1200 reliability

[Peter]

Don’t get me wrong, I am very glad and grateful to subscribe to this site. I joined in Aug 07 after I purchased a new 07 1200 GS. I absolutely love the bike and genuinely believe it is the best machine I have owned.The bike has 5000 miles now and has given no problems. UKGS`er site has been a huge source of information to me and I have gathered so many tips and help. The site is appreciated.
So to the point of this thread. I have become a little depressed as I seem to pick up lots of negative info about 1200GS`s. Constant references to breakdowns eg EWS, fuel pump relays, seals etc. Even a reference to “8000 miles that a lot of miles what do you expect”. I also have a BMW R1100RS with 70,000 miles on the clock. I have maintained it my self, with ease, since it had 10K miles, ie after the then 1 year warranty ran out. Very little has gone wrong, engine totally reliable never broken down, only small thinks eg, gear selector switch, rear pivot bearing and master cylinder seals replaced. That it!!
Are there 1200GS`s out there with high mileages having give no major problems? Are the owners just quiet and only those who have problems involving recovery and expensive dealer repairs contacting the web site? I would like to gain some confidence as I really want to keep this new bike and add similar miles to it. So speak up you folk who have achieved reasonable mileage with little hassle if you are there!!

 

[mikepg]

Think you sum it all up very well Peter!

I think that it is only common nature to have a wee bit of a vent and rant if you are one of those unlucky enough to have (heaven forbid!) got a bit of dirt and rust on your bike.

Some people have, it appears had really bad luck and that's a shame.

The vast majority (I suspect) have either no problems - or, perhaps like me, just get on with it, fix it and ride on.

Been said before, and maybe it's a British thing, but those you are content, perhaps don't need to post that they are so.

ps - I don't have a high mileage GS - but did for the other BMW's I have had - they were not without the normal wear and tear stuff, but still battled on regardless.

 

[riderbob]

I've done over 20,000 miles in 18 months with no problems at all. Like Mikepg has said most of the banter on this site is bollocks (not a direct quote of course). BMW has built over 100,000 12GSs and don't see that many unhappy posts. Some people have had bad luck but I would imagine no more that people who own 1100s or 1150s. Just ride it and ignore all the rubbish on here.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

The majority of GS owners are pefectly happy and their bikes are acceptably reliable. If they do have an issue, they just get it fixed and carry on riding!

Unfortunately, you only hear of the things that go wrong and one or two people believe that just because it has a BMW badge, it should be perfect.Us sensible folk know that it is just a machine made of lots of bits and may occasionally have an issue.

My 06 1200GS-A has done 28,000 and been no trouble whatsoever and I can`t think of anything I`d rather ride (apart from SHMBO of course)

 

[apopj]

Quality?

Hello all,

I bought this '07 GS (my 60th motorcycle) after reading how smooth and dependable they were. I have owned about 20 BMW's and after each one, I tell myself that if I ever buy another one, I will shoot myself. I have come to believe that BMW has an even better marketing department than HD, and we all laugh at Harley riders... maybe they should laugh at us.
All of the problems, surging, splines, seal leaks, and all of the other crap we put up with, it is almost like BMW has reverted to the old Harley ways.... if we make it, some stupid shit will buy it....
My '07 is BACK in the shop AGAIN. This time, it's the computer. Been in the shop a week and might get it back in another one. If you bought a furnace or reefer and had these kind of problems, would you buy another? If you bought a car and had to modify it for comfort, would you buy another? Sure, Honda uses ancient technology while BMW is state of the art. But damnit, Honda's run forever, and if there is a problem, they fix it. BMW has tons of problems, but they won't admit it. They change the design to another one with different problems.
It's just amazing. BMW means quality but their products turn out to be crap. Read the tour reports and see how many fail. Even the world traveling doctor had his beemers fail. He now say to get a Honda to ride, it will make it.
My advice to new riders when asked which beemer to buy? Get an ST1300 or 1400 Concours. At least you can ride it !!!
Sorry guys but after having my last three BMW's have serious problems that BMW says arent' problems (even though the bikes don't run) I just can't wait to get rid of this piece of crap and get on with it....

Jeff

 

[apopj]

Quality?

Hello all,

I bought this '07 GS (my 60th motorcycle) after reading how smooth and dependable they were. I have owned about 20 BMW's and after each one, I tell myself that if I ever buy another one, I will shoot myself. I have come to believe that BMW has an even better marketing department than HD, and we all laugh at Harley riders... maybe they should laugh at us.
All of the problems, surging, splines, seal leaks, and all of the other crap we put up with, it is almost like BMW has reverted to the old Harley ways.... if we make it, some stupid shit will buy it....
My '07 is BACK in the shop AGAIN. This time, it's the computer. Been in the shop a week and might get it back in another one. If you bought a furnace or reefer and had these kind of problems, would you buy another? If you bought a car and had to modify it for comfort, would you buy another? Sure, Honda uses ancient technology while BMW is state of the art. But damnit, Honda's run forever, and if there is a problem, they fix it. BMW has tons of problems, but they won't admit it. They change the design to another one with different problems.
It's just amazing. BMW means quality but their products turn out to be crap. Read the tour reports and see how many fail. Even the world traveling doctor had his beemers fail. He now say to get a Honda to ride, it will make it.
My advice to new riders when asked which beemer to buy? Get an ST1300 or 1400 Concours. At least you can ride it !!!
Sorry guys but after having my last three BMW's have serious problems that BMW says arent' problems (even though the bikes don't run) I just can't wait to get rid of this piece of crap and get on with it....

