I Bought The Cheapest BMW GS But What A BIG Financial Mistake!
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- čas přidán 13. 05. 2023
- In this video, I share my experience after buying "The Cheapest BMW GS". I thought it was a good deal, but it turned out to be the worst decision I've ever made. From unexpected repair costs to constant breakdowns, this bike has caused me so many headaches. But, there's a valuable lesson to be learned here - sometimes, the cheapest option isn't always the best. So, if you're in the market for a bike, make sure you do your research and invest wisely. Watch until the end to hear my full story!
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Thanks for watch, if you could leave a comment and a thumbs up it would be greatly appreciated.
Of corse il do.
Rule number one is ride any new bike around the block until you’re certain you’ve ironed out all the issues - BEFORE setting out on a trip. But those beemers are plagued with these issues, that’s why I would never consider one.
Awesome first video! Looks like it’s going to be a lot of work mate, but with your mega skills, I’m sure we’ll be riding together on our adventure bikes very soon 👍
Cracking first vid so glad you decided to start your own top man 😎🤟 I think that bike will become the bike it deserves to be , and in return she is going to give you some amazing adventures, looking forward to riding with you both 🙏
Thanks mate and thanks for the share. She is already paying me back but it still has a way to go before it’s 100% again. I look forward to getting out with you and buddy.
Great first episode, looking forward to seeing the GS back on the road sometime soon. Keep them coming Sidekick....
Thank you.
Looking forward to your future videos. Good luck with your channel.
Hey buddy, it's great to see a real straight forward video just catching up on these progress videos. Let's hope this BMW gets a new life.
Great to see you doing this mate 👍 and a cool project too. Awesome stuff!
Thanks you.
Hi, Sidekick. Great first video. Looking forward to seeing how the GS progresses. Good look with the channel mate.
Thank you.
Glad you have started your own channel looking forward to your future content, show the g.s some love and she will repay you with smiles .
Thank you. Got more stuff filmed and coming soon. But safe to say the old gs is already doing well
Great to se you starting out alone, good luck with the GS and hope you have some fun making more vids. 👍 have subbed. 👍
Thanks bud. Got some more ready to edit. Now I’ve had the idiots guid on how to edit from HH I’m hoping to get them out soon. Thanks for the sub.
Great video warts and all and look forward to your further adventures on your GS, just liked and subscribed as well 👍
Thank you.
We have to stay busy some way pal. Great first video, welcome to the club! Cannot wait to catch up for a ride out very soon my friend!
I would be board if I didn’t have a project 😂
Great first upload, I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on with it. Project bikes make great viewing som I'm subscribed for future installments. All the best to you 👍
Thank you. More progress videos coming soon.
Promising first video , subscribed.
Thank you.
Great first video. Always tough to get a rider and then find you have a project, but you da man to fix it. Looking forward to seeing you turn the Beemer back into what it was meant to be.
Thank you. It now a rolling resto. I’ve big plans on where I would like to take it so it has to be right.
@@SidekickSolo been there, done that. My 1973 Laverda 3C had been altered to look like a later Jota. I turned it back into what it had originally been. It was a very satisfying project.... which I was very silly to sell as it has been SORN for years.
Great first video - good luck with the new channel
Thank you.
Hi sidekick 😊 great first video solo keep them coming 😃
Thank you. More to come just need to edit them.
Great first video mate! looking forward to more updates, I like your presentation, very honest and to the point, cheers, Dave
Thank you.
You’ve certainly got yourself a project there. But a you’ll have a cracking bike when it’s sorted. The older GS’s look so much better that the new behemoths.
She is definitely going to take some work to get it back up to spec. I do like the fact it is still fairly simple to work on not like the new technology.
Great to see you have a channel buddy. Subscribed 👌 👍👍
Thank you bud. Hopefully catch up with you soon.
Nice video Darren great start 🎉
Thank you.
Great video you have always been totally natural on camera. Looking forward to more in the future.
Thank you.
