1200 reliability

[luckylucian]

I've not been here long but if the moderators are deleting negative posts, they are not doing too good a job of it, practically every 1200 "problem" thread runs to multiple pages, with the invariable comment "buy an 1150/1100, they are better" being dropped in at least two or three times.

My 1200 hasn't broke, my 1150 did, and it rusted! Perhaps I should drop into the 1150 technical section and on every thread suggest they buy a reliable 1200.....but I don't think they will see the funny side

I'm glad the better weather is arriving and more Tossers will be out riding, and be reminded of why they bought the lump of scrap in the first place

 

[deaninkl]

I've not been here long but if the moderators are deleting negative posts, they are not doing too good a job of it, practically every 1200 "problem" thread runs to multiple pages, with the invariable comment "buy an 1150/1100, they are better" being dropped in at least two or three times.

My 1200 hasn't broke, my 1150 did, and it rusted! Perhaps I should drop into the 1150 technical section and on every thread suggest they buy a reliable 1200.....but I don't think they will see the funny side

I'm glad the better weather is arriving and more Tossers will be out riding, and be reminded of why they bought the lump of scrap in the first place

lucky, most of us here on this site love our twelves, and it has been mentioned many times that there are a huge amount of bikes out there that have never had a problem. Mine has only had a battery replacement.

I think the gripe is that 1. the main culprits are persistant, so whay havent BMW sorted them? and 2. we realy do hate being stoped at the side of the road by something that is there to supposidly make the bike more reliable like fuel pump relay and there is no fix for accept replacement.

us older bikers are used to mechanical problems that we can fix and be on our way. Now bikes are getting like cars... electronics that just pack up. We can't play with them, most of us don't understand them.... so we don't like them.

what ever happend to gravity feed fuel....

 

[bsogri]

problems[have you seen]

if you think bm,s have problems take a look at other bike forums, ie triumph tigers[new one]etc they look just as bad

 

[Captain GSA]

Look guys.....let's all get this into proportion.........


People in general complain a lot easier than they pay complements or congratulate...it is human nature...

For every one complaint there are hundreds if not thousands of satisfied customers...

It is not a big deal.......if you are not happy you jump up and down-if you are happy you keep quiet and get on with life....

I think I have said this before on this forum but we love to complain about BMW because of the premium that is paid, we expect it to be bomb proof in all departments- paying more for a product does not mean that it will or should last any longer than a cheaper product-or be more reliable...

...our expectations are far higher-that's all, so we are very quick to complain-that's not to say that BMW have not got problems with quality control or have issues with reliability, they have like all manfacturers. If we had a forum for every product we buy be it electrical, mechanical or whatever there will always be more complaints than compliments regardless of the cost of the product- but the more expensive a product is or more prestigeous the greater the expectation-I'm suffering from vertigo now so I'm getting off my soap box..........

 

[The Bede]

... My 1200 hasn't broke, my 1150 did, and it rusted! Perhaps I should drop into the 1150 technical section and on every thread suggest they buy a reliable 1200.....but I don't think they will see the funny side

... Wot a brilliant idea , I'm glad something positive has come from this thread


... See y'all in a few minutes

 

[Dahoum]

So its true then! Trying to put spin on it won't help steptoe.

Rumours that BMW have supplied all Mods with new 6 series cars in order to delete the bad threads are confirmed.

Steptoe denied it what more proof do we need....

Damn! Who let the secret out then?

 

[Dahoum]

The mods have already been deleting bad press (I wonder how long it is before my post count goes back down to zero again)..

Love to see your evidence

The only deletes I do on here are posts I see that are simply piss takes - lots of room (and enjoyment) for those in the 'pub' thanks.

Its a technical section and all technical stuff is welcome

 

[Cole]

The Fuel Relay thingy that fails all the time ....

(1) are the ones BMW are supplying now any better?

(2) Does anyone do anything to protect them from corrosion, which I understand is the reason they fail?

I ask these questions, as the guy who replaced mine said they do it (replace them) a lot on the GSs (where the unit is uncovered and suffers a lot of corrosion) , but dont have the same problem with the RTs, which use the same relay unit, but with a plastic cover over it.

