wanting to buy but a few questions.....

[mike_c]

Hiya all,

Wanting to buy my first 1200 GSA- There are a few early ones in dealerships within my budget or some private slightly later ones also.

I am genuinely interested in what you think about private sales versus dealerships..... Obviously a dealerships offers a little more security in terms of warranty but surely it would be better to go for a later model?

Also, whilst they are recognised as being reliable bikes, non are perfect and so I wondered what I can expect as difficulties or things to look out for when buying.......

Are there particular differences between the years when? did upgrades take place?

All the best

Mike

 

[CuzGS]

Hiya,

Personally Id go for a used private twin cam with FSH off what you percieve to be a nice owner.

If you can get one off here its more than likely to be in good order as the owner will likely be an enthusiast.

Mine have been reliable and theyre second to none for multi tasking. You can beat up blades on a track day and then ride home 600 miles in comfort

IMHO the extra money for a dealer bike isnt worth it as long as you choose the right private sale.

Either way get one, theyre the most amazingly capable bikes I assure you

 

[mike_c]

Do you think the twin cam is worth the extra?

When did bmw get shot of the dodgy servo brake system?

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

When the new water cooled version goes on sale I would think there will be a fair few twin cam hexheads in dealers or private sales. I would think you should be able to get a good deal.

 

[CuzGS]

Yep, smoother and supposedly more reliable. Mine is a GSA 06 and the only thing in the world Id swap it for is a newer GSA, cant really get a higher recommendation.

As far as Premium, dynamic packs etc goes, for resale more = more so get it as loaded as you can.

As a minimum Id go for ABS, and Heated Grips.

Id recommend popping to a dealer, finding out what premium, dynamic etc put on the bike for you, ask them about the twin cam versus non. clearly they have an interest in selling you the latest and thus dearest model but at least you can be armed with the facts of whats what.

Having decided on what you want, you may find a dealer who will do you a good deal with servicing , bling etc or as I say go private.

Use the dealers though, its what the sales staff are for, to advise and try to sell

 

[mike_c]

Yep, smoother and supposedly more reliable. Mine is a GSA 06 and the only thing in the world Id swap it for is a newer GSA, cant really get a higher recommendation.

As far as Premium, dynamic packs etc goes, for resale more = more so get it as loaded as you can.

As a minimum Id go for ABS, and Heated Grips.

Id recommend popping to a dealer, finding out what premium, dynamic etc put on the bike for you, ask them about the twin cam versus non. clearly they have an interest in selling you the latest and thus dearest model but at least you can be armed with the facts of whats what.

Having decided on what you want, you may find a dealer who will do you a good deal with servicing , bling etc or as I say go private.

Use the dealers though, its what the sales staff are for, to advise and try to sell

How has the 06 been? Is there much that needs doing on them? there are a couple of 06/07 models around at the moment with anything up to 30k miles on them. ABS and a few bits and bobs and thought about getting one of those....... Wondered what gets broken on them......

Like many others..... I don't own a car, so need a bit that can literally do everything and stay reliable.

I generally service myself but get a mechanic to do really technical stuff. Clave clearances are not problem.......

Mike

 

[mike_c]

also, have rode many brand new bikes both off and on road but wonder what they are like after a few years?

 

[CuzGS]

also, have rode many brand new bikes both off and on road but wonder what they are like after a few years?

Mine has 44 k on it, I use it in all weathers, for massive trips to s europe and all i do is put petrol in it, oil occasionally and thrash the arse off it.

It gets serviced by Jono at the Adventure |Bike Warehouse and hasnt missed a beat in all the miles Ive put on it, about 35k.

I love it, Im fortunate enough to have a fleet including a 916, KTM SM, Husq 610 and GSA. Every time I open my garage door I go for the GSA if its just a blatt around. Again I cant praise them enough, great bikes.

Have a look at my sun sea and ski write up. If those roads in the snow dont make you want to jump on a GSA immidiately then youre letting the best in life pass you by

 

[mike_c]

Mine has 44 k on it, I use it in all weathers, for massive trips to s europe and all i do is put petrol in it, oil occasionally and thrash the arse off it.

