Mileage vs model year

[JimZ]

I've been smitten by the LT ever since I saw my first one 6 months ago. I've been searching and researching and can find a significant number of bikes for sale with relatively low miles but several years old. I approached a BMW bike mechanic about it and his concern was if the bike is a 2002 and has only 12K miles on it, it could be in worse condition than a bike with significantly more miles on it. His recommendation was to purchase a 2005 or later model. Problem is, the price point for those models exceeds what I'm willing to spend at this time. I want to ask the membership their opinion on what concerns they might have with a bike with so few miles on it. I'm making an assumption that regularly scheduled maintenance has occurred, and regardless, this bike would be thoroughly checked by qualified personnel prior to purchase. Please advise. I'm new to the BMW community and trying to get familiar with the brand before buying. Thanks.

[Sereman]

JimZ: Many K12LT owners ride only 2-4 K per year, while others tally over 20K per year. I suggest you set your budget - and purchase the K that best suits!

You won't regret purchasing a K12.

Best

AL

[ATFLT]

As long as they have been ridden every so often then the low mileage wouldn't be a problem. If they have been sitting the last couple of years it could be that things would be gummed up and need some service. That could help you to get a lower price.

[yechave]

FWIW, we bought a 99LT last nov with 41k, paid about $7500 + tax from a dealer sold on consignment. Since then, we put another $4k in very basic dealer servicing for tires, windshield, front and rear brakes. Just turned 44K this week.

I installed the F&R Ohlins shocks for $1400 or there about, an Autoswitch for the Motolights (we paid the dealer $500 for those, used), installed an HID (absolutely necessary) about two weeks ago for $70 from CQ, rear speakers, seat cover, Laminar Lip for the shield (worth every penny), headlight lens protector, fuel filter, and had a few computer diagnostics done.

So, for just under $12k on a 99, sure would have made out better having bought a newer model to begin with. Only hope it holds up for the duration, as we have spent all we have to get this in the best condition possible.

Having known absolutely nothing about this prior to the purchase, I can only say had we not seen this and thought it a decent deal for the $7500, I most likely would not have bought any. Had it not been for this forum, we most assuredly would have sold it at what ever loss necessary to get rid of it.

I've had and continue to have some stalling issues, a few odd plastic noises here and there, a little grinding in 4th now and again.

Love the bike however! There just happen to be much better deals than what we paid.

An 03LT with 2500 miles, including trailer and assorted goodies was just sold from Lancaster Pa. for $14,000.

No guarantee no matter who looks at it, if you read the many posts of new bikes with serious repair issues. Best deal is an "in writing" guarantee with your purchase.

[nearmisses]

Well for what it's worth, I met a lady this weekend at the BMW shop and she had just bought a 2005 Metalic Yellow Lt and saw my bike and thought it was hers. She then noticed it had way to many farkels on it, and she got real excited with what she saw. The service manager pointed out some items she might want to add. Turns out in later conversations she bought the bike at the local H-D shop for the ridiclous sum of $7000.00!!! She beat him down from 12,000.00!!! Her lucky day! The bike has 5000 some miles on it and a weeks worth of warranty which she put to good use getting some items fixed for free. It was brought down here from Michigan and traded on a H-D by the owners as their new riding buddies(H-Ders) made too much fun of them. They don't want the competition on the lots, might tarnish there nostaligic appeal. So... my advice to you ...start hanging out at the Harley shop waiting for someone who want image over comfort. This Gal is now a member of this website and she is hungry to know all there is to know about our beloved LT's. Give a warm and friendly welcome to Geralyn and help her with her questions. Thanks Guy, and Gals too!!

[secretaryrick]

FWIW, we bought a 99LT last nov with 41k, paid about $7500 + tax from a dealer sold on consignment. Since then, we put another $4k in very basic dealer servicing for tires, windshield, front and rear brakes. Just turned 44K this week.

Love the bike however! There just happen to be much better deals than what we paid.



I bought a 2000 LT with 100,000 miles on it from a good buddy who I rode with and knew that it was dealer serviced since birth. Paid $4500 for it: it needed tires, I will put Ohlin's on it when I can, but other then that, it's been faithful and trouble free for at least 10,000 more since then.... buyer beware, and do your research!

[jackd]

IMO if the bike hit it's service intervals at normal dates then low mileage isn't a big issue. If it took the last owners three years to make a 6K service that is a problem.. I would want to see any receipts or a carefully documented log. If the LT was a member of a stable of bikes and only got a few thousand a year I would consider that a plus but those once a year services are critical to keeping the bike maintained. Remember that for insurance purposes 6K a year is considered high mileage M/C in some parts of the country.

