upgrading from vespa gts 250

[billy]

Hello everyone,

I'm a new belgian member, thinking seriously (finally) about upgrading my daily ride.
This saturday i'm havin' a look at a 2004 rockster special edition with only 14662km (9110 miles) on the odometer. There are quite a lot of interesting extra's that come with the bike: remus exhaust, anti theft system, k1200 injectors, heated grips, gps kit from garmin and bmw luggage suitcases, all for the asking price of 5800 euros (7385 us dollars).
I've been riding mainly vespa's for the last 15 years or so, with the occasional ride on a friends "real " motorcycle.
I've been craving for years, to step up to a more solid ride, and was at first really attracted to a triumph thruxton.
I know, completely different from a bmw, but since i can't afford to buy new and thruxton's aren't found at decent prices second hand, i kind of fell in love with the rockster.
When i was at the age of 13, i had a friend that had 4 brothers, all aged quite a lot of more years than he did, but they all rode motorcycles ( harley, BSA, morini, guzzi, and a bmw R90). They often took us out to ride, and from what i can remember, the R90 impressed me most a the time. I think since then there was allready a seed planted.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, what do you board members think about this deal?
Anything in particular to watch out for?
I mainly do out and around city riding, but when i do decide to step, i plan on doing more excursions on the bike.
I'm 1.90 m in height (6.2ft), so ergonomics should be ok i guess?

I gladly wait your replies (also from the belgian members already active on this board (as i have noticed!)

Greetz,

Billy

[Ol' Jeffers]

Hi there Billy! The bike has not travelled many kilometres but you should still get
a full service history with it. Make sure that there is a fully up to date BMW
Service Record. Also the receipts/invoices for all of the repairs, spares and
accessories. Take a test ride if you can.
The Rockster is a very stylish bike with much character, I was looking at one
before I bought my R1150R.
Let us know how you get on!

[Boxerpunk]

5800 Euro's for a 2004 Rockster with 14662 kilometres?
Buy it!
I paid 6990 euro's for mine half a year ago; a 2003 with 15693 kilometres (in the Netherlands).
With "Special Edition" I guess you mean the 80-Edition (White and black)?

[billy]

@ ol' jeffers
I'll keep an eye out for the service history
My brother in law is coming with me tommorrow, he's riding a gs 1200, so he's more familiar with the boxer family and probably knows what to look out for.

@ boxerpunk
You' re correct about the special edition!

Thanks for your replies!

[Ol' Jeffers]

I like that black and white special edition a lot! Very striking!

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ ... e%2003.htm

Just a pic of one for anyone who would like to see this version!

[kirby]

*

[BoxerSteve]

I am 6' 1" and I used to own a '02 R1150R, which is probably pretty similar ergonomically to the Rockster you are looking at. The R1150R was a great bike but cramped for my long legs - I couldn't ride it for more than about an hour. At 6' 2" I would think you would be cramped on the Rockster too so I don't know if I would agree with your statement of "so ergonomics should be ok i guess?".

If I were you I would try to take it for a nice long ride to see if it is comfortable enough before committing to it.