Ex- Demo Bikes

For me, bikes, cars, ex-demo every time (but always from a reputable dealer) with around 15% discount off spec'd up new and often free goodies.. Time it for the 6-month old clear-out as the new reg. plate number comes in. It may have had a bit of ragging from the odd demo-user, but you get warranty and they will sort any issues that you notice (eg tyres) before you take it from them. A good dealer has a reputation to maintain. Use the saving to invest (?) in accessories/gear, or take SWMBO out for a meal (bike) or on a cruise (car).
 
Ex demonstrator bikes in my experience tend to have mechanically sound engines but accelerated cosmetic wear and tear. They also suffer from lack of TLC and tend not to have been protected against winter salt other than frequent power washing by the dealer apprentice. Salt corrosion may be present in less obvious areas behind body panels where BMW save money by not painting parts that aren't normally seen, ie the throttle bodies on an RT. If all that is taken into account and the price is right, then why not?
Alan R
 
Ex demonstrator bikes in my experience tend to have mechanically sound engines but accelerated cosmetic wear and tear. They also suffer from lack of TLC and tend not to have been protected against winter salt other than frequent power washing by the dealer apprentice. Salt corrosion may be present in less obvious areas behind body panels where BMW save money by not painting parts that aren't normally seen, ie the throttle bodies on an RT.
Alan R

Should have added - buy Aug/Sep (fewer bad weather and potential corrosion issues from a 6-month old bike and the selling market is weakening), rather than Feb/Mar.
 
The modern bikes are so governed rev limiters, ABS etc, ok you can switch quite a bit off in dynamic mode etc, but what can you do a demonstrator that would not do to your own bike?

It's the bikes that have few miles are potentially more of a concern. BMW testing, puts millions of miles on them to see they are up to the job, they don't test, by sticking it in the garage and running it every few weeks.

So I'm ok with a demo, and have saved a few quid over the years.

:blast
 
Should have added - buy Aug/Sep (fewer bad weather and potential corrosion issues from a 6-month old bike and the selling market is weakening), rather than Feb/Mar.

Spot on, find a bike registered in March or later and it wouldn't have seen much salt, there isn't usually a big queue of people test riding bikes at that time of year.

I like most people ride a demo harder than my own bike but I wouldn't say I abuse them, I wouldn't buy a press bike though!

my first GS back in 05 was an ex demo with less than 3k miles on it, I got it due to the big gap in price between my 3 year old Fazer 1000 and it, paid for the panniers, tank bag etc. I didn't have any problems with that bike that anyone buying new got!


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My current LC is an ex-demo which I picked up with a substantial saving at 3 months old. 20k miles later and I've had no problems at all. I used the money saved to buy the farkles I wanted.
A gentleman of this Parrish (GNITS) also picked up his LC as an-demo at 3 months old and two years later his has done 50k miles and is still going strong.
I'd have no problems buying an ex-demo from my local dealer as I know they look after them extremely well!
 
Should have added - buy Aug/Sep (fewer bad weather and potential corrosion issues from a 6-month old bike and the selling market is weakening), rather than Feb/Mar.

Spot on, find a bike registered in March or later and it wouldn't have seen much salt, there isn't usually a big queue of people test riding bikes at that time of year.

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Good advice :thumb2
 
I like most people ride a demo harder than my own bike but I wouldn't say I abuse them,


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I seriously doubt anybody does hence my earlier post......especially as most deAlers insurance now seems to demand a £750-£1000 excess , if anything it's wise to ride carefully and treat it better than your own bike.
 
No problem with a demo, I bought an ex hire car on the odd occasion & theyve been fine.

However, 2k less than a new one doesn't sound enough. At 4500miles, It's very much second hand.
The vat, otr costs are much more than that
 
The good thing with ex demos is you get to ride them and find one you are happy with. Anyway at the end of the day it should still have about 18 months manufacturers warranty!


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love to see somebody "rag" a S1000RR demonstrator on the road:thumb2 unless you are :bow Vale 46 of course
 
No problem with a demo, I bought an ex hire car on the odd occasion & theyve been fine.

However, 2k less than a new one doesn't sound enough. At 4500miles, It's very much second hand.
The vat, otr costs are much more than that

From looking on the Autotrader website site this is what 6 month old bikes are priced at from a main dealer.
In fact, taking into consideration that this bike has panniers and the gear shift assist it seems quite reasonably priced.
Probably the difference between the new and ex-demo would greater if I was looking at a " built at the factory" 2016 bike rather than a 2015 one out of group stock which they are keen to shift.
 
Lots of (allegedly) canny bods buy second hand bikes, using the 'no mug, me' line of justification. Most often they have no idea at all how the bike was run-in and treated thereafter. By-and-large they are happy with their saving and with their purchase. Why should buying an ex-demo model be any different, other than it's probably done less miles?

Buy the thing and save two grand or don't and you won't. It is that simple.
 
My gslc was an ex-demo from williams in manchester.
its been absolutely brilliant ...runs sweet and have had no issues.
Ive bought ex-demo cars and bikes in the past and wouldnt hesitate to buy again.
Buy it....! before someone else does.
 
Despite my suggestions (which apply in general), my current machine is a camhead GS which I bought two years ago (from a BMW dealer), at 3 years old, one owner, minter, with 3k miles on it. Once I had agreed to buy, they couldn't do enough in the way of "extras" - fender extender, beak, re-barrelling luggage..........anything to do with the LC coming out at the time?

As I was walking out, I saw a brand new Triumph Explorer going for not much more than I paid for the Beamer - nearly had second thoughts...but only nearly!!
 
I road tested a Tuono with 26 miles on the clock. I liked the bike and asked how long to get one and was told "two weeks but you can have this one, only you and I have ridden it". I replied "I don't want this one" and he asked me why and I said "I have been riding it for two hours". It went straight over his head.
 
My opinion of demo bikes are for & against..
1, IF the dealers kept it too long I would inspect the condition of the paint & fastners, they tend to give them a quick wash off with traffic film remover & jet wash, which doesn't do the finish any favours.
2, I've personally had demo bikes with say 10miles on the clock, & used them harder than one perhaps should, but never had any problems with them (other than normal issues) likewise I do run my bikes in but poss in a more spirited way than others on here..

I did buy a demo Harley last year, all the chrome nuts etc had a film of rust under closer inspection when I got it home, so spent 2 days cleaning it.. (Should have looked harder initially)

Good luck
 
Buy it and save the 2 grand, who knows the real history on any used bike we buy.

My car is an ex demo from Crewe Audi, I saved 10k off list and in the 2.5 years and 20 odd k miles I've owned it it's been brilliant.
 
Buy it....! before someone else does.

This……………just check what dealers have demo bikes left ! they sell them every year so they can replace them with a new or updated model….they are not given the demos free from BMW , they have to purchase them and then they sell for profit .

hey are still there to be haggled over on price , just because its cheaper then the new model etc , dont except the sale price , get it down
 


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