Jeff

 

[oly]

Wow, your angry, posting your moan twice!!

 

[Uinneag]

On my current 12adv 2 EWS Failures 2 final drive seals then a new final drive previous, 1200 2 EWS failures all in all around 3000 miles on recovery trucks
New flywheel might have had something to do with me
22k in two years as I don't commute or use for business you may assume that I ride it because I love the bike. Am I about to get another one

 

[taslehoff]

20 months old
20,000Mls
1 x new battry (recoverd roadside)
1 x set new wheels
1 x new front engine cover
2 x front screen replaced
1 x fuel servo replaced (recoverd roadside)
1 x oil sender replaced
1 x wiring loom fault (recoverd road side)
1 x left hand switch gear replaced
1 x right hand switch gear replaced (recoverd roadside)
1 x left hand wind deflector replaced

To do befor warenty runs out.

Replace screen, cracked at mount points
2 x wind deflectors, cracked at mount points
1 x front cover engine ( corrosion )

must have been built on a friday just before the office party.

 

[Hexme]

I can`t think of anything I`d rather ride (apart from SHMBO of course)

Nice one!

 

[Gipsy]

Whether the 1200 has more or less failures than other bikes is impossible to tell. However I do feel more effort could be made to correct 2 known problems, the fuel pump relay, and the ring antenna. I carry spares of both, for peace of mind, but can't help wondering why such weak spots persist, especially as the bike has been in production for 4 years.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Do we need yet another thread on this?

Can't we organise it into known faults .. so people can share info on how to fix it or when it might go wrong. Or how to instruct the dealer to fix it.

Every f'ing day .. someone else decides to knock the 1200. I am all for sharing info for known faults or where dealer/BMW refuse to admit liability but this is just the same old same old.

C'mon MOD ..give it some Mod power and start deleting some threads .. (I know what you are going to do Ken .. delete this post just to have a laugh )

 

[Wapping]

Do we need yet another thread on this?

Can't we organise it into known faults .. so people can share info on how to fix it or when it might go wrong. Or how to instruct the dealer to fix it.

Every f'ing day .. someone else decides to knock the 1200. I am all for sharing info for known faults or where dealer/BMW refuse to admit liability but this is just the same old same old.

C'mon MOD ..give it some Mod power and start deleting some threads .. (I know what you are going to do Ken .. delete this post just to have a laugh )

....add to that, 'What exhaust?'....'What tyres?'.....'What tank bag, what panniers' and if we get another hot summer....the dreaded 'What oi.....No, I can't say it

One of the regular contributors to the site made a prediction as to when the first oil (oh bugger, that's done it) thread would appear in the Spring of '08....

 

[wilbjr21]

Do we need yet another thread on this?

Can't we organise it into known faults .. so people can share info on how to fix it or when it might go wrong. Or how to instruct the dealer to fix it.

Every f'ing day .. someone else decides to knock the 1200. I am all for sharing info for known faults or where dealer/BMW refuse to admit liability but this is just the same old same old.

C'mon MOD ..give it some Mod power and start deleting some threads .. (I know what you are going to do Ken .. delete this post just to have a laugh )

+ 1

Same same in a different thread.

It's unscrupulous "other bike" owners trying to bring down the second hand values

 

[Uinneag]

What about the what shall I wear threads

 

[Deleted Member I]

....add to that, 'What exhaust?'....'What tyres?'.....'What tank bag, what panniers' and if we get another hot summer....the dreaded 'What oi.....No, I can't say it

One of the regular contributors to the site made a prediction as to when the first oil (oh bugger, that's done it) thread would appear in the Spring of '08....

I suppose I am guilty of that too

So what's the best oil to use for my trip to Italy this year?

Is Castrol GP the best one (20W-50)? Or do you need something different for the hot weather?

 

[Uinneag]

I suppose I am guilty of that too

So what's the best oil to use for my trip to Italy this year?

Is Castrol GP the best one (20W-50)? Or do you need something different for the hot weather?

Think BA will look after that themselves, I know they are having problems at the mo but you could not expect the passengers to have to change the oil on a 737

 

[Shep]

I kind of agree that it gets a bit wearing to hear the same old threads run out week by week, but I think it will be hard to avoid, there are alot of 1200's about so alot of daft 1200 questions will be asked, perhaps all machine specific posts should be moderated into their relevant section and not shown in the B&B/pub, that way we can ignore them easily if we so wish

Shep

 

[Deleted Member I]

Think BA will look after that themselves, I know they are having problems at the mo but you could not expect the passengers to have to change the oil on a 737

You are just jealous you weren't smart enough to think of it first


Riding the bike to your destination is sooooo last year!

 

[Decster]

What about the what shall I wear threads

Can we make Burton the Mod of that threadonyack