Paging the SNBoxeristi

When did fit n finish start to go down hill?

I'm looking at oilheads again and from what I've seen it makes sense to
look at mid-life bikes (i.e. not the early ones as still needed some
development and not the late ones as the build isn't so hot).

Where's the sweet spot? 2000-2004?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Gyp

After 1945.

That's when they stopped fitting MG42s.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - "He's hopeless, but he's honest"

I have already made the greatest contribution to the fight against climate
change that I can make: I have decided not to breed. Now quit bugging me and
go and talk to the Catholics.

 

My RT is 2001 IIRC, just before they switched to the dual plug heads.
The GSA I had was something like a 2005 one. Both were/are showing
some finish issues but the paint isn't falling off in large piece as
some people seem to complain about. Given that the RT has done about
55k in all weathers I'd say it's OK but of course could be better.

 

Something like that

My R-GS is a 2000W. Finish is pretty good. It's only in the last year or so
that the paint on the telelever is showing signs of age. My fork brace has
a bit of corrosion and a lot of fasteners are looking 9 years old.

From about 2003 there seemed to be quite a few people putting in warranty
claims for corrosion on minor components such as fork braces.

Then reliability took a big nose dive, especially when they decided to beta
test the R1200GS on the paying customer.

 

I certainly put in some finish warranty claims with the GSA, about half
of which got denied, but that dealer wasn't that helpful anyway. The RT
seems to be in better shape and is a lot older (the GSA was only a year
old when I got it), but then again the previous owner supposedly never
took it out when it rained and generally seems to have spent more time
cleaning it than riding it.

 

Good, cos that fits the budget

Well, it might seem like a minor component, but if the finish on their
cars went like that after such a short time their sales would plummet.

BTW, the fork brace on my 20 year old bike is corrosion free if a little
faded.

 

Which model are you looking for then?

You don't get that with the newer ones. Depending on how much use it's
seen, you can also expect corrosion on the valve covers, final drive,
fork legs, potentially the Telelever and in other places. You can still
find clean ones if you keep looking around, though.

 

Looking at both 850 and 1150 R but possibly GS or RT

This one looked pretty nice - 330333266122 but sold last night. I was
planning to go see a nice luggaged-up '02 R850R today (about £3k) but
that's just sold too.

There's a nice looking RT on ebay at the mo; its a bit leggy for the
money IMO

Whilst I could find a nice one, I'd also like to know which ones will
still be nice after I've owned it for a few years too.

 

The first one certainly looks nice and judging by the 1100R that I
occasionally get from my mechanic as a loaner, they're surprisingly fun
to ride.

RTs are only leggy once they go past six figures on the
odometer. They're bought by people who tend to ride a lot and TBH there
isn't much of a difference between one with 30k and 60k. I should know,
given that I bought mine with 25k and have done 30k on it in 18 months.

I assume that you're looking to purchase one quite urgently?

If you're willing to wait for another 3-odd months mine should be for
sale by then. Yes, the mileage will be even higher but then again it's
also been looked after *very* well. And I've got the bills to back that
up, plus TOG can comment on the BMW mechanic that we both use.

Sir might want to buy something else then . Seriously, you'll have to
live with a certain deterioration of the finish on these I'm
afraid. One that's being looked after will of course stay a lot nicer a
lot longer.

 

That's pretty much what I'm after

Not particularly, no. Having shifted the Harley, I really ought to shift
the Zed too before going shopping again

Send me some details and I'll have a look

It's had it then

 

Hmm. I thought we didn't do sensible around here.

You've got some details but unfortunately no pictures...