Having doubts now

[Nutty]

So, I found a 2008 XCountry at a main dealer a couple of weeks ago, 5800 miles, immaculate condition (and no, it's not an ex ORS bike with new panels). My only slight concern was that the bike had 5 owners, but anyone I've spoken to has said this isn't anything to worry about. Part of the deal was a new front tyre, new MOT, service, and 80 point check.

The bike was due to be delivered on Wednesday, but I got a call to say that the front wheel bearings needed replacing, and would be replaced before delivery. So, this was done, and the bike was meant to be delivered yesterday. I then got a call yesterday to say that the rose joint on the rear suspension has a crack in it, and that they will either get the shock rebuilt, or replace it.

Should I be concerned, as it seems strange that a bike with such low mileage had these issues, or are these normal wear and tear items? If the previous owner was a lover of all things fried, I guess this would explain the rose joint, and I understand that bearings do wear out on bikes, so what do you lot reckon?

 

[Ant1967]

Go ahead and buy it these bikes are great and it seems your dealer is making sure the bike is spot on before you take delivery. Enjoy

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

So, I found a 2008 XCountry at a main dealer a couple of weeks ago, 5800 miles, immaculate condition (and no, it's not an ex ORS bike with new panels). My only slight concern was that the bike had 5 owners, but anyone I've spoken to has said this isn't anything to worry about. Part of the deal was a new front tyre, new MOT, service, and 80 point check.

The bike was due to be delivered on Wednesday, but I got a call to say that the front wheel bearings needed replacing, and would be replaced before delivery. So, this was done, and the bike was meant to be delivered yesterday. I then got a call yesterday to say that the rose joint on the rear suspension has a crack in it, and that they will either get the shock rebuilt, or replace it.

Should I be concerned, as it seems strange that a bike with such low mileage had these issues, or are these normal wear and tear items? If the previous owner was a lover of all things fried, I guess this would explain the rose joint, and I understand that bearings do wear out on bikes, so what do you lot reckon?

Like I said yesterday...................

Wheel bearings can pick up a bit of grit/debris and fail and some had sub standard bearings from new which were replaced early in most bikes life FOC (Rear IIRC) - maybe yours has a front too

Look on the Adv Rider XCountry thread, a few bottom shock mounts have failed, for whatever reason and owners have modified them

As I said use it to maybe get a quality Wilbers shock, instead of the OEM Sachs

Either issue wouldn't bother me

Mine had 3 owners in less than 2500 miles - it's a marmite bike

I did 8000 mainly hard offroad miles in 5 years on my Challenge, with zilch - only an ignition switch contact which was £47

You worry too much

 

[Nutty]

You worry too much

I do!

 

[Mav]

I don't think you need to worry about the bearings or the number of owners.

It's unlikely to have changed hands that many times because of problem - more likely, the previous owners simply didn't get it. And besides, the warranty from a main dealer is fantastic

And the bearing - it's a trivial issue

Enjoy chap

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Sounds like you have an excellent dealer .

 

[GFJ]

Sounds like a cracking dealer to me, who has thoroughly gone over the bike and openly getting it A1 before they pass it on to you.

A less scrupulous one may just have sold and hoped.

They're looking after you now, so I'd be confident this will continue.

Relax and enjoy it when it comes.

 

[Losttheplot]

Wheel bearings are like brake pads, just another consumable part.

Sounds like they are being thorough on the inspection of the bike, and also up front and honest about the delays, does the dealer have a good reputation for after sales service as well?

 

[Nutty]

Thanks for all the comments folks. JB also gave me a talking to this morning, so I'm cracking on with the plan!

 

[JayC]

Nutty, forget about the 80 point check, it is a meaningless sales pitch. My guess with this bike is that it didn't live up to the expectations of it's previous 5 owners, who perhaps all hoped it would be a full on all rounder and quickly realising it wasn't, not for them at least! Vehicles that get through many owners very quickly usually do so for a good reason.

