Trailies

Most popular trailie: BMW R1150GS

Don’t expect to get an R1150GS for a bargain-basement price – but do expect one of the most versatile and enjoyable bikes ever.

While Japanese bikes may depreciate by 20 to 30 per cent a year for the first two years, the BMW only drops two to six per cent in the first year at a dealer, and a further eight to 10 per cent in year two, keeping used prices high.

Even a two-and-a-half-year-old GS sold privately goes for £6500 at the worst, which is still 86 per cent of the price of one new today.

In some cases, splashing out just a few hundred pounds more than the asking price of a secondhand model can net you a brand new machine, especially since BMW chopped the RRP from £8200 to £7595 a couple of years ago.

Those prices may seem high, but when you know how brilliant this bike is, you’ll realise it’s worth every penny.

One major plus-point, in true BMW style, is reliability. Nothing mechanical seems to go wrong. Dealers in the know reckon valve and injection problems are non-existent – as they’re easily checked every service interval – and clutches will carry you at least 70,000 miles without incident. That’s just as well really, as the swingarm has to be removed to replace it, which will cost you £400.

According to Wollaston BMW of Northampton, a common problem occurs when cleaning the bike. The throttle cable can snag on the right-hand pot – popping it out of its housing. That makes the bike run lean on that cylinder. Look at the right-hand exhaust. Is it glowing discoloured blue compared to the left? The cable is probably out.

Some owners have complained about the finish, but it seems to be the luck of the draw. Check for fur and flaking paint, especially around the engine and brake calipers.

The other reason R1150GSs hold their value is that they’re such a blast. When it comes to riding the R1150GS, forget about BMW’s traditional staid image. Its new bikes are much more exciting than the sensible tourers of old – and the R1150GS is the most fun of the lot.

As MCN said in July 1999, after the launch: ” A lot of people will never buy a BMW motorcycle. A lot of people will never know what they’re missing. The R1150GS is as much fun to ride as any full-on sports bike. ”

The spread of torque is strong and the bike makes 81.5bhp at just 6575rpm, which is pretty serious for a trailie. The handling is nimble and ideally suited to winding A and B roads. But the tall screen and relaxed riding position make the R1150GS perfect for long-distance commuting work, too.

Those attributes help it suit traffic work as well, though the horizontal pots taken from the R1200C cruiser can prove a touch wide in a serious squeeze.

With the capacity to carry huge amounts of luggage, the R1150GS is as good as any of BMW’s more conventional tourers at covering distances.

The bike can tackle gentle off-road work as well, though your choice of tyre will be critical. However, the few owners who do venture off the Tarmac often wish they hadn’t, so look for scratches and scrapes on the engine cases where the bike has hit a rock.

The bike’s height can also catch people out and cause slow-speed topples when doing U-turns, so knock money off if there’s evidence of damage.

The GS’s lofty design also means it’s not suitable for shorties, unless you want to find yourself feeling for the floor with your foot when you stop at the lights.

Many owners spend hundreds or thousands of pounds on accessories. Sometimes they’re removed and sold separately, but usually they remain on the bike. And that can add value as easily as it can make the bike less appealing. It’s a matter of personal taste.

Headlight covers, screens, handguards, heated grips, luggage and huggers are just a small selection of the huge variety of add-ons owners fit, some of them more useful than others. Don’t let the seller tell you the bike is worth an extra grand because of them, unless they’re saving you buying them yourself.

The same goes for ABS, which is £750 as a factory option on a new bike. The standard system is fine, but if you want a bit of extra confidence when braking, it could be worth the extra money.

The only other thing to consider with the R1150GS is the looks. Some love the quirky styling. Others think it looks remarkably like a duck on steroids. But you’ll soon forget any reservations when you’ve ridden one.

Trailie bargain: Yamaha XTZ660 Tenere

Yamaha stopped selling Teneres in the UK a little over three years ago and there aren’t many around. So you might wonder what the bike is doing in this guide to used bikes.

There’s a simple reason. They’re so undervalued, they’re a steal.

Just £1200 will get you what was £5400-worth of bike. And they’re invariably in pretty good condition as well.

The motor is a 659cc single in a low state of tune and with pretty basic components. It runs for ever and makes a useful 48bhp.

The bodywork stands up to knocks and bashes well and the 20-litre (4.4-gallon) tank gives a good 200-mile range.

They’ll even venture off-road, though not with a great deal of confidence, and they’re comfortable enough, once you get used to the inherent vibration, to cover long distances.

As a commuter bike they make perfect sense, with enough height to see ahead of queues and nimble handling to dart through traffic. Once on the move, they feel lighter than their 168kg (370lb).

The cost of ownership is cheap, too. Insurance is reasonable, tyres last for years and they’re light on chains.

Aside from gaining restyled bodywork and new headlights in 1994, little has changed – updates have mostly been to paintschemes.

Others to look at:

Triumph Tiger

This British trailie is now 10 years old and much-evolved in that time. Fresh looks and colourschemes, great handling, responsive motor. Latest 955cc engine is the best. PRICE: £2000-£5500

Honda Varadero

Criticised for its bland looks, but so what? The Varadero is highly functional and fun to ride. It looks like it’s built to ride round Africa, but it’s happier on a British back road. PRICE: £3700-£5400

Aprilia Pegaso 650

The Aprilia is a great town bike. The Italian styling makes posing a pleasure, but the responsive engine gives it substance, too. Cheap insurance is the icing on the cake.

PRICE: £1100-£3500