Here's a question

[Pip]

Hello all,

First post as I'm looking to buy a 650 GS in the near future.

Just wondering if I have the bargain of the year or a potential pup.

Been offered a 2007, F650GS, for just below £3k. Not from BMW, but from a third party trader.

The bike is an ex-bmw rider training machine, with 3,000, I expect, hard miles in crud. The panels are scratched, but the BMW warranty (2 years?) is still valid. It has been PDI'd and aprt from the scratches, I'm told that it's all ok.

Seeing it today and was wondering:

a) Any particular technical worries as it has hard a hard first 3,000 miles
b) Why is it so cheap when a normal 07 is around the £5k mark in auto-trader

I'm going to ask the trader the question "why so cheap?" but was wondering if anyone could advise in advance.

Looking forward to it, if it's a goodun.

29inch inside leg

 

[Decster]

Not too knowledgable on 650's but 2years warranty

Can you live with it breaking down a few times in 2 years and have you got a back up if this happens

Test ride and test ride it hard, high revs, get the engine temperature up and have a good listen to it.

Check the shock, front forks, brakes. Make sure wheels are not buckled, usual stuff

Bring someone or meet someone who knows something about them to have a look over.

Good luck.

PS i would post this in the 650 section aswell

 

[DavidHale]

By 'ex-rider training' do you mean road training or the BMW off-roads skills school?

If the former - easy life apart from the clutch.
If the later - hard life and dropped a thousand times!

 

[Pip]

The latter, but many drops just means scratches and bent levers? I am a newbie any way, so looking for reliability, stability and fun, but not fireblade acceleration. I'm gonna drop it a few times anyway.

For such a cheap price, spending a few quid on it is expected.

Panels, about £400.
Are bearing and chainsets covered in the BMW warranty?

Advice much appreciated

P

 

[Bernt56]

I don't know much about 650s but i did the rider training recently down Wales & believe me those bikes take a lot of stick. I don't think I would buy the one I used for the weekend. I think when they get rid of them they are way past their best. But I suppose you have to weigh up the warranty that is left & the price you are paying. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Pip]

I guess I now know the reason for the price. Sub £3k.

I'll assume £1k for contingency. and it's not my only mode of transport.

Surely the guts of the machine will remain reliable, it's the moving parts on the outside that will need some TLC.

Still going to look at it now. Fingers crossed.

Tah for advice guys

P

 

[Fanum]

By 'ex-rider training' do you mean road training or the BMW off-roads skills school?

If the former - easy life apart from the clutch.
If the later - hard life and dropped a thousand times!

I don't know much about 650s but i did the rider training recently down Wales & believe me those bikes take a lot of stick. I don't think I would buy the one I used for the weekend. I think when they get rid of them they are way past their best.

They git rid of them on a rolling annual purchase scheme- they're time served, not knackered

And what hard time have they had?

Yes of course they've been dropped lots and scratched and scuffed, but they've also been BWM repaired, serviced and made road-worthy.

A 650 with an uncertain history from elsewhere might have had its nuts revved off up and down the motorway with minimal oil....on an off-road course they might get bashed but they don't get the 'wrong' sort of abuse


I'd buy one..I think they're a bargain if you're not an anal retentive polishing type

 

[Loiq]

I bought a offroad school bike it's fine, just get it looked at carefully and be nice when things go wrong and they'll fix it Sweet.

plus it's already got that hardcore look to it... hides all the dents I've clocked up.

 

[Ian B]

More opinions and advice here

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127548&highlight=road+school

 

[Stickleback]

Yes of course they've been dropped lots and scratched and scuffed, but they've also been BWM repaired, serviced and made road-worthy.

A 650 with an uncertain history from elsewhere might have had its nuts revved off up and down the motorway with minimal oil....on an off-road course they might get bashed but they don't get the 'wrong' sort of abuse

Says it all really!

Best of luck, sounds like a good buy!

 

[Pip]

Well I looked at it and it's a great bike. Looks dead hardcore (Mad Max comes to mind) as all the plastic is fubared. But the condition of the bike underneath the scratches is great.

BMW do a full PDI and repair/replace the bike parts as required to get it back to a roadworthy condition. New chainset, sprockets, discs, the looms been replaced as has the ignition. I've got over a years warranty, the bikes 8 months old. The frame is in excellent condition too, below the scratches.

I was quite concerned before I went to see it, but it rides really tight and my legs are long enough. Deposit paid and excited is not the word

A bargain at £2,600. Can't wait.

 

[MikeP]

A bargain at £2,600. Can't wait.

Good for you!

GS's (of all flavours) can take much more punishment (vigorous use) than many appreciate. It's just that most owners never really test that aspect of their bike.

Enjoy your "new" bike and welcome.