Someone to take care of the new toy

First ride this afternoon.

Now bear in mind I have come off a Ducati 999S from 2004.

RTFM for a couple of hours before I went, played with all the buttons and tried to remember how it all worked. Then off we went to Burnham on Crouch and the infamous 10 bends.

The first thing I noticed was just how bloody comfortable it was. Like riding around in your armchair. No aching wrists, so sore arse, no wind trying to take my head off. This is cheating isn't it. Motorbikes are not meant to be this comfortable.

Then there was the stability. No twitchiness. It went where is was told to, when it was told to. I could select a line on a corner and stick bang on it.

And it was soooo smooth.

Around the bends it was more fun and confidence inspiring than anything I have ever ridden before. It didn't tear my arms off like the Ducati on the straights, but that's probably a good thing.

Overall, very, very impressed. Where has it been all my life?

And tonight DPD delivered the Sena SNH5. Built it into the helmet, turned it on. It paired straight away to the phone and the sat nav and worked like a dream. Not had that with a piece of electronics out of the box before either.

I think we might be having a bit of fun this summer!
 
I'm still getting used to mine after having sports bike too, still not sure tho ;)
 
NigelM said:
First ride this afternoon.

Now bear in mind I have come off a Ducati 999S from 2004.

RTFM for a couple of hours before I went, played with all the buttons and tried to remember how it all worked. Then off we went to Burnham on Crouch and the infamous 10 bends.

The first thing I noticed was just how bloody comfortable it was. Like riding around in your armchair. No aching wrists, so sore arse, no wind trying to take my head off. This is cheating isn't it. Motorbikes are not meant to be this comfortable.

Then there was the stability. No twitchiness. It went where is was told to, when it was told to. I could select a line on a corner and stick bang on it.

And it was soooo smooth.

Around the bends it was more fun and confidence inspiring than anything I have ever ridden before. It didn't tear my arms off like the Ducati on the straights, but that's probably a good thing.

Overall, very, very impressed. Where has it been all my life?

And tonight DPD delivered the Sena SNH5. Built it into the helmet, turned it on. It paired straight away to the phone and the sat nav and worked like a dream. Not had that with a piece of electronics out of the box before either.

I think we might be having a bit of fun this summer!
Click to expand...

Brill :thumb
 
NigelM said:
Thank you Chas.

Seeing as I live just outside Maldon that might be a very good call. Did he do a good job?

Nigel
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He did an excellent job. Used to work with his Dad in Chelmsford when Cannon moved to Braintree so knows his way around BMWs. As I said in my earlier post, he was 30% of what Cannon estimated. Mine is a 2006 GSA with 72,000 on the clock. I simply could not justify spending £2,500 on a bike probably not worth a lot more. Dave did all of the work for under £1,000. No complaints here and a mate of mine has used him subsequently with the same result.
 
ChasMill said:
He did an excellent job. Used to work with his Dad in Chelmsford when Cannon moved to Braintree so knows his way around BMWs. As I said in my earlier post, he was 30% of what Cannon estimated. Mine is a 2006 GSA with 72,000 on the clock. I simply could not justify spending £2,500 on a bike probably not worth a lot more. Dave did all of the work for under £1,000. No complaints here and a mate of mine has used him subsequently with the same result.
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Sounds good, but is it right on a 2012 R1200GSA with 9000 miles on the clock to stamp up the service book with "Dave the Motorcycle Mechanic"? For the sake of 30% (£100 or so) is it not better to have "Cannon BMW" in there?

Don't rip my head off, just asking.
 
I have independent service stamps in my service manual, as long as they use genuine parts its all ok with me
 
NigelM said:
Sounds good, but is it right on a 2012 R1200GSA with 9000 miles on the clock to stamp up the service book with "Dave the Motorcycle Mechanic"? For the sake of 30% (£100 or so) is it not better to have "Cannon BMW" in there?

Don't rip my head off, just asking.
Click to expand...

If you're looking at resale value then genuine dealer stamps will help (although the first one you get will be late, or very late if you go by the years rather than mileage). If it were me, I'd go to a dealer for the first one to get any outstanding issues / recalls taken care of and decide from there. If it's a 'keeper' you can go indie from there, if you're going to change again fairly soon then you've only helped its trade in value by getting a dealer stamp.

I just bought an 'approved used' 4000 mile 2012 GSA. As an approved used bike, it had all its dealer stamps in the book - one per year as it hardly did any miles. I probably paid a premium and will get it dealer serviced to help maintain its value and yes, I'll probably be one of the 'idiots' who pay for an extended warranty.

In the end it's down to how the various costs and projected value down the line add up for you.
 
NigelM said:
Sounds good, but is it right on a 2012 R1200GSA with 9000 miles on the clock to stamp up the service book with "Dave the Motorcycle Mechanic"? For the sake of 30% (£100 or so) is it not better to have "Cannon BMW" in there?

Don't rip my head off, just asking.
Click to expand...

It makes absolutely no difference to any value in my opinion. In fact, I would be more inclined to buy a bike if it has been looked after by a recognised independent as I know nothing will have been missed. The indie will do a much better job as he doesn't have to work to a time and will take much more care in his work as he wants you to come back next time. Dealers are great for lots of things but I really don't think that paying extra for the stamp is worth it. As long as he uses genuine BMW filters etc and you have a receipt, you'll have no worries.
 
Mystery solved

Tracked down the old owner. His name was on the Datatag certificate along with his home address so I googled him and found someone of the same name working in the same town as the address on Linkedin. Googled the company name, found the number and gave him a bell.

Lovely chap. Traded the bike into Bahnstormers recently for a new GS.

Anyway, when he was due to go on his annual pilgrimage to the Alps last year he tried to book it in for a service before he went - a bit last minute - and they couldn't fit him in on time, so he got a local motorbike mechanic to change the fluids and filters and off he went. Didn't follow up when he got back and then traded the bike in.

Decision is to book it into Cannon BMW for a service now. If it has not been seen by BMW since July 2012 there might be a few recall notices that need doing and I would like to get another franchise stamp in the book. For an extra £100 I think that could be good value.

Thanks for all the advice guys.
 
Probably a sound idea.

PM me if you fancy a ride out as I am not a million miles away from Maldon.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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