undecided newbie from uk !

[r4_rick]

Hello All
Need some help! I'm currently riding (very occasionally) a 96 Blade, soon i'm hoping to have some free time on my hands and fancy a bit of long distance touring...possibly adventure riding... in the past I've owned an 1100GS and a transalp (a but underpowered). So I've been to the bmw dealer they let me ride a GSA and on that run I stopped at the triumph dealer who have a Super Ten for Sale 2010 16k miles, £7299 nice condition loads of bits like bars, lights, sump guard, boxes...took it out for a ride and instantly liked it, felt livelier than the 09 GSA and more manageable...
Been back there today for another ride and certainly nothing is putting me off, but I called in at the BMW dealer on the way home to be offered a ride on the non adventure GS1200 with the twin cam engine, similar spec to the Super Ten, but an extra £700, but with 12 months proper BMW warranty....
Even though I really like the Super Ten, the bl00dy bmw is pulling me back.....those that have experience of both please help !

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welcome aboard and it sounds like a heck of a good price on the GS. Plus, you UK'ers pay nearly the same for a Tenere as for a BMW, so price is less of a factor than for us in the US.

You've had a GS and know the bike, which is a plus. Hopefully, you are also very aware as an ex-owner of the downsides, such as higher cost of ownership, being tied to their dealer network, etc. Your case sounds more than most like a question of what really appeals to YOU. That sounds like a really good problem to have.

We'd love to have you as a member and I'll leave it to others to argue the GS versus Tenere arguments. There are a number of people here who as members because they won't have a BMW anymore, or just like the Tenere. I'm one of the latter, regardless of price. You'll find many BMW vs Yamaha posts in our "Other Bikes" board.

 

[Rasher]

I had a 2008 GS which I bought in 2010 with 6k on the clock from a BMW dealer, replacing it 2 years later with 18k on the clock.

In that 12k it blew two forks seals, warped 2 discs (took some arguing to get sorted under warranty), went in twice for the same clutch problem - all under warranty within the first year, in the following 6 months it had an intermittent ABS issue (never resolved) gearbox leak and blown heated grip.

When looking to replace it I did prefer the standard 2012 twin cam GS model over the S10, it steered a bit better had a bit more "character" (or peaky less than perfect power delivery - but to me this feels nicer than the S10's perfect torque curve) and I liked the Telelever on my old one.

But with the issues my old GS had, combined with BMW servicing costs (where I am about £100 an hour) despite really wanting one, and some good deals about I could not bring myself to take what I considered a gamble on a bike I would have to keep for many years (due to wanting to buy a new house I had to buy a bike outright and then keep it for a long time, and was getting rid of a 3 and bit year old GS because to me it seemed knackered and untrustworthy)

So the Yamaha became top choice by default, and I really am glad I bought it, it is now almost four years old with 18k on the clock and has been cheap to maintain, main dealer until warranty up, just done 18k service myself and 24k service will be done by my local Indie who charges £45 a hour.

As long as you do not desire to blast up much past 100mph regularly the performance is fine, the handling surprisingly good, the tank range brilliant (about 40-50 miles more than the stock GS) and the running costs relatively low.

I have uprated the suspension and had the bike setup on a dyno which has given a bit more power and slightly better comfort and handling, still behind the latest ADV bikes, but as I get worried about my licence over 3 figure speeds this is a bit of a bonus to me these days, and as everyone else here will tell you the more you ride it the more you will like it....

...if you really prefer the BMW then buy it, they are wonderful bikes to ride, but I would say do not buy it just because it seems cheap.

 

[Squibb]

I'm one whose wallet & patience has been burned by BMW ownership - my bike was off the road for almost 3 months last summer, waiting for repairs/parts. Then it was a huge problem to trade on outside the brand, for something more reliable (ie Jap).

If you decide to go with the GS, which are not without their merits, just ensure the dealer puts a 12 month bullet proof warranty in place. Make sure there are no silly low financial limits - I stood next to a guy in a BMW dealer, as he was told his GS needed a replacement engine, outside warranty, after he had put a rod through the engine case. With a few other bits they were talking well over £6k in parts alone, before labour was factored in - frankly it was a write off but, while he had to sit down for a bit, I was amazed when he agreed to go ahead with a repair rather than trade in the wreck.

Remember BMW = Buy More Warranty.

Cheers ................. KEN ::003::

 

[klunsford]

::004:: from Oklahoma!

 

[2112]

::004:: from Northumberland ::008:: Way too many tales of woe to even consider a BMW, you KNOW a Yamaha makes sense...

 

[groundhog]

Before I got my S10 I went top an open day at a BMW dealer with a GS owning friend trying to persuade me to buy one. I was on a Yamaha XJR and was one of only a few Jap bikes there. But right in the middle of the massed ranks of GS's with their cloned riders and extended warranties stood proud one solitary S10. My mate was on a losing wicket from that moment on!! Just another perpective on the matter but an important one I believe. Forget a Beemer and it's sticky out cylinders and get a proper bike ::008::

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello, r4_rick, my concern with the bmw is reliability.....

 

[Idahohigh]

::004:: from Nebraska , Wouldn't know about a BMW but I wouldn't be without my S10 , I bought mine in April over a BMW due to price difference and have not regretted my purchase . Good luck with your decision,

 

[Tyke]

Welcome along Rick ::022:: ::26::

I owned a used 2010 GS with Adventure kit in 2010, I only bought it because at the time I had a new BMW K 1300 GTEE (3000 miles ) which I couldn't get rid of any where other than a BMW dealer ! (The K1300 was a bag of crap mate ~ I won't bore you with the details), the GS I owned was uncomfortable, agricultural and drank oil and TBH just didn't work for me, I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I managed to P/X it against a new GTR 1400.

I now own an S10 which I bought new in July 2014, I've covered 7500 miles now and it is faultless, I really like the bike, its components are high quality and its construction is superb.

I would suggest that you look at a 2014 model S10 as they are a much better bike than the 2010 model S10 ~ and I think you may find one that suits your budget even though it doesn't have all the extras

Good luck ::008::

 

[r1d1]

::004:: from Scotland. The S10 is the way forward for you ::008::