New or Used GS, HELP!!!!!

[Bigdog54]

Hello everyone. I'm looking at purchasing a 1200GS this month and I have to roads to follow. I was hoping to get some opinions on what you would do.



1. A new 2010 or 2011 R1200GS



2. A USED 2007 R1200GS with 9000 miles for roughly $9000. I am assuming it is in good condition, not sure on optional equipment or assecories so for arguments sake lets assume it comes with no bags and removable equipment removed. (dont know if its a GS or GSA, I've just got basic knowledge about the bike)



I know the 2010 and 2011 have the newer engine mod.s but other than that are there any other major differences? Is 9000 miles alot for a GS?



Thanks for any input!

[Quanto12]

Hey Bigdog54,Happy New Year!
9000 miles is realy not alot! That is what I put on in an 8 month average! If it wasn't for winter there would be more for sure!There are guys putting much more than that!
If gagets are what you are looking for, the 2008 to newer GS have more of them!Stability control,Electronic Height Ajustement,...etc. And from what i read the modified engine on the 2010 and on,have less maintenance do to but are harder to work on!
Can't go wrong with either one i guess! Just a matter of what you realy need or want! I wanted the gagets, so i went with a 2009 GSA loaded!Do i need all of it? Of course not! But damn they are fun to play with!

[Pastor Passum]

Bigdog, the choice between GS or GSA just depends on you and your likes or dislikes. Go to a dealer and take a test ride on each. The main difference is longer range on the GSA, somewhere around 400 miles per fill-up compared to 240 or so for the GS.

Your main question was is 9,000 miles a lot for a GS. NO! Actually at that mileage the GS is just getting broken in and has or soon will stop using oil Saves you the trouble as well as any teething problems have probably already been addressed. It's not at all unusualy to see oil head boxers with over 100,000 miles.

So far as optional equipment on the newer bikes, again it's up to you how important traction control is. For me I'd much rather have a good set of Olins shocks as the electronic adjustable (ESA) optional shocks. I don't think the ESA units are rebuildable and are very expensive to replace and unless BMW has changed their policy, they're considered a "wear item" not covered under warranty.

To me $9,000 for a used GS with 9,000 miles sounds better than twice that amount for a new one. But that's just me Good luck in whatever your choice is...oh, and post some pics of the new ride.

Jim

[Bigdog54]

Thanks for the advice and i will post pics.

Can anyone comment if the "refinements" between the 2007 and the 2010/2011. Is the motor that much stronger? Is the suspension the same or improved? Any other "factors" that I might want to consider?

[marc]

2007 is pretty much the same bike as 2005-2006 save for the brakes. The electro-hydraulic power assist went away in '07. Oh, and the location of the center stand/side stand mounting changed some time in '06.

2008 was a re-design (different body work), an extra 5 horses, and I think some transmission differences.

2010 got the overhead cam engine

[pdxrmccgs]

The 2010 apparently has a "electronically controlled exhaust
flapper". Its purpose is to help the exhaust system get past
the eco-boys on start-up or idle. At first it raised some questions because
of it is unusual etc. but, it seems to work just fine. BMW sales
talk touted it as making a better exhaust sound.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/616/49...-for-2010.aspx

I think the price you are quoting for the 07 is way to low.

[Spyderman]

$9,000 for a 2007 with only 9,000 miles? Sounds like a screamin' deal, provided that the owner has maintained the bike and has records, and that the bike is in good shape cosmetically, has no accident history, etc. I have been scrutinizing Craigslist and some of the other online selling sources, and have found that $9,000 is about the asking price for many 2006 models.

Check out the comments on the thread I authored (five slots down).

[Marty H]

Originally Posted by Bigdog54

Thanks for the advice and i will post pics.

Can anyone comment if the "refinements" between the 2007 and the 2010/2011. Is the motor that much stronger? Is the suspension the same or improved? Any other "factors" that I might want to consider?

2008 was the face lift year - raised HP to 105 and closed a gap from 3rd to 4th gear.

2010 was a HP boost to 110 and the dual overhead cam which is a shim system instead of the pushrod. Provides bigger sodium filled valves and a slight boost in overall rpm. reintroduced the vent in the final drive.

I like the 2010 motor as it lets me hold a gear a little longer before I hit the limiter when misbehaving in the twisties - not a big thing in a buying decision.

A 2007 is an excellent bike - so is the price. You can buy lots of gas and tires with the money saved, plus it is easier to adjust the valves in a campground on the older heads.

Cheers,

[justinallen03]

I've never ridden a 2007, but i just recently bought a 2010 gs...have about 1k miles on her.

From what ive read, the breather on the FD seems to help (ppl say pressure build up on the ones without it contribute to leaks/failures). Also, there is a drain plug on the 2010 FD (I think i read there wasn't one on the 2k7, not sure). If you do your own maintenance like I do, its nice. Otherwise, its not that big of a difference.

I have read, and have noticed, the little power blip in the mid-range rpm due to the exhaust flap, but it doesnt ever bother me. I am usually shiftiing above or below it.

Also, imho, the shim design is wayyy more robust then the set screw adjustment. Sure it may be (marginally) easier to adjust the latter, but I think you'll find the 2010- on adjustments happening once every 20k+. Many cars use the same shim under bucket setup.

Not related, but no oil consumption on my bike so far.


9K would be a good price for a 2k7 with 9000 miles, and if you plan on ridin a few years and selling later, then I would go this route...

However, if you are going to run this motorcycle into the ground like I plan on doing (300k miles later), then i dont think you are going to think much about the extra 7k (bought mine for 16k out the door) 15 years down the road. Ithink between the two there are enough perks to get the newer one, And I'm not talking about ESA and ASC.

Sorry to rant, but I love my GS.

If I were to consider any other ones, I would look at the 1100/1150 GS, just love that gas tank...

[marc]

Originally Posted by justinallen03

Sorry to rant, but I love my GS.

It's a common affliction.

Welcome to the forum.