Discussion
Having passed my test last year (at 54), I've been lucky enough to borrow a '52 plate 1150GS Adventure for a number of trips and a bit of commuting.
I love the thing although it's huge compared to my GPZ500 that I bought to get back on the road after passing. That now feels too small and narrow across the bars after riding the Beemer and I'd not choose it for a longer trip.
So I can buy the GS with 23,000 miles with a good known history, all BMW luggage and pretty much immaculate for £3k, that seems fair.
BUT.......I've no experience of anything else and at this kind of money, is there a similar tourer type machine I should check out before I take the plunge? Outright performance is not the key, reliability and comfort are! I suppose a bit less bulky to make commuting/filtering a little less daunting might help, it feels about as wide as my lads Citroen C2
Any suggestions/opinions most gratefully received!
I love the thing although it's huge compared to my GPZ500 that I bought to get back on the road after passing. That now feels too small and narrow across the bars after riding the Beemer and I'd not choose it for a longer trip.
So I can buy the GS with 23,000 miles with a good known history, all BMW luggage and pretty much immaculate for £3k, that seems fair.
BUT.......I've no experience of anything else and at this kind of money, is there a similar tourer type machine I should check out before I take the plunge? Outright performance is not the key, reliability and comfort are! I suppose a bit less bulky to make commuting/filtering a little less daunting might help, it feels about as wide as my lads Citroen C2
Any suggestions/opinions most gratefully received!
Honestly, if its a bike you've ridden, are familiar with, trust and is coming from a known source, although not bargain basement as has been said its not an unfair price, I'd get it bought, you could spend weeks and months looking at unknown crap and still end up with something no better ....
Thanks for the responses, I suspect I knew the answer would be just to go for it and see.
It produced an ABS warning light just as I headed for France last weekend on it, will be making sure that's resolved before I pull the trigger, I've no doubt that has scope to be scary. That's the first time it's happened in the two years I've known the bike so I know it's not an old hidden issue.
It produced an ABS warning light just as I headed for France last weekend on it, will be making sure that's resolved before I pull the trigger, I've no doubt that has scope to be scary. That's the first time it's happened in the two years I've known the bike so I know it's not an old hidden issue.
There is an economic option depending on which abs unit your bike has. I think there are 3 or so different ones. Certainly 3 years ago when I was working in Parts for a BMW Motorrad dealer, there was a company in the Birmingham area who were able to repair most of the units, IIRC about £450 per unit, however there was one rare one that they could not source spares for. I'll try to have a dig to see if I can remember who they were, I sorted recon units for several customers over the year or so I worked for BMW.
LFB531 said:
That'd be great if you could, I'd like to keep it as OE if possible at sensible money. Knowing my normal luck, it'll be the rare one though!
I have to ABS delete on a GS 2005 and the front brakes leave a bit to be desired as you lose the brake assist (if yours has that feature).Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff