". am I too short for the GS!!??? When I got back, they checked that the seat was on it's lowest setting, which it was.. Is anyone else here my sort of height who doesn't find the height thing a problem??

Do a search there are lots of people of your stature who overcome this issue, especially the gals

 

[GS TRV]

Re. your height - loads of solutions - you can get decent boots too - Dayona etc

Re. the finish - ask for a few hundred quid off if you think it's the bike for you

 

[ianboydsnr]

Thanks for all the replys, and help which has been offered here for the 1150GS.

I went to have another look at the bike and to give it a test ride. There were things which I spotted this time round which I did not the first time I saw it. There was a small ding in one side of the tank.. not too noticeable, but it was still there. Also there was corrosion to parts of the engine casing, and also the rear silver metal luggage rack on the bike (To the extent that you could quite easily peel the silver away).

This was a little off putting for a start... But was still considering it. I took it for a test ride, and for me I found that I was struggling really to get my feet on the ground. I can basically tiptoe on both feet on flat ground, bet felt uncomfortable riding it and coming to stops... especially on roads with event the slightest camber BTW I'm 5' 6". am I too short for the GS!!??? When I got back, they checked that the seat was on it's lowest setting, which it was.. Is anyone else here my sort of height who doesn't find the height thing a problem??

Still love the look of the bike and actually found it nice to ride.. I'm thinking twice about it now, and hoping that there is some sort of solution for my lacking in height thing!

There's allways a solution, I bought a set of Daytona "M" star boots, which give you a little lift, it was'nt enough, so i changed the shocks for 40mm lower Wilbers, bought a secondhand mainstand and reduced it to match, then reduced the sidestand, its now perfect, i can get my both feet flat on the ground, the shocks were a big investment, but if the one your interested has done big milage, then aftermarket shocks are worthwhile anyhow


5'6" also, with a 29 inside leg measurment

 

[Gas'd Off]

Don't worry about corrosion acwman (scuba diver?) it's just part of the 1150's maturing process. It doesn't make it perform any less well. Look for any mechanical deficiences, like wobbly bearings or bent wheels

edit: You'll adapt to the seat height & the weight too plenty of people have including myself

Double edit : The silver paint is famous for falling of but once it's come off, if you break away any edges and clean it up a little the ali underneath doesn't corrode any further.

 

[BSD]

Thanks for all the replys, and help which has been offered here for the 1150GS.

I went to have another look at the bike and to give it a test ride. There were things which I spotted this time round which I did not the first time I saw it. There was a small ding in one side of the tank.. not too noticeable, but it was still there. Also there was corrosion to parts of the engine casing, and also the rear silver metal luggage rack on the bike (To the extent that you could quite easily peel the silver away).

This was a little off putting for a start... But was still considering it. I took it for a test ride, and for me I found that I was struggling really to get my feet on the ground. I can basically tiptoe on both feet on flat ground, bet felt uncomfortable riding it and coming to stops... especially on roads with event the slightest camber BTW I'm 5' 6". am I too short for the GS!!??? When I got back, they checked that the seat was on it's lowest setting, which it was.. Is anyone else here my sort of height who doesn't find the height thing a problem??
Still love the look of the bike and actually found it nice to ride.. I'm thinking twice about it now, and hoping that there is some sort of solution for my lacking in height thing!

I'm 5' 7" and no problems at all(just a bit when she's fully loaded with fuel/passenger/panniers full/topbox full/tankbag full while filtering..)
Got good training from the 950Adv before the gs

 

[acwman]

Cheers again guys. I'm going to look into the lowered seat option, and have a look at a few other dealers to see what I can find, ie.. a cleaner bike maybe.

Will probably pop down to CW and have a look and see if I can get to sit on a bike with the lower seat option, and see how I cope..

bought a secondhand mainstand and reduced it to match, then reduced the sidestand, its now perfect

...How did you go about 'reducing' the stands?

acwman (scuba diver?)

Actually just shortened version of my real name

 

[Bryn]

If you become a site sponsor you'd be able to make full use of the For Sale and Wanted section of UKGSer

There are always nice bikes coming up for sale there.. and as they are generally owned by enthusiasts that would be a good place to search for a good 'un

 

[falcoron]

do it man!

Cheers again guys. I'm going to look into the lowered seat option, and have a look at a few other dealers to see what I can find, ie.. a cleaner bike maybe.

Will probably pop down to CW and have a look and see if I can get to sit on a bike with the lower seat option, and see how I cope..



...How did you go about 'reducing' the stands?



Actually just shortened version of my real name

Im newish to the Gs also and as a few have said on here these bikes are not instant, they take a week or two to get used to. but once dialed in i swear you'll wonder how the hell you didn't get one sooner. ( ive ridden sports bikes for years ) Dont worry about the corrosion, its easily sorted after you spray the bike in ACF50 corrosion protection (if your planning to ride over the winter) or just spend the winter months cleaning and painting her.
Price wise its about right. I looked for a few weeks and got mine, a 2000 1150 gs with 40k on the clock and about the same condition as yours, i paid £3800
and was happy to do so, it was advertised for £4500. I know other members have said about £3k would be more like it but this seems only to apply when someones buying off site.
When they are being sold on here they always ask a premium price
This is what i found when i was looking and ended up buying on flea bay
But the guy was a star and im over the moon.
Try and get a few quid off for the corrosion, the bike dealer, if not a BMW dealer will not like you showing him all the bad bits either so a good bartering tool. Especially if your trade in bike is really clean. Anyway, dont be put off and above all..............
have fun.
Ron

 

[acwman]

got it!!...

Well, I have finally got a GS, not the 1150, but got myself a lovely 04 1200 Thanks again for the advice everyone has given! Got it off the auction site, and p/ex my bike. Lovely condition, with only a tiny bit of corrosion showing on the front engine part... Got all the bmw panniers with it, which should come in useful!!

Got the Low seat option, and getting use to the ride and height, and loving it! I'm sure I' going to enjoy this bike, and think that I will become a site sponsor...in not the near future