Looking to buy a used 1200GS - what does 04 mean?

Jon P

Jon P

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Looking at a 2007 GS. What does 04 mean? It was registered Nov 2007, it's got Intergrated ABS (partial), ASC, tyre pressure monitors, heated grips.

What does partial ABS mean?

The last one I had was an 2007 GSA with ABS - the one without the servo.

Thanks for your help!
 
I'd guess that '04 means it's a 2004 bike. The "partial" will refer to the integrated brakes, i.e. the front operates the rear but not vice-versa. If it is a 2004 ABS bike, it will have servo brakes. Caveat emptor.....:rob
 
are you looking at an ebay or autotrader add by chance? the 04 is a spurious piece of info on there listing specs.tbh i would go for 08 on,better brakes slightly more power etc.
 
Definately not an 04 bike - there are quite a few listed, for example 2007 - they say 2007 R1200 GS 04MU
 
who is"they",yes we know its not an 04 you said it was registered in 07,
 
Jon P said:
Looking at a 2007 GS. What does 04 mean? It was registered Nov 2007, it's got Intergrated ABS (partial), ASC, tyre pressure monitors, heated grips.

What does partial ABS mean?

The last one I had was an 2007 GSA with ABS - the one without the servo.

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

Schtum said:
I'd guess that '04 means it's a 2004 bike. The "partial" will refer to the integrated brakes, i.e. the front operates the rear but not vice-versa. If it is a 2004 ABS bike, it will have servo brakes. Caveat emptor.....:rob
Click to expand...

A 2004 bike would NOT have ASC or tyre pressure monitors.

There was a thread on here somewhere that gave a website that you could input the vin number and it would tell you exactly when the bike was made...

Found it....
 
Last edited:
Nothing wrong with the 07 bike even if it has less power than the later models. The "partially interated" ABS system is probably better than the servo "integrated" system used on the earlier 12GS's and it works great (until the unit packs up then a new one costs ££££).

:thumb

Has it got heated grips?
 
MU stands for "Model Update" - so MU04 would normally mean a 2004 model. I suppose it is possible the thing was made in 2004/5 but not registered until 2007?
 
Jon P said:
There are loads advertised with 04 in the description - just like this one... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../radius/1500/page/1/postcode/iv25ef?logcode=p
Click to expand...

Ok so that's a 2004 MY (Model Year) bike registered in 2007. The first iteration of R1200 GS ran from '04 to '07. The first model update was in 2007 when, amongst other things, the centre stand was relocated to make it easier to put the bike up onto it.

Jon P said:
Here's another..... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-R-1200-GS-04-/261281016889?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3cd58fec39
Click to expand...

That's a 57 plate, ie late 2007, early 2008 GS. Since it says it's an '04 model, it would suggest that it's pre the 2007 update.
 
I went for a Mark 2 (08 to 09) because it was less money than a Mark 3 (twin cam) and had larger bearings in the final drive so the gears should be less likely to self destruct. I also thought the Mk1 prices were high for bikes at (nearly) 10 years old.
 
If I understand the 'updated' one has the boomerangs on the front of the tank? A bit more power, and a few other detail changes. My last one was a new 2007 GSA in the states which I had for a couple of years but have been without a bike (oh, the pain!) since 2009. I am now back in the UK and have somewhere to keep a bike again. I started looking at R100GSs , then 1100s, 1150s and now back to a 1200! Seems a nice 1200 is no more expensive than a VERY nice R100GS PD, or a mint 1150!
I have always bought my GSs new, starting with an R80GS back in '91 but now no longer want the depreciation attached with new bikes so looking about the 7k price range - seems there are lots of 1200s to choose from. I have already bought a trailer and got my riding gear out of storage.......oh happy days!
 
Jon P said:
If I understand the 'updated' one has the boomerangs on the front of the tank? A bit more power, and a few other detail changes.
Click to expand...

That was the 2008 MU (Model Update) bike. Perhaps the best update to that was the steeper steering head angle which makes it turn more quickly. There have been several updates in total: 2007, 2008, 2010 (Twin Cam) before the LC in 2013.
 
I've got news for you......THE LC came out in 1980!!:augie
 
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Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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