As for the bearings, wear and tear, it's going to happen to any vehicle. At least the dealer is up front and making efforts to put wrongs right.

 

[Roberto]

Excellent advice given already.. me, I'd take comfort my dealer was doing their job properly and would be looking forward to my new bike

 

[Nutty]

Nutty, forget about the 80 point check, it is a meaningless sales pitch. My guess with this bike is that it didn't live up to the expectations of it's previous 5 owners, who perhaps all hoped it would be a full on all rounder and quickly realising it wasn't, not for them at least! Vehicles that get through many owners very quickly usually do so for a good reason.

As for the bearings, wear and tear, it's going to happen to any vehicle. At least the dealer is up front and making efforts to put wrongs right.

Good advice, cheers Jay. I figured that it's a bit of a marmite bike, and hope that I like it, otherwise it'll be back for sale on here in the New Year!

Re the dealer, I'm more than happy with their efforts, and transparency on the two issues; it would have been very easy for them to just get the bike fixed, and not mention anything to me. My main worries were about the bike needing these parts, with such a low mileage, but everyone on this thread has put my mind at rest now. I'm just waiting for Fanum or Att to come along and tell me it's a bag of old shite, and I've done the wrong thing!

 

[Nutty]

Excellent advice given already.. me, I'd take comfort my dealer was doing their job properly and would be looking forward to my new bike

Cheers Rob, wise words.

 

[stevemersey]

Nutty,
The one I bought a couple of months back off Kenny had at least 5 owners and very little history. I bought it on a bit of a whim. Saw it advertised and agreed a deal about an hour later not knowing much about them. Then I found a thread on ADV rider I think, with some of the known problems and started to reflect.

But don't worry. It was the best thing I have done in along time. Brilliant bike, I love it. At home, my wife and son ride, and we are all fighting over who gets the XCountry. It filters like a bicycle too!

 

[Nutty]

Had a call from the dealer today, and they decided to just order a new shock. I asked if I could pay the difference, and have a Wilbers instead, and they said yes, so for £100, I'll have a brand new Wilbers shock!

 

[Losttheplot]

Had a call from the dealer today, and they decided to just order a new shock. I asked if I could pay the difference, and have a Wilbers instead, and they said yes, so for £100, I'll have a brand new Wilbers shock!

result!

 

[Deleted account 190117001]

Had a call from the dealer today, and they decided to just order a new shock. I asked if I could pay the difference, and have a Wilbers instead, and they said yes, so for £100, I'll have a brand new Wilbers shock!

You have a good dealer there,
well done on the wilbers conversion.

Seriously now,
can I buy the old damaged shock from you please ?

 

[david a hall]

Nutty, forget about the 80 point check, it is a meaningless sales pitch. My guess with this bike is that it didn't live up to the expectations of it's previous 5 owners, who perhaps all hoped it would be a full on all rounder and quickly realising it wasn't, not for them at least! Vehicles that get through many owners very quickly usually do so for a good reason.

As for the bearings, wear and tear, it's going to happen to any vehicle. At least the dealer is up front and making efforts to put wrongs right.

This about sums it up, this is a great bike but not the easiest bike to ride in the wet off road. On good fire roads it will be a joy, in spain in the dry or crossing a continent then great bike but wet slippery or steep stuff, in this country, there are a lot easier bikes. I expect it has been owned by people who have realized this.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Had a call from the dealer today, and they decided to just order a new shock. I asked if I could pay the difference, and have a Wilbers instead, and they said yes, so for £100, I'll have a brand new Wilbers shock!

My fee is in the post

 

[Mr K]

I found my F650GS (I know it's not the same, but it's a 650 4-stroke single) perfectly adequate when riding by myself.

When riding in the company of others on the road I could keep up but needed to tap dance on the gear lever. Whilst fun at first, at the end of a long day it's a pain in the bollocks.

If you know what you want it for and have another bike for higher speed stuff, fair enough.