What's the better BMW's to go for?

[BenB]

I don't know much about other beemers apart from the fact that I can't understand those buying the 1200GS and they're never taken off tarmac. Pure image thing if you ask me.

I really don't agree with that. GSs have a real stigma that stops many from buying them. A GS is a different bike. The riding position is very different, the gearing not so long (which makes low speed stuff easier), and they ride beautifully. Biking is about choice and balance. A GS won't suit all, but it's a great bike.

Oh, and when you run out of Tarmac in Eastern Europe, that 1% off-road use will be for more important....

[bikerbaker]

The F800GS was purchased new. A big mistake. It was an awful bike. Snatchy horrible fueling, dreadful screen and the worst seat ever manufactured in the world, ever.
Bogger

Ah now that's interesting! I have binned my idea of a Deauville and am contemplating a F800GT SE. Seems to suit my shortish legs and will definitely buy from a BMW dealer as you get 2 years warranty and 2 years Europe wide recovery on their 2nd hand bikes. The SE has all the toys including panniers and Navigator, traction control and adjustable damping. They sell a "Comfort" seat as an option so maybe this is to redress the arseache.
Hopefully next week I am going to Guildford to take a demonstrator out for the day (they have 2 x SE pre-reg at a good saving on new, although I am tempted to buy new as I have never had a brand new vehicle - left that to my ex wives).

[wightegi]

They are all rubbish ,you know what Vic said ..the K100 can hold 16 cans of cider in the bodywork without using the panniers or top box.

[knapdog]

The F800GS was purchased new. A big mistake. It was an awful bike. Snatchy horrible fueling, dreadful screen and the worst seat ever manufactured in the world, ever.
Bogger

Ah now that's interesting! I have binned my idea of a Deauville and am contemplating a F800GT SE. Seems to suit my shortish legs and will definitely buy from a BMW dealer as you get 2 years warranty and 2 years Europe wide recovery on their 2nd hand bikes. The SE has all the toys including panniers and Navigator, traction control and adjustable damping. They sell a "Comfort" seat as an option so maybe this is to redress the arseache.
Hopefully next week I am going to Guildford to take a demonstrator out for the day (they have 2 x SE pre-reg at a good saving on new, although I am tempted to buy new as I have never had a brand new vehicle - left that to my ex wives).

Ah. Now the F800GT is a bike that I know just a little about and at one time I thought it would be my next bike.
Back in April billyfix was on the verge of buying one. He loved what he saw. He arranged the test ride and was very close to buying a rear hugger he'd seen on ebay in the same colour. Everything seemed right about it. Size, seat height, belt drive, everything.
And then came the day of the test ride and I followed him on my cbf1000. Half way through the test ride he stopped and said, "Tell me what you think of this". So we swopped bikes. I made up my mind in a hundred yards.
At the end of the ride we both came to the same conclusion - In our opinion it was a heap of s**te.
Plasticky, agricultural, dreadful switchgear whereby you were worried the indicator switch would snap off. Some may like it but we didn't. He went straight out and bought a cbf1000 gt mk 2.

[knapdog]

I don't know much about other beemers apart from the fact that I can't understand those buying the 1200GS and they're never taken off tarmac. Pure image thing if you ask me.

I really don't agree with that. GSs have a real stigma that stops many from buying them. A GS is a different bike. The riding position is very different, the gearing not so long (which makes low speed stuff easier), and they ride beautifully. Biking is about choice and balance. A GS won't suit all, but it's a great bike.

Oh, and when you run out of Tarmac in Eastern Europe, that 1% off-road use will be for more important....

I'm sure the bike itself is magnificent for what it was designed for.
What makes me chuckle is the commuters who seemingly just use it for commuting, dressed up to the nines in all the Ewan McGregor/Charlie Boorman BMW Sahara/Tropical gear in the middle of Cardiff, on the way to work. Plonkers.

[BenB]

I'm sure the bike itself is magnificent for what it was designed for.
What makes me chuckle is the commuters who seemingly just use it for commuting, dressed up to the nines in all the Ewan McGregor/Charlie Boorman BMW Sahara/Tropical gear in the middle of Cardiff, on the way to work. Plonkers.

+1

[stevew]

Loads of choice second hand.)

Why ??

[Chimp]

Because people buy them and realise their adventure is the weekly shop at tescos so sell them for something more suitable

[BenB]

Because people buy them and realise their adventure is the weekly shop at tescos so sell them for something more suitable

Yup! And there are loads sold each year. More of them about, generally.

[Dogsbody]

Speaking of BMWs, I spotted this but realistically it is a project for someone younger than me.
http://auction.catawiki.com/kavels/6877 ... eries-1978
Dogsbody