Which secondhand model to buy

CliveS

CliveS

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I am looking to buy a second hand LC but after reading many posts in this forum I am uncertain which model to buy. I sold my last hexhead a couple of years ago with 80000 trouble free kilometres on it, except an ABS unit which BMW replaced out of warranty at no cost.
Very confused about which model year to buy.
Can people recommend which year has been trouble free or which year to stay away from?
 
Anything from the 2015 model year onwards (built after 1 September 2014) would be my recommendation. These come with black heels guards rather than silver, so are easy to identify at a glance.
 
Anything that, according to this site at least, has not been anywhere near a dealership but instead has been serviced at home by its owner(s) reliable bikermates as they all are, skilled beyond belief at twirling the spanners, their careful attention to detail having no equal; the higher the mileage the better as living proof (as if any were needed) of the vehicle's longevity and the care lavished upon it.

Other opinions may differ. Terms and conditions apply. See small print for full details.
 
The Nutty GSER said:
These come with black heels guards rather than silver, so are easy to identify at a glance.
Click to expand...

My world of knowledge is now complete.

Who just glances at these mechanical wonders? Bods stare in slack jawed wonder and demand pictures, such is their awe of the awesome.
 
The Nutty GSER said:
Anything from the 2015 model year onwards (built after 1 September 2014) would be my recommendation. These come with black heels guards rather than silver, so are easy to identify at a glance.
Click to expand...

Yes, the cheapo black plastic as opposed to the superior silver metal ones that came on early models like mine. Just for balance, mine is a Sept 2013 and has done 20000 trouble free miles BUT it has the shitty warm heated grips instead of the later hot heated grips.
 
Any model but give it a good test ride. I tried two 2014's. One had an awful gearbox but the other was just fine. There seems to be a few out there with crap gear changes, but it by no means affects them all.
Corrosion if it bothers you. Both 2014s had white spots on the engine, but we're otherwise spotless? Again, it does not affect them all.
I plumped for a 2016 model. Black engines were fitted from then on so easy to spot. 2017 models have gear/clutch mods. A bit less clunky, but not much difference tbh.
 
Most people will say get a TE spec model but if your looking at older one,s try a basic spec one. ESA will be dear to fix, not covered on extended warranty i believe, there will be second hand units on ebay but some things like the level sensors have to be calibrated at the dealers, I have done 35000 trouble free miles on mine a 14 plate,basic model, it has no corrosion and a good gear box, i dont change modes, and find the basic suspension ok, There will be others that say you need all the toys.. I would say have a few test rides on different bikes to find out how they feel and behave to get an idea of the difference between each model. then its down to price..
what ever you choose will be a fine ride......
 
The 2013 didn't have the steering damper, a lively bike but fueling was poor around 3,000 rpm it also had the light crank/flywheel, and the light flywheel exaggerated the poor fueling.

2014 had the steering damper fitted but still had the lighter crank, and fueling was still poor at 3,000rpm on some bikes.

The heavy flywheel was fitted to the 2015 motor, so as suggested go for 2015 bike, and the TE model with full spec, it's the better all-rounder with good fueling and is pretty well sorted.

..or if you can stretch to it go for broke and get the very latest E4 Triple Black, which is totally sorted and awesomely good, with excellent everything including the best seats.

The above is from my ownership of these models, some guys on here suffered box and corrosion issues, but I have to say that all my LC's have had perfect boxes and nil corrosion.

As with all bikes a decent test ride is imperative.

Good luck Clive, these are great bikes.
 
The Nutty GSER said:
Anything from the 2015 model year onwards (built after 1 September 2014) would be my recommendation. These come with black heels guards rather than silver, so are easy to identify at a glance.
Click to expand...

Utter tosh!

Mine wears silver heels and runs utterly trouble free. :P
 
I had a March 2014 TE with silver heel guards and a steering damper. Other than feeble heated grips I couldn't fault it, though it did need a new clutch pack early in its life.

I personally don't think you can go wrong with one, just a fantastic bike, just make sure she changes gear ok with no graunching.

Get the newest you can I would say. Enjoy!
 
Still running sweetly although I can sense a nervous shiver from its flanks whenever I jump on board. :P
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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