Pimp My Ride

[Revfred34]

I've had my '19 GS TE since new, and racked up 30,000 miles on it. I commute on it all year, so it's starting to show obvious signs of wear in some places, notably the black cast wheels (scratches and bubbling paint) and the headers (discolored and rusty beyond repair). However, in most other respects it's fine and still runs like new.

I don't normally keep bikes this long, and usually replace them before they hit 20,000 miles. However, this GS is so good I've not really been tempted by anything else, and some issues at work mean I don't have the cash to just flip it for a new BMW. (I also don't think much of the 1300 - no rear light and indicators in the handguards so you can't fit muffs demonstrate that its a bike for posers rather than hard core AWBs.)

Anyhow, it's Spring and I knida fancy something new. My bike is probably worth £9,000 to £10,000 and I could spend 2-3 grand on top. I've been considering different brands, and looking at things like a Versys 1000, Tracer9 GT+, Africa Twin etc. I could get a fairly new one of those for 12-13K.

However, whenever I consider the spec of such other bikes they don't compare to the GS. When I sit on them it's very clear the design and finish is way off too. They may be fun to ride, but it's always going to be a step down, even from a 30,000 mile five year old GS.

So, instead I thought maybe I could pimp up the GS instead to keep me interested. I'm wondering if I can fit gold wheels and a new complete exhaust system for no more than £2K. Looks like it might be possible if I shop around. Doing this would definitely refresh the look of the thing, which is really all that lets it down. I would rather retain the CAT than go for a straight through system, so I'll probably need a second hand OEM set. Exhaust wise I like the Remus 8.

So, should I love it or list it? What do we think?

 

[Baked Bean]

Just my opinion but i would love it. I'm lucky enough to have swapped my 5 year old 30 000 mile 1250gs for a 1300 but if i hadn't liked the new one i would have happily stuck with the 1250. Before i swapped i tried a lot of the competition and in my opinion nothing compared.
Tart it up and enjoy it.

 

[leadfarmer]

Just my opinion but i would love it. I'm lucky enough to have swapped my 5 year old 30 000 mile 1250gs for a 1300 but if i hadn't liked the new one i would have happily stuck with the 1250. Before i swapped i tried a lot of the competition and in my opinion nothing compared.
Tart it up and enjoy it.

Exactly the same answer from me except that mine was an 8 year old 1200

 

[DJ123]

I've had my '19 GS TE since new, and racked up 30,000 miles on it. I commute on it all year, so it's starting to show obvious signs of wear in some places, notably the black cast wheels (scratches and bubbling paint) and the headers (discolored and rusty beyond repair). However, in most other respects it's fine and still runs like new.

I don't normally keep bikes this long, and usually replace them before they hit 20,000 miles. However, this GS is so good I've not really been tempted by anything else, and some issues at work mean I don't have the cash to just flip it for a new BMW. (I also don't think much of the 1300 - no rear light and indicators in the handguards so you can't fit muffs demonstrate that its a bike for posers rather than hard core AWBs.)

Anyhow, it's Spring and I knida fancy something new. My bike is probably worth £9,000 to £10,000 and I could spend 2-3 grand on top. I've been considering different brands, and looking at things like a Versys 1000, Tracer9 GT+, Africa Twin etc. I could get a fairly new one of those for 12-13K.

However, whenever I consider the spec of such other bikes they don't compare to the GS. When I sit on them it's very clear the design and finish is way off too. They may be fun to ride, but it's always going to be a step down, even from a 30,000 mile five year old GS.

So, instead I thought maybe I could pimp up the GS instead to keep me interested. I'm wondering if I can fit gold wheels and a new complete exhaust system for no more than £2K. Looks like it might be possible if I shop around. Doing this would definitely refresh the look of the thing, which is really all that lets it down. I would rather retain the CAT than go for a straight through system, so I'll probably need a second hand OEM set. Exhaust wise I like the Remus 8.

So, should I love it or list it? What do we think?

Keep it and tart it up. If its only the aesthetics that are showing wear and tear there's no reason to get another Bike!

Wheels - plenty of good powder coat places you can use to get those done.
Headers - The exhaust headers should clean up fine with a good clean using metal polish and some wire wool. Give it a go and see the results before splurging out on a new set.

 

[clutchspring]

You could easily get your wheels powder coated & full exhaust system's come up now & again on this site & ebay .
Good look .

 

[Revfred34]

Thanks for the suggestions.

However, it's all academic now as my bike was stolen yesterday!

 

[Gavla04GS]

Thanks for the suggestions.

However, it's all academic now as my bike was stolen yesterday!

Oh no, thats devastating news.

Potential deposit for a replacement?

 

[DJ123]

Thanks for the suggestions.

However, it's all academic now as my bike was stolen yesterday!

I've seen how Pimp My Ride works - are you sure Xzibit hasn't taken it away to be pimped?!

On a more serious note. It's a shame to hear that news.

 

[Revfred34]

Just found our that the thief who stole my bike promptly crashed it about a mile away from my office. The bike is now in a Police pound, all smashed up. Apparently another vehicle was involved in the RTA, and the thief ran away. All I know about the bike is that it is "wheels rolling", whatever that means.

So, a bit of instant karma there me thinks.

I'll have to wait to see what state the bike is in. You never know, perhaps the exhaust headers and wheels are damaged and will have to be replaced .

 

[Neil W]

Just found our that the thief who stole my bike promptly crashed it about a mile away from my office. The bike is now in a Police pound, all smashed up. Apparently another vehicle was involved in the RTA, and the thief ran away. All I know about the bike is that it is "wheels rolling", whatever that means.

So, a bit of instant karma there me thinks.

I'll have to wait to see what state the bike is in. You never know, perhaps the exhaust headers and wheels are damaged and will have to be replaced .

Not karma because the thief was able to run away from the scene and someone else was involved , real karma is when the thief is involved in a single vehicle rtc and will never run away again !
I never minded attending those kind of serious incidents

 

[Revfred34]

Not karma because the thief was able to run away from the scene and someone else was involved , real karma is when the thief is involved in a single vehicle rtc and will never run away again !
I never minded attending those kind of serious incidents

Very true. I really hope no-one else was hurt.

It's a bit odd to think I've ridden 30,000 miles on the bike (inculding two weeks down to Italy for my Honeymoon last year), and the moment someone else gets on it it's involved in a crash. No idea what happened, but if he was riding it like he stole it (which I assume he was) then I'll wager it was his fault.

 

[Hann]

How would the thief of started the bike with its immobiliser / key transponder security?

 

[Revfred34]

How would the thief of started the bike with its immobiliser / key transponder security?

I've no idea, but he clearly did. My immediate thought was that it was a professional job, if they had the means to do that.

Although, I have not seen the CCTV, so its possible the theif just pushed it away. I have seen what I presumed was a GSA being stolen in the area some months ago, where someone was sat on the GSA, and his pal on a T-Max rode along next to him with his foot on the cylinder, pushing it. They came past me at about 30. If that was what happened in this case then that might explain why there was an accident.