Would you buy a "demo" from a dealer?

[rider]

Finally at the point where I've decided on a R1200ST, and my 1st choice would be to order an '07 (they don't have servo-assist brakes). But I've run across a nice used one w/7800 miles, and there's a decent one at a dealer that has just over 13k miles. But... it was a "loaner"/demo, and I can't help but wonder how badly it may have been abused.

Any opinions, folks? Especially from those of you who have owned or worked at dealerships... these bikes would be quite a bit less than a new '07, but ya know, I wouldn't buy a rental car and I'm thinkin' this might fall into the same category.

And for that matter, I'd be interested to hear opinions on the servo brakes, I've ridden the dealer's ST with them and they stopped the bike just fine but I've heard/read tales of walking speed "grabbiness". I'd like to know if it's really an issue or just one of those internet exxagerations.

Thanks in advance,

[Big Papa]

About buying a demo... the last time someone asked that question it seemed people were split. I got to ride a k1200s all alone for 1/2 an hour last year. I am an adult and ride w/ the respect for BMW's bike. That being said, if everyone was allowed to take that bike for that long w/o a chaperon, I would be hesitant to buy that bike. I haven't found many demo's that were marked down enough for me to buy. My 2 cents.

PS: They were almost giving away the ST last time I looked.

PPS: No ABS, servo or otherwise for me...

[RiceBurner]

We bought our F650GS as an ex-demo. Had no issues with it at all. :) I think it WOULD depend on what sort of bike it was though - an R1200ST should be fine.

BMW's are tough enough and take long enough to wear in that a thrashing as a demo bike wouldn't hurt it. (imo)

[socalrob]

Ed,

I think I saw that bike down near Newport a month or so ago. Did look very nice.

I think the "thrashing" would be ok, as most of the riders would be adult BMW riders unlikely to be doing wheelies & stuff.

However, there is the question of value. You can order a new ST just how you want for mybe $4000 more? Then its a question of the $4,000 spread over a bike life of 60 months, or about $65 per month. So is it worth it to have a new bike for that much? Hard to say for me.

The other thing is it seems to me that the new boxer twins I've test riden have been smoother than the ones I tested a couple of years ago. I still wonder if there have been improvements/refinements unlisted by BMW. The R1200R I rode seemed much smoother to me than a ST I rode maybe 18 -24 months ago. But who knows?

Bottom line, at $10,000 it would be a killer deal. At $13,000 maybe or maybe not. I wonder how flexible the dealer is?

[Biff's R]

I have the servo brkaes on my 1150R, and they do not feel grabby. They were a little different than the brakes I had on my non ABS 1150R, but it did not take long to adjust(one or 2 rides).

[isiahstites]

I bought a R1100S Boxercup Replika that was a demo bike from SJBMW a few years back. It had 1500 miles on it and they said it was the demo bike from Daytona. I never had a problem with the bike and it was still under warranty so if something did go wrong it was covered.

Scott

[jamming]

Absolutely, my ST was a demo. You have a 3 year warranty, besides look at the bright side, the 500 mile service is done, saves you 400 bucks and you an ride it like you stole it from the git go.
As far as spending 4 grand more, I'll take the demo and the 4 grand thanks, but I'm cheap.

[fnfalman]

About buying a demo bike...I know how I demo rode these bikes, so there is no way in hell I'm buying a demo bike!!!

About servo brakes, if you don't give a damn about developing braking skills or fine braking maneuver then the servo works great. I'm a sport rider and servo doesn't work for me. I want to be able to fine tune my braking maneuver and I can't do that with servo. I like ABS but I hate servo AND integral brakes. Had I known then what I know now, I would not have bought the Rockster with servo/ABS combo.:thumbs_down:

[Est51]

yesterday I bought a second hand R1100S privately and it broke down within 50 miles. It jammed in fourth and the clutch started spinning up. I wasn't far from my local BM dealer, so I "limped" in there and they diagnosed that engine oil had got past a seal and into the clutch. The prognosis was not good! At least a new clutch [£5-600] and the techy didn't like the sound of the box. Without a full strip check, the dealer estimated £1,800!

I'd had the bike under two hours. The word "fu*k" came readilyto mind!

I'd bought the bike privately, so had a bad feeling about getting my money back but here, at least the story improved. The seller was acutely embarrassed and agreed immediately to a refund. So, I limped the bike back to his place, most of the 40 odd miles stuck in top and unable to accellerate without the clutch spinning. I got the refund and left. Mind you, I was still out of pocket by the £33 the insurers had charged me to add the bike to my policy, plus the £22 the dealer charged me for the diagnosis, plus the £15 worth of petrol I'd put in the bike. So, all in all, effectively a £70 days "rental" on a bike that I had to nurse along. Bugger!

Immagine if this fault had waited a couple of months to develop. No refund and I would've likely been on my annual trip into Belgium and France. What a nightmare that would've been.

Consequently, more money or not, it's dealer supplied bikes with at least a years warranty for me from now on.

Cheers, Steve

[Arby]

I bought my '04 Rockster used from a Honda dealer, who had it listed on e bay. This was in July of '05. Price was $7500.
Bike had 1800 miles on odometer. Plus they got me a deal on system cases with matching keys for 500 bucks.

They let me take as long of a test ride as I wanted before we settled up, so I'm sure it was available for other potential customers to ride as well.

It looked like new, and it has performed like new.
I felt like I got a new bike for a used bike price.

If you're going to save thousands by letting a few people take a test ride first, I say go for it.

Good luck
RB

[fganger]

Just my two cents worth . . . with rev limiters about the only thing I'd be worried about is the clutch. I recall BMW having a short, limited warranty on the clutch, just as they have on the brakes. You are probably well past that warranty. So I would talk to the dealer about a short (5 to 6 K) warranty on the clutch - just in case.

Good luck,
Frank

[rider]

Thanks, everybody for the replies- I really enjoyed and appreciated the diversity of opinions on the subject. I've opted for the "nice used one" after meeting the seller and seeing the bike. Mint! The one at the dealer has almost twice as many miles (for the same price) and has suffered a bit "cosmetically" from sitting outside on the lot for a while.

It's gonna be nice to ride a boxer again...