Our 1st R1200GS SE arrives

[Wrinkly]

I really like the look of it,although i would go for alloy panniers.
I am seriously considering selling my 1150gsa se and ordering one.

Steve

 

[zico]

Here lies the new problem. Having been almost certain that I couldnt justify the cost of a new GSA I decided that a K1200s nearly new for around £9k was the way to go. Then all of a sudden they bring out this GS SE. Love the looks and it has ALL the toys. But do I really need all the toys. To be fair the answer is no. However cant get over the fact that I could get a new GSA with fog lights and ABS for almost same money. If they were still doing it in white I think the GSA would win and the bank manager would be getting more of my business. However they dont and I cant bring myself to like the magnesium or red GSAs. This SE looks great but apart from all the toys and it being new can I justify trading in my standard GS for what is practically the same bike. If it was the GSA I could justify it because it is a different bike (if you know what I mean). Bloody BMWs have got under my skin. This GS SE is a goooood looking bike. Problems problems dilemmas dilemmas. Must get down to Clarks to see if they have one in the showroom. Must remember not to sign order form. FFS this is hard.

 

[dogman]

ZICO - get a GSA and spray it white! You will be a happy chap.

 

[Magnum]

I'm very interested in buying one of these. So interested that I called Paul at Bahnstormer Motorrad today to discuss the possibility.

After a brief discussion regarding the procedure for VAT free personal exports (he was unsure whether he could) he agreed to call me back this afternoon.

Indeed he did call back to tell me 2 things. Firstly, I was right, any dealer could make an application to supply a bike VAT free to a country outside the EU. Simple 1 page form that both he and I would complete and there is no charge for thiis application. Good news

Secondly he advised me that despite this he wasn't prepared to sell me an SE as availability was limited and he needed to consider the "bigger picture" by keeping these bikes for local people who would spend money in his service department. I explained that this would be the 3rd new BMW bike and 4th new bike (including a Harley) I had bought in just over 12 months, but apparantley that's not looking at the bigger picture and, to put it bluntly he wouldn't take an order off me

Never had any car or bike dealer refuse to take an order from me in 30+ years of riding and driving. I hope business remains this good for Bahnstormer because I'm afraid they'd be the last dealer I would go to in future.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Typical small minded attitude of some dealers. A sale is a sale in this economic climate. At least there are plenty more that will be pleased to take an order from you.

Am loathe to suggest this dealer, but Park Lane BMW specialise in VAT free exports. But do yourself a favour, try some other dealers first.

Vines highly recommended from personal experience. They seem hungry for business...

One trick to try - negotiate, place the order, pay the deposit, then tell 'em its for export etc...

 

[Roberto]

Secondly he advised me that despite this he wasn't prepared to sell me an SE as availability was limited and he needed to consider the "bigger picture" by keeping these bikes for local people who would spend money in his service department.

I needed to read that again... so would he not sell you any bike, or just this one? Bloody hell, it's justa GS with a few extra bits on it. Crazy.

 

[Magnum]

I needed to read that again... so would he not sell you any bike, or just this one? Bloody hell, it's justa GS with a few extra bits on it. Crazy.

Just the SE, as availability is limited. I feel sure he would have taken my money for more commonly available models.

If any other dealers are reading this, I may have an order for you. Please drop me a PM if you feel my business is worth having.

 

[Fanum]

Typical small minded attitude of some dealers. A sale is a sale in this economic climate. At least there are plenty more that will be pleased to take an order from you.

If they were short of sales for this bike then yes, but otherwise
You're a business....you have 5 items that you know you can sell......you know that if you sell them all locally, you've got a very good chance of making some large amounts of follow on cash from (highly profitable in comparison with original sale ) servicing of those original 5 items......but if you sell one abroad, in addition to the headache of loads of paperwork, you won't make that follow on cash profit.

Bit of a no brainer isn't it?

As I understand it (and as has already been pointed out above) Park lane are the designated, fully BWM owned dealer that deals with exports/ forces sales etc.

PS I've got no connection to the dealer being moaned about whatsoever......it just seems like an unfair whinge to me

 

[WindyChuffer]

....but if you sell one abroad, in addition to the headache of loads of paperwork, you won't make that follow on cash profit.

a simple export form...hardly loads of paperwork

follow on cash profit - quite likely from any customer given good service in terms of parts and future bikes...

and i dont believe for one minute that the SE is a limited edition....marketing spiel at best.

 

[Magnum]

Fanum.

There isn't "loads of paperwork". Just a 1 page form with a few basic details, half of which the customer completes.

Taking this 1 bike deal in isolation, is the dealer only going to sell this bike to someone local to him and even then will he expect the purchaser to sign a service contract? You can have your Beemer serviced at the dealer of your choice remember. But let's just say it stays local and an annual service is how much for a GS these days? £250? Less costs that's maybe £125 profit each year?

