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Registered
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 329
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Buying a motorcycle sight unseen?
Im looking at a '02 BMW GS but its quite a distance away. Would any of you buy a bike without seeing it in person and obviously test riding it. I have seen some pictures of the bike. The fact that its a BMW and a 02 model that has relativily low miles 11000 makes me worry less. Anyone else "dumb" enough to do this.
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04-12-2006, 10:09 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,790
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Most BMW Oilheads need a scheduled service at 12K miles. So in a short time you may need to lay out a couple hundred $. Also as a 2002, it should be out of warranty.
Other than that, people buy bikes at a distance all the time, but it is no small commitment of cash and it is probably worth it to travel to see it. Also, the GS is not uncommon and there are probably many for sale close by so it would not hurt to look around.
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1967 R50/2 |
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04-12-2006, 10:16 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 432
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Gee, I must be very dumb, but I've bought 3 bikes jsut by photos. 2 of them I kinda knew the sellers, by being on the same forum as them, so I wasn't really worried. The other wasn't for too much money or too far away that I wouldn't be able to balk if neede. I have gone 3k miles to pick up one of the bikes...
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04-12-2006, 10:16 AM
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I'm off the hook.....
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: 22 miles south, then 11 miles west of LAS
Posts: 2,895
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I have bought bikes sight unseen several times. Have only been disappointed once. His 'ready to ride' was different from my 'ready to ride. His meant he can keep it running in the driveway. Mine means you could go to an adjacent state this afternoon.
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No, I don't sing. Based there for too long. |
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04-12-2006, 02:35 PM
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Detached Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: southern California
Posts: 26,964
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Why don't you post where it is and see if a Pelican can at least give it the once over. They may not know BMW bikes, but could look for bent frame, obvious damage, funny sounds.
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Hugh |
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04-12-2006, 02:47 PM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,961
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Bought my last BMW over the internet and no problems so far. Did a lot of research on it and as usual did not pay for it until I rode it.
Joe A
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2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
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04-12-2006, 11:57 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,381
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I must be the dumbest person on this board then. I bought tons of bikes, 3wheelers, both P-cars, and a handful of other cars/suv by pics over the internet. No problems yet!
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Bill 997.2 |
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04-13-2006, 03:10 AM
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Edministrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SF east bay
Posts: 24,824
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Why not have him take it to a local shop to have them look at it for you? Maybe ask him where the service was done so you can talk to them with his permission. There's some Pelicans on the R1100S board in MI that will know the good shops in the area and maybe even look at it for you.
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04-13-2006, 06:53 AM
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