Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

If well maintained and properly used, 54000km is low. I once had a 1988 R80, sold it at 105000km. Hard starting was the only problem at that stage - fixed by proper valve clearances, new wiring to starter and replaced carburettor seals. Bike runs very well to this day. It just returned from a Namibia trip.

Hi Charlton, For the year model it is definetly not a high miler. Those cruiser boxers were made to last low reving torquey motor difficult to damage. the guys were saying those things only get run in around the 10 - 12 000 km mark. Regards Warren

Charlton, For the year model I'd say there is a problem- depending on hoe often the owner rode the bike. (less than ave 19 kilos a day- bad dreams) I speak with authority because I did 180 000 on my 1st boxer (R 100RT), 66 on my 2nd (R 1150 RT) and 32 on my third (R 1200RT). my 4th (R1150 GSA)is now on 50 000 and is sweet as ever. BUT. But BUT if it stands for a long time the oil seals not bathed in oil dry out and get brittle, the oil in the bearings not warmed and circulated gets sludgey and the H2O (sweat)pooled under it gets corrosive 'cos it is not heated and 'boiled-off'. The moving parts form a corrosion-rind on their contacting points and this rind or ridging has to 'worn off' when it is started. The plastics in the fuel/aspiration circuit gets brittle from irregular 'wetting;''. The seals in the wheel bearing will be brittling and contracting if they were not 'worked'. NO NO, if he did not ride it often I will offer you a guarantee it will give oil leaks and other problems. It's pure basic physics at work. It applies to nay mechanical item. Do not be put off by hig mileage. Hi-mileage is good. This motor is a kanniedoodnie. Provided the rider has a sensitivity for things mechanical, it will outlive many other things. Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.

That's what I thought. Thanks for the quick response! I'll continue the negotiation process then. --- [font=Courier][size=2][color=grey]Faster than summer fruit through a short granny[/color][/size][/font]

Charlton, Cuveat emptor - the buyer beware I have experience in helping friends who bought mechanical things that 'stood'. they ended up costing money to repair inherent faults that only manifest themselves later as they are stressed. So the price must be correspondingly cheap cheap. And anyway, you will yet learn to follow the dictum- "IF IT HAS WHEELS, WINGS, TITS OR PROPELLORS - RENT IT ! DON'T BUY IT! IT WILL ONLY COST YOU MONEY!!" ......Sorry been waiting ages for a chance to use that... I still own- in roadworthy, licenced condition, the Yamaha LT2 100cc 1970 bike I started out on. while it was ridden and abused by my younger siblings, then nephew and niece, then my three kids it gave no problems. When I left it standing for a year, it developed oil leaks etc that ended up with me replacing every oil seal not lying in the oil sump. Daai ding. Hy's is. Ek sien hom so. Die een one man, hy't hom mooi so vir my verklaar en hy's is. Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.

Hey Warren, I'd say 20 000 is closer. I definietley felt my boxers get looser once the 20000km service was behind me. The R1200RT, motor was really a sexy surprise after 20 000km. Pure fun. It's so sad these beuats are only weekend bikes and so people thnk 13 000 is hi-mileage. I never opened any of my motors. and Atlantic has been working my bikes since 1997 and can testify. If its looked after it will go forever. Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.

Sheesh Andyman, I missed your response before I replied. Are you saying 54000kms for a '99 is too little? I thought it's about right. The sharks who tried to ask me more than R10k over retail value on a '97 model with "only 10800km" on the clock couldn't understand why I was reluctant to go for it. "But it's hardly been ridden!". Yes uhmmm... that's the problem. Not joking - check it out in the AutoTrader - the ivory one for R66k. No, I fully agree with you - I'd rather buy a bike that's been in every day use than one that's been standing in a showroom and polished so it looks immaculate from the outside! --- [font=Courier][size=2][color=grey]Faster than summer fruit through a short granny[/color][/size][/font]

Charlton, I bought a 2001 model in December 2006, with only 14 000 km on the clock. Difference is, I knew the bike and its history. The first owner only did about 5 000 km in about 5 years. When the second owner bought it, it was the typical things, like the battery. When I bought it, I gave it a complete once over - replacing all the fluids. 2 Months later I took it in for a major service, and had all the fluids replaced - again. The idea being to flush the system, and get any possible moisture out. 10 Months later I have put more than 22 000 km on the bike - NO problem. One of my collegues have an '85 model boxer, it has just clocked over - for the second or third time. Some of the seals (shocks and breaks) have been replaced, but the engine has NEVER been opened. You guesed right, it is a daily runner.

One other thing, if you get the chassy number, BMW can check if and when the bike was serviced. Even if it did low kilos, it should be okay if the owner actually had the bike serviced annually. DONT trust the stamps in the book. Have a look if BM's computer records shows the regular services.

As a cruiser owner I would worry more about the condition of the chrome than the engine. There are plenty of low mileage cruisers , I bought mine 12 months ago with 4500km and its a 2002 model. In this weeks Cape Ads there is a 1999 with 13500 kms for R55,000 neg but its in Knysna! I look forward to you getting one , you won't be disappointed.

Thanks Clifford. I can't wait either. And I really hope I can find an ivory coloured one (then I can call it "Boner", hehehe). Strange, I checked the Cape Ads Online this morning (Thu) and I didn't spot that Knysna one. All the bikes I've enquired about have been in Jhb / Pretoria / KZN so far. I don't mind shipping it if the price & condition is right. Could you post the contact details of the Knysna one please, my subscription has expired. Thanks Charl PS: BTW, not that it matters much until I actually meet you guys in person, but my name is definately not "Charlton". Hopefully I can explain the difference over breakfast real soon! EDIT: I got hold of the Knysna bike and it looks interesting - I might even be able to go and look at it this weekend! --- [font=Courier][size=2][color=grey]Faster than summer fruit through a short granny[/color][/size][/font]

andyman my mistake i was reading an article on the american site which actually states 10 000 - 12 000 miles my apologies chartan before purchasing the "Stealth" I owned an Ivory 1997 model with all the bells and whistles oxtail colour seat and matching paniers real head turner(James Bond 007 bike). it had 40 000 kms on the clock when I sold it. I must say I really do miss the bike.......getting carried away am I. Have you tried the bmwmotorrad website used section?? Regards Warren