to GS or, er, not to GS

[richorich]

Hello GSers,
I'm new here but don't feel the need to be gentle - I can look after myself!Standard mid-life crisis, had a bike (DT125) when at college,now married with three kids, just passed test, bit of disposable etc etc
Question is......what shall I get?? Sorely tempted to go straight in at a new 1200GS (what credit crunch??) but can't help feeling I should save that for later, save some cash and start out with a used bike. Used to do some off-road riding on my little DT and plan to do some more, as well as squeezing my dearest into some leathers and nobbing off around the world of course!! (well, commuting to work, anyway)
Have got a day coming up at Oxford BMW to ride a few bikes and, dare I mention it here, a test ride on the new TransAlp (looks nice, is it a toy?). At risk of opening the floodgates though, and inviting comments of 'whatever floats your boat' etc, what would you lot recommend......

Have been looking forward to getting back on (and off) the road for years - can barely contain my excitement and look forward to talking to you experienced GS'ers.........

richorich

 

[Trippy]

Hi and welcome.

Read a bit on here before deciding on a 1200.

Let me point you in the direction of a lovely 1150 Special Edition Adventure at a good price ....

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156384

 

[Mandylicious]

Hello and welcome

 

[Ash]

welcome.
ex Transalp owner now R1150GS owner.
transalp's are cracking bikes but a big BMW will do so much more in the long term.
HAPPY HUNTING

 

[harryfire]

howdee

i think you will always look at the big beemers as they go by, and you will say to yourself, 'i should have got one of those'

but only you can make your mind up

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BMW
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[Dave56]

Hi Richorich & welcome along

It HAS to be BMW, perhaps buy a good second hand 1200 & spend the cashed saved on some bling.....theres plenty out there

 

[richorich]

Yep, I thought you would all say that! Thanks for your responses - Trippy, nice bike I'm tempted, but do you offer 0% finance over four hundred years and take Visa for the deposit??!
Not in a desperate hurry so I'll ride a few from dealers and private as well to get a feel for things.

 

[garfield]

Yep, I thought you would all say that! Thanks for your responses - Trippy, nice bike I'm tempted, but do you offer 0% finance over four hundred years and take Visa for the deposit??!
Not in a desperate hurry so I'll ride a few from dealers and private as well to get a feel for things.

welcome and good luck with the bike hunting....

 

[flatvee]

[QUOTE=richorich;


Have got a day coming up at Oxford BMW to ride a few bikes and, dare I mention it here, a test ride on the new TransAlp (looks nice, is it a toy?). At risk of opening the floodgates though, and inviting comments of 'whatever floats your boat' etc, what would you lot recommend......

Hi Rich, I have a 1200GS and the new TA700 and of course they are both cracking bikes. The Alp is certainly no toy and will do much of what the GS will do for a lot, lot, less money.
It may lack the kudos and presence of its teutonic rival but it's a likeable easy going bike to get along with and certainly worth considering. It's also much less likely to go wrong.lol... Having said all that the GS is in a class of one. As the saying goes you pays your money and all that old bollocks!!!

 

[D6]

gsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgsgs








1150

 

[STUBBS]

650, 850, 1100 or 1150 to get a taste of the bike have a good read about the 1200 before going that route

 

[riderbob]

KTM 990

 

[motobiker]

650, 850, 1100 or 1150 to get a taste of the bike have a good read about the 1200 before going that route

Interesting that you included the 850 Stubbs - you of all people should know they're like gold dust. (when did you last see another one?)

 

[STUBBS]

Interesting that you included the 850 Stubbs - you of all people should know they're like gold dust. (when did you last see another one?)

in my garage this morning the faster yellow ones not the slower red ones


one here
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156911

 

[motobiker]

in my garage this morning

yes I know that.


I've only seen one in real life... and that was at devils bridge in 2000 (i think)

If I could - you bet I would!!

 

[STUBBS]

yes I know that.


I've only seen one in real life... and that was at devils bridge in 2000 (i think)

If I could - you bet I would!!

 

[Jeannot]

yes I know that.


I've only seen one in real life... and that was at devils bridge in 2000 (i think)

If I could - you bet I would!!

Well if you go to the East Midlands meet you will see mine
JC

 

[richorich]

Thanks, flatvee. I'm veering towards the TA as a first bike - £6k otr with all the bits, which would only get me a 1200 or 1150 GSA with 20k on the clock and likely some costly servicing/repairs. On that subject, how do running costs compare??

Stubbs - I've got a client down that road to 'Egypt', always makes me chuckle!

 

[timhutch]

Thanks, flatvee. I'm veering towards the TA as a first bike - £6k otr with all the bits, which would only get me a 1200 or 1150 GSA with 20k on the clock and likely some costly servicing/repairs. On that subject, how do running costs compare??

Stubbs - I've got a client down that road to 'Egypt', always makes me chuckle!

Rich

I've just bought my first GS... an 06 GSA with 22K on the clock for around eight grand from a dealer. I've spent a grand on panniers and some bling, and am delighted with it.

I've only been riding two years (like you had 125's when I was seventeen) and my first bike was a K1200s. Genuinely, I had no regrets going all out on a first bike, and would have quickly bitterly regretted following the usual first bike 600cc route.

Luckily, I've got the choice of two bikes, and can use one for touring with gear, and the other for laughs. If I only had one, i would probably go for the GSA, a bit slow, but for distances it's unbeatable. The GS is a fine bike and IMHO very cool in Adventure clothes....

Best of luck to you........

 

[flatvee]

Thanks, flatvee. I'm veering towards the TA as a first bike - £6k otr with all the bits, which would only get me a 1200 or 1150 GSA with 20k on the clock and likely some costly servicing/repairs. On that subject, how do running costs compare??

Stubbs - I've got a client down that road to 'Egypt', always makes me chuckle!

Having only had the Alp three months it's difficult to compare long term running costs. I would imagine servicing and parts should be quite a bit cheaper although I find Coopers here in the north east very reasonable with servicing prices for the GS. Funnily enough I find the GS a bit more easy on fuel than the Alp. Though I do tend to thrash the Honda somewhat and v-twins can be notoriously thirsty when you give them a bit of stick.
Take it easy though and you should see a respectable 160+ to a tankful!

Where you really score with the Alp is price. Check out the Bike Trader site and you will find plenty of pre-reg and very low mileage Alps for well under 5k!!!.... some with luggage. Whatever you decide you must at some point own a GS... they really are the ultimate Good luck.