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

[dmw1950]

I asked the same question to Jim Cray engineering, a really nice honest guy and an independent BMW trained mechanic , he took one look at my Pan-European and pointed to the Honda Badge.
I would be careful of buying any late model ones, unless you understand how PCM works. The CANbus system is fine all the time it works and extras are fitted properly.
So old is best.

[fatboytours]

The CANbus system is fine all the time it works and extras are fitted properly.

I've a friend who has a 1200GS and was astounded that I had managed to fit spots and 12v sockets etc to both the cub and my Triumph. He had to take his bike to specialist to get his spot lights fitted and if we turned sat nav on first before the bike he would have to re-boot all over again!!

[BenB]

CANbus isn't just on GSs, though. Wouldn't want someone thinking they'd be safe if they avoid just one model....!

[Diesel Dave]

Avoid electrics altogether, I'm thinking of fitting gas lighting to the diesel Enfield.

[Newtsalad]

The CANbus system is fine all the time it works and extras are fitted properly.

I've a friend who has a 1200GS and was astounded that I had managed to fit spots and 12v sockets etc to both the cub and my Triumph. He had to take his bike to specialist to get his spot lights fitted and if we turned sat nav on first before the bike he would have to re-boot all over again!!

I'm beginning to understand some of the problems I suffered with the Ovlov now. I have to wait until all dash lights are out, for the Parrot and the Radio controls to work properly.

[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.

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.

Thanks for the advice. After a lot of thought and soul searching have taken the plunge. As a rule I take more care in choosing vehicles than wives (have kept my present car for 12 years, never been married that long!).
First impressions, after a slow wobble around the M25 and a potter up and down Sarfend seafront, are quite favourable. I do get the comments about the fuelling being lumpy but mine had 136 miles on so hopefully will get better with age. Only stalled it twice in 100 miles of very slow. Not taken it above 5000rpm yet either.
It's different to what I am used to so will take a bit of getting used to but I think I am going to grow to love it, it does seem to be very comfortable and chuckable.
Time and a lot of miles will tell.

[knapdog]

bikerbaker, which beemer did you go for, the F800GS or F800GT?
Sorry, have just found the answer in the other thread.
Good luck. Every bike is a bit of a compromise. Enjoy.

[Capitano]

Newt, I've ridden my Brothers K1200RS, very nice and the blood bikes I ride are 1200RT's, both air cooled and liquid cooled. The liquid cooled being pokier. And of course I borrowed my mates 1200GS for 6 weeks.

I prefer the 1200GS if yoiu can live with the image.

What about an older 1150GS?

I've also at times shared Newt's fascination with the Bavaraian brand.

Some years ago (before the Long Way Round) I convinced myself I wanted an 1150GS. I booked a 1 day test ride of one from Vines in Guildford full of expectation.

I hated it, loathed it and couldn't put my finger on why.

When the 1200GS was introduced, folk started telling me I should try one of those as they were a significant improvement over the 1150GS. So, I did the same thing again, this time through Chandlers (I have a mate that works there).

I hated that one even more. Again I can't tell you exactly why, just didn't have any affinity with it. Same with the F650GS, G650GS and F800GS. Didn't like any of them, whereas I felt that I should.

Said mate keeps on at me to take an R9T out for the day. I'm currently pleading time poverty.

There are various bikes in sheds and garages that customers show me when I'm working on their houses (my Cub was originally one). I've asked for first refusal on most knowing full well that they won't sell them. One I'd had dibs on for years was a late 70s R100S that only did 8 miles every year to the M.O.T centre and back. Sadly the owner died and his family sold the bike to a "collector" for a few hundred quid.

I'm just not a BMW person I guess.

[bikerbaker]

bikerbaker, which beemer did you go for, the F800GS or F800GT?
Sorry, have just found the answer in the other thread.
Good luck. Every bike is a bit of a compromise. Enjoy.

Thanks! Spent a while in Vines (BMW Dealer) yesterday. Rather than spend £1000 on a riding suit I am going to buy a Zeths Cub and a new Oxford Jacket!

[Newtsalad]

I saw a lovely old R80 or R90 Cafe racer last week.....