This one is an early one, a 1998 model. It has the earlier ABS II (?) that can be bypassed if it fails, does not leave you with no brakes and generally has a few more things that can be done to it to resurrect it if it starts flashing. It is not the servo assisted brake system fitted to later bikes that will indeed leave you high and dry when it fails, along with a much bigger bill.
It has 40k miles on it and full luggage, that I shall safely store away. Actually it has more than 41k now.
It is a sophisticated beast, there is no denying it. An alternator change is a frame off job, I believe.
But its a bike with a very good record for reliability, if you get out and use it. Rear main seals drying out on unused/low mileage machines are one of the favorite failures, usually costing you a clutch in the process - an item that should last much more that 100k, if you can keep the oil off it.
I swapped the Honda for it, plus a very few bear tokens. Which is top money for a 19 year old bike. But condition is everything, and it was local, just serviced, MOT'd and had a short warrantee period for piece of mind.
Back in the day when I was putting 40k on an already old K100RS, I stopped at a local BMW dealer to have my tappets checked and bought into spec. Whilst I was waiting the salesman asked me if I would like to take their new demonstrator down to the local garage to fuel it up. It was one of these K1200RS's that had just come out (1997). It was lovely in its yellow and gunmetal livery, so much more sophisticated and smooth compared to my old nail. The salesman knew what he was doing, he just did not realise that it would take 20 years for me to buy it.
I saw a nice example of one recently at a motorbike shop, ridden by a new and nervous owner. I new at that point that I should be on the lookout for one.
I was after a silver/blue one or one of the original yellow and gunmetal ones. But this red one came up, and its nice enough and the deal was too easy.
It is a 'Rocket Ship' though.
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