Glad to see you've got your own channel and the BM looks to be a gold mine of content 👌
Thank you. With all of the repairs it will make plenty of content 😆
nice to see you on your own channel when do the applications go out for the sidekicks sidekick 😇 i feel you on the luck with the bikes my whole biking career has been like it for instance my beloved hornet that iv just recently picked up at 22000 miles turns out looks good on the outside but shes been neglected for atleast 10 years full service kit turned into a nightmare as i had ffroffy white stuff when i pulled the oil and from there the list got bigger am currently waiting for a new rear shock and some exhaust cans to turn up fingers crossed in the next day or 3 - started at 4 grand to buy the bike and its still costing me now lol but on the bright side atleast we know our way around our motorbikes lmfao stay positive
Thanks buddy hopefully we will have them both sorted out in time for next months little adventure. I’m looking forward to it and catching up with you again.
I have recently bought one and fortunately do not have as many issues (better climate). I do expect to do some repairs and maintenance (good fun and learn something) as it is a 20 year old bike now. Look forward to your journey with the bike.
Thank you. I think once I’ve been through it and got it up to a good standard it should be fairly reliable. Good luck with yours I hope it serves you well.
Really enjoyed that one chap, great to watch someone who knows what they are on about!
Thank you.
Good luck chap - reversing the chaos is always a winner! 👌🏻
Thank you. It’s a good feeling when you make something sad looking in to something to be proud of.
Quite intresting to watch this is ill keep following ,, oh bit of a tip have a light behind tour camera facing you so when you show us parts we can see them more clearly 👍
Thanks. I’m very new to the filming and editing so learning fast. I have noticed that lighting is an issue so I’m trying to sort it.
Late to the party sidekick but have come across to the dark side for Alan's channel.
Liked and subscribed.
Thanks. Better late than never.
Hello from Texas. New Subscriber. It will probably be a really good Bike once all the issues are fixed. It sounds like someone just left it sitting outside for 10 Years with Zero Maintenance. I’m sorry to hear you ended up with it, but it looks like you are on Top of the Situation. I’m surprised you took off on the Trip without looking into it more. Looking forward to seeing how you address and Repair all the problems. You may as well keep it after all the Work. I think it will be Great for your Trip once you are done.👍👍 I also think you are really going to enjoy the Bike even more. You’ll be able to have a lot of Pride in getting the Old Girl back in great condition. It’s like you and the Bike will be Tied together if you know what I mean.
NO IT WILL NOT THEY ARE A PILE OF CRAP !!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WILL SPEND SPEND AND SPEND AGAIN TRUST ME !!!! ALL HYPE AND NO SUBSTANCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome first video, hopefully the gs will be good to go for the patreon meet
Thanks bud. I’m sure it will be there. Looking forward to it!
Daz, it’s ST1100 Elite Gaz, great start to what I’m sure will be a great channel, I had an 1150 briefly three years ago which I sold on and still have a box of 1150 bits I’ll send you for the cost of postage when I dig them out if you are interested and there is definitely one shocker in there but not sure which one 😀👍
Thanks very much buddy. If you have got some spares knocking around I would be more than happy to cover your costs for postage and that would be a massive help. Their is not much that doesn’t need touching on it.
@@SidekickSolo leave it with me Daz and I’ll dig them out this weekend 😀👍
Thank you very much.
Great to see this. I bought that exact model & colour in 1999. I put 90K miles on her, Africa, Asia and all of Europe. In the 14 years I owned it, I only ever had to put a headlight bulb in it. I miss the bike dearly. And in so many ways much better than any bike I've had since. (Explorer & 5 GSA's.) I knew that bike inside and outside intimately.
The issues you have here are simple to resolve. Fuel filter in the tank, Which I upgraded to have it on the outside. You should consider buying the 30 liter tank and fitting that. One of my first videos on here is that bike. You don't need to remove the tank to get to the battery. Just make sure the Tank O ring is fitted correctly.
Good luck.
Thank you. I would like the larger tank and I am keeping an eye out for one that is not to expensive.
