Need advice on buying a used R1150gs Adventure

[plexiform]

I'm looking into buying a used R1150 GSA, and thought I'd ask the experts their take on it. This one has around 16k miles, 2004 model, some nice additions such as ztechnik exhaust and better seat, black BMW saddle bags......my question is, what is an appropriate price for this bike? Another major concern I have is that it seems to have spent a lot of time being kept outside, and from pictures appears to have some rust on the screws on the front rotors. Also there is some rust on the center stand.. From the sellers description there is no rust on the frame. Its never been wrecked. The title is clear...however, the there are two peoples name on the title...the sellers and the person he bought it from because he still owes money to the guy who he bought it from. He told me that the original owner however has signed the title over to him (the current seller) so he could sell it to me and there would be no problem. Also the original title is from Florida, and the bike is currently in New York State.......I would be buying the bike in NY, and then getting an Ohio title for it when I finally bring her home. I really want the bike, but I wanted to run it by the group because I have bike buying syndrome right now and need a more objective opinion on the matter....any help is certainly appreciated. Thanks.

[podsobinski]

The 2004 GS Adventure is a great bike. If I was allowed only one bike by my wife it would be that model and year. That is not bad mileage either, my riding buddy has and '04 GS with 42,000 miles so I would consider that low mileage for a BMW.
Check your state license department and see what you have to do about getting it title from out of state. That is a high priority, some states need paperwork other than a signed over title.
The external rust is more cosmetic than anything else. New York State is a high humidity area and with a little elbow grease most of that would come off.
It might be worth a $100 or so to have a BMW shop check it over, if you offer to pay for it and the seller refuses to get it done before the deal, that is a red flag.
The very least check you BMW Anonymous book and try and find someone to check it over.
Good luck and keep us informed.:type

gpodzo
R1200RT
R1150GS
XR650L

Bikes parked out front mean good Chicken-fried steak inside.

[Belquar]

Given the abundance of available GS's for sale out there....you might be better off finding another deal. That is pretty low miles for sure, but really anything under 50k is pretty low miles on a BMW. I am sure you can find something as good or even better if you look.

Places to find a GS...

www.advrider.com That flea market will have a bunch of them.

www.ibmwr.org/marketplace

I bought my 99 GS from a guy at ADV. Great bike. Lots of extra stuff. Way to many to list here. But we will just leave it at more than 5k in aftermarket stuff. It had 25k on the clock then.

Good luck.

[Hodag]

I would say a decent price would be $9k-$10k

the title issue may bite you later though...

[plexiform]

thanks for the advice..I'm still thinking it over and trying to sort out the title issues but its looking promising. So the rust should not be a major concern? How about rust on wheels (rims and spokes)? Will this also be curable with some elbow grease? Are there any common mechanical, electrical quirks on this particular model that I should pay closer attention to when I go and actually see the bike? I'm an airhead rider so I dont know much about the oilheads. This is all new territory for me. Thanks again..

[podsobinski]

Nothing that I know about. My experience is with my '02 GS at 80,000 miles and my friends '04 GS with 42'000 miles and nothing to worry about. For any bike, follow the maintenance schedule, change the oil and clean it up as common practice.
With your climate, drying it off is important and get as much rust off as possible. Don't try and do it all at once. Those jobs are best done a little at a time, you don't get bored or tired or overwhelmed.
I average a broken rear spoke about once a year, had the throttle linkage cleaned at 50,000 miles, changed brake pads at 75,000 miles and now must replace the hand grips. Other than that it has been great and the '04 is a notch better. :blah
Good luck.

Gpodzo

[plexiform]

First impressions are good. I will post some photos as soon as I clean it up and make her pretty. Rides great. Just got it several hours ago.......will have more impressions later.

[plexiform]

Here it is....

[GlobalRider]

So the rust should not be a major concern? How about rust on wheels (rims and spokes)? Will this also be curable with some elbow grease?

Those rims are anodized which means that they're well protected against corrosion. The problem with anything anodized is that it isn't very abrasion resistant (what was BMW thinking?). So when you clean them, don't rub the dirt off; use a paint brush and soapy water.

The spokes if they are lightly rusty can be polished with chrome/aluminium polish...DO NOT use that on the anodized rims.

I'm an airhead rider so I dont know much about the oilheads.

So am I. Tip: don't sell the airhead. I still have both of mine.

I have both an 03 and an 04 GS Adventure...here are a few accessory additions you may be interested in:

R1150 GS Adventure Accessory Additions/Mods (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4950356&postcount=34)

[podsobinski]

That looks like the prefect bike.:buds When and if my '02 GS wears out that is exactly what I want. Good luck with it.

gpodzo

[hcmiller52]

thanks for the advice..I'm still thinking it over and trying to sort out the title issues but its looking promising. So the rust should not be a major concern? How about rust on wheels (rims and spokes)? Will this also be curable with some elbow grease? Are there any common mechanical, electrical quirks on this particular model that I should pay closer attention to when I go and actually see the bike? I'm an airhead rider so I dont know much about the oilheads. This is all new territory for me. Thanks again..Sounds like a fine deal. Superfuicial rust on screw heads is not an issue. My '06 already has rust on its screws (of course, I ride in the winter on salted roads). I don't understand, however, there can be rust on SS spokes and an aluminum wheel?:stick

[Hodag]

cover the rusty bits with a layer of mud and you won't notice it anymore

[plexiform]

Thanks for the tips. I'm particularly interested in trying to clean the anodized wheels. Hopefully no one has tried to rub them in the past. They seem pretty dirty and dont look like they are going to shine up even after cleaning. I will try the soapy water and paint brush technique and see how it goes. The bike came with bmw system cases (black) but no top case. I put my Garmin on the handlebar and it looks great. I have heard that the best accessory for the bike is the Ohlins shock upgrade.