Looking at a 2005 BMW GS tomorrow

[HardDrive]

So, I told myself I was not going to look at BMWs in my quest for a long haul bike, but i am going to going to go look at this GS tomorrow. 16k miles, 2005. Guy is asking $8k, was thinking I would try for $7k.

Anyone own one? Seems like a good all rounder bike. Any flaws to watch out for?

[Rick Lee]

I had that bike, same year. I didn't have any mechanical issues with it, but you do need to check for rear wheel bearing play. Maint. is very easy and straightforward on these. Electronics can be, well, you know. My kombi went nuts after a hard fall offroad. It happened right after the warranty expired and BMW wouldn't do a goodwill fix. The trannies on these are fantastic, just shift like butter.

[MMARSH]

Haven't ridden that vintage GS. But I do have a LC GS.
I have ridden that vintage of engine/transmission in an RT to the tune of about 110K. At 16K that motor is just getting broke in. My RT didn't feel good till about 25K. I rode it pretty hard and treated it a way I wouldn't my personal bike and it took everything I threw at it. Never any serious issues.

If you wanna stretch your budget a little. I think the Liquid Cool bikes are significantly better. Noticeable as soon as you ride off. Keep us posted, looking at new bikes is half the fun.

[Fast Freddy 944]

It has a beer cooler on back, so I reckon that makes it cool. LOL! Pass I'd rather roll a man's bike.

[911boost]

If you are tall good luck… you’ll get beat up by the wind.

[Chocaholic]

Hopefully he’s done routine service, especially final drive fluid changes. That’s a nice, reliable bike for the dough. You may need to fiddle with windshields to minimize buffeting but that applies to any bike with a shield. Hope it works out for you. Pretty sure you’ll like it…especially after some long days in the saddle.

[Rick Lee]

Even with regular FD fluid changes, some of them just go bad. It's easy to check.

[Chocaholic]

Well...it’s tomorrow. Should we assume you bought it and are out riding?

[upsscott]

I’ve owned several from the 1150 through the 1200 oil head and water boxers. They are wonderful bikes as long as scheduled maintenance is done. Final drive issues are fairly common as said above. $8k seems a bit high for a bike that old though. I feel like you could do better cost wise.

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy 944

It has a beer cooler on back, so I reckon that makes it cool. LOL! Pass I'd rather roll a man's bike.

How loud can a bike get without actually making horsepower? See this photo.

[2.7RS]

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy 944

It has a beer cooler on back, so I reckon that makes it cool. LOL! Pass I'd rather roll a man's bike.

I rather ride a well engineered bike and not some expired 50s technology loud useless thingy

[jhynesrockmtn]

I had an 02 1150 that the PO had done some mods on. Removed cat, removed ABS pump, etc. to lighten it up. I did several long trips. As my long trip days came to an end with family changes, I sold it. Great bike.

[Steve Carlton]

via GIPHY

[Scott Douglas]

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/d/costa-mesa-1998-bmw-k1200rs-for-sale/7537959985.html

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/d/orange-2005-bmw-r1200rt/7541180692.html

Just to show you what is available out here out west.

[911boost]

I had an 1150 GS as well and I was not sad to see it go in the slightest. I rode a newer 1200 GS and it just did not feel as well put together.

For a long haul bike you can't beat a touring Harley. Unless you plan on gravel etc, then a GS is a better choice.

[upsscott]

If I were looking for a pavement pounder I’d get the 1200rt.

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

So, I told myself I was not going to look at BMWs in my quest for a long haul bike, but i am going to going to go look at this GS tomorrow. 16k miles, 2005. Guy is asking $8k, was thinking I would try for $7k.

Anyone own one? Seems like a good all rounder bike. Any flaws to watch out for?

the servo assisted brakes have been a problem with some people

I've been looking for a bike to take to alaska and I'm not sure I want a model with these brakes

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?37146-Servo-assisted-brakes

[911boost]

All of my serious dual sport riding buddies are on KTM’s now.

[JavaBrewer]

My riding crew is BMW, they are slowly moving to KTM. I like to think I was the genesis of that with my 1290 SDGT being so awesome…and it is. But having rode oil head and water GS I would be lying to say a GS is not in my future. The GS is the do everything very well bike as long as you avoid skinny bike terrain, which my KTM could never manage. BMW GS is a M5 car equivalent where the KTM 1290 is a Dodge Demon

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by 911boost

All of my serious dual sport riding buddies are on KTM’s now.

Us too, we use the GS for long distance road trips and the KTM for dual sporting/adventure riding. 2 buddies on KTM GTs are switching to GSs after our last road trip. And I have 6 buddies that are one 790/890s. It's a great bike.



Of course this section of roadway you could do on a streetbike. Earlier and later, not so much

I'm in Italy now and heading to Greece next week for 2 more weeks on a motorcycle trip. Riding a GS1250 the whole time 2 up, I really don't think there is a better bike for it.