Seeking advice on used '05 LT

[rswestling]

I guess it makes sense for my first post to be seeking advice on buying an LT. I've been looking to buy a used LT on the west coast, which I would then ride back to the east coast IB style. (Ultimately bringing it to the UK, but that's another story.) I talked to some people with bikes for sale on this forum, and then came across an '05 with only 248 miles on it at Longbeach BMW. I've spoken with them several times about the bike, which has an interesting history. They assure me that it is in excellent condition, both in appearance and mechanically. They say that everything works as expected, it is fully serviced, and the bike is under warranty through the end of '08. It's my favorite color, graphite. I like the idea of an '05 due to the extra horsepower, the updated cockpit, the lower seat, and the hydraulic stand. For the year and mileage the asking price seems reasonable.

So, anyone have any thoughts on buying a 2 year old motorcycle that's hardly been ridden? Thanks in advance for any comments, and for all the great postings I've been learning from.

Robert

[zippy_gg]

Robert, if it sounds like a good deal then go for it. Low mileage is OK as long as the maintenance has been performed regardless of actual mileage just because of aging fluids.
You may want to verify that the warranty will be honored in the UK as I remember reading on this forum about bikes exported to France, Germany, etc... but the owners were told that the warranty is only valid in the US where the bikes were sold.
Also be sure that you do not pay the CA sales tax since you are exporting the bike and will pay the VAT in the UK.
Good luck with your soon to be new bike. I just bought an 05 in Florida and will be riding it back home to California at the end of March, in reverse of what you are planning! Key, let's meet half way for a High Five!!!:D

[MattKas]

I guess it makes sense for my first post to be seeking advice on buying an LT. I've been looking to buy a used LT on the west coast, which I would then ride back to the east coast IB style. (Ultimately bringing it to the UK, but that's another story.) I talked to some people with bikes for sale on this forum, and then came across an '05 with only 248 miles on it at Longbeach BMW. I've spoken with them several times about the bike, which has an interesting history. They assure me that it is in excellent condition, both in appearance and mechanically. They say that everything works as expected, it is fully serviced, and the bike is under warranty through the end of '08. It's my favorite color, graphite. I like the idea of an '05 due to the extra horsepower, the updated cockpit, the lower seat, and the hydraulic stand. For the year and mileage the asking price seems reasonable.

So, anyone have any thoughts on buying a 2 year old motorcycle that's hardly been ridden? Thanks in advance for any comments, and for all the great postings I've been learning from.

Robert
I have just purchased very similar bike. 05 Graphite. It is now in the shop waiting to be repaired for coolant leaking into engine. I wish I did not buy !!!

In my opinion stick with pre 05. Either 03 or 04 model. They are somewhat older but proven technology.

[juggler]

It sounds like a good deal.

There are a couple of red flags on a motorcycle that has hardly been ridden: I once bought a three year old motorcycle with only three thousand miles on it. It spent most of the first three months I owned it in the shop. I suspect the previous owner had also had many problems with it, thus the low mileage.

Secondly, any motor vehicle needs to be driven periodically. Certain maladies start cropping up on a bike that has sat more than it has been ridden: Dying battery, spooge in the fuel lines, seals that dry out, stuff like that. Older bikes (like with carbs) are more susceptible to these problems, however, as I recently learned, an LT left to sit will most likely need a new battery when it is returned to service.


On the other hand, it happens these days that someone with more bucks than brains buys some high-zoot bike, rides it a few times, and a year or two later, decides he or she needs the garage space more than the doo-dad, and sells the toy (probably to spring loose a little cash to buy some other toy).

I once saw a BRAND NEW R1100RS (or something like that) sitting in front of the Ducati dealer. Some woman had bought it for her hubby, knowing he was looking at the RS and a Ducati 916. It turned out he really wanted the Duc, so they took the RS, with about 50 miles on it, on trade (I don't want to know how much she lost in that transaction).


Frankly, I'd be a lot more worried about how to bring the bike into the U.K. I urge you to thoroughly research what needs to be done and how much it will cost, if you haven't done so already.

[rswestling]

Thanks for the rapid responses!

The bike in question was bought by Latrell Sprewell's motorsports company as a showroom decoration. It was ridden a few times over the last two years, and then drained of fuel. The dealer says they have done a full service and that the bike is in nearly new condition.

I've spoken with BMW UK and they said that the headlights would need replacement, the radio would not function (fm is in the UK), and that was about it. In fact they had a US spec GS1200 in their showroom taken in trade. I'm still waiting for info on whether an international extended warranty is available.

If I pay tax in CA, I will not have to pay VAT(I'd rather pay 7.5 than 17.5!) Also, the plan is to keep in in NJ and ride it there for a while (I'm an expat and my home office is in NY where I work about a week a month). After 6 months I'll ship it to the UK and not have to pay duty either. (Actually this is still the most tenuous part of the plan. UK Customs could charge me 10% Duty on the bike and shipping, plus an additional 17.5% VAT on both as well. Yikes!) A new '06 LT in the UK is roughly £14,000 or around $28,000. I'd rather pay $17k and get to ride across the US in the bargain. (But maybe I need to review the maths...)

I've hijacked my own thread.

[rswestling]

Zippy, I'll miss you by a few weeks, unless you're taking your time. I'm planning on doing the run around the 20th of April. Just planning the ride is a real blast! What's also funny is that both bikes are '05 graphite's!

