1200 GS: LIFE AFTER WARRANTY?

[Eng]

OK,
so now I have decided to buy the GS, what to do before the warranty expires? Having read many of the threads on here, it is almost inconceivable to continue to own a 1200 GS without warranty protection! Although the previous oilhead and airhead generation bikes had some problems, they were at least fixable at small cost compared to the 1200. I feel nervous about travelling far from home with it, and I have not even got it yet! Do 1200 owners take out extended warranties at huge cost or trade / sell and buy another new? It almost defeats the object of GS ownership (lack of confidence in the mechanicals!!). Does anyone else have concerns about their future 1200GS ownership???
Regards
Eng

 

[guffter6969]

if it worries you so much, don't buy one, I for one will be selling mine ( it's in the trader at the mo ) and buying something more reliable, a nice little Aprillia RS250 should fit the bill perfectly, compared to my 1200 it should prove almost bulletproof,

I'll now duck back under the parapet waiting for the brickbats to be hurled towards me !!!!!

 

[Wizard]

if it worries you so much, don't buy one, I for one will be selling mine ( it's in the trader at the mo ) and buying something more reliable, a nice little Aprillia RS250 should fit the bill perfectly, compared to my 1200 it should prove almost bulletproof,

I'll now duck back under the parapet waiting for the brickbats to be hurled towards me !!!!!

Sure, you're entitled to your opinion...... even if it's the wrong one

If you want the bike, get it and see what happens. There are bikes (like mine) that never have any issues, there are bikes that are lemons, and there are those in between. That goes for any bike, not just GS's.

If you're really that worried about it, go buy something else (although it might be an idea not to read any forums about them) . It's not really worth being scared of your bike shitting itself all the time, IFKWIM.

 

[Big Lee]

OK,
so now I have decided to buy the GS, what to do before the warranty expires? Having read many of the threads on here, it is almost inconceivable to continue to own a 1200 GS without warranty protection! Although the previous oilhead and airhead generation bikes had some problems, they were at least fixable at small cost compared to the 1200. I feel nervous about travelling far from home with it, and I have not even got it yet! Do 1200 owners take out extended warranties at huge cost or trade / sell and buy another new? It almost defeats the object of GS ownership (lack of confidence in the mechanicals!!). Does anyone else have concerns about their future 1200GS ownership???
Regards
Eng

Sounds to me like you`ve been reading all the doom & gloom threads! Buy one & if it keeps letting you down then get rid, don`t pre judge it before you`ve even got it. I`ve done 8500 miles on mine in the past couple of years & the only things that have failed have been the front discs warping & it not starting once after being left for 6 weeks. I`ve had no problems with corrosion as I don`t ride it when there`s salt on the roads & try & keep it clean & garaged.
Go on, live life to the edge!
Either that or get your deposit back?

 

[piebaps]

I done 9k on mine in the last 12 months with nary a problem.

 

[Big Lee]

I done 9k on mine in the last 12 months with nary a problem.

9k! That must be some pile of laps round the island!

 

[Aurelius]

OK,
so now I have decided to buy the GS, what to do before the warranty expires? Having read many of the threads on here, it is almost inconceivable to continue to own a 1200 GS without warranty protection! Although the previous oilhead and airhead generation bikes had some problems, they were at least fixable at small cost compared to the 1200. I feel nervous about travelling far from home with it, and I have not even got it yet! Do 1200 owners take out extended warranties at huge cost or trade / sell and buy another new? It almost defeats the object of GS ownership (lack of confidence in the mechanicals!!). Does anyone else have concerns about their future 1200GS ownership???
Regards
Eng

I sold my 1150GS the moment the warranty expired. Good thing I did, too. Its new owner's wallet was lightened considerably when the final drive disintegrated several weeks later.

 

[gsnut]

Hi Eng
I wouldnt worry. Any bike can give trouble no matter what brand, and if its new earlier gremlins should be sorted.
I currently have an 1150GS and am busting at the seams to get a 1200 - just cant afford it at the mo. Hopefully I will be buying one some time early next year. If I get away with it (other half!!) it will be a brand new 1200 GSA and I certainly wont be worring about going anywhere on it!!

Just enjoy it.

 

[Roberto]

Hi Eng.. speaking from personal action - I got rid of it when the warranty expired. I had an 04 bike. I thought long and hard about it. Fortunately it was financially OK for me to trade in.

As I read it on this site issues have been improved upon over time and as the model has progressed.

You'll of course read lots on here, those with no problems and those with plenty of 'em. There's a great depth of info here, but rightly or wrongly some of it can get into your mind and knock your confidence in the 12GS.

