R1150GS Test Ride Today - Two Problems!!!

[jpod]

Hi All,

I tested a 2001 R1150GS today. Loved it, would like to buy it, however two things came up:

1) Everything felt pretty good but I got the distinct sensation that the transmission is clunky. This was the first time I had ridden any GS, so I have no frame of reference. I seem to remember reading something that makes me think this is normal. It shifted just fine, no clutch slippage that I could detect - any advice?

2) I was about to pay a holding deposit when I remembered to check the VIN and paperwork. Low and behold, the VIN on the bike doesn't match the one on the V5C. Now, they are nearly identical and it is entirely possible that it was an honest mistake, but I have never faced this and my instincts tell me to run. VIN checker websites don't flag anything unusual for the VINs. Again, Any advice?

Brutal honesty please, but I would love to have an excuse to go back there and buy it.

 

[Uncle Rob]

yep the transmissions are clunky,some worse than others.
reguarding the paper work if it aint right walk away there are plenty of others for sale.

 

[polecat]

Personally I wouldn't worry about the gearbox. "They all do that sir".

The VIN not matching would make me walk away

 

[jpod]

Thanks for confirming that the gear boxes are clunky. I was quite sure that is the case and it did work after all.

I'm still of two minds on the VIN. The difference is minute: there is a '1' missing and a '2' has been transcribed as a 'Z'. The missing '1' means the VIN is 16 characters long on the V5C and mistaking a '2' for a 'Z' seems easy enough to make. On the autotrader vehicle check function when I type in the plate number the 'incorrect VIN' matches up just fine. Then when I use a VIN checking website (I used three) with the correct VIN (the one on the bike) it shows up and everything is green and fine. Anyway I check it, it seems to be OK and points to a mistake. Am I missing something?

The dealer seems willing to try to correct it before going forward with the transaction.

Maybe I'm looking for an excuse to pull the trigger...

 

[IJGser]

If its a dealer I wouldn't worry to much just get it in writing. The dvla will update most things as many mistakes are made when vehicles are first registered.

 

[GS TRV]

Personally I wouldn't worry about the gearbox. "They all do that sir".

The VIN not matching would make me walk away

+1

Id be surprised if it didnt clunk

 

[The Prospector]

Two things regarding the vin, if it does not match the V5 or registered vin then you won't pass an MOT and if it does turn out to be a ringer you will lose the bike and your money even if you bought it from a dealer.
I would phone the DVLA before handing any money over.

 

[Udders]

Gearbox = normal

VIN = Walk away!

 

[twizzle]

Plenty of choice out there.....walk away.....stick a wanted ad on here... Bound to be a few 1150' lurking in sheds.....

 

[uncle dick]

Gearbox - sounds normal

V5 - errors quite common. Normally occurred at the start of mot computerisation. If the bike is right then agree to buy it when the owner gets the V5 put right. Shouldn't take too long.

 

[jpod]

Well, I was about to ask if anyone at all thought this might be a legitimate error; thanks for coming through uncle dick! You too IJGser.

But seriously, has anyone had experience with this, or is it just received wisdom to run like hell in these situations? My concern is how to know for sure that the problem has been solved. Aside from checking the databases again, could I phone the DVLA (I tried today, but they didn't seem to be able to help. Perhaps there is another department to ask) or could I ask the police?

I would really like to make this work. The bike is the exact model, year, colour, etc and the price is seriously right.

 

[hops]

Go for it

Well, I was about to ask if anyone at all thought this might be a legitimate error; thanks for coming through uncle dick! You too IJGser.

But seriously, has anyone had experience with this, or is it just received wisdom to run like hell in these situations? My concern is how to know for sure that the problem has been solved. Aside from checking the databases again, could I phone the DVLA (I tried today, but they didn't seem to be able to help. Perhaps there is another department to ask) or could I ask the police?

I would really like to make this work. The bike is the exact model, year, colour, etc and the price is seriously right.

A mistake as you describe is clearly a clerical error, if everything else is fine I would not let this omission stop you.

 

[metropolis2k]

Gearbox - sounds normal

V5 - errors quite common. Normally occurred at the start of mot computerisation. If the bike is right then agree to buy it when the owner gets the V5 put right. Shouldn't take too long.

This. If he's offered to put it right and you like the bike then I'd let him do that (and not hand over any cash until it's sorted).

 

[jpod]

He has indeed offered to investigate/fix the problem; and I did tell him that he wasn't getting a penny until I had matching VINs on bike and log book.

Also, this business has apparently been around for 10-15 years, so I reckon they must not make a habit of criminal transactions.

 

[twizzle]

He has indeed offered to investigate/fix the problem; and I did tell him that he wasn't getting a penny until I had matching VINs on bike and log book.

Also, this business has apparently been around for 10-15 years, so I reckon they must not make a habit of criminal transactions.

Who is it?? The dealer?? Someone here may have a view on them??

 

[oblertone]

Are they ...

Who is it?? The dealer?? Someone here may have a view on them??

... based on a trading estate just off the Eastern Avenue perchance ?

 

[IJGser]

Yes I speak from similar experience. my current car was recorded as a saloon when it's actually a estate and a higher spec model! Simply sent the docs back and dvla changed it to a estate no questions asked.
Even now ford can't locate parts using the reg number. Apparently it was imported new by someone other than ford and they did a sloppy job of first registering it. However the vin was correct and this is how the manufacturer recognises it. The lower spec v5 makes for cheaper insurance too!

If you really want the bike put a refundable deposit down and collect once the v5 shows the vin on the bike.

Personally I would knock the price down take the bike and sort it myself. Life is a gamble. I got a bike once from a main dealer and dvla wouldn't swap the log book because it had been exported!!!!!! And all the paperwork and Hpi checked out! Needless to say I got all my money back.


Sent from my iPhone whilst driving and even with autocorrect I can't spell!

 

[Neil W]

Incorrect VIN should have been picked up at mot test time!
I've seen too many really good quality ringers over the years, I wouldn't touch any vehicle with any document irregularities, especially knowing that it can take the dvla up to 36 months to pick up clones/ ringers etc

 

[Udders]

You have to ask yourself why the dealer didn't spot the VIN error when they bought it / traded it in? Or did they after the event and are now trying to pass the buck to someone else. Just doesn't sound quite right to me.

 

[mikey5]

Vin errors

I have had a few bikes eith incorrect vin
Usualy 2,s as z,s and l,s as1,s even had bikes registered without vin just had none visible printed on the v5 (cagiva elefants )
So get it changed and buy the bike if you like it