In fact they suggested to me to try smearing the whole unit in vaseline and themselves could never work out why on a bike like the GS, BMW wouldnt cover it.

Anyone tried this? (smearing vaseline over their unit) Any thoughts?

 

[cookie]

The Fuel Relay thingy that fails all the time ....

(1) are the ones BMW are supplying now any better?

(2) Does anyone do anything to protect them from corrosion, which I understand is the reason they fail?

I ask these questions, as the guy who replaced mine said they do it (replace them) a lot on the GSs (where the unit is uncovered and suffers a lot of corrosion) , but dont have the same problem with the RTs, which use the same relay unit, but with a plastic cover over it.

In fact they suggested to me to try smearing the whole unit in vaseline and themselves could never work out why on a bike like the GS, BMW wouldnt cover it.

Anyone tried this? (smearing vaseline over their unit) Any thoughts?

i just had on replaced as preventative maintenance by my dealer. i was told that the part was updated late last year. at least i think that's what he said

it came fitted and plastered in some unknown blue gloop to keep moisture out. my original unit was ACF50'd from new by me and never gave any trouble.

i was also told that the reason that the unit only really fails on the GS is down to it sitting in a well that collects water. the GS is the only model that has it fitted like that. the identical part is fitted to several other bmw models with only very rare failures.

 

[wilbjr21]

i just had on replaced as preventative maintenance by my dealer. i was told that the part was updated late last year. at least i think that's what he said

it came fitted and plastered in some unknown blue gloop to keep moisture out. my original unit was ACF50'd from new by me and never gave any trouble.

i was also told that the reason that the unit only really fails on the GS is down to it sitting in a well that collects water. the GS is the only model that has it fitted like that. the identical part is fitted to several other bmw models with only very rare failures.

I just can't see corrosion being the problem. It's a sealed unit - doesn't matter if it corrodes on the outside as the electronics inside won't be affected. I saw a photo of a failed unit, posted on advrider by Dutchman, that had been opened and the circuit board had fried.

The only way moisture would be a problem is if the seal failed and water entered the cavity underneath and attacked the connector. There has been a change of seal.

 

[cookie]

I just can't see corrosion being the problem. It's a sealed unit - doesn't matter if it corrodes on the outside as the electronics inside won't be affected. I saw a photo of a failed unit, posted on advrider by Dutchman, that had been opened and the circuit board had fried.

The only way moisture would be a problem is if the seal failed and water entered the cavity underneath and attacked the connector. There has been a change of seal.

i agree. so what if the heat sink gets a bit of corrosion on it? probably not going to make it less effective at shifting heat than plastering it in gloop.

maybe it's belt and braces for the seal? that's what i had in mind when i did mine.

 

[wilbjr21]

i agree. so what if the heat sink gets a bit of corrosion on it? probably not going to make it less effective at shifting heat than plastering it in gloop.

maybe it's belt and braces for the seal? that's what i had in mind when i did mine.

I conceed that mine has a "brushing" of ACF 50.

 

[John Armstrong]

I conceed that mine has a "brushing" of ACF 50.

Mines had a soaking

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Silicon grease slathered over mine.

Recently cut the bottom of my failed one. There was absolutely no sign of water damage or ever having been wet. I'm beginning to wonder whether the units themselves are failing or whether a proportion of failures is simply corrossion in the little connector? Replacing the unit might solve the problem, but it could just be the connector that was dodgy.

One thing against this argument is that mine was changed by a dealer in Austria and I have a little more confidence in them than in the the UK deler network.

I bought a new one yesterday to carry round as a spare. Shouldn't have to, I know, but it makes me feel slightly happier to know there's a spare in the top box...

 

[CliveS]

Its not all bad

'My new bike (2000klm) has alteady had a new battery and is going in for a new set of timing gears and cover . Not happy!
I purchased this model (R1200GS) for its excellent handeling. road holding and comfort. I have not ever ridden a bike I likes so much. Aside from the handeling the other important part of my choice was the BMW marquie. It infers quality and excellence in all things so I can understand if people feel let down by priblems, I do.
The real question could be, would I buy another one? I think many of us would

 

[Rusape]

Look guys.....let's all get this into proportion.........


