A Plan

said...

I know where your loyalties lie, but I really can't see how a 10 year
old BMW can still be worth as much as that. They are ok, in a
touring/long distance commuter type of way, but they aren't all that
now, are they? You can buy a perfectly good 1998 Pan European with
reasonably low mileage for that kind of money, altogether a far better
bike to own and ride.

In 2003 I had 18K absolutely trouble free miles from a 2000 quid 1995
ZZR1100, and I'll easily get my money back on it. With the Scottoiler
topped up and working I never had to adjust the chain between tyre
changes, so that rules out anyone's 'shaft drives are best' argument.
You don't need to spend 4 grand on a 10 year old bike to get the degree
of reliability you claim, and there are far more enjoyable and practical
machines to ride at far more sensible money. It seems to me that BMW
have a following that is based on their car division's reputation. Most
BMW bike riders tend to also drive BMW cars. It's almost a snob thing in
my opinion.

It's doubtful that I'll ever find myself liking BMWs that much, the only
one that does anything for me is the R1150GS, and that's purely because
of it's quirky looks. But, the world would be a boring place if we all
liked exactly the same things.

 

A little too big for me. Oh and a little too expensive too.

 

You're probably right about the Pan. I don't know how they would stand
up to the studious lack of cleaning though...

Well, that's true enough but I've had snottoilers go wrong on me; they
simply blocked up with cack and stopped delivering oil. I don't find
enough time to look at stuff like chains on a 'workhorse' bike; my
failing but I'd prefer a shaft drive for this reason.

Not sure about that; I don't know that many BMW riders; I can assure you
my interest isn't motivated by snobbery though. It does feel remarkably
solid and reliable though; more so than any other bike I've previously
owned. I suspect a K1100 would feel no more 'reliable' but would have a
little more go. The K1200 is a bit too much for my taste though; and a
lot too much for my budget!

Exactly so.

 

Lozzo was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

TBH four grand for a Pan is still a bit of a minefield - I had been
looking for one for about three months with a top budget of 4k and
found you had a choice of either grotty ones, ex-rental ones (shudder)
or high mileage ones. So in the end I get one of the latter.

They do carry their mileage extremely well, though.

That said, having owned both a low-mileage K100 16V and a Pan, the
main difference is that the Honda seems to have received far more
attention to detail - it's been made to fit the rider, whereas I
always found later BMWs to be the other way 'round. But maybe that's
just because I don't have the required physique for a Beemer.

Anyway for the time being I'll stick with the Pan, although I need to
introduce it to a few new parts[1].

[1] Consumables only, provided someone forgot to refit one of the
wheel spacers. If that's not the case then muggins will need a new
rear weel for his Pan...

 

Well I'm a shortarse (5'9" ish) with a long back and short legs (31")
and I find the BMW very comfortable although it is a bit high. You can
**** around with shorter shocks but I'm wary of doing that because of
the effect on the steering geometry. You could also have a less well
padded seat but since my arse isn't that well padded I'll ignore that
one too.

 

I don't strangely

Position of the footrest too far forward and slightly less barge like bars
required.

 

Are there specialist breakers with warehouses full of broken Pans in the UK?
That was what swung it for the K's and BMW's in general.
Oh, the owners club is pretty special for getting stuff too.

 

Hog said...

Hondas don't need spares, they don't go wrong unless Timo owns them

HTH

 

Or you, IIRC with the 250RS.

 

said...

I've only blown it up once, and that was at 165,000 miles.

 

<revs hatrack menacingly>

 

pseudoplatypus said...

You're an exception, you're Platypus ffs.

 

Yeah, but he seems to be revving Mooseboy.

Or was that a halftrack with a typo?

 

was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Well, I'm a bit taller (1.80m - wassat? 5'10"? 5'11") but I've got
fairly long legs and comparatively short arms. Later model BMWs seem
to be built for riders who are built the other way 'round.

 

Curses, rumbled.

 

Hog,

Late response and thanks for the fettling advice as I've just got back to my
confuser after an extended drinking holiday with my little brother.

There does seem to be a fairly broad opinion in the rest of the posts as to
whether or not I've spent my money unwisely or not. The bottom line ended
up at an agreed £3800 and I have to say I feel I've got a good, near mint
machine, with sod all mileage on it, all the custom luggage, security
widgets and importantly I know exactly how it's been ridden and treated -
(Mick still thinks that a human travelling faster than 60mph won't be able
to breathe). It's also got brand new tyres on and most of your
recommendations dealt with by a recent (and reliable) full dealer service.

I did have a look at other used machines, BMW and otherwise, and ultimately
felt more comfortable with a totally known history, very low miles and
something that has spent all it's downtime in a nice heated, dry garage.

As it's my first tourer, I've no experience to compare to. So maybe once
I've done the first serious mission (to Germany and back) I may have other
ideas about what I should really be riding to North Africa later in the
year.

Thanks again for the tech advice.

Oh. You had told me to "Go out and get a new life" and that was fine too.

Roger

 

WTF do those ****'s know about K's?
For the miles the price is good, which is to say I would have bought it.

 

Timo Geusch said:

If you do need a rear wheel - drop me a line. I just happen to have one
in gold (shod with a fairly decent 020) sitting in the garage.

 

Simon Atkinson was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Cheers, I will if it turns out to be necessary.

 

Timo Geusch said:

<starts planning month long holiday in Disneyland with the money>