Alternatively sell the bike to a serial bike buyer like me who has no problem feeding his bike habit by swapping bikes every year along with buying others to join them. I choose to buy my bikes from people who appreciate the business and offer good service. I've bought 3 new bikes in the last year including a GSA and Megamoto. Also, I come back to the UK every month and would have no problem having the bike serviced in the UK if it coincided with a trip back here.

Still sound like a no-brainer? Sounds like bad business to me.

 

[Glyno]

I'm very interested in buying one of these. So interested that I called Paul at Bahnstormer Motorrad today to discuss the possibility.

After a brief discussion regarding the procedure for VAT free personal exports (he was unsure whether he could) he agreed to call me back this afternoon.

Indeed he did call back to tell me 2 things. Firstly, I was right, any dealer could make an application to supply a bike VAT free to a country outside the EU. Simple 1 page form that both he and I would complete and there is no charge for thiis application. Good news

Secondly he advised me that despite this he wasn't prepared to sell me an SE as availability was limited and he needed to consider the "bigger picture" by keeping these bikes for local people who would spend money in his service department. I explained that this would be the 3rd new BMW bike and 4th new bike (including a Harley) I had bought in just over 12 months, but apparantley that's not looking at the bigger picture and, to put it bluntly he wouldn't take an order off me

Never had any car or bike dealer refuse to take an order from me in 30+ years of riding and driving. I hope business remains this good for Bahnstormer because I'm afraid they'd be the last dealer I would go to in future.

Go tell em to get stuffed, who the hell do they think they are eh !

 

[Fanum]

Fanum.

There isn't "loads of paperwork". Just a 1 page form with a few basic details, half of which the customer completes.

Taking this 1 bike deal in isolation, is the dealer only going to sell this bike to someone local to him and even then will he expect the purchaser to sign a service contract? You can have your Beemer serviced at the dealer of your choice remember. But let's just say it stays local and an annual service is how much for a GS these days? £250? Less costs that's maybe £125 profit each year?

Alternatively sell the bike to a serial bike buyer like me who has no problem feeding his bike habit by swapping bikes every year along with buying others to join them. I choose to buy my bikes from people who appreciate the business and offer good service. I've bought 3 new bikes in the last year including a GSA and Megamoto. Also, I come back to the UK every month and would have no problem having the bike serviced in the UK if it coincided with a trip back here.

Still sound like a no-brainer? Sounds like bad business to me.

Fair point, though the dealer may not think that the actual returns would match what you said to him (and are now backing up here) and so went looking to please local people



There's a good chance that the deal with exporting bikes is actually behind this...tbh i can't remember where it came from so have no evidence to back it up, but IIRC, Park lane BWM are the ones who are officially meant to do all the export stuff....there's probably some arcane EU loophole or rule that makes it better for BMW that way , but as I say, I don't really know anything about it so I'm fumbling around here.

(what's new )

Maybe Mr Bahnstormer will come back on and tell us why ?

 

[pathfinder]

Nice tiles though got same in mi bike garage and same tiles in red fer mi cars.

 

[brassmonkey001]

It looks like a cheap laxative.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Any business can export VAT free. The government goes out of its way to make this easy as its better for the economy to maximise exports and minimise imports blah blah blah. Park Lane market themselves as being export specialists 'cos London, being what it is, attracts a lot of transient visitors whereas sleepy old Alton's population is perhaps a bit more, err, local.

Where you take the bike is none of the dealers business. Whether the VAT gets paid or not is not the dealers concern as its the Governments money, and the Governments decision.

Its a Special Edition, not a Limited Edition + we are in a recession...

"This is a local shop for local people, there's nothing for you here"

 

[Fanum]

Any business can export VAT free. The government goes out of its way to make this easy as its better for the economy to maximise exports and minimise imports blah blah blah. Park Lane market themselves as being export specialists 'cos London, being what it is, attracts a lot of transient visitors whereas sleepy old Alton's population is perhaps a bit more, err, local.

"This is a local shop for local people, there's nothing for you here"

Where you take the bike is none of the dealers business. Whether the VAT gets paid or not is not the dealers concern as its the Governments money, and the Governments decision.

Its a Special Edition, not a Limited Edition + we are in a recession...

Don't assume it's that easy....just have a look at the touratwat import thread.

 

[WindyChuffer]

I never said it was easy...

oops I did; slippery digits.

what I meant to say was ..."The government goes out of its way to try to make this easy..."

 

[Andrei Ukrainian]

Where can I find this touratwat import thread, any links?

Wife wants a GS 650, didn't even consider the possibility of saving money on VAT.


No more booze for me...and no less

 

[Arsey]

Magnum,
Try CW Motorcycles in Dorchester.

They won't refuse business like some !

I got my K1300S from them and they took care of all the paperwork.

Call Dave,the boss and mention my name .

 

[Stormbringer]

North Oxford BMW are worth a try.
I cant't think why a dealer would not want to sell you a bike thats really bad .