What year should I buy

[WeeBriso]

Hi, I have sold my 650 twin GS and I am now looking to get something with a bit more torque problem is I know nothing of the 1200 history so is there any year i should stay away from or any year I should target , currently looking at an 07 R1200gs which is about my price range..cheers

 

[Ash]

Newest you can afford, history is always good but a lot of good guys do there own servicing so non dealer should not be a deal breaker as most guys keep receipts.
Obviously good condition is always best but BMW's are easy to tart up as many threads on here will show.
Don't. Think you can pick a year that will be better than another as there are good and bad in all years..

 

[Georgeeboi]

Try and stretch to a twin cam!

 

[John Armstrong]

IIRC 2007 was when the servo ABS brakes made their appearance, so would be a good starting point.

 

[trainman]

Hi, I have sold my 650 twin GS and I am now looking to get something with a bit more torque problem is I know nothing of the 1200 history so is there any year i should stay away from or any year I should target , currently looking at an 07 R1200gs which is about my price range..cheers

theres plenty of choice! my advice is get the extras you want and don't get any more unless it adds value, opinions vary some think servo brakes were a complication too far and add nothing bar un reliability for instance, most will have ABS which is handy and some will have a fancy trip computer, the main thing is to make sure it all works before you buy as its these fancy bits that cost when they go wrong (unless you have a warranty?)

make sure any recalls were done and give it a good thrash on the test ride to check for clutch slip and rattles etc if its high miles (clutch not easy to fix)

 

[Sgt Bilco]

IIRC 2007 was when the servo ABS brakes made their appearance, so would be a good starting point.

07 was the year BMW finally dropped the servo's so I would say anything without those horrible things is a good start

Any year is good though depending on your budget. having said that, many of the early GS's are great value and really good bikes as any problems were sorted and they are pretty well bomb proof. 08 saw an increase in power until the twin cam which was another big step in the power stakes. After a 650, any 1200 will feel a load better so just buy the best you can with the budget available.

Don't be scared of higher mileage ones either as they can be great value

 

[WeeBriso]

Thanks all

 

[kevingrahambutler]

For sale

My 07 gs for sale see my posts

 

[John Armstrong]

IIRC 2007 was when the servo ABS brakes made their appearance, so would be a good starting point.

Meant to be non-servo ABS brakes Which are the better ones IMO.

 

[APE]

07 was the year BMW finally dropped the servo's so I would say anything without those horrible things is a good start

Remember you only get the servo with ABS so go for non-ABS with an early model year.

Personally I think the 08 engine tweak was a step backwards (hence the accelerator module frenzy).

So I would go for a pre 08 non ABS - or a twin cam if you can afford it.

 

[diplomaticdanny]

I have an 06 ADV with servo brakes which are amazing, 36000 miles, never missed a beat. Why does everyone slag the servo off. I haven't changed cause I don't want to lose the servo, it is like having ceramic brakes, you know you can stop!!!

 

[Bendy toy]

I bought a newer than 06 to get the final drive with a slightly stronger pinion bearing. Best advice is the later the better as more hassles should be ironed out.