04 to 08 changes

[glenn.1]

hi few years back i had an 04 plate GS and loved it....few bikes later, including a 13 plate lc te which i hated...ive decided to return to the air cooled GS and so bought an 08 GS (from this site as it happens). i notice on the 08 plate there are some subtle changes... panels , display etc... so obviously an updated version of the original 2004 GS. I remember there being a few problems with the 2004 GS ... water settling on the fuel pump controller causing failure, problems with the immobiliser aerial around the ignition key... and others .... my question is.. have these issues been addressed and sorted on updated 2008 bike ... what new problems have arisen...
thanks fellas

 

[NicD]

Obvious weak point to mention is final drive. I think later ABS is more reliable. What is mileage of bike and are there any issues? Others can mention things you might want to check

 

[g.s.john]

The fuel pump controller and the ring antenna are sorted, the fuel gauge strip is still a problem, final drive is likely to let go around 50-60K or maybe it won't make sure you change the oil annually, the big oily bits engine/gearbox are OK, caveat empter.

 

[Benhur Malta]

hi few years back i had an 04 plate GS and loved it....few bikes later, including a 13 plate lc te which i hated...ive decided to return to the air cooled GS and so bought an 08 GS (from this site as it happens). i notice on the 08 plate there are some subtle changes... panels , display etc... so obviously an updated version of the original 2004 GS. I remember there being a few problems with the 2004 GS ... water settling on the fuel pump controller causing failure, problems with the immobiliser aerial around the ignition key... and others .... my question is.. have these issues been addressed and sorted on updated 2008 bike ... what new problems have arisen...
thanks fellas

Why did you hate the LC please

R.

 

[glenn.1]

Why did you hate the LC please

R.

The engine on the 2013 LC is REALLY noisy... clicking and tappity ... it sounded like the industrial revolution going on in there ... many threads about it and BMW. Changing Parts to try and quite the engine ... but to no avail .. I complained a few times to the dealer where I bought it and they just said ‘there’s no fault.. that’s just how they are’ ... clunky gearbox in every gear ... putting into first almost jolted it out of my hands. Again dealer says that’s how they are ... well if that’s how they are... I don’t want one. ... also the speedo is hard to read ... nothing serious but while riding I found I had to refocus my eyes for a second or so to see it ... enough for calamity
By contrast the 2008 is quiet .. smooth and a joy to ride .. maybe down on power slightly .. but I’m not the sort of rider who screws the last 5% out of the engine... also loads of second hand parts available cheaply... the list goes on.... Just my personal thoughts

 

[botus]

Why did you hate the LC please

R.

it felt vastly slower than my air cooled bike, it has no mid range go at any point and what little power the nasty engine makes was is hidden at every turn (literally corners or throttle !!!) by an electronic nanny that thought a learner was riding the bike...

the demo bikes get a jazzed up map that gives a lot of top end but mine didn't have any top end or mid range

to some extent the nanny got a kicking with the dongle fitted but those modes disable the cruise control when used !!!
a bigger improvement came with a software update for jan 2018 on bikes with the LCD display bikes when you have all the ridder modes enabled and pick the adult one …. now says along the lines of "may pop a small wheelie when you accelerate...." rather than full on moped like the analogue clock ones