Dilemna, GSA.

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

I have a problem.
I've been offered a really good deal on a new GSA with all the gubbins.
I realise that the deal is so good because the LC is due out soon but that doesn't bother me.
I'm currently on an RT and having had a good look round the RT and GSA are the only 2 bikes currently available that do it for me.
And the deal I've been offered is really very good.

But
This is my 2nd RT and neither of them has been remotely reliable. In fact I've had more problems from these 2 bikes than I've had with all my other bikes combined, in 33 years of ownership.
The new bike also comes with a Garmin Sat. Nav.. And I loathe Garmin.

Additionally, since owning the 2 RT's I've had terrible service from BMW Motorrad Customer Service and Garmin alike.

I swore I would never buy from either manufacturer again.

But.........being brand new I would of course get the standard warranties AND the deal I'm being offered is very good.

If I was being offered the same deal by almost any other manufacturer and liked their bikes as much it would be a no brainer, the deal would be done and the new bike would be ordered.

So, do I bite the bullet and allow the triumph of optimism over experience or do the sensible thing and walk away?

What to do, what to do?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I have a problem.
I've been offered a really good deal on a new GSA with all the gubbins.
I realise that the deal is so good because the LC is due out soon but that doesn't bother me.
I'm currently on an RT and having had a good look round the RT and GSA are the only 2 bikes currently available that do it for me.
And the deal I've been offered is really very good.

But
This is my 2nd RT and neither of them has been remotely reliable. In fact I've had more problems from these 2 bikes than I've had with all my other bikes combined, in 33 years of ownership.
The new bike also comes with a Garmin Sat. Nav.. And I loathe Garmin.

Additionally, since owning the 2 RT's I've had terrible service from BMW Motorrad Customer Service and Garmin alike.

I swore I would never buy from either manufacturer again.

But.........being brand new I would of course get the standard warranties AND the deal I'm being offered is very good.

If I was being offered the same deal by almost any other manufacturer and liked their bikes as much it would be a no brainer, the deal would be done and the new bike would be ordered.

So, do I bite the bullet and allow the triumph of optimism over experience or do the sensible thing and walk away?

What to do, what to do?

If it's right, go for it

3rd time lucky

 

[brixtonchris]

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Albert Einstein

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Cheers chaps, actually just writing it down has helped crystallise things in my mind.

I'm inclined to agree with Bert and Chris.




But then again...........

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Go for it - it's a great bike

Getting a great deal will make it ride even better

 

[Yonkyo]

Just do it..

The current GSA is pretty sorted and bullet proof now.

 

[diplomaticdanny]

I have a 2006 GSA that I bought in 2008 with 2300 miles on it. It now has 39600 miles and on the way back from London on Thursday it blew it's second headlight bulb, apart from that I have had a new battery at 6 years and 35000 miles.

I extend the warranty each year (peace of mind is worth more than money to me). Yes, I could have saved lots of money by not extending the warranty but I tend to do around 7000 miles and at least one European trip a year.

I had a bad experience with my local BMW dealer with my 1150, when I got the 1200, I went back to them and explained my misgivings about the past and asked if we could start again and build a relationship together, they have been absolutely brilliant ever since, wouldn't dream of going anywhere else ever.

Without being rude, I sometimes feel that it is the customers attitude that makes for a good or bad experience, most of the guys that I deal with at BMW are the messenger, it is not fair to shoot them!

Just my 2p worth.

Danny

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Just do it..

The current GSA is pretty sorted and bullet proof now.

That's what I thought when I bought my 2nd RT.

Decision made. Having mulled it over all day I just can't bring myself to give either Garmin or BMW any more money.

*I do reserve the right to change my mind again, however.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Oh dear, this isn't going well.

I'm going for a test ride tomorrow.

This is going to end in tears, I can just tell.







*I still reserve the right to change my mind.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

You don't have to buy the Garmin

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

You don't have to buy the Garmin

It comes as part of the package. There would be no discount if I didn't take it.

I suppose I could sell it 'BNIB' etc & buy a proper Sat Nav with the money - there's a thought.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

It comes as part of the package. There would be no discount if I didn't take it.

I suppose I could sell it 'BNIB' etc & buy a proper Sat Nav with the money - there's a thought.

If it's the BMW Navigator there will be plenty of WC's looking to team it up with their 'wheel of fortune'

 

[stever1]

Timaloy,
if your first RT was so bad, why did you buy the second ?. I sense a total lack of self control here. Enjoy the new GSA !.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Because when the bike is working it's the finest thing I've ever ridden. I put the 1st bike down to bad luck but the 2nd is really suggesting poor build quality.

Thanx for the good wishes though.

That's a very good thought Cooperman.

 

[Old Wobbly]

Get it bought.

I grabbed the same deal with both hands a couple of months back and am loving my GSA..

Just wish GARMIN had the Winding Roads option that Tom Tom has..

Cracking bike & kit.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Post Script:

I went to a more local dealer last week & was offered a slightly better deal on a slightly better bike.

I've been umming & aahing over this but have been found it very difficult to walk away. I rang the dealer yesterday & asked him to confirm my understanding of the figures quoted which he was happy to do. I then asked him to send me an e-mail with the details & also to note everything that I was getting, bike-wise. I'd pretty much made up my mind I was going to go over today to sign the paperwork. Again he was happy to do this.

5 hours later & no e-mail. 5 and a half hours later I got a phone call from him. He's made a mistake & can't get anywhere near the figures he promised me last week so he can't proceed at the prices he quoted me last week & confirmed this morning.

Hey ho, at least it's made the decision for me. I'll be extending the warranty on my current bike later on this morning.

I'm also hoping to do Sgt Bilco's American trip next year & would prefer to do that on the RT anyway so it's all ended well.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Some things are meant to be.

 

[iand46]

Why have you not gone for the 1st good deal. You would have gone for the 2nd deal before dealer backtracked? You were all set to buy.

 

[iand46]

Don't know anyone who would want to reject a £500 Satnav with 2 yr warranty as a freeby. Get rid & buy a TomTom. LC owners will be queuing up for it.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

The 2nd deal, had it gone through would have been less money for a better bike. Now I know it was subsequently withdrawn by the dealer but you know how it is - once you've seen something 'better' for less money that's what you want.
I'm pretty sure I would have gone for the initial deal after the weekend - had it not been for Bilco's trip next year.

As Cooperman says some things are not meant to be.