90000 Mi is just about broken in for a Gs
Just shows how careful you have to be. Hope it all works out in the end. Gooday from AUS
Yes my own fault for not looking around it enough. But I’ll get it sorted.
as you may know youtube videos are great for repairs, the polish guy jarcco has some great videos on 1150gs maintenance very well explained using sub titles, good luck with your bike, just doing the clutch on my 850 gs.
Thank you, I think I may have seen his videos but I’m yet to sit down and watch it fully. Does look very good tho. Good luck doing you clutch I hope it goes well. I have more maintenance planned on mine this weekend.
I hope you get it sorted it looks like a nice bike.
Hopefully I will get there with it. Unfortunately it has not been maintained very well but it will get their.
Great post, I have got the R1150R with 40k, I am dreading the expense when it starts to go wrong (and it will) but I love it....
great video thanks for sharing, good luck 🤞
Thank you.
Good stuff Bro, great to see you going solo. I’m sure you’ll soon have that big banana straightened out and running proper, well I hope so anyway, because we’ll struggle to get that bugger in back of my van!? 🤣👍
Regards,
Dazza. 🇬🇧
Thanks bro. Maybe you could get a bigger van 😂 it doesn’t fit in the back of my van either 😂
Wow ! At least when you have finished going through the bike it will be a well sorted GS. Good to see you bringing a hound back to serviceable condition
It’s getting there. And nearly ready for its first long haul trip.
@@SidekickSolo excellent, thats one journey I wish I was going on, good luck with it... will watch with interest. Guess you just need the bike to have a really good shakedown journey beforehand if you are able
Looks like you have some work there I did similar with gs1200 keep plugging away 👍
Glad to support you Darren...Subscribed...VIVA Cheers Dean (MONKEY DIX ADVENTURES)
Thank you.
Great job!
Thank you.
I’ve seen these relatively cheaply locally and been tempted so I will follow with interest.
These are usually good bikes that are known for reliability. Just make sure you get one that has been well maintained. Not like me 😆
It was sad how it was treated,it will take time to set it right.but in the long run , you will know that its set right.happy to follow along!
Thank you. I’m sure I will get their with it and yes it’s a shame that a once loved bike had been left to get in such bad shape.
The Student becomes The Master! 🤣😂🤣Great to see you on your own channel Darren (such a shame you're now a GS anker) 😂🤣😂The bike looks great in yellow, hope you mamage to get the bike running soon (just a thought, why not buy another one and make one bike out of the two) 🤣😂🤣It's a good job you've had to work on all of Lord HH's bikes and know what you're doing so that you can sort it all 👍
Thanks buddy. Yes unfortunately I am not one of those guys that won’t wave at other bikers and I’ve ordered all of my matching bmw clothing to go with the bike 😂 buying 2 to make 1 is so last season, now I just spend as much as I can on used eBay parts 😂
@@SidekickSolo plus you’ll have to buy a ‘Polite’ vest, pipe, slippers and a Starbucks loyalty card too! The GS expenses never end 🤣😂🤣😂
Love a bit of a bike refurb.
Very well explained even though I'm none the wiser.
Thanks. Plenty more refurb to come with this bike 😅
I think as long as your happy with what you got and you have the skill to work on it then it’s great😊
Fair play to you for going to such lengths to get it right 👍
Thank you.
By the time you’ve got it all sorted it will be a keeper and you’ll enjoy every minute you have on it. Will there be a follow up video on the work you do ?
Yes, plenty more videos to come.
mate, great video! where does one get that coffee mug from? lol
That was a Father’s Day present 😆
when you open the petrol cap look to see if the vent is clear,water collects around the cap and is drained via the vent,mine was blocked so every time i opened the petrol tank to fill up water entered the tank too,easy to clear i just poked the hole and blew up the wast pipe that hangs down,cleared it no probs
“…could’ve been out enjoying it…”. If you’re like me, fixing it up is enjoying it. And when you finally get it sorted it’ll be a feeling that no other bike can give. You did the right thing.
Exactly right my friend.
Great first vid, it sounds like the last owner was more into his riding than maintenance. So think of it as saving the bike from the scrapyard in the sky.
