1 year on a 1200 Anniversary

[Nutty]

I've had the 1200 for a year now, 6800 miles on the clock, and wanted to share my experiences with you lot!

I collected the bike on 1 September 2010 at 00.01 from Vines in Guildford after arriving at 10pm and making small talk with some like minded tossers for 2 hours! Ever since that moment there's been no turning back!

The bike has been used all year round (NO corrosion despite no ACF50, I guess spending half an hour washing it after each ride in the winter paid off!), mainly at weekends with the odd evening and weekday ride thrown in (yeah yeah typical tosser I hear you say!) and with an epic 2500 mile 8 day tour of the UK this summer around the UK.

In the year that I've had it, the bike hasn't skipped a beat, looks as good as the day it rolled out the showroom (everyone comments on how clean and unused it looks!) and has been everything that I hoped it would be.

I'm looking forward to putting many more miles on the clock (as soon as my wrist is out of plaster) and wouldn't even bother looking at anything else when the time comes to change; this bike is awesome.

To anyone thinking of getting a 1200 twin cam - GO FOR IT! You will not regret it. I would have another one in a heartbeat.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Despite the many bearers of doom and gloom the GS range certainly does get under your skin

Glad to hear you're enjoying the DOHC engine...it is a beaut!

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

They are Good arn't they!!!

 

[stonehenge]

Glad you are enjoying the GS. Can I ask if the service prices for the DOHC are cheaper than the older engines (as they use shimmed tappets - so no adjustment until when?). I am buying a RT so need to budget for service costs etc.

Cheers..........Steve

 

[Nudibranch]

I agree rt001.

I am on my second GSA now, latest one bought new in September 2010 from Southport Superbikes (nice people).

I have covered 6,000m on it so far and it has been a pleasure to ride. It is used all year round mainly at the weekend and is rinsed after every outing, however, it also managed a trip to the south of Spain earlier this year two up and fully loaded. It performed effortlessly throughout, as it has since I purchased it.

In short, I waited a long time to buy one of these bikes and the reality of ownership has not disappointed me. It is great fun through the twisties (Tourance EXP's - only managed 4,500m from a set), and is no where near as much effort to ride as my 'blade. If you are considering one, go for it, I wish I had done this many years ago.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I would write to BMW about that, wait no make it trading standard and get the bike changed right away. You should have had at least 2 ring antennas 1 fuelpump controller and a new FD by now. How dare they sell a bike that can go over 6000 miles without a failure. You must feel so short changed!

On a serious note, glad your loving it.

As for valve adjustment its still every 6000. The shim only replaces the screw and lockout, the rockers and all that are still there.

 

[adventure-spike]

Got a GSA30 just done 10k on it. 3rd GS I have had nothing at all has gone wrong never missed a beat,well happy with it. Never take out my original blade anymore so thinking of selling that. First one had a few issues second one a 2007 GSA was a bit temperamental to say the least. Had a 2009 RT that was a bit iffy and a K1200s that was too fast for me kept getting caught speeding. But this baby rocks I just hope it continues in the same way

 

[Big Derek]

yes +1

I got my third GS R1200 Adventure 30th anniversary model last September done 16k and it still looks new! but more than that it still puts a grin on my face every time i ride it

Hoping for my 8th Honda GL1800 Goldwing to dock today at Thames Port
(2012 US model)
Hope that makes me smile too...............

 

[Rasher]

I would reserve judgement for a bit longer, who would expect problems at 6k (Except owners of early edition R1200GS models perhaps)

Nick Saunders seemed pretty chuffed with his Super Tenere after doing 51,000 miles in 3 months in deserts / mountains / snow / ice / on road / off road / several crashes and all without servicing it properly.

Surviving 6k of gentle pootling should not be considered a sign of engineering genius.

I hope it continues as well up until 106k

 

[autogs]

I would reserve judgement for a bit longer, who would expect problems at 6k (Except owners of early edition R1200GS models perhaps)

Nick Saunders seemed pretty chuffed with his Super Tenere after doing 51,000 miles in 3 months in deserts / mountains / snow / ice / on road / off road / several crashes and all without servicing it properly.

Surviving 6k of gentle pootling should not be considered a sign of engineering genius.

I hope it continues as well up until 106k

have to say the condition of the engine,box and fd was quite impressive considering the service history.tbh im not sure the bm would fair so well,(cant believe i said that).

