Anyone here own a GS?
 

I've been thinking of getting one of these later in the year as a commuter/winter hack.

Any thoughts, recommendations etc?

It would have to be cheap, under £3k, is that achievable?

excuse me for being thick but whats a gs ????

Sorry mate, it's a BMW shaft driven thingy. What Ewan and Charlie rode on The Long Way Round etc ...

They make them in a 650 as well.

ahhh might know of one of them !!!!

oopss heres one but it a bit more than 3 grand :lol::lol:


click

R1200GS not crashed for £2k?

Ok then :D

HP2 Launch tomorrow though, just get one of them instead :)

Or, have a look here

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW...&search=SEARCH

[Edited on 9-9-2005 by Mr_S]

Would'nt you be better off with a good old reliable Honda:)

Nah, the GS is the daddy, will hold its value, and is big enough to intimidate cages.

Although for the road I'd consider a K1200 instead during winter (or a car)

I looked at these before coming back to dukes (even test rode a 1200 for a few hours). Sub £3k is not a good idea, and even £4k doesn't get you a good'un. GS'er UK is a great club though:

http://ukgser.com/home/

I'd go for a decent 1150 for about £5k. Moto Uno in Oz seem to reckon the engine's every bit as good as the new one, with more torque and nearly the same power (not that bmw see it that way...)

Ali

stop being a tart!!!
Simply use the 998R!!!

Tony,

The GS has naff all winter protection, and is an off road bike (been there, done that). Unless you're planning a few off road trips, get a sports tourer instead of an adventure bike

Like...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-R1100-RT-G... cmdZViewItem


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1998-BMW-K1200...cmd ZViewItem

[Edited on 9-9-2005 by Mr_S]

:o

I couldn't see the 996R being out on the salt ridden roads!

I'd have to kill myself! Look, I'm nearly 30 (in a few weeks) but I'm not ready for the pipe and slippers just yet!!!!

At least the GS has cred!

Tony

I've had a GS, an early 1100, good bike, handled very well, but a bit slow and agricultural, unless you are going to do some proper adventure stuff i would rather have a Honda Varadero as a winter hack, despite what the press say.

You won't get a GS for £3k, whereas you will get a Varadero, i did 20,000 on mine and Honda build quality is very close to BM's and thats after riding both thru winter. Varadero is quicker, and better in town thru traffic.

GS
 

I owned an 1150 version prior to the Ducati. It really was a great bike for touring - You could do 800 miles a day and have no aches across your shoulders or back. They are quite a heavy bike to move around but once you get going that disappears. The front forks and painted yokes are a weak point and will corrode badly over winter. I had mine powder coated to a much more durable finish. The brakes are excellent but again are very prone to seizing if used through winter youll need shares in brake cleaner or have to strip the calipers regularly. I found the engine to be really sweet - it's not the fastest out there but is extremely useable. Two top sites are

www.ukgser.com
www.gsclubuk.org

Hope this is of help

I have a 1150 ADV ... what do you want to know ?

Agree with what Rob says. Go for it.

Mate had a GS as his only bike, all year, commute every day, hosed off at the weekends, no probs. As for handling, hmm, the 996 that tried to follow him round Rocky ended up in tne gravel. I know, it was probably the 996 riders faulat, but they are a seriously underrated bit of kit.

Rgds, Rob

I am also very tempted with a GS, but I fancy the new R1200, will go and test ride one on a couple of weeks methinks. All this talk of it's better than you could imagine has got me curious.

What about an Africa Twin? They're cheap, bomb proof and who cares about salt!

This is what you want ....

That looks perfect Tony, you could fit your crutches across the panniers:sniff:

:D

My plans have been curtailed somewhat by being ... err ... unemployed all of a sudden.

Not to mention having a broken ankle. I'm still keen but I just don't think you can get a decent big GS for £3k or under. A 650GS maybe.

Or an Africa Twin ...

i have thought about a GS, but my feet don't reach the ground :D

What about a multi if you an stretch things a bit more?? Mate of mine was offered £3800 for his 2 year old numpty on a part ex, he'd probably sell it for that just to p'ss dealer off.

Sorry Gizmo, I can't even afford the £3k at the moment ... myabe in a few months if I get another contract quickly.

I don't think a multi though, I want a bike that will be a filthy winter hack, that I can walk up to, start it and ride off and not care about it too much at all.

The only important thing will be a waterproof topbox.