Well I definitely wouldn’t want it to go to the scrap yet just yet. It definitely deserves another chance.
@@SidekickSolo well done for saving it 👍👍
The original 1100GS had a plastic tank which in my opinion were/are better than the steel ones, I still have one & they will fit on the 1150. A lot of the parts are interchangeable with other models.
Good video. If you buy old stuff you should always expect problems. If you buy newer stuff hmm same! Otherwise just rely on warranty support and hope. I also own an R1200R Classic brilliant bike. Mines mothballed at present but it still requires periodic maintenance. These are sophisticated bikes and the parralever should be serviced periodically. Mine also has te 4 valve engine and ESA. And more complexity
I am the same with old cars and bikes! Always end up with stuff that needs a lot of work. Just bought a 2006 R1200GS Adventure. Does your 1150 have ABS? Didn't look like it on the video. I am deleting mine at the weekend. Cheers nice channel!
Thanks. I’m well known by my friends for buy junk and spending far to much money and time on fixing them. Fortunately my gs doesn’t have abs, one less thing to go wrong.
I’m going to like this project keep it coming good lick 😎🇨🇦
Thank you. More on its way!!
I like the colour, I’ve looked at cheaper BMWs but I’m too old and unfit to work on bikes like I used too so the ones I’ve seen I can’t risk there being needed some work. But I bet your bike will be good once you’ve done a bit of work on it , wish I was younger, buying a bike for my retirement. Look forward to seeing the finished result 👍🏍
Thank you. Good luck finding a bike you can enjoy.
pity ya bought a lemon, but hey, plus side will make for some good content... looking foward to it...GL
Thanks you. I have a habit of buying them 😆
Wow! You've certainly got your hands full getting it back to being safe and fit for the road. I'm sure you'll manage it and will get plenty helpful advice & support from folk on the t'internet. It just goes to show that even riders that's had many bikes can get caught out now and again. If you can keep Alan (His Lordship HH) on the road, then this should be straight forward enough. 👍
Hi Sidekick,
just one question, since this is my favourite bike!
I wanted to buy it but I can't ride it in my city, due to restrictions on polluting emissions (this is euro 1).
out of curiosity, how is the situation in your area?
Are there any cities in which is prohibited to ride any bikes?
In addition, we can't ride even historical bikes...
Hi. Luckily I live in a small town in the country so we don’t have these sort of restrictions. Some cities in the uk and Europe do have restrictions. Some you can pay to enter on older vehicles but I will generally avoid. I don’t really need to ride my bike in these areas anyway.
Just subscribed i had a r1100gs and spent loads keeping it on the road . Not sure it was worth it looking back still enjoyed owning one .
Thanks for the sub.
I had a similar experience with my R1100S, it started with an Oil Change !
Unfortunately it doesn’t matter how much you look at a bike when you buy it. It isn’t until you start working on it when you see a lot of the faults.
I have the same luck. I know what I want and refuse to pay the price for a turn key model. I look for the diamond in the rough to convert to the dream/vision. Painstakingly muddle about until i finally get discouraged. Talked into selling it, begged actually. Then after seeing it mistreated and then neglected. Purchased it back because the defeat was to much to bare. It is now my daily ride to work. 1988 Honda NX650 no regrets! And still a project bike
It sounds like we are cut from the same cloth 😆 this happens with most vehicles I buy and if I buy something to nice that doesn’t need work I usually see it because I get board of it.
I have same bike. Love to see what you do and how you do it.
Thanks. Keep watching. More videos coming soon.
I wouldn't stress too much, I have dozens of bikes and there isn't one that doesn't need 'something' doing. These 1150gs are really good bikes, what you are doing is expected maintenance considering its age, but the end result will be a good reliable bike that will take you everywhere and anywhere. You did well for the price really.
Thanks. That’s what I’m aiming for something that going to be reliable and these old beemers are good if looked after. I’ll work through the list of jobs and once done I’m sure it will take me anywhere I want to go.
