Going to test ride A WC - service, warranty and switch gear question.

fatnfast

fatnfast

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Well, I have decided finally 'go modern ' and have a test ride booked this coming Saturday on a 2014 TE.
The bike is not being sold by a BMW dealer, but instead by a local dealer. Can you advice on the following please?

It's a May 2014 bike with what seems most of the options.

The left switchgear moves a few mm back and aft when moving the grip. Loose screw or knackered switch assembly?

I could only find one small piece of corrosion, left hand side where the cylinder meets the block. Obviously BMWs warranty is just out so it will not be covered, but can the corrosion be stopped from spreading further?

The last service was may 2015, so it's overdue. I would get BMW to service it, but could this affect taking out a proper BMW used bike warranty? It's only done 4k miles, but obviously an annual at least is due.

Would it have the heavier flywheel?

Anything else I need to look out for?

I'm really looking forward to trying the latest generation out, hopefully I won't be disappointed :)
 
Personally I'd be worried about the engine paint, if it's started to corrode with such low mileage.
 
Why not try a demonstrator from a BMW dealer which will be almost new. That way you will have a good idea about the way a GS LC should feel and then you can compare it to the used machine.
 
fatnfast said:
The left switchgear moves a few mm back and aft when moving the grip. Loose screw or knackered switch assembly?
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Hard to say but there was a spate of left switch cluster failures.

I could only find one small piece of corrosion, left hand side where the cylinder meets the block. Obviously BMWs warranty is just out so it will not be covered, but can the corrosion be stopped from spreading further?
Click to expand...

Again, hard to say without seeing it and assessing just how far it might have spread under the paint. You might have to remove a fair bit more paint and treat a larger area than the original spot, if you want to stop it in its tracks.

The last service was may 2015, so it's overdue. I would get BMW to service it, but could this affect taking out a proper BMW used bike warranty? It's only done 4k miles, but obviously an annual at least is due.
Click to expand...

I think it's unlikely that you'll be able to get a BMW warranty on it. AUB (Approved Used Bike) warranties are only offered on bikes sold by Motorrad dealers and Extended warranties need to be purchased within the period of the original BMW two year warranty which will now have expired.

Would it have the heavier flywheel?
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If it's a 2014 model year bike with the OEM steering damper then yes. No, if it's a late 2013 MY bike.

Anything else I need to look out for?
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At 4K miles there shouldn't be a lot wrong with it. If it's on the original tyres, they might be coming to the end of their useful life. Make sure the cruise control works. Check the state of the rear brake pads. If they haven't been replaced they could be needing it.

HTH
 
Hi, take the reg number into local dealer & ask nicely for a history check, do a bit of background checking as its a nearly new bike has it been dumped due to problems away from Bmw responsibility..
If all checks out & the price is right I wouldn't be put off by your problems as listed too much..
Ps.. I have the lighter flywheel 2014 model with white springs & steering damper, just love the engine..
 
Switchgear does move a few mm on my 2015 GSA dont worry about it.
 
Schtum said:
If it's a 2014 model year bike with the OEM steering damper then yes. No, if it's a late 2013 MY bike.
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I could be wrong Mike, but I think it's the >2015 MY GS which is fitted with the GSA flywheel :nenau

My 2014 MY has just had a 2016 engine fitted due to corrosion and it feels completely different. It's more refined on the whole, but it doesn't ref up as quickly or feel as lively, which I would attribute to the heavier flywheel (although it could still be a bit tight at about 1500 miles)
 
Heavy flywheel only appears on 2014 GSA and 2015 MY GS.

from the dark side this was sent
 
You should be able to get one from a main dealer for that price.
 
The Nutty GSER said:
You should be able to get one from a main dealer for that price.
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It seems that I can take out a proper BMW warranty for £398 online. As you point out nutty, this would be included if I bought a bike from BMW. Factor in that it needs an annual service, the bike would cost 11k. Maybe not such a good price after all.
Still, I will go ahead with the test ride, and if good will we if the price can be haggled.
 
It's out of warranty, got no extras at all, crap heated grips, the start of corrosion and you don't get the benefits of buying it from a main dealer - i.e., 2 years' warranty and breakdown cover. for 11-12K I would be looking for a 64 or 15 plate low mileage model from a main dealer. Still in manufacturer warranty and the 2 year used warranty on top. There's plenty of GSes around so you should be able to bargain a little.
 
fatnfast said:
It seems that I can take out a proper BMW warranty for £398 online. As you point out nutty, this would be included if I bought a bike from BMW. Factor in that it needs an annual service, the bike would cost 11k. Maybe not such a good price after all.
Still, I will go ahead with the test ride, and if good will we if the price can be haggled.
Click to expand...

DON'T TEST RIDE IT! You'll end up buying it. Take a look on the BMW website, and buy from a main dealer. If you need help, I have some contacts that could sort you out with a better bike for around the same money.
 
Hi

Based on nothing more than previous stories, and knowing what it's like to buy a lemon, two owners and less than 5k miles seems unusual.

As previously stated, perhaps a visit to your local dealer with the index number may settle the question.

Bill
 
This line appears quite clearly in the advert ?

"Balance of BMW Factory Warranty until April 2017"
 
If its a may gs , it wont be the heavy flywheel , my bike is 1 st october 14 and the first of 15 model year, there were improvements like heated grips, heavy crank,
I agree with other posters to look around bmw dealers, there are some well priced gs and with 2 year used warranty,
Good luck with the search,, Roamer
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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