Hello, Everyone, and Happy New Year!

I've been riding on and off for years; started on dirtbikes as a kid, road bikes as a teenager... Anyway, I live in the South and we've been having 70d weather down here and I can't stand seeing EVERYONE ELSE out riding... and my gf is sick of me dropping out of conversations and turning my head to see whenever I hear a motorcycle riding by.  I've got a '67 Bonneville that I've been working on reviving when I have the time but I can't wait much longer...

Soooo, I made it my new year's resolution to get myself on a bike before the end of February, and I might be even closer than that:

I'm looking seriously at an '01 S4 w/ about +14k mi on it.  The fella's asking $4000 which seems to be reasonable... the bike is STOCK (so I know I'll be spending more soon if I get it ) but he has all service records, and all the "peices of mind" I'd look for.  It's not the SportClassic I've been looking for, or the decked out S4Rs my buddy has, but at half the price I'd be more than happy if we can work a deal.

I do have a couple questions though, and that is what kind of maintenance services or issues should I be considering on a bike of this age/mileage?  Any other make/model specific issues to be on the lookout for?

I've really enjoyed going through this forum and reading and learning from what everyone has to say.  Hopefully I'll be a regular on here directly, but I am new to Forums so please forgive me if it takes me a minute to get with the program.

Thanks, and wish me good hunting!!

Welcome - you might poke around in the FAQs and tech for some of your answers. If you've got specifics you could post them in Tech or other appropriate place.

Not too many people visit this section - not nearly as many as something like Tech or Accessories & Mods.

The one possible gotcha on those bikes was that the plating of the valve opener rockers were known to flake. This is something to check for or ask about.
Other things you might care about - the heads of a desmoquatro are a PITA to work in, which is part of checking the valves. The opening is small making the task harder if you DIY or more expensive if you're paying someone.

Most other stuff is normal used bike stuff.

Quote from: Jimmy6tring on January 09, 2012, 11:11:33 AM
Hello, Everyone, and Happy New Year!

I've been riding on and off for years; started on dirtbikes as a kid, road bikes as a teenager... Anyway, I live in the South and we've been having 70d weather down here and I can't stand seeing EVERYONE ELSE out riding... and my gf is sick of me dropping out of conversations and turning my head to see whenever I hear a motorcycle riding by.  I've got a '67 Bonneville that I've been working on reviving when I have the time but I can't wait much longer...

Soooo, I made it my new year's resolution to get myself on a bike before the end of February, and I might be even closer than that:

I'm looking seriously at an '01 S4 w/ about +14k mi on it.  The fella's asking $4000 which seems to be reasonable... the bike is STOCK (so I know I'll be spending more soon if I get it ) but he has all service records, and all the "peices of mind" I'd look for.  It's not the SportClassic I've been looking for, or the decked out S4Rs my buddy has, but at half the price I'd be more than happy if we can work a deal.

I do have a couple questions though, and that is what kind of maintenance services or issues should I be considering on a bike of this age/mileage?  Any other make/model specific issues to be on the lookout for?

I've really enjoyed going through this forum and reading and learning from what everyone has to say.  Hopefully I'll be a regular on here directly, but I am new to Forums so please forgive me if it takes me a minute to get with the program.

Thanks, and wish me good hunting!!

Where in the South?

Quote from: TNWINESELLER on January 09, 2012, 02:55:36 PM

Where in the South?

South Carolina. Go Cocks!

sad panda, thanks. good advice.