Possible GS Owner with Q's

[schnauzer]

i think from the start of the year they are all black engines.

 

[Rollo]

Yeah I'm dealing with the young lad - honest but completely wet.

I've been waiting since Friday for him to work a deal out lol

Anyone know if they all come with a black engine now?

Wet.... agreed, but still honest as the day.

Did my deal with Dave at Williams, Manchester in June '04. With trade-in underwritten elsewhere, I was happy with my deal. Ran into a big problem when new bike was on order and I asked specifically if it had a short first gear and discovered it hadn't as all standard bikes had the high first prior to 2004 and williams ordered that spec for stock. Dave went out of his way to get a replacement bike with my preferred gearing. Really glad he did. Williams have been good since delivery and sorted out several problems for me, including the over-optimistic speedo, and worked on the bike when it suited me.

2004 bikes have black engines.

Suggest you get the Remus Y piece in the deal at circa £250. Makes a noticeable, if not big difference.

Enjoy the bike, it's very good.

 

[Rollo]

Hi all,

Specific Q's

* Will the Adv panniers/topbox fit 2 full face helmets in them.

I bought the Jesse panniers and am really pleased with them. 2 panniers have the same capacity as the BM panniers and top box. You will save £400 and still have room for a top box, or as in my case a 90 litre North Face bag with all my camping gear in. Jesse do matching 35/45/65 litre top boxes. The big one takes two helmets.

* I've heard the gearbox and ABS is much improved on 12? Is the old one that bad?

The brakes on the Advnture work very well and its ABS is efficient.

* What are the real bug bears on the Adv?

Seat/screen/side stand/lights/price of fuel.

I found it took a little getting used to, but I like it a lot now. It keeps growing on me. Just done a trip through Spain and Portugal on it and I'm impressed.

Seat height is a real issue that you have to face up to. If you're OK out of the box, well done.

* Is the seat/screen really that bad?

I have the BM low seat and I want to swop it. Dealer will find someone who wants to exchange it for a new black standard.

Screen comfort is personal and I fitted a +3" screen and Tobinators to get near where I wanted to be. Can see over the top of the screen. The standard screen raised by Tobinators causes a gap under the screen, whereas by +3" stays low at the bottom edge. Still breezy as the screen is narrow lik the standard, but riding without earplugs can be done now. Bike really rides well at 90+mph and is very stable.

I've found the pillion passenger has little room on the seat compared with my previous bikes and I've added the Touratech seat extension which solves the seating problem, but presents a top box space issue. Check it out carefully as two big riders fill the available space quickly. I also found the BM boxes sit higher and are more of a struggle to thow your leg over, Also, the pillion thighs can suffer from the rings pressing in. That isn't a problem with the Jesse bags.

* Is the resale on the Adv going to be an issue?

Try buying one. By the time you add the value of a 2 year warranty and first service, discounting for extras you don't want and features that you do want that are now standard, the price of a 2 year old Adv is near the price of a new bike.

Please no flames - I'm gonna spend 11-12k on a bike and want it to be the right choice!

Should get a new ABS for £9,700 and best boxes for £650. I added another few hundred quid of Ttech and Wunderlich kit to get the bike to the spec I wanted. The lifting handle is a great advantage.

If you want to chat, pm me and then call/meet.

Rollo

 

[mikeh501]

Wet.... agreed, but still honest as the day.

Did my deal with Dave at Williams, Manchester in June '04. With trade-in underwritten elsewhere, I was happy with my deal. Ran into a big problem when new bike was on order and I asked specifically if it had a short first gear and discovered it hadn't as all standard bikes had the high first prior to 2004 and williams ordered that spec for stock. Dave went out of his way to get a replacement bike with my preferred gearing. Really glad he did. Williams have been good since delivery and sorted out several problems for me, including the over-optimistic speedo, and worked on the bike when it suited me.

2004 bikes have black engines.

Suggest you get the Remus Y piece in the deal at circa £250. Makes a noticeable, if not big difference.

Enjoy the bike, it's very good.

Thx Rollo, I'm going for the standard gearing and standard tyres not knoblies.

Going to check that the one I test drive didn't have the low first gear tomorrow.

Oh, also the screen and seat were great, but the pillion accomodation was a bit small.

Also, whats the website for the jesse bags?

 

[Rollo]

Thx Rollo, I'm going for the standard gearing and standard tyres not knoblies.

Going to check that the one I test drive didn't have the low first gear tomorrow.

Oh, also the screen and seat were great, but the pillion accomodation was a bit small.

Also, whats the website for the jesse bags?

Standard transmission for 2004 is the short gear. Last year is wasn't. 2-up on mountain roads you need that low gear for pulling away. Don't confuse yourself by thinking it's for off-road.

I don't have knobblies and don't need them for what I do.

Jesse site is :
http://www.kiwibob.de/eng/Jesse_Luggage/jesse_luggage.html

Bob is a great guy. Because I was desparate for the bags to go to Portugal with, he sent them to me before I sent his cheque. In internet-land that requires a lot of trust. All credit to him.

The bags are a bargain at the moment due to the exchange rate. The outward swinging lid is a big advantage to me as it provides a platform for storing stuff whilst digging into the bottom of the case. I use Harley Touring liners as suitcases. The fit easily into the box.

 

[mikeh501]

The deal is done and I will be taking delivery in a week or two

Bought from Pidcocks and managed to get a better price on my bike and £450 off the GS + some cash off the GPS and a tank bag thrown in. Pretty pleased, considering BMW dealers reputations

Spending the best part of £12.5k on a motorbike was a very new experience! jesus, never thought I would spend that much on a bike.

Roll on delivery! cant wait.

 

[robeekay67]

Spending the best part of £12.5k on a motorbike was a very new experience

haha....and if you thought 12.5 on a bike was bad, wait till they start bending you over for your servicing cost...................ah well.....happy days....

 

[SQD8R]

I like them both for different reasons. I love the handling and speed of the 1200 while I love the more hardcore looks of the Adv. I chose the 12 becasue it was easier for me to handle and becuasei t was lwoer overall even with the preload dialed hard. If you turn out, like me, to like both then I'd go with the better deal.

 

[mikeh501]

haha....and if you thought 12.5 on a bike was bad, wait till they start bending you over for your servicing cost...................ah well.....happy days....

Aprilia ownership isn't any cheaper I dont think, and anyway I wont have to worry about servicing for a few thousand yet

 

[Spout]

Don't forget - they're not properly run in for at least 12 000 miles, so you better get some miles in