It's still a cracking machine to ride though. Good luck

 

[StuWG]

Stop reading the doom merchants....

Hi Eng,

They're a great bike and all you seem to get on this web site is doom and gloom and sometimes some helpful advice (recently I asked about engine bars and got great help)

Bought mine with 4000 miles on it and since then 12500 miles in 18 months, all over Europe and nothing more than a blown headlight bulb.

Read between the lines my friend, some people have nothing better to do with there lifes.

And yes my warranty has expired and no it doens't worry me, I intend on keeping this bike for a very long time.

 

[Deadskin]

Why do you think 1200's are more expensive to fix than 850/1100/1150 GS's

If your thinking of extended warranty read the small print

 

[oddball]

My 1200GS is just coming up to two years old in September when its warranty will expire.

Having made enquires at the delaership about extended BMW warranty (about £600 per year) I was advised by them to think long and hard about it. The BMW extended warranty does not cover final drives or corrosion - apparantly. So for me its a no brainer, I wont be taking it out.

There are other extended warranty providers out there and if you do a search I seem to recall this is discussed in some threads in the past.

Do I trade it then? Well frankly, no. To buy a new GS specced up like mine will seem me hand over another £3500-£4000 at a guess. That would buy me a whole heap of repairs.

I will probably invest in some seriously good breakdown cover, keep the bike well insured and serviced and keep the bike for at least another two years.

If you look in MCN bike mart bikes like mine, some with lower mileage, are on sale for between £6995 and £8500. Given the number that are now coming to the market due to owners running scared of warranty issues I consider now to be a really bad time to sell. Im going to wait and by the time I sell the engineering will have proved itself - or not.

 

[Gazzr]

I was another one who was worried about buying a 12GS after reading all the negative threads. I spoke to the sales guy at the BM dealer (yes I know he might be biased etc) and he said the GS12 was no worse than any other BM he has come across in the last 10 years. He admitted that they early 04 GS's had one or two issues but said he could count on one hand the people who had been in to get work done etc.

Now I know alot of people will disagree with that comment but my old GS1150 done 17,000miles in six months with no problem (30,000 in total). The Final Drive bearings were replaced (at 27,000) but I think the service book mentions that this should be done anyway.

Still waiting for my 12GSA but sure it will be fine "Keep the Faith" as Bon Jovi (and Jacko!) said!

Gazzr

 

[ynotbiker]

My 1200GS is just coming up to two years old in September when its warranty will expire.

Having made enquires at the delaership about extended BMW warranty (about £600 per year) I was advised by them to think long and hard about it. The BMW extended warranty does not cover final drives or corrosion - apparantly. So for me its a no brainer, I wont be taking it out.

There are other extended warranty providers out there and if you do a search I seem to recall this is discussed in some threads in the past.

Do I trade it then? Well frankly, no. To buy a new GS specced up like mine will seem me hand over another £3500-£4000 at a guess. That would buy me a whole heap of repairs.

I will probably invest in some seriously good breakdown cover, keep the bike well insured and serviced and keep the bike for at least another two years.

If you look in MCN bike mart bikes like mine, some with lower mileage, are on sale for between £6995 and £8500. Given the number that are now coming to the market due to owners running scared of warranty issues I consider now to be a really bad time to sell. Im going to wait and by the time I sell the engineering will have proved itself - or not.

SPOT ON MY FEELINGS ALSO

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Also worth bearing in mind that, if something goes which really shouldn't when it is out of warranty, there is a reasonable chance of goodwill assistance from BM.

Paul

 

[Humbug]

Nearly 11,00 miles and no problems at all except for a blown headlight bulb (why do so many of them do that?).

If your worried about when the warranty runs out consider these people:-

http://www.warrantyworks.co.uk/

 

[steveh]

it really is pathetic

a few years ago no one had warranties and no-one really gave a sh1t. Now everyone panics and sells up the moment the warranty has expired. Get a grip, a few bills here and there whats the big deal. Serious mechanical let downs are quite rare...when was the last time you had an engine expire on you? My track car is an e30 with 155K miles and still gets a hammering to the red line in every gear. My bikes inc of my current 12 have never ever gone wrong....ever.

 

[Eng]

Hi Steve,
thanks for the reply, but we are not talking about just a "few bills here and there", but new gearboxes, electronics and drivetrains!!!! Not quite the same as replacing the odd oil seal or clutch on an airhead!! All this on £9K plus machine?! I only hope I get a good one like yourself!!