It gets serviced by Jono at the Adventure |Bike Warehouse and hasnt missed a beat in all the miles Ive put on it, about 35k.

I love it, Im fortunate enough to have a fleet including a 916, KTM SM, Husq 610 and GSA. Every time I open my garage door I go for the GSA if its just a blatt around. Again I cant praise them enough, great bikes.

Have a look at my sun sea and ski write up. If those roads in the snow dont make you want to jump on a GSA immidiately then youre letting the best in life pass you by

where will I fid that write up?

 

[Pablo1]

Hiya all,

Wanting to buy my first 1200 GSA- There are a few early ones in dealerships within my budget or some private slightly later ones also.

I am genuinely interested in what you think about private sales versus dealerships..... Obviously a dealerships offers a little more security in terms of warranty but surely it would be better to go for a later model?

Also, whilst they are recognised as being reliable bikes, non are perfect and so I wondered what I can expect as difficulties or things to look out for when buying.......

Are there particular differences between the years when? did upgrades take place?

All the best

Mike

For your info Mike there has been 2 major model updates, 2008 and 2010, 2010 being the new twin cam engine with a few bhp improvement.
Dont know your budget but from what i read on here most relability and little niggles were ironed out by the 2008 version
If you can stretch for as a late a model as possible with a good spec (dynamic and premium packs give you just about everything) that would be the way to go. BMW are not renowned for giving great part/ex values so some great value can be found with private sales, equally some private sellers look at dealer prices and IMHO get carried away and overprice their bikes.
E.g. I couldnt sell my 60plate gs for £9.5k privately, got that from a dealer who put it straight in his showroom at 11.0k The bike still had 2 months of its original BMW warranty remaining.

Good Luck with it and if you need anything at all send me a pm and we can exchange phone numbers.

 

[UturnTony]

Do you think the twin cam is worth the extra?

When did bmw get shot of the dodgy servo brake system?

the servo brakes were gone on the 2007 model.
i had an 06 and did about 18k on it and it was great apart from a fuel pump controller failure which bmw supplied foc and i fitted it. i got the chance to get an 07 at right money so i swapped. the 07 didn't have the servo whereas the 06 did, also the gearbox is much sweeter as i think there were changes made to make for easier gear changes.

great bikes, wouldn't swap mine for any other make.

 

[Bendy toy]

I have an 08 with premium and comfort packs plus some farkles. I love it and when its been remapped the engine will be pretty much as good as a twin cam.

I went for a post 06 bike to get the updated final drive with slightly bigger pinion bearing that seems to be more reliable. But with all these things the good ones never get discussed so its hard to know how bad any problem really is.

 

[piebaps]

I've done 32k on my 2008 and had the following

• Final drive changed under warranty
• New ignition barrel - not under warranty
• Fuel sensor - not under warranty
• new centre stand - not under warranty

I've had it from new and I don't look after it well. It's a keeper though.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I have a 2005 gs with 34k (ish) on it.

The only problems that spring to mind are the gear position sensor gets a bit moody when it gets wet (after washing which isn't too often). ACF50 helps to overcome this. I did remove the sensor and dry it out, then fill it with WD40. This helped a great deal.

The battery died last last year, but it looked like the original battery. This will happen on ANY bike and car too.

The servo ABS is fine. Nice sharp brakes. Once you get used to them, they're perfectly fine and not too sharp (on/off) as people would have you believe.

This is my 2nd 2005 model and they're the only problems I've had (unless you count a blown headlamp bulb on the last bike)..

 

[GADGET]

I currently have a twin cam, but would be happy with any non-servo braked model, I would go on condition rather than age & mileage and of course price!

 

[Mav]

Just over 70k miles on my 06 GSA - still on original FD.

Mine has been thoroughly abused, off-road, long distance touring and year round commuting.

If it's got a full service history, as Gadget says, I'd be more worried about condition than mileage

 

[Bendy toy]

The brakes on my 08 sometimes need a real handful. I I may need to fit a cranked lever to better suit my hand size.

I'm pretty sure the servo version would need less muscle therefore give the rider more control. People who have used both will tell us the facts.