In any case, you will need to do a 24K service with a complete fluid change on it regardless, so you know it's done. You should be replacing the tires especially if it is low miles and the DOT numbers put the tire in excess of two years since manufacture.

If it has been sitting expect to do shocks, brakes, 24K service, complete fluid change and tires. Anything else and you might be paying too much. If you do your own service we can help.. If you don't, find out how much these things cost and look at the selling price price accordingly or you will be paying too much.... no matter what the price is.

Anyone that is selling the bike realizes this and if they don't, they don't know the real value of their LT, and you probably need to move on or you pay a steep price. Lots of good prices on LTs with a moderate amount of miles..

On the plus side farkles don't mean anything on an LT except as added value, but no cost, to the prospective purchaser.. The seller will tell you all the great things they have added but unless you were going to add them they should mean nothing to you..

A few examples...

Highway pegs.. If you have long legs it might be a feature that you would need.. If you are height challenged then your legs may not be cramped on the LT..
Same type reasoning for an aftermarket windscreen.
If the bike has Ohlins without the originals that should only be your to your advantage.. The LT needs shocks and you don't have a substitute to put on while your Ohlins are rebuilt... so no added value.. Good point to buy an LT with Ohlins but without the originals to substitute during rebuild not a good selling point.
If aftermarket shocks are a sprung for a different different weight than you would have bought them at on an LT they will not be sprung properly so they have very limited value as it will cost you to get them resprung so they have value.
Intercom is great, only if it works and it's the kind you want and has all the headsets included.. otherwise it carries no value on the asking price...
GPS is good but if it is old, has very old maps, and no documentation it is worthless.
HID installed... great for you just a headlight for the sellar..
PIAA lights installed.. great for you but not worth anything to you unless you have to have PIAAs.

[ArthurKnowles]

On the plus side farkles don't mean anything on an LT except as added value, but no cost, to the prospective purchaser.. The seller will tell you all the great things they have added but unless you were going to add them they should mean nothing to you..


I hear this one a lot, but don't agree with it at all. If I can't sell my motorcycle and get blue book (more or less) plus 50% of the cost of the farkles then either:

1) I offer to replace the stock components and resell the farkles.

2) Don't sell the motorcycle to the prospective buyer.

[DaveDragon]

I have over 115,000 on my 2002LT and she's just getting broke in!

[jackd]

I hear this one a lot, but don't agree with it at all. If I can't sell my motorcycle and get blue book (more or less) plus 50% of the cost of the farkles then either:

1) I offer to replace the stock components and resell the farkles.

2) Don't sell the motorcycle to the prospective buyer.

As a buyer I might want what you have to sell even though I might discount it during the establishment of the 'price'. IMO buying used anything it is how much the seller wants to sell. If you won't sell for a price it means more to you than the $$ that are offered. If you take off stuff I don't want and reduce the price by 50% of the street value I got a lower price point and that might seal the deal.. If you take the stuff off and don't reduce the price you are actually raising the price.

Bluebook is surely a starting price to establish general value but in the end the LT just like a house on a street with lots of real estate signs.. the more signs the more it's a buyer market. Some people are forced to short sell. I feel bad for them but you have to do what you have to do. Have to figure out why they are selling and that is part of the 'used M/V experience'

JM2CW

[bflemingor]

I bought my '06 at my local Hardley stealer too - 'twas a good deal as well!

[ArthurKnowles]

As a buyer I might want what you have to sell even though I might discount it during the establishment of the 'price'. IMO buying used anything it is how much the seller wants to sell. If you won't sell for a price it means more to you than the $$ that are offered. If you take off stuff I don't want and reduce the price by 50% of the street value I got a lower price point and that might seal the deal.. If you take the stuff off and don't reduce the price you are actually raising the price.

I understand exactly what you are saying, but that's not exactly what I will do for the sale. If I take off the aftermarket part, I will not reduce the price. Afterall you (buyer) were not willing to pay for that part in the first place and it will cost me time and effort to return it to stock.

Bottom line, if the buyer isn't willing to pay for it, then they can go elsewhere. There's always another buyer out there. Unless desperation kicks in and then like you said it goes for what it goes for. I'm not looking to sell any of my motorcycles at the moment anyway. Just pointing out a different philosophy.

[Ghost55]

On these bikes, I think disuse is a bigger killer than use. I would much rather buy a used LT with a bit higher mileage more commensurate with age than a several year old "cream puff".