 

[Nutty]

I would reserve judgement for a bit longer, who would expect problems at 6k (Except owners of early edition R1200GS models perhaps)

Nick Saunders seemed pretty chuffed with his Super Tenere after doing 51,000 miles in 3 months in deserts / mountains / snow / ice / on road / off road / several crashes and all without servicing it properly.

Surviving 6k of gentle pootling should not be considered a sign of engineering genius.

I hope it continues as well up until 106k

It'll be long gone before then! As much as I love it, I'm sure I'll feel the "need" to replace it at some point

 

[adventure-spike]

yes +1

I got my third GS R1200 Adventure 30th anniversary model last September done 16k and it still looks new! but more than that it still puts a grin on my face every time i ride it

Hoping for my 8th Honda GL1800 Goldwing to dock today at Thames Port
(2012 US model)
Hope that makes me smile too...............

Did you get your gold wing?

 

[Big Derek]

Not heard if ship docked today at Thames Port hoping shipper will be on to me tomorrow asking for duty and vat etc , then its off sown to collect from customs back up and get on with the sva and registration etc....(I hope) this one has been a heck of a long time.

 

[adventure-spike]

Yeah I bet. Hope to see pics when you get it big fella

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

yes +1

I got my third GS R1200 Adventure 30th anniversary model last September done 16k and it still looks new! but more than that it still puts a grin on my face every time i ride it

Hoping for my 8th Honda GL1800 Goldwing to dock today at Thames Port
(2012 US model)
Hope that makes me smile too...............

Why ship it in yourself? What are the benefits? as a new
convert to wings I'm just interested if you don't mind

 

[PaulW21781]

Got my 30year gsa a year ago on Wednesday from Southport Superbikes too and now covered over 14k miles! Only issues is a blown rear shock and dodgy fuel gauge, oh and it had issues starting in the really cold days in winter, but considering its abused daily, never garaged (don't have one!) and wash once every blue moon, its fairing much better than my old Bandit1200 ever did! Quite chuffed with it tbh

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

 

[Big Derek]

Why ship it in yourself? What are the benefits? as a new
convert to wings I'm just interested if you don't mind

Yes I will post pic's a sand when it arrives.....

The reason I imported 7 off my 8 GL1800 i have owned is simple the Goldwing is made in two different specs one for Europe and one for the USA/Canada
if you buy a US model it comes with the facility to have a CB AM although technically ilea gal in the UK we are on FM.. but you can't have that if you buy the UK ones and there are many other differences like the rear lights front lights running lights etc ..the music id better the us model has a amp and total surround sound rear speakers are installed and working and if you wish to fit optional lower fogs they plug and play, unlike if you choose the Uk model its a plug and splice and re wire, and things like that.

I have had one GL1800 UK model 2009 covered some 12k on it and sold it that was after fitting it out with around 3k of extras and a external am cb... not as good as the us solid wired.

http://powersports.honda.com/2012/gold-wing/performance.aspx

There are disadvantages of importing though, the main worry is that you have no manufacturers warranty as when a us wing leaves the usa there is NO-Cover.Money wise there used to be good savings, for a better spec bike but now they actually cost about the same as the UK models.The 2012 wings have not yet been announced in the UK yet.

If anyone wants help with importing a wing pm me or phone me.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

I would reserve judgement for a bit longer, who would expect problems at 6k (Except owners of early edition R1200GS models perhaps)

Nick Saunders seemed pretty chuffed with his Super Tenere after doing 51,000 miles in 3 months in deserts / mountains / snow / ice / on road / off road / several crashes and all without servicing it properly.

Surviving 6k of gentle pootling should not be considered a sign of engineering genius.

I hope it continues as well up until 106k

Good old Rasher...... The voice of doom.
Of course he's right, in fact if you buy a yamahaha tenere I think you get one free too

A general fact of life is the better the product the more it will sell,its very simple.

Yamaha sales of the tenere are embarrassing to say the least, people will make up there own minds ...............................and have.

 

[Nutty]

Good old Rasher...... The voice of doom.
Of course he's right, in fact if you buy a yamahaha tenere I think you get one free too

A general fact of life is the better the product the more it will sell,its very simple.

Yamaha sales of the tenere are embarrassing to say the least, people will make up there own minds ...............................and have.

Yeah, Jap shite

 

[Rasher]

A general fact of life is the better the product the more it will sell,its very simple.

I guess that makes my Vauxhall far better than that crappy Bugatti that top gear keep raving about then, and McDonalds do the best food in the world.