Need Purchase Advice

[MaineRoads]

Close Meeni. Franks has one with 534 miles for 8995.
Frank's Motorcycle Sales of Vermont. Vermont's premier BMW Dealer.

[Rapid Dog]

...I think maybe Steve has one he'll let go of for $8500....

[ckcarr]

Originally Posted by Meeni

I checked quickly and all ebay auctions and announces are over 11k. Please point if you find a 12s at less than 8k, I'm considering the upgrade.

If you are serious, And I was you, I would do my own shopping very discretely. PM private sellers, etc. The worst thing you can do is ask on this board, where anytime there's a deal, on anything, it get's broadcast everywhere.

They can ask whatever they want, but an $11,000 r1200s would be a steal - for the seller. You are now talking about an almost five year old bike. Mine was bought in June 2006 as a reference point.

There is a cruel reality with this bike, just like the r1100s, that it's a buyers market, not the sellers.

Too bad ebay and our buy and sell board both delete prior activity now because it was a good research tool.

[wiggledbits]

I came back to street riding after 25 years on to my 04. After a year and 7k miles I am very happy with the choice. Like others have said it isn't the quickest nor is it the fastest 1100cc bike out there in the same category (sport and touring) and year range, it also isn't the lightest.

It is very easy and inexpensive to do the general maintenance on and so far the only thing I have had to replace is the primary coils @~$250. An initial tool investment of less than ~$150 should save you 2 or 3x over a year or 2.

I have made one multi-day trip and found the stock seat not up to the task comfort wise. I spent ~$300 for a near new Sargent seat. I kept the stock seat for canyon days as it it easier to move around on while the Sargents is better for comfort on long rides.

I also found the with stock seat and the higher BMW designated touring screen that the handle bar raisers (~$200+) were needed to get the wind in the right place and not kill my wrists. I'm 5'10" 31" inseam.

I don not ride two up nor do I plan to so I took off all the hardware for that and use some cortech soft tri bags. I also get almost 200m/tank with the light coming on about 130m.

Just the seat and bar raiser are the only required upgrades needed on the bike for me. That being said it didn't stop me from removing the vapor can, catalytic converter, added Remus cans, Ohlins shocks front and rear, cruse control, going to PIAA bulbs, Lennies sprockets, misc carbon fiber parts.

Even through I do not have a modern sport or touring bike to compare to, and I can't speak to the single spark 02 11S, and I paid a little less for my 04 with 10k on it, I don't think the one you're looking at sounds bad at all assuming it checks out.

The above is only my personal opinion.

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by MaineRoads

Close Meeni. Franks has one with 534 miles for 8995.
Frank's Motorcycle Sales of Vermont. Vermont's premier BMW Dealer.

Yeah, it has no performance package, however, steve.

[otisdog]

I would like to thank you all for the awesome, excellent advice. I think that if I don't end up with this particular bike, I will end up with a boxer.
Oh, nothing on the Riverside website about the red one previously mentioned.

[ckcarr]

Originally Posted by Nail24

Yeah, it has no performance package, however, steve.

That should probably not be the deciding factor in my opinion to quickly dismiss a bike. NADA blue book doesn't differentiate, only for ABS - $500. Ohlins might be nice, but are unimportant for most riding and riders. A bike like that one, with 600+ miles on it is like new. Especially as time passes and they get harder to find. Get a clean example where you can, and then pursue shocks later, if you need them. Remember, there were only ? how many total in the U.S.

[Guest24]

Not to argue the point, ck but the dealer will charge tax or you'll pay it on your end and the shock upgrade will cost you 2k. There is a black low mileage on ebay by a private owner with the sports package and remus full exhaust for less than 10k w/ tankbag, also. I'd look at a private sale before going to the dealer for a trade-in.

[ckcarr]

You are making my point. Although my real point is that the bikes are in the $8,500 range these days.

And I guess which bike to buy, that would depend on your priorities. What is important to you?

The eBay bike for $9,500 has 20,117 miles versus 600 miles on the red one.

"A NEW shock upgrade would cost $2,000."
Those used/takoffs that I have casually looked at off and on over the years are closer to $1,000 for a set. There are only so many sellers, but - there are also only so many buyers (as there were very few without Ohlins)...

So you get the red one for $8,500, find the shocks within a year for $1,000 and you're set. If you later want an exhaust then shop - and if it costs you $1,000 more, then you paid a little more for an extremely low mileage bike. Personally, and I learned this with my r1100s, but did again with the r1200s, is that I prefer the BMW quiet of the stock exhaust rather than the bumble bee drone in my head.

Taxes are unique by state. Each figures vehicle sales differently, as are license plate costs. Around here you pay tax only on the incremental difference between a trade-in and the purchase price, but if you buy outright cash - you pay for the full cost. Paying the government is a cost but can't be used for a side by side comparison.

[Steve Carlton]

I'm not sure what R1200Ss are going for (I don't think I want to know), but it seems like I've seen them in the $8Ks. I would expect to be more in the $9-10K range, depending on particulars (shocks, luggage, etc). Black, of course, is worth $1,000 extra...

Part of estimating the value of an R1100S depends on miles, service history & needs, tire condition, model (BoxerCup Prep, BoxerCup Replika, or regular "SA" model), and extras (luggage, shocks, exhaust, etc). I think the '04 is the safest play and wouldn't go older than an '01. The model year doesn't affect price much, so why not get a later one? I would expect a Replika to hold it's value the best. Think carefully about whether or not to get ABS (they usually come with heated grips as well). If you're new to the street, I'd highly recommend them.

The big factor in my mind is I think you're less likely to suffer a $2,000 failure on an R1200S. If you do, you've just paid for a 12 and own an 11. More money into a 12 equals more money back when you sell. I owned an '02 R1100S and it was great. As soon as I rode a 12, I had to have one. So there's the other point- ride both. You really must, unless you can't spend the coin for a 12. A 12 for under $8K is not realistic, unless there's a glaring reason.

Tell us more about the R1100S you're considering. What color is it, what extras does it have?

[SeabeckS]

+1 to Mr. Carlton's comments.

But I'd add, tell us a bit more about what you want to do with the bike. Do you intend to do long tours/two-up? Just "zip" around on short rides (ie, go twisty hunting)? etc, etc.

I've only had a brief ride on a 1200S (but rode Duc's for 10 years), but was quite impressed by it's capabilities (power/handling/braking) as an alternative sportbike to the more hardcore stuff. I ultimately chose an '04 R1100SA as a sort of more adaptable machine. My wife doesn't ride with me much anymore, but she WILL ride the 11S, she would not have gone anywhere near the back seat of a 12.

If I were shopping for an 11S I'd take some time (took me 6+ months to find my "ideal" bike) and not be in too much of a rush. And if you can find someone who's willing to let you take test rides, try both an 11 and a 12. They each have their pro's and con's, but you'll only know which "speaks" to you if by getting a bit of seat time.

The bike you're looking at sounds a bit pricey given it's age (even for the "low miles") so I'd just advise a bit of caution.

And...if you hang around here enough you'll get plenty of opinions!

Cheers and Good Luck!

Bill J

[Steve Carlton]

Opinions are like Pelicans. No, wait a minute...

[Guest24]

BMW : R-Series - eBay (item 330540005186 end time Mar-15-11 17:37:46 PDT)