F800GS to GTR1400...

[Stephen.Stallebrass]

After a 3 month solo trip to Mongolia and Siberia on my pimped out 2008 BMW F800GS called hitch, I've decided to look at swapping her for something a little different... and I really like the GTR1400.



Took one for a test ride today, a 2008 with only 3.5k miles on it for sale at £8k... It was a real nice ride; sporty but not too sporty. The seating position is quite a bit different to what I'm used to on my F8 but I I quite like it.  A few slight mods would improve it no end for my sort of touring... no more dirt roads and tracks though.

Anyway, thought I'd say hello and introduce myself. I'm gonna be lurking around for a bit to try and get a feel for the bike before I take the plunge and so I may have some questions for you gtr14 owners.

[half man half pie]

welcome to the GTR world
I got mine recently, the 2010 model where some upgrades were made on the previous model
Comfy ride with a bit of get up and go if you need it
Its a big girl at over 300kg bit it gets a move on if you need it
Give it a good test ride and you'll soon grow to like it

[Lonewolf]

Welcome along to the forum. That's an awesome trip you did on the BM. Certainly you won't be disappointed with the GTR, it's a terrific machine. 

[Rusty]

Hello big cigar man .. like it ! Welcome to the forum .. it's a great place with loads of info ... sounds like a decent trip you had ...any piccies to show us ?

[Stephen.Stallebrass]

Hello big cigar man .. like it ! Welcome to the forum .. it's a great place with loads of info ... sounds like a decent trip you had ...any piccies to show us ?

Cheers. I saw some amazing places, met some incredible people and got myself into some unbelievable situations. Yeah loads of piccies, here's a selection on my FB:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150969763318027.417798.514028026&type=3

If you can't see them here's a few:


Albania


Mongolia


Croatia


Mongolia


Georgia


Latvia


Siberia


Siberia

[Lonewolf]

Now that's touring!!!!

[Kevin]

Good pictures and good web site too. 

Kevin

[O.C.]

Thanks for sharing your epic trip with us S.S, the pictures are excellent and as others have said that must have been one helluva journey

You will love the GTR, allow for the fact that it is a million ,miles away from your BM as a bike, but it will put a BIG smile on your face every time you ride it. True, it is a big heavy bike, but it really doesn't ride 'heavy' in fact its very easy to get on with and will make an outstanding touring machine that will literally eat the miles, or be a grin producing bike for the occasional thrash.

There's plenty of fun, information and great company on here, and you will see that just a little piss taking takes place too 

[mecki]

Welcome to the forum.
8K for a 08 GTR? 
I think that is a little steep even if it has only 3.5K miles on the clock.
You have to keep in mind that back in 2008 the GTR was less then 10K brand new compared to the nearly 14K you have to fork out today. 
And you don't get any of the nice new features (heated grips, Traction control, bigger screen and, and and...) and there will most likely be no warranty left (just in case the paint flakes off or the pre load adjuster freezes  ).
Have a look around and you'll find you can get a 10 or 11 model for a similar price or even less and that means a lot more bike for the same kind of money.
Not to say the 08 isn't a great bike, but I prefer the 11 and wouldn't swap mine for a lower mileage pre-10 even though it has done 10K miles now.

[Lonewolf]

Yeah have to agree. As I've mentioned before I paid £8995 for an 11 plate GTR with 7600 approx mileage on it. And that was from a dealer. Oh and it was in very nice condition.

[Debs]

Welcome Stephen...

That looks a great trip.. Ive been to Hungary on my baby and she was a dream all the way.. If you do another trip let me know and I will tag along... Would love to go deep in to Russia on baby..

My baby is an 09. Bought her with 32000 on clock for £6100. She now has 46500 on the clock and runs like new.. The one you said is over priced IMO.

[Stephen.Stallebrass]

First of all thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

The one you said is over priced IMO.

8K for a 08 GTR?  I think that is a little steep even if it has only 3.5K miles on the clock.

I think so too and I told the dealer that but they aint gonna budge much on that price (it has no extras either). There's a good bit of interest in it though. From my cursory research I reckon its at least a grand overpriced... I've seen a 2009 with 7.5k miles for £7000 (witth extras) and a 2010 with 7.5k miles for £8200 (with extras). In fact I've seen at least two other 2010s with low mileage for £7.5k to £8k. And I've only been looking properly for one week.

Anyway, the overpriced specimen was more of a test ride to see if I liked it. Only sat on one the day before I tested it and having heard about its sport credentials I thought it might not be for me. But it was more than okay, I loved it, quite a contrast from my F8. I have a couple of dealers interested in a swap for the F8 (and the £6k worth of mods, extras & luggage) but I'll get more if I sell it private.

However, I threw a spanner in the works today. Having previously tested the FJR and rejected it from the equation I wanted to eliminate the Pan too before committing to the GTR. So I tested a 2002 ST1300 today, but I loved that too. It has a better riding position and is really easy to ride but it doesn't have the sex appeal or performance of the GTR. I think I can easily mod the GTR with risers to get it up a bit more but I can't sex up the Pan anywhere near enough to compete with the GTR. I don't think a 2008-2010 Pan would be anywhere near the performance or responsiveness of the GTR either. 

Think I need to take out another GTR... and perhaps a newer Pan. Went to look at a private sale at Drayton Croft, Hinkley today but the seller has had it back (changed his mind or sold private perhaps). I would prefer a 2010 GTR, I slightly prefer the shape and the toys, but I might not have the budget for that (at least not as a swap or part-ex). Not scared of higher mileage (20-30k), especially if its well serviced and looked after. I'll keep looking and riding... I'm at about 60-40 in favour of the GTR, so it's a close running thing.

[Debs]

I looked on ebay and theres a few at a good price.

I have 2" Genmar Bar Risers on baby and they make such a big difference.. You know you want a GTR

[Stephen.Stallebrass]

Hello big cigar man .. like it !

I occasionally smoke a pipe too... I think this pipe has magic 'border' powers. As soon as I lit up I was immediately pushed to the front of the queue. There's something about an Englishman, smoking a pipe, on a motorbike, on his own and on a crazy trip - it just invites interest. I also took a hip flask of Johny Walker Black and some ciggies to pass around, great for breaking the ice and greasing the wheels, especially when stopped by corrupt Hawaii five-O. Lost the flask in a hostel in Krakow, was only a cheapee though - usual collateral damage.

[Ros]

Welcome Mr. Cigar/Pipe man.

Excellent pictures and, i just came back from reading a little about your trip on your website...

Brilliant write up and blogging of your trip.  I'll be back to read more tomorrow.

Must have been a fantastic experience! You should turn all that into a book... I'd buy it!

Cheers,

English/French/Italian bloke