Test ride of GS1200.

[lastcard]

Hello folks. This is me first post! Took a 1200 GS for a 3 hour test ride today . WANT ONE . Going from a cbr6,cos I`m now doing a 70 mile a day commute!!
Now to the point. I can`t afford new so there`s a couple of 2nd hand ones at the dealers(wollastons). There both the same price one has 17000 miles on and no abs is 55 plate t`other 26600 miles and abs+engine bars and is on 04 plate.Spec is `bout what I`m looking for. So is there any probs with the higher mileage one?
BTW had a GS1150 a few year back.
Sorry for long winded post

 

[GrinningGSer]

It would seem that the problems that a 1200GS suffers are not necessarily mileage related and are suffered by young bikes

Plenty listed on here

If you are purchasing from a dealer, then worry not

Otherwise check for

Gearbox end seals
Gearbox issues eg failure
Final drive oil leaks
corrosion at the bottom of the front casing

It would seem that the most frequent causes of being stranded are battery failures or failure of the fuel pump controller(often by water ingress which should have been solved by a recall)

Fantastic bikes though

 

[Brian ROSEN]

S/H 1200GS

Don't wory about the bike - if the dealer is good you won't have any real problems, whatever the mileage.

 

[BigAlMacMac]

U didn't say what the dealer prices were. I bought an 04 ABS with 7000 miles last November with Remus Exhaust, BMW panniers, BMW top box, engine bars, GPS mount and GPS, Carbon mudguards and autocom for £7600

My dad just bought an 04 with 14000 miles, bmw panniers, bmw top box, engine bars, ABS etc for £6600

Both bought privately but the local dealer was advertising similar at well over £8000.

You can save a fortune buying privately.

Id watch out though for non ABS bikes which might have spent a season at the BMW offroad training course, getting regularly dropped. A whole pile of them were sold of cheap at the end of the season. If it is an non ABS, a 06 and priced to good to be true then it probably is.

 

[Flying banana]

If you want to buy from a dealer, then I can heartily recommend Wollastons. They are very good. IF you get any problems, then if my experience is anyting to go by, yuo will have no worries

 

[lastcard]

Thanks for the replies guys. Both bikes are £7495 at Wollastons.
There gonna put the white lenses on the `04 26k bike and do a deal on the luggage. That`s the one with abs.
How much are the inner bags? Was thinking of trying to get them in as well.

 

[baronlebon]

Thanks for the replies guys. Both bikes are £7495 at Wollastons.
There gonna put the white lenses on the `04 26k bike and do a deal on the luggage. That`s the one with abs.
How much are the inner bags? Was thinking of trying to get them in as well.

Hi lastcard.
Mine is 54 (Dec 04) GS1200 abs,heated grips,wire wheels,BMW alarm,second power point,27k.Got it for 6995 at pidcocks 7 weeks ago.They also threw in some new BMW GS ally panniers(get those the'yre waterproof)and sliped on a new rear Michelin.Get the tryes slimed if their not already,think safety!Don't be afraid of the milage mine seems to get smoother by the day!Abs imho is not an option it is an essential, the wire wheels suit the bike and heated grips are nice.I got 6 months warranty from Piddy's as well.There are a lot on the market so whilst not taking the p### £500 in your pocket is better,haggle! or get extra's(bike bits not the Ricky Gervais DVD!!)

Hope this helps,good luck and shout us up for a ride when you get it!
best regards.
Baron

 

[lastcard]

Cheers Baron. Will be getting 12 month warranty as well.
Do the ally panniers differ much from what I gather are the normal expandable ones,aren`t they much cop?
Will defo shout you up for a run out,moved down from Co.Durham just before chrimbo so help finding good routes would be appreciated.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Panniers

I think that most people find the standard vario panniers to be excellent ( as I do.) They are waterproof and easy to mount /remove and adjust - and of course the key can be the same as the ignition.