...our expectations are far higher-that's all, so we are very quick to complain-that's not to say that BMW have not got problems with quality control or have issues with reliability, they have like all manfacturers. If we had a forum for every product we buy be it electrical, mechanical or whatever there will always be more complaints than compliments regardless of the cost of the product- but the more expensive a product is or more prestigeous the greater the expectation-I'm suffering from vertigo now so I'm getting off my soap box..........

I agree with your sentiment however, BMW by their very own admission elevate our expectation of their product, as an unstoppable, go anywhere, world beating machine..... and sadly that is not wholly true. If one buys an expensive pen for example, one doesn't expect it to have the lifespan of a plastic biro! the same for all products AND mtotrcycles.

IMHO, too many people are quick to defend BMW because they need to continually reasure themselves that the high price they paid was reasonable and justifyable. In reality, that is just an admission that the purchase wasn't about the product itself being a better product, but rather an admission that they've bought the brand image!

BMW have problems and recurring known problems... IMHO if yours breaks, scream and demand and rant until it gets sorted..... oh and post away on
here to your hearts content..

 

[The Bede]

What a tough time we 1200 owners are having

Fuel Gauge problem - peejay - Today 22:17 by Bronco Billy 10 208

Bending float arm when fitting big tank - Gav - Today 22:04 by Gav 0 1

Ever had this? ( 1 2 3) - falcoron - Today 21:05 by JohnU-IOW 39 658

handgrips and mirrors - [email protected] - Today 20:36 by Rolf 12 140

1150GSA Broken Rear Shock Spring - JMAC - Today 15:18 by Rugged Path 5 151

Repalcement screeen ( 1 2) - Mawddach - Today 14:01 by alimey4u2 25 544

r850gs backfiring - marky - Yesterday 18:49 by Seamaster 2 40

need new rear disc on 1100gs. - samtheman - Yesterday 16:29 by samtheman 5 144

ABS. - davegs - Yesterday 15:51 by davegs 1 26

Lock cylinder for top-box R1150GS ? - Bin Ridin Yesterday 08:08 by Bin Ridin 0 18

Bloody Bike, I'm gonna flog it !!! - franco - Yesterday 00:01 by Noddy 8 354

1100gs vibes - kokoro - 14-04-08 19:49 by Big Jets 7 191

Indicator problems ...

... Just a selection from the 'other place,' every thread contains some element of whinge, something broke, something failed, something corroded, something needs replacing, etc, etc, etc

... Lest we forget, the 1200s have massively outsold all the 850s, 1100s and 1150s ever built

... Poor, poor, us

 

[wilbjr21]

Rusape Wrote:

IMHO, too many people are quick to defend BMW because they need to continually reasure themselves that the high price they paid was reasonable and justifyable. In reality, that is just an admission that the purchase wasn't about the product itself being a better product, but rather an admission that they've bought the brand image!

IMHO that's complete bollox!!!

You've got a Harley - you talk about brand image

 

[deaninkl]

This will sound a little racist, not meant at all and I have more German friend than brits having worked for German companies for 17 years.

As I understand it the 12 is made in a new factory in Berlin. I think its fair to assume that this factory is in the former East Germany and is probably there due to subsidies from the German government. BMW formerly made there bikes (I assume) in Bavaria, southern Germany in particular Bavaria and Schwabia are the home of Germanies engineering heart and craft skills (BMW, Benz and Porche are all there)

Could we be seeing lower quality in new bikes because of less well trained staff and work ethics of former eastern workers...?

Now I know this will piss off our German members, but its a valid thought I think... Maybe Nemisis has some background on this view?

 

[John Armstrong]

Could we be seeing lower quality in new bikes because of less well trained staff and work ethics of former eastern workers...?

I think you need to look a little further east for a large number of Germany's "guest workers" if it's the same as 20 years ago. Put it this way, a number went to it recently