That’s what they told me about my BMW motorcycle and it was an absolute money pit. Biggest piece of garbage I ever owned. BMW quality is a joke.😢
Hi there from Espana....I still have my one from 2000....biggest bummer for me was the ethanol rusting the tank....also got a few damaged loom protection covers but luckily all electricals still works...great bikes....parts are not expensive...good luck with yours
@@ffs5532 thanks. The tank was a big issue on this to. Luckily that is sorted now. Just need to work through the other issues.
NO THEY ARE NOT STOP DREAMING THEY ARE A MILLION MILES FROM THE JAP STUFF YOU ARE LIVING IN COOKO LAND !!! I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NOTHING BUT A PAIN IN THE ASS AND COST A FOIRTUNE ITS A JOKE !!
I have a 1997 BMW R850R with 93,000. They didn’t sell many in the states. The great thing about these older oil heads is the parts are interchangeable. Good luck! 👍👍
and thank god they are because you will be swaping many many parts if the bikes are like the ones I have had over rated piles of crap !!!!!!!!!
I’ve rarely seen any bikes like yours at a cheap price so overall even if you spend £5/600 on it you’ll have a bike that you know inside out and will have set it up for another 50k miles so in essence you will need to keep it a while and that way it will have turned out a better financial outcome.
Don't worry about the clutch rattle. It is normal for a BMW with a dry clutch to rattle.
Thanks.
Good morning. What is your screen called and where can you find it with its flat black side reinforcements that cover the front end guard at the junction, I can't find it in stores? THANKS.
Hi the front end has been changed to the touratech desierto front end. I don’t think they make them for the 1150 anymore.
@@SidekickSolo thanks !
@@SidekickSolo thanks !
Nice video
Good job
We are with you on the journey, both the channel and the Beemer. Plenty of Chanel’s where they buy a 20 grand bike and pretend to be motorcycle enthusiasts. You embody the spirit of adventure this hobby can create. You might need to keep it simple I suspect most of us thought you had gone into the circus ring when you started talking about balancing throttle bodies.
Thank you.
Never had a BMW and to be honest I am put off now. Seal at the back of the engine has to have the whole back end of the bike removed to replace it.
I wouldn’t want to be a bike owner if I couldn’t work on them. For that reason can’t see me ever owning a new bike.
Good luck with this one 👍
I can't be you didn't go over the whole thing before you took it out. I practically rebuilt my 1100GS (37,000m) before I did a tour of New England in 2021. The bike cost so little it was worth the $1,500 US I spent to get it in tip top shape. Looking forward to putting another 3,000 on this summer
Every summer I do a New England/ Québec tour.
I did stop a couple of issues but wasn’t till I had it a few days and a better chance to go over things I realised how much was wrong with it. But at least once done it will be a good bike. Enjoy touring on yours.
I'm working on a 2004 gs r1150gs adv. But 8m really enjoying it! It's kind of sadistic 😂
😂
He nice to know there is someone like me haha looks like the story off my live, I’m always buy things that needs more than a bit off TLC..😂😂
The bike has definitely been on an adventure since this one was made.
I have 2 BMW oil heads and an old z4 car.
The ONLY way to make them work is to do all the work yourself.
On the 1150GS I have replaced lots of rubber, all the piston seals, master cylinder seals, tyres - of course, push rods, serviced the rear master cylinder etc
I enjoy the bike, rides great and I can DIY.
You can spend the cost of the above on one BMW main dealer service on a newer vehicle.
They are cheap for a reason - maintenance costs.
My Z4 would have been a ‘write off’ if I had paid a garage for the work
I’ve have never use main dealer and very rarely used a proper garage to repair my vehicles. I can never justify spending the sort of money they charge to repair my vehicles and it not very often you can find one you can trust to do a good job.
@@SidekickSolo agree 100%
Stick with the R1150, they are great bikes
I avoided older bikes and over complicated new ones and brought a new Ninja 400. So cheap and easier to ride on gravel roads than big bikes.
Sounds like you made a good decision.
@@SidekickSolo Yes its a fantastic little bike, Suspension is budget but cheap to upgrade as a % cost of bike. I also own a 1997 GSXR1100 which ive owned for years, Its only had 3 minor electrical problems in that time and runs really well.