[zippy_gg]

Zippy, I'll miss you by a few weeks, unless you're taking your time. I'm planning on doing the run around the 20th of April. Just planning the ride is a real blast! What's also funny is that both bikes are '05 graphite's!Robert, due to time constraints I will have to ride home in 4 days or less...
Just a thought but you may want to talk to Goldy in the UK who is moving to France and trying to sell his 05:
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?p=160030#post160030

Either way I wish you the best success in your deal AND you cross-country ride!:thumb:

[juggler]

That's a plausible story on why the bike is so lo-miles. If true, it's probably spent nearly all its life indoors and is cosmetically spiffy.


I suspected that you would come out ahead even with shipping and customs than buying one in the U.K.

When I was shopping, I replied to an ad for a U.S. market bike that was up in Canada. When I made an offer -- fair value for the bike in the U.S., the fellow responded that he could get nearly twice as much selling it in Canada.

The headlight change is due to the driving on the "other" side of the road. The U.S.-market lens puts more light on the right -- shoulder -- side, and less into the eyes of oncoming traffic. The U.K.-market lens is the mirror-image.


You might start contacting parts recyclers *now* to see if you can find a used headlight assembly and/or radio.


Good luck.

[zippy_gg]

You might start contacting parts recyclers *now* to see if you can find a used headlight assembly and/or radio.


Good luck. Or... never mind the radio and go with satellite radio instead! Probably a lot less than a factory radio and NO commercials!;)

[jrlakin]

I wouldn't be afraid to buy it if the price was right. jrlakin

[deputy5211]

Zippy, I'll miss you by a few weeks, unless you're taking your time. I'm planning on doing the run around the 20th of April. Just planning the ride is a real blast! What's also funny is that both bikes are '05 graphite's!

The bike in question is no longer available. Are you the lucky buyer?

[cfell]

Plan a new seat into your trip,,,, you will be near a couple good folks who can do 'ridein' visits and fttings. Get the 05

[rswestling]

Tony, Yes, I've placed a small deposit, but today in dealing with UK Customs on the phone my plan may be rapidly falling apart. It appears I may have now been in the UK too long to bring in a vehicle with out having to pay duty and vat. So if this is the case, I'd have to pay 8% duty on the bike + shipping costs, and then 17.5% VAT on all of those costs combined...crazy. Yes, yes, yes, I should have know all of this before putting a deposit on the bike, but I had stars in my eyes. My wife says I should just go ahead and do the trip anyway, and then either leave the bike in NJ, or sell it. (She is terrific.) But I'm not so sure. If I do not go ahead with this bike, and you are looking for an '05, I'll send you a pm that it is available. By the way, like you my other bike is a Road King. A great ride, but for long range rides I think the LT is a better tool.

[cws]

If you go ahead and are concerned about it being "2 years old", check the build date by the vin. My 2005/09 new buy turned out to be a 2004/04 build, so its had already been sitting around for 1.5 years
cheers

[ajs]

I bought an '05 Blue (the only colour.. everything else is almost just as good) out of Florida a year ago. It had 9300 miles on it. I put 16000 wonderful miles on it last year with nary a problem. I would do it all over again. The only down side was when I imported it into Canada. I had all my entry paper work done and it was a breeze getting through customs. The problem came when I wanted to ride it from Florida to the Canadian entry point. Could not get it registered in Florida for the trip and could not get insurance on it until it was registered in a Canadian Province. It ended up being trailered to the border and registered immediately after crossing into Canada.

It is currently in my basement suffering the result of its owner getting the farkle bug and being readied for a 2 up cross Canada trip this year.

You know, I have been riding Beemers for 25 years and have never farkled any of them UNTIL NOW, and have never had any performance problems either. I blame my farkle disease entirely on this site. I still have some strict guidelines about farkeling that don't encroach on basic design or equipment function. All in all though I am having more fun than I can stand.

[deputy5211]

Tony, Yes, I've placed a small deposit, but today in dealing with UK Customs on the phone my plan may be rapidly falling apart. It appears I may have now been in the UK too long to bring in a vehicle with out having to pay duty and vat. So if this is the case, I'd have to pay 8% duty on the bike + shipping costs, and then 17.5% VAT on all of those costs combined...crazy. Yes, yes, yes, I should have know all of this before putting a deposit on the bike, but I had stars in my eyes. My wife says I should just go ahead and do the trip anyway, and then either leave the bike in NJ, or sell it. (She is terrific.) But I'm not so sure. If I do not go ahead with this bike, and you are looking for an '05, I'll send you a pm that it is available. By the way, like you my other bike is a Road King. A great ride, but for long range rides I think the LT is a better tool.

Sorry to hear the deal may fall apart, but good on your wifey for being so supportive. As you no doubt saw in my sig, I have a RK CLassic, and it is great, on short trips. Anything over a couple of hours and the LT is infinitely more comfy, as long as you're not in stop/go traffic.

Ping me whether or not you buy it, I'm interested in how it plays out.

[deancardey]

I am pretty sure the warrenty wont be valid in the UK.Just for your info.An 04 LT sold on e-bay in the UK at the beginning of March with 4500K miles on it for £4560.00.Thats a pound a mile.Thats about $8500.Also check with the dealers,I have an 05 LT Lux with all the bells and whistles,Pannier and top box liners,GPS,BMW intercom with 2 helmet sets,tall screen,Extra power sockets and I only payed £13000. Oh,I forgot to mention the key fob.You can always find a deal.Good luck.

Dean

[jvalny]

I own a 05LT. Do not worry about the low mileage. Do your do diligence and change all the fluids. Have a ball and ride the SOB