Buying my first BMW GS 1200

v638sg7k1a92bx · 10-01-2020 9:29pm #1

Have a full A licence, have been driving bikes for 15 years primarily as commuter bikes keeping it very simple and reliable: Honda 50 then a Honda Bros which I had forever and most recently a vespa purely for commuting. I also did a bit of touring when I was living abroad but these were one off road trips and the only times I drove a GS.

I've been looking online and the second hand market for second a hand GS seems to be really good value. Any other GS drivers on here, any suggestions for years I'm looking around 2012 - 2015 but even looking at 2008 onwards there are some great GS for very little money.

Interceptor · 10-01-2020 9:37pm

Plenty of them about, a lot of bike for small money but they are subject to some niggles and it might be a good idea to buy from a reputable (?!) dealer in case something throws a wobbly. Nothing wrong with the older models, make sure the bike was meticulously minded and the driveshaft bearings checked. Older models seem less prne to rusty frames and bolt heads, 2013-on bikes rust up very quickly if they aren't kept clean and coated with ACF-50. I'd advise against the 1200GS Adventure because it is so much bigger and wider than the standard model and unless you are 6'6" and plan crossing Mongolia you don't need it. Otherwise buy the cleanest, lowest mileage bike you can find and go have fun on it!!

listermint · 10-01-2020 9:57pm

Small money and GS are not two words I've ever associated together. Tbh

v638sg7k1a92bx · 10-01-2020 10:24pm

listermint wrote: »

Small money and GS are not two words I've ever associated together. Tbh

For older models I think you get alot of bike for your money.

Frank Bullitt · 10-01-2020 11:14pm

I had a 2010 Adventure, loved it but as someone said already, its a monster of a thing.

I am 6'1 so I was big enough for it. Took it on some nice long trips in Canada and it eats the road up, took it camping a few times as well but for day to day it was just too big.

Still a whopper bike.

listermint · 10-01-2020 11:20pm

Kyree Uninterested Rash wrote: »

For older models I think you get alot of bike for your money.

Far more value in R1200 especially in Germany.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 11-01-2020 1:15pm

Interceptor wrote: »

Plenty of them about, a lot of bike for small money but they are subject to some niggles and it might be a good idea to buy from a reputable (?!) dealer in case something throws a wobbly. Nothing wrong with the older models, make sure the bike was meticulously minded and the driveshaft bearings checked. Older models seem less prne to rusty frames and bolt heads, 2013-on bikes rust up very quickly if they aren't kept clean and coated with ACF-50. I'd advise against the 1200GS Adventure because it is so much bigger and wider than the standard model and unless you are 6'6" and plan crossing Mongolia you don't need it. Otherwise buy the cleanest, lowest mileage bike you can find and go have fun on it!!

As a GS owner for the last few years there's nothing much I can add to this.

My is the 2010 cam head, its got close on 100k on her and runs like a dream. I love it.

It used to be a case that even older GS's went for big money, that's changed in recent years and you can now get a lot of bike for smallish money.

If you're going for an older bike most will say that the cam heads were the best GS engine.

Only advice I could give you, and this should go for most bikes.. Buy from a reputable dealer or private if there's a full service history because when these things give trouble they can be exceptionally expensive (like we're talking a thousand Euro for a clutch).

If you're going to put up a lot of miles, want to carry luggage or a pillion well these things will take you all over the country and hardly notice the extra weight, they're real mile munchers.

Here's my bike, I love her.

Max Headroom · 11-01-2020 1:51pm

Billy Silly Wildcat wrote: »

As a GS owner for the last few years there's nothing much I can add to this.

My is the 2010 cam head, its got close on 100k on her and runs like a dream. I love it.

It used to be a case that even older GS's went for big money, that's changed in recent years and you can now get a lot of bike for smallish money.

If you're going for an older bike most will say that the cam heads were the best GS engine.

Only advice I could give you, and this should go for most bikes.. Buy from a reputable dealer or private if there's a full service history because when these things give trouble they can be exceptionally expensive (like we're talking a thousand Euro for a clutch).

If you're going to put up a lot of miles, want to carry luggage or a pillion well these things will take you all over the country and hardly notice the extra weight, they're real mile munchers.

Here's my bike, I love her.

Nice...where's the rest of the sheep......:P

Sir Galahad · 13-01-2020 12:52am

I'm on my 9th 1150 Adventure. I've bought in Germany and the UK. Look at www.autoscout.de . If you buy in Germany you can get it delivered to Ireland by overlanders.ie . Or if you want to buy in Ireland from a dealer then talk to Mark in Platinum Motorcycles in Bray. He's a very honest guy and easy to deal with. PM me if you've any questions.

