Running in and demo bikes

[SimonR]

Does a new GSA needs its Engine running in or can it be taken to the rev limiter straight away.
I only ask as I might buy a demo instead of new, but was worried that if the engine required running in, does the demo bikes just get a canning from the first turn of a key, or do BMW run it in then put it out as a demo.
Just dont want to buy a demo then few thousand miles later it starts grinding and rattling etc.
I understand these engines are pretty bullet proof?

Thanks
Simon

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've bought ex-demo bikes in the past (but not WBM) and it's never been a problem.

Do you honestly think that somebody who is test riding a 100bhp, 1/4ton motorcycle for the very first time is going to thrash it to within inches of it's life

Andres

 

[john1215]

Simon,

I bought my GS 1 month ago and have 300 miles on it. Rainbow BMW just said not to run at high revs over 4000 for long periods but to use the gears to keep the revs around 4000, there is no problem going over 4000 but as I said keep that to a minimum at least until the first service is done. 1st service is anywhere between 600 and 1000 miles.

john1215

 

[ovenpaa]

I've bought ex-demo bikes in the past (but not WBM) and it's never been a problem.

Do you honestly think that somebody who is test riding a 100bhp, 1/4ton motorcycle for the very first time is going to thrash it to within inches of it's life

Andres

I took a Z750 out with 2 miles on the clock many years ago, the person straight after me (some 15 minutes later) Blew the engine so I guess some are thrashed from minute one....

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I wouldn't buy an ex demo bike ever

 

[SALTY BALLS]

I've bought ex-demo bikes in the past (but not WBM) and it's never been a problem.

Do you honestly think that somebody who is test riding a 100bhp, 1/4ton motorcycle for the very first time is going to thrash it to within inches of it's life

It's what a demo bikes for isn't it? to see how fast it is

 

[Zanussi]

Simon,

I bought my GS 1 month ago and have 300 miles on it. Rainbow BMW just said not to run at high revs over 4000 for long periods but to use the gears to keep the revs around 4000, there is no problem going over 4000 but as I said keep that to a minimum at least until the first service is done. 1st service is anywhere between 600 and 1000 miles.

john1215

I agree with John. Got mine new in Oct and during the first 1000 Km's I kept the revs below 4000.The manual recommends you avoid motorways and use hilly country roads were you are going up and down the gears ,loading and unloading the engine.Mine has had it's first servvice now so I am starting to open it up a little.It was a bit of a pain having to watch the revs all of the time but now it's done and dusted. There is no real drama running in a new machine...Good luck with your choice..

 

[petevito2]

Bought an ex demo dakar from a guy who got it from Park Lane I then rode it to Cape Town on a Kudu run trip, rear shock packed in on the road but that was more down to the road, apart from that it never missed a beat.... Fell off it loads of times and that's much easier if it ain't new.... I did wear a twat suit tho..

 

[MattW]

I wouldn't buy an ex demo bike ever

I've got one.
The first owner of my 1100 was Park Lane BMW, who had it for 6 months.

However I guess if there were going to be any problems, they'd have shown up sometime over the last 14 years and 4 owners

 

[Pukmeister]

Mine's one of the first demo bikes, built march 2004. It's still running and uses no oil (actually its somewhere on the ocean in a sea container somewhere between here and Australia, but it ran okay last time I used it).

No doubt it was ragged senseless by curious sportsbike jockeys who read the magazine hype when the 1200 was new.

Relax.

P.S. The rev limiter is a safety feature. It's not a target (actually its to be avoided in the interests of engine longevity).

 

[GSmonkey]

Demo bikes get thrashed from day one..........I've had new BMW demo bikes with less than 100 miles on the clock. That said I've also bought an ex-demo BMW in the past, with no issues over the 20k I owned it.

 

[Putneybiker]

"demo" bikes can come from anywhere, dealer, BMW GB, Press fleet....all sorts. Best not to thrash a new engine but under revving is bad as well. Two yare warranty shoel see you past keen road testers' exploits

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Bought Rainbow's 12GSA demo this year.................did 6000 miles and sold it...............it had no warranty issues related to the engine or drivetrain

Probably thrashed, but it was sweet enough

 

[SimonR]

Thanks guys.