It’s always the way…. sadly. Second hand bikes..I go through the following in order;-
1) Oil change and valve clearances. To prevent any avoidable damage and check condition of engine.
2) All chassis components, swing arm bearings, sprockets, wheel bearing, head stock.
3) Electrics and fueling.
On the whole once fixed the costs are cheaper and you properly own the bike. It’s either that or pay for a lot of depreciation.
Private sellers are usually ok, you can often get to more of the bike to check for neglect. With dealers bikes are often scotch-brighted to within an inch of their lives, but you have a warranty…. swings and roundabouts.
Yes I completely agree. The good thing is once I have been through and sorted this it will be a good reliable bike with little to worry about.
@@SidekickSolo Just out of interest, Is this one of the models with the electrical brake /antilock server?
@@christianweller4288 no this is non abs fortunately so that’s one less thing for me to replace 😆
@@SidekickSolo A bullet dodged.
Also there are kits to bypass the servo around now..
I had an R1100GS for 14 years, taking the bike from 4,000 miles to 95,000 miles. Apart from a new gearbox at 53,000 miles - the bearings failed on early 1100s - the bike performed faultlessly. I would say, though, that some BMW components wear out early: the Hall sensor, for one thing. Great bike, overall.
Is it hard to change bearings
@@michaelbmw1931 It needed a new gearbox.
@@user-sw2lv3zp6o omg why??? I bought a 1100 without seeing it yet and I will pick up it tomorow. .. the owner said that the bearing needs to be replaced... now Im worried...???
@@michaelbmw1931 He's probably not talking about gearbox bearings. What year is the bike. This could be important.
@@user-sw2lv3zp6o 1996. Swim arm bearings? I saw now when he described it now. Is this hard to change it friend ?
looks like a bit of a project that mate, but it will be worth it. All that crap out of the tank is obviously in the fuel system now.
These bikes have horrendous spares costs and are not great to work on, but they have proven they will do the miles once sorted, the fuel pump is in an awful place isn't it? Be careful tightening the tiny nuts as it is easy to get the flange leaking, I drilled out all the bolts and fitted larger ones worked much better. TPS adjustment 'Zero equals Zero' Rob Lentini a brilliant guy look it up, omg the clutch is a nightmare mate, good luck - been there done that.
Yes not a great place for a fuel pump and filter when serving. Hopefully when it’s back to a better maintained standard it will prove to be a good bike.
Your have a nice bike at the end of it.
Let’s hope so. 🤞
Shame, the only bmw I had was R1100S, they have aluminium fuel tanks.
I picked up a ratty 2002 1150GS a few months ago, 54,000 miles, it needs a lot of TLC but I only paid £1000 for it and sold a few bits that came with it….so into it for £700 😀
Sounds like a bargain. You don’t mind spending some money on it when it’s cheap like that.
I reckon you got a good deal,check the alternator belt and cables off the HES.
Thanks. Alternator belt is on my to do list. What is HES?
@@SidekickSolo it’s the electronic sensor and is where your alternator belt is,the cable is prone to heat a and can burn,I’m sure yours will be okay the cable connects to under the tank,I’ve had one that burned out and left me stranded,the new ones are more robust,you can anyway rewire them as the sensor lasts for ever,still think you got a good buy but like a woman it needs constant attention😜
@@gerrypowell2748 thank you. I will have a look when the tank comes off for the next load of repairs. I’m happy with the bike I think it has a lot of life left in it yet. It’s not a bike that wants to die just yet.
You can't buy a cheap bike like this and expect to be in order. The owner just wanted to get rid of it, he did not want to invest. I bought an adventure bike that had no issues like this one and still I had to do all the maintenance items and a starter motor which were anything but cheap. Carb adjustments and it also needs tires. All in all a good purchase, but you can't buy a bike like this for financial savings. There are owners that kill the bike for a season or two and then get rid of it. it's cheaper than a new one all in all, but the listed price is nothing like the real expenses that come. People are lazy and they don't appreciate the things they have, it's the ugly truth.
