Prospective new owner...

[James0541]

Morning all, first post so please go easy.

I'm test riding a 2006 model R1200GS tomorrow, full history and only 22k miles. I know I should be going in eyes wide open, but I'm pretty sure I'll be buying it. It'll be replacing a 1992 Yamaha XTZ750 Super Tenere, so no comparison at all.

Is there anything I should be looking out for on the test ride?

Thanks,

James

 

[Dave T]

Hi James, welcome!
I am no mechanical expert....At that age it's all the usual checks that you'd do on a bike of that age and miles.

Read the two 'sticky' threads in this section of the forum.
This one.... and this one

I had a 2006 one, bought back in 2006...
Fuel pump controllers were a bit flakey - no symptoms until they fail, but easy to access and change (and bypass with a paperclip if you were 'stuck'), but I think the design has been changed since, so shouldn't be an issue. Think they were about £90, don't know what they are now.
I had a final drive bearing fail, repaired under warranty. Probably just unlucky with that, put it on its main stand and check for play in the back wheel.

Some folks will bypass/remove the ABS servo system IIRC.... that may or may not be your preference. Mine was in-place and trouble free during my ownership.

Last pieces of advice - they don't like getting driven over by a reversing Transit van.... that was the demise of mine...
Other than that, I think they're great. Quick enough, comfy enough... let us know how you get on.

 

[Santa-2512]

Dont do it

just walk away , otherwise your going to loose

you sanity

your money

your friends

they are like crack cocaine , one ride and you hooked

and then its years of trying support groups (like this) and professional retailers to try and help the addiction


You have been warned!!

 

[LakesRider]

Morning all, first post so please go easy.

I'm test riding a 2006 model R1200GS tomorrow, full history and only 22k miles. I know I should be going in eyes wide open, but I'm pretty sure I'll be buying it. It'll be replacing a 1992 Yamaha XTZ750 Super Tenere, so no comparison at all.

Is there anything I should be looking out for on the test ride?

Thanks,

James

Clutch slip, big job on these.

Check for any oil leaks around the back of the engine or in the back of the tray. Make sure it’s not been overfilled with oil. You want to be sure that there is no oil pushing through the rear main seal onto the clutch.

ABS if it has it.

Otherwise, just see if it looks used rather than abused. How many owners?

 

[James0541]

Thank you all for the replies, very helpful...@Santa-2512 I guess you have owned a Yamaha S10 in the past

I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow.

 

[Andygbsmith]

I owned a S10 and could never get on with the handling bought a K25 by default for a big trip and it did everything asked of it over 31k miles with only a rear wheel bearing failure ( which is an expensive fix).
I ended up bringing it home and still think it’s a great bike. Just my thoughts

 

[Udders]

Get an 1150 instead!

 

[davegs]

That’s the best advice don’ get in loved with servos they can be an unesassry evil and something else to go wrong. Ever since bikes began they’ve all managed without servos unti BMW introduced same diddent last soo went back to normal braking. Get an 1150 and you’ll never look back, perhaps an after market seat other wise no probs. Mine’s done 100,000 miles with no probs apart from a few prangs! Down to me not the old grid. Welcome to the site you’ll find all the help you need and not many of us old farts about to soil your day!.

 

[James0541]

Well, the deal is done. 22k miles, full BMW dealer service history, £4099.00, pick it up a week tomorrow after it's had it's service. Best bit, the bike is local, only 27 miles away so I didn't need to gravel to test/view it.

Thanks for everyone's replies, appreciate it.