Going to buy 1150GS on Sat, Advice?

[tomodan]

Hi all

Following my recent posts in the for sale section I have now found a GS which soundes good to me but your opinions are greatfully recieved

It is a 02 bike in yellow and has done 38K with two owners. The current owner has had it for several years and is selling through lack of use due to kids and another bike.

I have seen pics and it looks VERY VERY clean and tidy (I would even say immaculate judging by the pics and chatting to the guy)

It has full BMW luggage (inc tank bag), TT handguard extenders and headlight cover and I don't think it is an ABS model.

My question really is what should I look out for when viewing? I have searched the forum and think rear wheel bearing, gearbox smoothness, wiring round headstock and ball joints on front end but HOW do I check these? (found loads of post saying what to check but not many showing how) I am fairly mechanically minded but would appreciate some specific pointers (i.e "grab this bit and do this with it" or "Look at this wire and check this routing")

Finally I think £3600 is a good price but would love some confirmation please.

 

[wessie]

You won't be able to see if the the wiring around the headstock has a problem. nobody notices until there is an electrical fault. So, just check all of the switches do as they should and that the bike runs properly.

Sounds like this is a private sale, so you won't get a test ride unless you hand over the full purchase price.

So, you need to assess the general condition of the bike. Forget about the specific GS problems to begin with. Look the bike over as a generic bike. Does the condition match the indicated mileage? Is this backed up by the records? Do the frame & engine numbers match the records? Tyre condition. Brake pads. All cost money if they need replacing soon. Has the bike had the 36k service? If so, was the Poly V belt (alternator belt) changed? The owner should know this stuff and have a receipt for the work/part. Again, if the V belt wasn't changed at 36k haggle some money to cover the cost.

If this stuff looks okay then you will want to look closer at the bike. Check for oil leaks, engine & final drive. Rotate the wheels to check for brake binding. Hold the wheel at opposite ends of a diameter and see if it rocks which might indicate a wheel bearing problem. Sit on the bike on the mainstand to get the rear wheel planted and the front in the air. Flop the bars from side to side. Does it feel smooth or knotchy indicating a worn head race. Whilst sat on the bike compress the front & rear suspension (if you've never done this in an R-GS before then you may not be able to decide if there is a fault as they feel very different). If the bike has ABS ask the owner to ride the bike until the ABS lights go out. Did the bike start easily and run smoothly? Finally, check the luggage. Do the lids open/close okay & can they be removed from the bike easily.

£3600 with luggage sounds okay if it all checks out.

 

[ilkleyal]

If it looks right and feels right, it is right,

Much better that a 1200 (I should know)

Al.

 

[flatdog]

Tomo, bike with that mileage at that price, looks a fair price TBH.
As has been said before, just check the obvious bits if you can, ride it home, and enjoy it. They can/do rattle and sound odd at times and vibrate due to cylinder orientation if you are a total noob, however most 1150's have these noises and we accept them as normal. So long as it starts easily, and quickly settles down to a steady idle, with no harshness or noises when clutch/gearbox is engaged or flashing warning lights on Dash(after moving the bike forward more than 1 tyre revolution) all should be well. If servo'd then this needs to make a whining noise whenever front/rear brakes applied.
Hope this helps