Roadcraft · 13-01-2020 1:19pm

Do it, best bike I have ever owned.

I have a 2009 R1200GSA I bought from new & I now have 270000 kms on it.

It got its first service in a BMW dealer & that was its last one done by BMW as it came away from that leaking petrol.

I have done all my own servicing & repairs on it since then.

listermint · 13-01-2020 1:45pm

Roadcraft wrote: »

Do it, best bike I have ever owned.

I have a 2009 R1200GSA I bought from new & I now have 270000 kms on it.

It got its first service in a BMW dealer & that was its last one done by BMW as it came away from that leaking petrol.

I have done all my own servicing & repairs on it since then.

Whats your average MPG

arybvtcw0eolkf · 13-01-2020 5:31pm

listermint wrote: »

Whats your average MPG

I know you asked someone else, but I'm getting 49.9 MPG from mine.

airhead_eire · 13-01-2020 10:42pm

Did somebody say GS ?! Ok, so it's old.........!

arybvtcw0eolkf · 14-01-2020 12:56am

A mate recently completed the Big Trail Challenge across Morocco on a 30 yr old R100 GS PD

I believe both he and the bike were both the oldest rider and oldest bike to do it.

This is the bike being shipped to Spain after completing a grueling challenge through the Sahara.

Its his daily commute too!.

When you get a good GS they're the best in bike the world.

scotchy · 14-01-2020 1:23am

Billy Silly Wildcat wrote: »

A mate recently completed the Big Trail Challenge across Morocco on a 30 yr old R100 GS PD

I believe both he and the bike were both the oldest rider and oldest bike to do it.

This is the bike being shipped to Spain after completing a grueling challenge through the Sahara.

Its his daily commute too!.

When you get a good GS they're the best in bike the world.

Wow, I was talking to that guy in work, he also uses that bike as a courier. #realbiker:cool:

.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 14-01-2020 1:30am

scotchy wrote: »

Wow, I was talking to that guy in work, he also uses that bike as a courier. #realbiker:cool:

.

Bonnie's a great mate of mine, a tough narly f*cker of an old time biker.

Next time you talk to him get him talking about his bike trips through central and north America (his European tours are great too).

Bonnie is a legend, seriously if you get time with him get him talking about motorbike trips, facing down bears in Alaska and mustang on some open planes in the US.

He's mad as a brush, you won't be bored for a second.

airhead_eire · 14-01-2020 9:00am

Billy Silly Wildcat wrote: »

A mate recently completed the Big Trail Challenge across Morocco on a 30 yr old R100 GS PD

I believe both he and the bike were both the oldest rider and oldest bike to do it.

This is the bike being shipped to Spain after completing a grueling challenge through the Sahara.

Its his daily commute too!.

When you get a good GS they're the best in bike the world.

I love those PD's with the larger tank and storage cubby that's build into the tank ! The nice thing about the old air-cooled models is that they are really DIY maintenance friendly and they still have great spares availability.

H_Lime · 14-01-2020 12:41pm

Billy Silly Wildcat wrote: »

A mate recently completed the Big Trail Challenge across Morocco on a 30 yr old R100 GS PD

I believe both he and the bike were both the oldest rider and oldest bike to do it.

This is the bike being shipped to Spain after completing a grueling challenge through the Sahara.

Its his daily commute too!.

When you get a good GS they're the best in bike the world.

Wow! How cool!

arybvtcw0eolkf · 14-01-2020 2:40pm

Here's my mate Tim 'Bonnie' at 43 seconds and a number of times after

Proving you don't need to have a €20k bike to have an adventure!.. The beady eyed among you might pick out his 30 year old GS too.

D3V!L · 14-01-2020 3:19pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

A brand new GS 1200 pull along side me yesterday. The absolute size of it!

The GSA will dwarf even a big Harley side by side. They truly are monstrous !!

H_Lime · 14-01-2020 5:39pm

What does a new gsa weigh in at wet?

D3V!L · 14-01-2020 5:44pm

H_Lime wrote: »

What does a new gsa weigh in at wet?

268 wet. I had two of the 1200 variants and you can't feel the weight when they get moving. It's a very very nimble bike.

H_Lime · 14-01-2020 5:52pm

D3V!L wrote: »

268 wet. I had two of the 1200 variants and you can't feel the weight when they get moving. It's a very very nimble bike.

