hi all... some newbie questions for you :)

[viperuk]

Right then, ive been thinking about a gs for a while but really need some advice as to which model to buy. i have read reliability is an issue on some but not sure exactly which.. i thought bmw were bullet proof?

i would be on a budget of about 4k - 4.5k, not a big budget i know but times are hard and a little look around shows that higher mileage gsers shouldnt be dismissed !

so the big question is which model should i look for on my budget?

i am handy with the spanners so one i can repair myself would be good as i dont have loads of cash to line the dealers pockets with !

ive recently started touring on a vtr 1000 firestorm fun as it is i cant help think a gs with luggage would be as much fun, more practical, less fuel stops and more suited for the job.


any advice would be greatly appreciated

regards mark

 

[Bryn]

First question is 'how tall are you'


1150 GSA about 2" taller than the 1150 GS

Do you need a 300 mile tank range and the extra height?

If not look for a well sorted 1150 GS or even a mint 1100 ... if its got lots of nice bits on it, such as Ally luggage, all the better, because if you buy a bog standard one you'll only spend the extra on getting all the bling for it

 

[viperuk]

hi bryn

ah forgot to mention i am a short arse lol, only 5'8, i guess the weight of a gs would be a struggle if im on my tip toes all the time..

i dont need 300 mile tank range, the firestorm only does 100 miles so anything over that is a bonus haha..

great so if i looked at 1100 / 1150's what should i be looking for? i have read something about a belt change, is that a dealer job or something you can do yourself? any other potential issues?


i dont mind working on bikes but working on the ccm lots keeping it running nice has made me realise i would like to just ride the bike rather than be splitting the engine down... so the next bike i get i would like to ride and really only do the usual service items

cheers

 

[Bryn]

Mark, the best thing you can do if you're in the market is become a subscriber

It'll cost you £12 for a year, but gets you access to the 'For Sale and Wanted' section on here....

There's always a few 1150's for sale, some of which look the biz Also chances are you'll be buying from an enthusiast and not from a dealer ....

As far as belts are concerned there's only one to replace at around 25k which is the alternator belt... a simple job..Just whip the front cover off and there it is

The added bonus of being a subscriber is the amount of stuff you can sell on here ... there's always someone after what you've got

 

[viperuk]

cheers bryn

i'll keep lurking, my spending money wont be with me until a claim i have is settled..

agreed i will subscribe nearer to the time

thanks for the advice, i can see me with a gs hopefully next year woop !!

regards mark

 

[STUBBS]

if you can find it youll get a decent 1100 or 850 gs for that money

 

[viperuk]

cheers stubbs

i like the 800 but a friend of mine manage to write it one off after 2 small offs... it was only about 8 months old ???

fancy the 1150 / 1100 from what i have seen on ebay and the like.

once money is in the bank i will have a good look around the classified on here to see whats about

cheers for the advice

 

[Rasher]

i would be on a budget of about 4k - 4.5k, not a big budget i know but times are hard and a little look around shows that higher mileage gsers shouldnt be dismissed !

so the big question is which model should i look for on my budget?

IMHO with that budget your gonna be struggling to get a "good" 1200GS, and as they do have some rather expensive "common" faults it may be worth looking at a smaller bike or a good 1100 / 1150 which despite being older are less likely to fail and will probably be cheaper / easier to fix if they do.

Happy shopping

 

[viperuk]

rasher

cheers for the heads up mate... i had wrote any chance of a 1200 off, i think the 1150 would probably suit me.

what are the known faults on the 1150? anything Very expensive ?

as i said in my first post, i'm ok on the spanners... i wouldnt be happy buying a bike thats got to go to the dealers for repair. non of my bikes go to the dealers or bike shop for repair

regards mark