Opinions and advice sought please....

[b12bandit]

Went to Wollaston's this morning (Jeez, wasn't it cold!) and had an hour out on a very tidy 1150GS.

Initial impressions;

Wow! What an impressive riding position. Comfy and with a fantastic view.

Engine - felt a little wheezy at first - remember I'd just got off an FJR1300. Then I looked at the speedo and was going 20mph faster than I thought I was. Clutch was light and the gearbox felt sweet - well, compared to my FJR it was (Yamaha boxes are notorioulsy notchy and clunky)

Comfort - fabulous. Seemed to fit me like a glove as soon as I sat on it. Wind protection was poor compared to my FJR. The bike had the standard screen, which looks considerably narrower than the one on the 1200GS. My upper arms and shoulders felt cold.

I had a play around with the brakes - weird at first as there's little front-end 'dive' but very impressive.

Also reeled off half a dozen U-turns - easy peasy.

Could I live with a GS? - damn right I could.

All I need to do now is sort the money out. They were asking £5995 for an 02, with 17300 miles on - which I thought was a bit salty BUT - they offer 12 months warranty, tax and MOT plus breakdown cover. You just can't buy that peace of mind privately.

Alan Jeffries have a 2000 model (silver with the red seat), with 26k miles at £5250. That's 9000 miles more but £700 less. Trouble is, they're 150 miles from home, Wollastons are 35.

Advice again boys and girls - which one would you go for and why?

 

[Rushy]

ITS winter, 1 week for Xmas so stick in a cheeky offer NOW for the 02 one thats local. I mean, how many bikes do you think they will sell between now and the end of the year!?

Go in at £5500, you can always increase your offer, and walk away if it goes past £5700. Have they got quite a few other 1150s instock?? If so it makes your position as a buyer even stronger.

Go for it

 

[andyclift]

Could I live with a GS? - damn right I could.

Now the bad news. Once you have bought it you may get into the whole GS thing. First comes the System 5 lid followed by the off-road jacket and trousers, that's a grand or so gone. Closely following is trips to the Touratech website and trying to decide which of the bolt on bits are most useful and how much to spend on eye-candy.

Finally you start looking at the best routes to Garmisch to get to the BMW Biker Meeting. Mind you, if there is a budget forget the kit and the Touratech catalogue, just get out to Germany for the best biker piss-up in the world!!

There are two opinions of the GS. There are those who have ridden one who think its fantastic and there are those who haven't who know its crap.

 

[Dave56]

Wollaston BMW

Bought my brand new 1200GS from the guys at Wollaston only last month, can`t fault them, they did me a terrific deal, all singing all dancing for 9800.

With ref to the 1150, if its the blue & white one that they had in when I bought mine I feel that price is quite reasonable, it appeared to be in very good condition.

I sold mine - also b/w - privately, an`02 model with panniers/ABS/grips 12 months MOT 5 months tax with 24500 miles on the clock for 5k only a couple of months ago, so 5995 does`nt sound to bad, bearing in mind that at this time of year any sale is a bonus so haggle, haggle, haggle.

Good luck, trust me you definatley won`t be dissapointed

 

[b12bandit]

Dave, No, it's not the blue & white one, that's up for £6395 - eek!

I found one in Alan Jeffries - 2000, on a Y I think. 26k miles. £5250. More in my price bracket.

 

[Stickleback]

Hav bought 3 bikes from Alan Jeffries, absolutely no problems with them at all. They have been BMW dealers for donkeys years havingbeen in the trade for even longer.

I have no connection with tehcompany other than being a highly satisfied customer. If you want me to, I can look at the bike and send you some pictures tomorrow...

 

[b12bandit]

Stickle,

Yes please. You're a wonderful hum an being.

Thank you.

PETE
SHEFFORD
BEDS

[email protected]

 

[Stickleback]

OK, on my way down now! 11.15

 

[Stickleback]

Mail with pictures sent to tangofournil address

 

[b12bandit]

Received with thanks.

Have emailed you back.

CHEERS

PETE

 

[Geeza]

If you buy the 1150GS stick the Adventure screen on it........its taller and wider and makes quite a bit of difference

 

[instructor Boy]

what technique are you using for slow riding? we abandoned the bmw brand for being terrible for day in day out proceedures (too many clutches went!) and purchased several 2nd hand fjr's. sounds like you are revving and using rear brake too much.....

 

[andyclift]

Instructor Boy

From your name I guess that your bikes are used for slow riding on a day to day basis, possibly with less than skillful riders. Pete, if I understand his question correctly, needs to get through a test. Then his bike will be used like any other, in real world situations.

Last year when my wife was learning, we spent a lot of time in car parks so she could improve her slow riding and I followed her though cones and U turns on my GS12. It was great for it and does not seem to have done it any harm. Never tried it on an FJR but I think my old long wheel base FJ would have struggled.