That's lighter than I guessed.
Just check there and an abs pan is 331kg wet so maybe that's not so bad after all lol.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 14-01-2020 10:58pm

Sir Galahad wrote: »

I'm on my 9th 1150 Adventure. I've bought in Germany and the UK. Look at www.autoscout.de . If you buy in Germany you can get it delivered to Ireland by overlanders.ie . Or if you want to buy in Ireland from a dealer then talk to Mark in Platinum Motorcycles in Bray. He's a very honest guy and easy to deal with. PM me if you've any questions.

Did you not think it was risky buying in Germany, did you inspect the bike before you had it shipped?

Sir Galahad · 15-01-2020 2:30pm

Kyree Uninterested Rash wrote: »

Did you not think it was risky buying in Germany, did you inspect the bike before you had it shipped?

Consumer law is really strict in Germany. So dealers tend to be far easier to trust than here. A dealer will even point out minor scuffs etc that you wouldn't normally see. But flights are cheap so it's possible to go out and back in same day to view if you want. Great selection of low mileage bikes there, buy when you have done homework on the bike and never buy in a hurry.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 15-01-2020 2:36pm

Sir Galahad wrote: »

Consumer law is really strict in Germany. So dealers tend to be far easier to trust than here. A dealer will even point out minor scuffs etc that you wouldn't normally see. But flights are cheap so it's possible to go out and back in same day to view if you want. Great selection of low mileage bikes there, buy when you have done homework on the bike and never buy in a hurry.

But you did go and see the bike? Is there much of a saving when you the cost add flights and VRT?

Sir Galahad · 15-01-2020 4:12pm

Kyree Uninterested Rash wrote: »

But you did go and see the bike? Is there much of a saving when you the cost add flights and VRT?

Buy in darkest winter. Prices are lower. Yes I saw 20 + pictures of bikes I didn't travel to. The choice there is huge, and they tend not to ride in winter so less corrosion. VRT is a pittance on bikes so I always class it as a consumable. Go to www.autoscout.de and play around with the menu.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 15-01-2020 5:33pm

Sir Galahad wrote: »

Buy in darkest winter. Prices are lower. Yes I saw 20 + pictures of bikes I didn't travel to. The choice there is huge, and they tend not to ride in winter so less corrosion. VRT is a pittance on bikes so I always class it as a consumable. Go to www.autoscout.de and play around with the menu.

Is it specifically Germany you would buy from or just from www.autoscout.de in general/ Reason I ask is Spain would be an easier location to travel to.

Sir Galahad · 16-01-2020 10:49am

Kyree Uninterested Rash wrote: »

Is it specifically Germany you would buy from or just from www.autoscout.de in general/ Reason I ask is Spain would be an easier location to travel to.

Forget Spain. I live in Andalucia six months of the year, cars and bikes are more expensive there. Buy a bike in Germany and get overlanders.ie to deliver it to Ireland. Simple.

zubair · 16-01-2020 11:35am

One of the lads has the 2019 GSA with the larger tank, it's an absolute monster. Honestly, I don't see a use for a bike that big if it isn't leaving the country on every spin.

D3V!L · 16-01-2020 11:38am

zubair wrote: »

One of the lads has the 2019 GSA with the larger tank, it's an absolute monster. Honestly, I don't see a use for a bike that big if it isn't leaving the country on every spin.

They do seem big but in all honesty they're a p!ss easy bike to ride. I got rid of mine because they literally drive themselves and are soulless.

My missus who's 5ft9 could throw the GSA around with a full tank in it.

I'll go back to one maybe in the future when the new sh!t-cam engine is proven.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 16-01-2020 1:21pm

Sir Galahad wrote: »

Forget Spain. I live in Andalucia six months of the year, cars and bikes are more expensive there. Buy a bike in Germany and get overlanders.ie to deliver it to Ireland. Simple.

You seem to be right. I checked the cost of bikes in Spain v Germany and they are more expensive in Spain.

Sir Galahad · 16-01-2020 4:02pm

D3V!L wrote: »

I'll go back to one maybe in the future when the new sh!t-cam engine is proven.

Or you can just buy a "real adventure bike" a BMW 1150 Adventure

:D:D:D:D

D3V!L · 16-01-2020 4:03pm

Sir Galahad wrote: »

Or you can just buy a "real adventure bike" an 1150 Adventure :D:D:D:D

I tried buying a KTM but seeing as the Dublin dealer doesn't open on Saturdays it was quite hard !!

Sir Galahad · 16-01-2020 4:06pm

D3V!L wrote: »

I tried buying a KTM but seeing as the Dublin dealer doesn't open on Saturdays it was quite hard !!

