Words of wisdom....

[OMalley44]

Hi all,
Been reading off and on here gaining some good knowledge. Thought I'd ask a question. Looking at a 2005 GS with 34K. Any problems with that year that might stick out to anyone? Gonna take a test drive shortly..

[huntly2]

Hello OMalley44,

I own a '05, had it a year and love it. You might not like 2 things: Servo controlled ABS brakes and the Center Stand. The brakes work like power brakes on a car and the worst part of this is almost no brakes when the engine is off. Be careful when moving the bike with the engine off. Also, the position of the Center Stand on this frame make for an adventurous lift up exercise with a lot of trust involved. The Stand was moved on the frame, I think model year 2007, to make lifting easier.

Did I mention that I love my bike. Just last night, I red lined it while passing and I am always amazed at how willing and effortless this engine revs.

Good Luck.

[OMalley44]

Thanks. I had read something about the ABS that someone had trouble with but wanted to make sure it wasn't something that was problematic. I'll have to push the bike around a little to feel the brakes. Thanks for the info....

Todd

[Pastor Passum]

Omalley, like Huntly2 said, some don't care for the servo brakes but I suspect most of those have never owned an '05. The brakes work great. Maintenance cost are a little more than on non servo models but the "engine off, decreased braking" isn't a problen after the first few times you experience it. I don't even notice it anymore. And after 50,000+ miles I don't notice the centerstand either. Actually I can pull it up 1 handed. A matter of technique I suppose. Being 65 and a bit of a couch potato, if I can do it most anyone can This is my 4th Beemer and my first boxer...I wouldn't hesitate to buy another '05. Good bike!

Jim

[OMalley44]

Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to test riding this week. BTW, do dealers usually go by Kelly Blue Book or NADA for their pricing? There seems to be a significant difference between the two for pricing, with the dealer looking more like Kelly value vs NADA

[huntly2]

Hey Pastor,

What is your '05 Center Stand technique anyway; I need to know?

My technique, after watching a BMW service tech put my bike up, is to tripod the bike with the stand touching the pavement, put my eyes to the heavens and move my left foot off the ground and on top of my right foot planted on the stands tab. The bike thus balanced on the center stand's 2- feet and the front wheel slowly rises.

[Pastor Passum]

Originally Posted by huntly2

Hey Pastor,

What is your '05 Center Stand technique anyway; I need to know?

My technique, after watching a BMW service tech put my bike up, is to tripod the bike with the stand touching the pavement, put my eyes to the heavens and move my left foot off the ground and on top of my right foot planted on the stands tab. The bike thus balanced on the center stand's 2- feet and the front wheel slowly rises.

That's it but...the main thing is your foot on the stands tab. Put all your weight on it and pull back not up on the bike. Basically stand on one foot on the tab. I may have a slight advantage over you as I weigh about 255 (that couch potato thing again)

Jim

["JV"]

Hi guy and gals. First post here on this forum.

O'Malley I've had my 05 since May of 2010 and just put more miles on it than the PO had in the 5 years he owned it. I pulled my elbow bad the first time I tried to put it up on the stand not knowing the technique. Once learned it pops right up with the slight rear ward pull and all my weight on either foot on that's on the lever.

The brake service was nothing to fret about as it's just more time consuming than anything. I bought JVB maintenance video and between it and these youtube videos I figured out just what it was that needed to be accomplished.

BMW 4V ABS-integral Part 1- Cz

BMW 4V ABS-integral Part 2- Cz

Do keep an eye on the rear wheel hub for cracks where the wheel studs get screwed in. They might have been over torqued and hairline cracks can form.

My nearest dealer is over 200 miles away so I've learned to do most everything I've need to do. 12000 mile service was performed rather quickly after purchase and rolling up on the 24000 in a month or so. Valve checks and TB sync are a snap compared to the Valkyries I rode for years. These bikes are engineered to service as far as what I've seen so far.

Loving it so far.

[marty hill]

I've owned every year 12GS up to and including '09. Never had any problems with either of my '05s and sold them both to friends. As others have said, the brakes and center stand are a bit different.

[OMalley44]

[quote="JV";18705]Hi guy and gals. First post here on this forum.

O'Malley I've had my 05 since May of 2010 and just put more miles on it than the PO had in the 5 years he owned it. I pulled my elbow bad the first time I tried to put it up on the stand not knowing the technique. Once learned it pops right up with the slight rear ward pull and all my weight on either foot on that's on the lever.

The brake service was nothing to fret about as it's just more time consuming than anything. I bought JVB maintenance video and between it and these youtube videos I figured out just what it was that needed to be accomplished.

BMW 4V ABS-integral Part 1- Cz

BMW 4V ABS-integral Part 2- Cz

Do keep an eye on the rear wheel hub for cracks where the wheel studs get screwed in. They might have been over torqued and hairline cracks can form.

My nearest dealer is over 200 miles away so I've learned to do most everything I've need to do. 12000 mile service was performed rather quickly after purchase and rolling up on the 24000 in a month or so. Valve checks and TB sync are a snap compared to the Valkyries I rode for years. These bikes are engineered to service as far as what I've seen so far.

Loving it so far.[/QUO

JV (et al), thanks for your input. I had been researching about the 2005 and was a little worried about the service $$. I'm not exactly the most mechanically inclined but have done basic maintenance on my current bike. With the JVB dvd and other vids that you posted, my goal would be to do an asssortment of this stuff myself. My dealer is only a few miles away but saving $ is where it's at for me. One other thing that I read about the 2005 was the input and output seals on the tranny, and rear main were leaking on some of the bikes which worried me some but it seems to be a small portion of bikes. BTW, TB sync is ? Thanks again for the input...