Need advice on which year GS I should buy

[Spyderman]

I am a two-time BMW owner, but sold my 1977 R100S in 1982. I bought a 1995 GS airhead several years ago, but sold it in 2005. I am now back in the market for a 2006 or newer GS, but have not a clue as to whether or not the newer (2010-2011) GS models are worth the extra money I would pay, over a 2006 model, for instance, which I have seen advertised for around $10,000-$12,000, depending on the accessories, mileage, etc.

If I decide to opt for either a 2010 or 2011 model which cost far more, which options should I consider, and which ones can I do without? I am talking about the Enduro ESA, ASC, tire pressure monitor, on-board computer and integral ABS. I am not familiar with any of these options and don't want to spend a chunk of change for them if they are of only a marginal advantage and/or would be used only occasionally. BTW, my wife would be a fairly frequent passenger.

Would it be wiser to consider a 2007, 2008 or 2009? So....what year and options/accessories would you choose if you were in my riding boots? To add to the mix, I haven't taken a test ride on any of these, so I have not been "tainted" in any way.

Thanks,

Neil

[marc]

2006 had the older iABS "whizzy" brakes
2007 has the new iABS II brakes
2008 got some styling changed and the engine got another 5 horses
2010 gets you the overhead cam engine and a different (better?) torque curve.

Those are the big differences. If I had to replace my '05 today my choice would be an '07 if used, otherwise new.

[Spyderman]

Marc, what is the difference between the ABS brakes on the 2006 and the ABS II brakes that came out for the 2007 model?

[marc]

iABS I are nicknamed "whizzy" brakes because they are electro assist power brakes and you can hear the electric booster pump "whizzing" (or whining) whenever the brakes are engaged. Some people love them. Some people hate them. The real down side is that various brake "failures" disable the booster pump. If that happens you need a *lot* more lever throw to fully engage the brakes. Example: If your handguard rotates a bit on the earlier bikes it can move the brake lever just enough to trigger the brake switch. Start the bike that way and you'll get a brake failure. The result is weaker brakes and no ABS until the problem is resolved.

An other downside is that it is a time consuming pain in the ass to bleed the brake system.

iABS II did away with the electro assist (but there is still an electro servo motor for ABS functions). The are reported to be closer in feel to standard brakes.

My '05 has the whizzy brakes. No problems in 60K miles.

[Spyderman]

Well, that explains the brakes prior to 2007. Here is an article I found regarding the ASC and ABSII, made available on the 2007 model. It seems that the two go hand-in-hand, but were they options or were they standard on the 2007 model?

http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2006/BMW_ASC.asp

[marc]

ABS and ASC are technically options. However, most bikes ordered by dealers for showroom stock will come with ABS. I don't know if that is also true regarding ASC.

If I were buying a new bike I'd get one with both. They can be turned off or put in an 'off road' mode when needed. Adding ASC after the fact is about 3x more expensive than ordering a bike that way.

[Spyderman]

I have been considering two 2007 bikes, but neither is advertised by the private owners as having ASC. One bike has engine covers, the larger PIAA lights on a light bar, panniers, a BMW soft 51-liter case, spoked wheels, 17K on the odo, includes a GPS and is offered at $13,000. The owner is selling the bike because he wants to drive an SUV or car in city traffic.

I have no idea why spoked wheels are an option, or why they are even desirable, other than that they might provide a softer ride?

As far as ASC, on board computer and electronic suspension control (ESC) are concerned, they seem to be offered more on the 2008 models I have seen for sale, but not the 2007 models. This means more money, and I don't want to lay out more bucks on option farkles that I would rarely use. So.....should I really pooh-pooh the ASC, ESC and on board computer and opt for a bike that costs less, or should I hold out for a bike with ASC, ESC and the on board computer? If those options are really worth having, that is exactly what I will do, even though I would have to pay more. What do you think?

Neil

[marc]

Spoke wheels are stronger than the alloy wheels. If you are going to do serious off road (not dirt road) you want spoke. The also look better to some (me included). And are harder to clean. For mostly road riding, including dirt roads, the alloy wheels are strong enough. That wasn't the case with earlier (R1100 era) BMW alloy wheels that would bend if you looked at them cross eyed!

My priorities regarding the other options
ABS: Must have
ASC: Nice to have
ESC: Don't want
OBC: (On Board Computer) don't want, but will take.

I'm sure other folks will disagree with me. I don't want ESC because after market shocks have been one of the best ways I know to improve a stock bike. I don't want to pay extra for a feature that I'm going to get rid of.

The reason I don't want the OBC is because with it comes the electronic fuel sensor that is prone to failure. No OBC and you get an old fashioned float. I think most of the bikes came with the OBC starting about '07. It might be hard to find one without.

[Spyderman]

It was interesting what you had to say about ASC. I have put a lot of miles on bikes without ABS, ASC, etc., and haven't really had any problems. I am super careful about bad road surfaces, and have gone down only twice...once on a slick asphalt surface that the sun had heated up, and another event going around a sharp turn where I suddenly ran into gravel. I had no way to tell in advance that those surfaces would be dangerous and had no time to brake...so I would guess that ASC or even ABS would have made no difference. I walked away from these "accidents" with no injuries, other than hurt pride.

As far as spokes go, I have never owned cast wheels, but sometimes wish I had during times when I had to wash and polish spokes.

Thanks much for your opinions and for answering my questions.

Neil

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by marc

I'm sure other folks will disagree with me. I don't want ESC because after market shocks have been one of the best ways I know to improve a stock bike. I don't want to pay extra for a feature that I'm going to get rid of.

Marc, what type and brand of aftermarket shock replacements did you have in mind....Ohlins? Both front and rear?