See my edit

BMW 1150 Adventure

D3V!L · 16-01-2020 4:07pm

Sir Galahad wrote: »

See my edit BMW 1150 Adventure

As soon as I can convince the minister for finance its a good expenditure for this fiscal year then I will. :rolleyes:

galwaytt · 17-01-2020 1:18pm

D3V!L wrote: »

I tried buying a KTM but seeing as the Dublin dealer doesn't open on Saturdays it was quite hard !!

...that's why it's called an 'Adventure' - trying to find a time when they're open !!

....it's also why I didn't buy my AT there: nonsense hours, and didn't want to get the colour I wanted - only interested in selling stock.

Agent_47 · 18-01-2020 11:47am

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Are M50 Honda the only KTM dealers in Dublin?

Don't know, my dealer up North does Triumph, KTM and Kawasaki. Will be up there Thursday so will be looking at the KTM range while they work on the Er6f. Looking to change to a BMW F900XR or stay with Kawasaki

Skill Magill · 14-06-2020 10:33am

Did you bite Tickers? Thinking of same.

D3V!L · 14-06-2020 10:35am

Well I put a deposit on a new 1250GSA on Friday

galwaytt · 14-06-2020 12:39pm

Kyree Uninterested Rash wrote: »

Did you not think it was risky buying in Germany, did you inspect the bike before you had it shipped?

I've bought over 20 bikes from Germany- never inspected any of them, never had a single issue. You will find they don't keep getting cheaper with age in Germany though- they come down to a level and plateau off

Sir Galahad · 14-06-2020 2:00pm

And after 18 years of 1150 ownership (over nine different bikes ) it looks like I'm changing to a 990 Adventure

.

Skill Magill · 14-06-2020 3:25pm

D3V!L wrote: »

Well I put a deposit on a new 1250GSA on Friday

Was thinking that the adventure is a bit big but I know if I were to get a gs I'd only be looking at the gsa and not the other way round.
Are you getting it in Ireland?

D3V!L · 14-06-2020 4:51pm

Skill Magill wrote: »

Was thinking that the adventure is a bit big but I know if I were to get a gs I'd only be looking at the gsa and not the other way round.
Are you getting it in Ireland?

I'm getting it in Belfast , picking it up on the 1st of July.

Skill Magill · 14-06-2020 7:44pm

D3V!L wrote: »

I'm getting it in Belfast , picking it up on the 1st of July.

Think H Lime had recommended a different GS on another thread for you

Bit cheaper too

D3V!L · 14-06-2020 7:44pm

Skill Magill wrote: »

Think H Lime had recommended a different GS on another thread for you
Bit cheaper too

Oh , must have missed that

Skill Magill · 14-06-2020 7:56pm

:pac::pac::pac:

Lokie · 15-06-2020 12:44pm

Sorry didn't read the whole thread. We are long time Bikers currently on a 929 Blade ðŸ˜. Not the most comfortable for pillion, and looking at getting a GS. I would love to hear pillion experiences on these especially for the slightly curvier ladies ðŸ˜‰.

Would love to go touring in Europe on day. Pilot is not very tall though, 5'7 me thinks, hoping my weight (80 kg eeek!) will drop it down a bit. He kinda has his heart set on the GS, but not much first hand opinions from pillions online.

Any advice?

galwaytt · 16-06-2020 12:56pm

Lokie wrote: »

Sorry didn't read the whole thread. We are long time Bikers currently on a 929 Blade ðŸ˜. Not the most comfortable for pillion, and looking at getting a GS. I would love to hear pillion experiences on these especially for the slightly curvier ladies ��.

Would love to go touring in Europe on day. Pilot is not very tall though, 5'7 me thinks, hoping my weight (80 kg eeek!) will drop it down a bit. He kinda has his heart set on the GS, but not much first hand opinions from pillions online.

Any advice?

Do consider the R1200R or possibly R1200RS too - often overlooked. A lot easier for pillions to get on to than a GS and GSA.

I have an Africa Twin and the SO has ruled out pillion on it due to the mountain climbing involved to get on to it. Even getting her foot up to the pillion to clamber on is a challenge.

E.g. something like this is a GS in all but name:

https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/bmw-r1200r/24382360

H_Lime · 16-06-2020 1:10pm

Lady Devil will have no problems with this gs!
https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/suzuki-gs500/24684009

And there's no recalls on this gs either
https://www.visordown.com/news/industry/bmw-recall-r-nine-t-1250-gs-rt-r-rs-models
http://bmwfatalflaw.com/

Lokie · 16-06-2020 3:08pm

Thank you guys! Some solid advice as I struggle to get on the Blade now that the lock down has shrunk me leggings! My legs are very short. Will pass your advice to the bossman!

Buying my first BMW GS 1200

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