I've seen tanks get cleaned out with a chain and petro. Shake, shake, shake. Have everyone you know take a shake.
I don't like the way BMW's shift. I find it to be an odd feel.
The gearbox doesn’t have the best shift out there it’s definitely not what you would expect if you drive one of their cars.
@@SidekickSolo I think we all get a case of 'buyer's remorse' at some point. Happened to me with a Mercedes Benz! Mercedes has the highest 'buyer's remorse' than any other make. Good thing they don't make motorcycles!
A full major service needed to make it whole again.
Can anyone expect to buy the cheapest priced bike, and expect that you can just hop on and go?
When I bought my used '07 1200GS, it never even came off the trailer for two months, as I tore it down and went over every inch of it, fixing and refreshing anything that needed it.
Sometimes you can get lucky. I was expecting to do some maintenance but how this had pasted an mot a few months before I will never know. It always good to go over any new bike and make sure things are 100%.
Bought one of these new in 2001, not my cup of tea. Only buy used bikes now but wouldnt hand over money for anything with 90,000 miles on the clock! Best of luck.
Thanks. I have owned many high mileage vehicles so I’m no stranger to what it entails.
Just look at it as some minor obstacles on the path to great adventures. Word of advice: Drop the gearbox on the first occasion and replace the clutch. This will give you a chance to re-lubricate all splines and check their condition. Splines are a known weak point on oilheads with the hydraulic clutch, the ones with a mechanical clutch are less affected. A new clutch is not that expensive compared to the amount of work needed. You don't want to get caught out with drivetrain problems on these bikes. My 1100GS (245000 KM) is close to its 30th anniversary now and will be leaving for a round trip over the Iberian peninsula this week, starting from the Netherlands. If you are willing to put some work into it, these bikes will carry you a long way.
Thank you. The clutch and gearbox will be my next items to look at. It does have a smash clutch issue at the moment but I’m sure once I have sorted those issues it will treat me well. I have some big trips planned. Safe travels and enjoy your trip.
@@SidekickSolo Thnx, I will try to make the best of it. Another word of advice 😁, Don't start chasing every sound you hear, these old ladies huff and puff and rattle and no two sound the same. I guess it's something you need to get comfortable with. If you make a todo list you will see that you're not fighting an uphill battle to get everything in good working order but actually are making good progress..
Just got back and the only trouble I had was with a disintegrating rear wheel bearing. Took 6 days to get a new one and two hours to replace it. I guess this shows that you can't prevent everything.
@@dutchsailor6620 glad to hear you had a safe trip. I have been thinking about changing the wheels bearings on mine before a long trip I have planned. It looks like I will be going it now.
@@SidekickSolo The bearing I am talking about is the large one inside the final drive. When replacing it, it's best to replace the o ring and oil seal also. Shocking prices for the bearing😵💫
Fuel injected BMWs run great, until they don’t. They can be a diagnostic nightmare. Gas tank and fuel system problems have kept me busy on mine for some time. I love the bike when it runs well, but I don’t appreciate the reliability problems. This is not exclusive to BMWs, all bikes have been becoming increasingly electronic over the years, mostly for regulatory reasons. It’s gotten bad enough that, when I go out of cell phone range, I prefer my 50 year old Moto Guzzi, with mechanical everything.
I’m hoping that by the time I’m finished with this it should give me a good few miles with out to many issues.
Sounds like you are just catching up with 10 years of "little" jobs that would be an afternoon and a few bob to sort, but now all at once. at least you will know what you have and once sorted should be good for years.
Yes you a completely right. Many small maintenance jobs that have now turned in to one big neglected bike. But I will work through them.
19,000 miles is not a lot of miles on modern machines, esp. an 1150cc BMW.
At this point I’m convinced you buy bike that you know are gonna need a lot of TLC.
I was hoping for some German reliability. How wrong was I 😆
How is it even possible to get BMW bike in such a bad shape in only 19k miles?
@@VSL229 it was on 91k not 19k.