Next bike....

[Yorky]

7 minutes ago, bonio said:

Never ridden an RT but I'd like to give one a go sometime, just to get a feel of what they're like. 

When trying to manoeuver them in the garage etc they are big, heavy and cumbersome. The moment the engine is running and you are doing anything over about 2mph the weight just disappears and they are sublime.

I was always a sports bike kind of person but the ever increasing risk of no longer having a licence made me change, and I've got to say it hasn't been a bad experience, and as @Capt Siskostates, the torque is fantastic.

 

[Stu]

16 minutes ago, bonio said:

Never ridden an RT but I'd like to give one a go sometime, just to get a feel of what they're like. 

 

Is that a hint

[Stu]

On 29/05/2024 at 14:33, Steve_M said:

Not half.

 

i’ve just coughed up £1700 to have the front suspension replaced and the left side switch gear replaced (to fix the cruise control after two years of living without it). 
 

However. It’s still probably the best bike I’ve owned for the type of riding I do. 

 

To continue on from this I have just had to buy two new tyre pressure monitor sensors!

 

£140 lighter! which is £140 cheaper than BMW prices

 

Same sensors sourced elsewhere but without the BMW badge on them 

 

You then need to have them programmed into the bike by BMW, a GS911 or the motoscan app. I have the GS911 so no worries there 

[Phil1]

Just to revisit this, and still working towards a new bike 

 

To be fair, It's all about budget really. I'd have a new bike tomorrow if I could, but I've still got a loan on the car, and a holiday to save up for this year. 

 

On the topic of travelling further a field though, progress has been made. I've kind of set myself up for a new bike next year at some point with a view to take a week out and do the NC500 (or some variant of). Missus isn't thrilled but not said I can't (not that it would make much difference).

Edited March 29 by Phil1

[onesea]

Having just read this I was thinking MT09 tracer, or V storm or NX 500.

 

I went from FZ6 to Triumph trophy and weight wasn’t issue but if on budget I would avoid BMW.  nice bikes they might be, but few owners don’t complain about ludicrous cost at one point or other.

 

A Honda NX700 might be another option, if your on a budget watch the MPG using the bike a bit you notice the difference between a £15 day out and £30.

[Phil1]

33 minutes ago, onesea said:

Having just read this I was thinking MT09 tracer, or V storm or NX 500.

 

I went from FZ6 to Triumph trophy and weight wasn’t issue but if on budget I would avoid BMW.  nice bikes they might be, but few owners don’t complain about ludicrous cost at one point or other.

 

A Honda NX700 might be another option, if your on a budget watch the MPG using the bike a bit you notice the difference between a £15 day out and £30.

It's all good input. One thing I do note with the BMW (particularly the GS) is that they've been the best selling bike by a long shot, for quite a few years now. I kind of figure that you're more likely to get the exact bike you want (spec), and there's probably lots of spares/mods for them too. 

[Steve_M]

1 hour ago, Phil1 said:

It's all good input. One thing I do note with the BMW (particularly the GS) is that they've been the best selling bike by a long shot, for quite a few years now. I kind of figure that you're more likely to get the exact bike you want (spec), and there's probably lots of spares/mods for them too. 

From a GS owner of six years standing. The bike is a 2015 and has now done 45,000 miles

 

Replaced rear ESA suspension (under warranty). Parts <> £1500 plus labour four years ago.

Replaced Front Suspension and LH switch gear. £1800 last year

Replaced RH throttle body (in France). £400 last year. The original throttle body equivalent part number couldn’t be sourced even from the factory. The one fitted is a different part number but, as far as the Motorrad fitter was able to tell, is (probably) the same - I think it’s off an RT. It runs fine but be aware that parts may sometimes be an issue.

 

That said, the GS is the second best all round biking experience of those I’ve owned (the VFR800 edging it - just) and the best bike for touring two up. 
 

 

 

[bonio]

You can get no end of farkles and bling for the GS, but most owners don't mod them like putting on new wheels, or adding a power commander. But there are no end of screens, bags, covers, and protectors available, and a few of them even are useful. I would guess that only a minority of owners work on them themselves, as they come with complicated electronics and canbus and all, and you need special computer wizardry to service the newer models. If you're thinking of working on the bike yourself, do your research to understand what's involved.

Edited March 29 by bonio

[Phil1]

8 hours ago, bonio said:

You can get no end of farkles and bling for the GS, but most owners don't mod them like putting on new wheels, or adding a power commander. But there are no end of screens, bags, covers, and protectors available, and a few of them even are useful. I would guess that only a minority of owners work on them themselves, as they come with complicated electronics and canbus and all, and you need special computer wizardry to service the newer models. If you're thinking of working on the bike yourself, do your research to understand what's involved.

Cheers, I don't mind getting involved. 

 

I'm used to some basic diagnostics on most cars, and more in depth stuff too on some cars, including the dreaded JLRs SDD and pathfinder, which both have the ability to essentially "brick" a car if you're not careful!

 

 

[Bender]

2 hours ago, Phil1 said:

Cheers, I don't mind getting involved. 

 

I'm used to some basic diagnostics on most cars, and more in depth stuff too on some cars, including the dreaded JLRs SDD and pathfinder, which both have the ability to essentially "brick" a car if you're not careful!

 

 

Can bus diagnostic stuff is coming down in price and if you need to buy a good diagnostic tool it will save it's own value pretty quickly if your ok using it.

 

Friend had a new gearbox replaced under warranty in his range rover, at a specialist independent service centre authorised by jlr, it was replaced under warranty, the car rejected the transplant and it was stuck on one of their ramps for 3 days whilst the official jlr specialist trouble shooting team tried to get the gearbox to talk to the car, I believe in the end they had to reprogram half the ECU's on the car, technology ehhh.

[Phil1]

11 minutes ago, Bender said:

Can bus diagnostic stuff is coming down in price and if you need to buy a good diagnostic tool it will save it's own value pretty quickly if your ok using it.

 

Friend had a new gearbox replaced under warranty in his range rover, at a specialist independent service centre authorised by jlr, it was replaced under warranty, the car rejected the transplant and it was stuck on one of their ramps for 3 days whilst the official jlr specialist trouble shooting team tried to get the gearbox to talk to the car, I believe in the end they had to reprogram half the ECU's on the car, technology ehhh.

They're a pain. Facelifted XFs have a couple of small issues, one being they often throw a wobbler if you disconnect the battery and then the keys stop working afterwards. 

 

The other issue that is common is the washer bottle pushes the washer liquid up the cores of the cable and all the way into the bcm which then blows up . The mod is just to cut the cable and put a joint in to stop it wicking up through. 

[Bender]

1 hour ago, Phil1 said:

They're a pain. Facelifted XFs have a couple of small issues, one being they often throw a wobbler if you disconnect the battery and then the keys stop working afterwards. 

 

The other issue that is common is the washer bottle pushes the washer liquid up the cores of the cable and all the way into the bcm which then blows up . The mod is just to cut the cable and put a joint in to stop it wicking up through. 

I had that with my boiler, water got through flow switch, into cable, dropped down PCB and bang wasn't funny at time.