Is this bike a good deal?

[Rick Lee]

Got my motorcycle license today and am jumping back into the bike world. I had a Herkules when I lived in Germany, though I never took it on the highways there.

I had had my heart set on a BMW R1150GS, but checked a few out today and decided they were just WAY too much bike for me. The R1150R tugged at my heartstrings though and I think this is the one for me.

http://home.comcast.net/~crousos/

Bikezbiz has this at around $10k. NADA has it at $6970. Why so huge a difference? Seller sounds like he'll take an offer. But I'm not sure what to base it on.

[Drdogface]

Beautiful bike....I'd have a hard time passing that one up. Love those bikes...always have.

Only three years old...seven K. Damn..

[Rick Lee]

Here's the same year, same mileage and $1500 more.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/224769108.html

[Steve Carlton]

I've watched prices on those, and that's a square deal. It'd be worth a little more if it had ABS, but it's got most everything else. The 2004s and up were the best years because of the 2-spark engine. Looks like he peeled off the decals; no biggie.

Ask him exactly what services he had done. There's services every 6,000 miles, but also services every 12 months regardless of mileage (clutch and brake fluids). Also ask him if it's been down. The right cylinder guard looks scraped, but that could just be from a tipover. Great bike, and a good choice for a newbie too. Good luck!

[Rick Lee]

He said it has been down, but all the damaged parts were replace by the dealer. I'm leaning heavily toward this one and already asked the GF if she could gimme a lift to NJ this weekend.

[Steve Carlton]

I'd ask to see the repair invoice for the damage. Make sure it doesn't have a salvage title; that's a whole different value. See if he'll give you permission to call his dealer to discuss the bike. Ask them what it needs, including deferred maintenance.

[Rick Lee]

Just pulled the trigger after talking on the phone with the seller for a while. He was very forthcoming and assured me the bike has no cosmetic blemishes or mechanical issues at all. Just had the 12k miles service done last month, all receipts since new, told me to call the dealer, blah blah. I'm pumped! Not only am I getting a bike, but I'm riding it all the way from Washington, NJ to LBI, about 90 miles south, to show my folks and then back home to VA. This will be the thrill and adventure I sorely need. Only upgrade I plan is to make the headlight HID or at least something like that. Now I need to get a good jacket for the trip!

[Steve Carlton]

Congrats! Get gear from head to toe.

[Rick Lee]

Will do, but may not have it all by this weekend. I have good jackets and a reflective vest, helmet and gloves, hiking boots for now. Saw an Olympia Motosports jacket today I really liked, flourescent yellow/green. Will get it all and will ride year round when I get comfortable. Can't wait!

[911boost]

Rick,

My next door neighbor had one, a 2003 with ABS, that I spent a lot of time on before I bought my R1150GS. It is a great bike, and very beginner friendly. They have a ton of low end torque.

My neighbor sold his to a co-worker of mine. It had 1300 miles, ABS, and he sold it for $7000 last fall. I am not sure how the prices are out here in Colorado though compared to the East Coast.

If you ride on the highway, you will see a lot of helmet buffeting. Are you planning on riding it home from NJ? The fact that it has the bags is very nice, as they are super useful. I liked the Jesse bags I had on my GS.

If you end up getting an R, let me know, as I have a new set of K1200 mirrors that are already modified to fit the R1150R/GS (they are a much better looking and user friendly mirror than the stock round crappy ones.

I actually just installed a full Remus exhaust system on my co-workers R1150R. It made a HUGE difference in the performance.

Feel free to ask me any other questions. If you haven't bought a helmet yet, buy and Arai. hands down the most comfortable, best helmet I have owned.

Here are a couple of pictures of me and my friend (co-worker) after I installed the K1200 mirrors on his bike (the same I have lying in my garage) and a windscreen on his bike.



Bill

[911boost]

Ok well since it took me forever to post the pics (I couldn't find them), it sounds like you made the purchase, sweet. You should really like the bike. I hope the weather holds out for you this weekend (and for me since I'll be back at FedEx field hopefully seeing the Redskins whooping the Cowboys).

Bill

[Rick Lee]

I didn't beat the guy up on price since I had nothing to base it on. Looked like a very good deal to me and I don't mind paying even fair market value. Can't WAIT! Those photos remind me how huge the GS is. It's just too much for me. I'm about 6'2", 230lbs. and still felt small on the GS.

[911boost]

If the bike is as cean as the seller told you (I tend to trust people) than I think you did fine. There really are not a lot of R's lying around. Plus, the maint. isn't free, so it is good to see all of that done.

I am 6-4, and was comfortable riding the R with the high seat. They have two different seats for these bikes, so make sure you have the hugh one (yourlegs will be more comfortable).

PM me your address, and I'll send you the mirrors. As you can tell from the pictures, you can really see a lot more with them vs. the stck round ones. They attach super easy, and can actually use the allen wrench in the stock BMW tool kit.

Bill

[Steve Carlton]

You got a very good deal, Rick. There's good value in the '04s and the luggage would cost $800. I think there's a rack on yours, too. You can get a lot of good info/help on the R1100S/R1200S forum here on Pelican, too.

[}{arlequin]

make sure you suit up well for the trip. expect running into small animals and 2x4's on the road. plan for worst case scenario. avoid painted lines, manhole covers and anything else like that if it rains. bring extra layers of clothing, you'll be miserable if the temps drop. if you don't have time to get winter gloves, either get some nylon liner gloves to wear inside or, even though they offer no impact protection, get some ski gloves. at least they're goretex and windproof.

and congrats. you're gonna love it.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Extremely nice ride. I love the BMWs - very solid, stable and reliable.

If I was going to ever sell my Katana and get another bike, I'd almost certainly go that route. Congrats!

[motion]

Originally posted by Rick Lee
Those photos remind me how huge the GS is. It's just too much for me. I'm about 6'2", 230lbs. and still felt small on the GS.

What???!!! Cmon... I'm 6'1 and 185 pounds and have no problems with my GS Adventure even off-road. Picking it up off the ground is a problem, though....

You're going to love your new bike, Rick. The twin plug engines have a nice vibe to them. A great long distance bike.

[911boost]

Hmm, snow. I love running into snow and ice on my first few spring trail rides.