GS1200

[thosoneill]

thinking of buying a 2008 GS1200 with 4K on the clock - non abs - only extra is heated grips - with bmw top box and expandable luggage i am looking at approx £8700 - one owner bike - do you reckon this represents good value or would you expect a higher spec for this amount of cash - PS bmw aub approved - thanks

 

[Uinneag]

Is this genuine or are you setting someone up

 

[thosoneill]

seriously genuine HRH - what do you think

 

[Beedenb]

Hi thosoneill,
I paid £8000 in August for a 1200GS 08 with 1300miles on the clock fully kitted out and with a BMW top box, Look around there out there, maybe look to see what the costing are at the MCN exhibition at the end of the month
Brad.

 

[blackbird]

£8700 for a 08 low spec R1200 GS take a look of MCN or biketrader.co.uk you can not give a GS1200 away today

 

[thosoneill]

thanks for that blackbird - i have indeed been checking both MCN and biketrader on a regular basis however there is not that much out there privately in respect of the latest mark 2 GS - i would add that most low milage models i have made enquiries about have been sold - the bike i am looking at was first registered on 18/06/2008 therefore the warranty does not expire until 17/06/2010 - i appreciate the bike is low spec however i am of the opinion that high spec models with ASC/ ESC/ABS and the like have potentially all the more to go wrong - the luggage incidentally is brand new and unused - the dealer is even throwing in a full tank of fuel

 

[Pukmeister]

Wow, a free tank of fuel. All £14 of it.

Bahnstormer had their low mileage ex-demo fully loaded 1200GSA for sale last week at £10,995. It wasn't on sale long.

 

[thosoneill]

thanks guys - i mailed my friend about my proposed purchase - this was his reply "I can assure you, ABS is a must for any performance bike. Wait out for an abs/asc model." - whats the consensus on his opinion?

 

[Pukmeister]

It depends what you want and the price.

I prefer to have such safety systems as ABS, others dont. Some people will tell you to avoid the optional extras as its more to go wrong. Do the same people still drive around in Austin A7's or Morris Minors rather than more modern cars to avoid a possible car breakdown??

My bike is one of the first 1200 models (with Servo ABS) and touch wood as a machine it has been pretty reliable, with only the typical early 1200 problems like gearbox seals, final drive, software updates, front engine cover corrosion all done under warranty and a failed fuel pump controller (early design now modified) changed by myself.

If you are that worried, be sure to buy a bike with warranty so that should anything go wrong (which I doubt) you have repair cover.

 

[Mark8303]

GS1200 Main dealer bargain

I was trawling the ebay/autotrader for weeks up to xmas looking for 'the right one'. Went into Vines over new year break to kick tyres and whilst leant on a very tidy 57 with 4.3k - full varios - ABS - hot grips - full computer (even oil level) - fender extender, I told the sales guy what I was looking for but not a their prices! Next day I walked out having bought above bike for 7.4k complete with full tank - tax - BMW warranty and still smiling! Go see them you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Mark8303]

Even more!

Forgot, it even has head protectors and SW Motech engine bars fitted, bonus!

 

[jonnie comet]

you can not give a GS1200 away today

....couple of weeks ago, gave my 06 away........for the best part of £7K.....

 

[thosoneill]

mark - sounds a good deal to me - i feel as though i am now committed to this bike so i am gonna bite the bullet and just go for it - if you happen to see an old fart skidding and struggling with a non abs you know who it is !

 

[Brian ROSEN]

What a bargain!

Well, it seems incredible to me, here in France where a new 12300GS 'with all the bits' is going to cost you around £14,500 at the present rate of exchange. You would be lucky to find a reasonable 2008 model S/H from a dealer at less than 14,000€ (£12,300) - you would not get the luggage included but I have to say I have not seen one advertised without ABS. That may be the reason.

 

[The smudger]

Hi matey,

The ABS debate has run out of steam, it all depends on when/how you ride. I use the bike through the winter (GS), and wouldn't be without ABS. I've had 2 'scary' moments on mine, boy oh boy, was i glad of ABS!!!

Grips is a must, BC as well really, luggage sounds good, although if youre like me you'll never use it!!!

Price? sounds a tad expensive to me IMHO, you should think of re-sale as well..........

Cheers, Steve.

 

[thosoneill]

thanks smudger - i appreciate your input regarding the price - there are pre 2008 models around which are more expensive - ok they have ABS however the new model is up on power and has various other mods which in my opinion rectified some of the earlier problems encountered in pre 2008 bikes - i ask you this - if you had the choice would you opt for the latest machine or go for the older model - i don't ride the bike through all the seasons and to be honest it shall only be used for seven months of the year maximum - yes i shall use the luggage as i do like the odd bit of camping - i do admit that i would have preferred ABS however there is definitely a premium to be paid for that option/privilege - i don't have a bottomless pit of cash so i have to be realistic - the bike is an approved used bmw which i consider to be some form of guarantee - i intend going to see the actual bike soon - if it does not meet my standards then i shall look elsewhere - cheers mate

 

[Old Gregg]

I bought my (mark 2), 2008 GS from Alan Jeffries in Shipley for £9250, (plus around £500 for panniers), and I think I got a good deal. It was a 3 month old demo with 1400 miles on it and had every option fitted; ESA, ABS, ASC, heated grips, tyre pressure sensors, computer, alarm, chrome exhaust, clear indicators etc. It was even the colour I wanted; slate grey matt. I went with the intention of buying a brand new one but with more than 2 grand saving I'd have been a fool to knock it back. Their other GS demo, (the one they normally sent out) was almost the same spec, (it had no alarm) and was in the Namibia Orange colour was going for around the same price but the colour wasn't for me. You could give them a ring if you're interested as they can deliver.

 

[mrsroynie]

Well, it seems incredible to me, here in France where a new 12300GS 'with all the bits' is going to cost you around £14,500 at the present rate of exchange. You would be lucky to find a reasonable 2008 model S/H from a dealer at less than 14,000€ (£12,300) - you would not get the luggage included but I have to say I have not seen one advertised without ABS. That may be the reason.

Oddly enough, Bike magazine have an article this month on the effect of the exchange rate on vehicle prices in Europe. Whereas one used to be able to pick up a cheap grey import from Belgium or the NLs, Europeans are reputedly snapping up 'bargains' in the UK for export! The example quoted is a Yamaha YZF-R1. UK price £9,999. Equivalent prices: Germany, £13,330; Belgium, £13,773; Holland, £14,766; France, £13,909 ... etc., etc.

But, in France, second-hand vehicles have always commanded much higher prices anyway.