Used 2007 GSA buying advice

[Regeaux]

I need your advice. I'm looking at purchasing a used 2006 GSA with 31,000 miles for $10,000 Yes, 2006. I put the wrong year in the heading.

It has all 3 panniers. It needs a battery and a rear tire to begin with ($500). I took it by our local BMW shop and they saw some oil and say it also needs a rear main seal which I know will set me back another $2,000. Besides all this, it looks pretty good.

I will not purchase it unless I can get the seller down to $9,000, then knowing I will spend another $2,500 on it within the next few months, I will have $11,500 in it.

Is $11,500 too much to initially put into this GSA?

I do not know the service records, what other major maintainence issues do I have out there?

I appreciate any comments you can give me because I'm not sure whether to get his one or wait until I find one with a better recorded history.

[lanceputnam]

Yep, too high. My advice would be either have the previous owner pay for and have the repair done himself and then you buy it from him or walk away. Why hasnt he gotten these issues resolved before the sale? Repairs like this could go either way as well, whos to say that something else doesnt pop up once they get in there? There are plenty of GSA's from that vintage for sale around this time of year with zero maintenance issues for the right price. Winter is always a buyers market.
Good luck-

[Wolfgang55]

If you really have 10,000+ USD for a bike that is 6-7 years old, then you are every sellers dream.

Do as lanceputnam suggested. Look around .

Go to a BMW dealer & look at their inventory. At least test ride GS 08-09 .

[Regeaux]

I will skip on this one and keep looking. Thanks for the comments.

[LaurelPerryOnLand]

Step 1.
Go to this website.
Enter what you want to search for: "R1200GSA"
Enter your ZIP code
Enter "3500" as the distance to search

Results:

EVERY R1200GSA within 3500 miles of your ZIP CODE on every Craigslist in the country.

Step 2.
Creating a blank EXCEL spreadsheet

Columns: YEAR, COLOR, LOCATION, PRICE, ACCESSORIES, MILEAGE, CONTACT INFORMATION

Enter ALL of the GSA's you find
(this could take a little while but it's your MONEY we're talking about)

SORT all this data by YEAR and PRICE

Step 3.
Sit back and examine your results. Look at the extremes (price-wise) of what's being offered out there.

You're now an EDUCATED CONSUMER.
Once you find an 'interesting one'...contact the seller and start asking about SERVICE records.
Who did the service? Do they have the records (invoices) for the service?

You can also capture any other data you find from CYCLE TRADER or other sources.

I bought both my GS and RT using this approach.

[BTL]

Originally Posted by LaurelPerryOnLand

Step 1.
Go to this website.
Enter what you want to search for: "R1200GSA"
Enter your ZIP code
Enter "3500" as the distance to search

Results:

EVERY R1200GSA within 3500 miles of your ZIP CODE on every Craigslist in the country.

Step 2.
Creating a blank EXCEL spreadsheet

Columns: YEAR, COLOR, LOCATION, PRICE, ACCESSORIES, MILEAGE, CONTACT INFORMATION

Enter ALL of the GSA's you find

(this could take a little while but it's your MONEY we're talking about)

SORT all this data by YEAR and PRICE

Step 3.
Sit back and examine your results. Look at the extremes (price-wise) of what's being offered out there.

You're now an EDUCATED CONSUMER.
Once you find an 'interesting one'...contact the seller and start asking about SERVICE records.
Who did the service? Do they have the records (invoices) for the service?

You can also capture any other data you find from CYCLE TRADER or other sources.

I bought both my GS and RT using this approach.

I agree..I used Cycletrader and scored big time with just about brand new..2012 Triple Black, loaded with some great farkles added for under 20$big ones.

[DSTEVENS]

Hi Regeaux, The 2007 was the first GSA I rode and fell in love with, at the time it was fairly new and out of my financial reach. I am glad I waited, it took a few years but was worth it to own a brand new bike. I know these bikes are very expensive but I feel better knowing I am the only owner and take pride in knowing so. Dont be in a hurry and you will find the right bike. I can say that I spent too much of my money on a motorcycle, but then I go for a ride and forget the high cost and relish the experience of owning a brand new GSA. Best wishes. D.

[JimVonBaden]

An 07, maybe, and 06 no, too high.

Of course there are variables to consider, like accessories and maintenance history.

Example, I paid $4500 OTD for an 05 R1200GS with 120K miles on it, and a new clutch and input shaft. Rides like a dream. You would never know it had the miles.



Jim

[meerobus]

"It needs a battery and a rear tire to begin with ($500). I took it by our local BMW shop and they saw some oil and say it also needs a rear main seal which I know will set me back another $2,000."

A new battery and a new rear tire will not cost you $500. A new rear main seal won't be $2000. Don't know which shop you went to get the quotes. At those prices, my garage is open for business.

Check around... I got a quote on replacing all 3 seals for something like $780 at the BMW dealership.

[meerobus]

Sweet deal on a clean bike there Jim.

[1200gsceej]

Jim,
Is this your new ride? You back on a GS? That looks at lot like mine. You gonna paint it red, too? Did you get tired of your (what was it)?
-ceej

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

An 07, maybe, and 06 no, too high.

Of course there are variables to consider, like accessories and maintenance history.

Example, I paid $4500 OTD for an 05 R1200GS with 120K miles on it, and a new clutch and input shaft. Rides like a dream. You would never know it had the miles.



Jim

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by 1200gsceej

Jim,
Is this your new ride? You back on a GS? That looks at lot like mine. You gonna paint it red, too? Did you get tired of your (what was it)?
-ceej

It is my new, to me, ride. I never really bonded fully with the R1200ST. Fun bike to ride, but not for the miles and hours I could do on the GS. I actually planned on keeping it yellow. It was always my favorite color.

Jim

[Bobby Ginger]

Originally Posted by LaurelPerryOnLand

Step 1.
Go to this website.
Enter what you want to search for: "R1200GSA"
Enter your ZIP code
Enter "3500" as the distance to search

Results:

EVERY R1200GSA within 3500 miles of your ZIP CODE on every Craigslist in the country.

Step 2.
Creating a blank EXCEL spreadsheet

Columns: YEAR, COLOR, LOCATION, PRICE, ACCESSORIES, MILEAGE, CONTACT INFORMATION

Enter ALL of the GSA's you find
(this could take a little while but it's your MONEY we're talking about)

SORT all this data by YEAR and PRICE

Step 3.
Sit back and examine your results. Look at the extremes (price-wise) of what's being offered out there.

You're now an EDUCATED CONSUMER.
Once you find an 'interesting one'...contact the seller and start asking about SERVICE records.
Who did the service? Do they have the records (invoices) for the service?

You can also capture any other data you find from CYCLE TRADER or other sources.

I bought both my GS and RT using this approach.

I used a similar system to this. First remember that there are many bikes out there. I spent four months looking and did not go through with two other purchases before I found mine. Do your reasearch, and know what issues to look for. I had BMW do an inspection on all the bikes($70 each). If the seller is not willing to get the bike inspected walk, ahem RUN AWAY! The first needed about 3k in maintenance. The second had other issues. Find an owner who took care of his bike. Finally take your time, I brought an 09 with many farkles for 1500 less than value. I am selling some of the unwanted parts for toys that I want

[Bobby Ginger]

Originally Posted by Regeaux

I will skip on this one and keep looking. Thanks for the comments.

Good call. I really wanted the first 07 GSA I looked at. I got the seller down to 11250, but afert I found out it needed serious work I asked her to come down to 10750. I would have been screwed if she took it!