1200?

[Belper phil]

Should i / should i not?

Been thinking about things recently and would like some thoughts/experiences/opinions from the collective here. Is a 1200 worth a punt or not. Would be restricted to a second hand market though and not a new model is probably best to point out at this stage.

Are the teething problems over - not if you read the sticky at the top of the page or listen to people who have suffered- THEN AGAIN.
There never were any problems if you read the second sticky down on the page and hear people out - who have run 1 for years.

Build quality and finish not as good as earlier BM models? perhaps not.
Yet a mate has a 2005 model used regularly - toured spain - germany - morocco - italy etc and it still stands in nice condition.
He has had problems though - ignition collar (or something of the sort - fuel'ed up, removed key went to pay, returned and bike refused to budge - nothing, no dash lights, power, non starter - recovered to dealership) he was on the way to German Moto GP at the time.

Test rode the Adv model at Pidcocks, admit this was some years ago and liked the feel of the bike, responsive, quick, handled well etc, but cost price and trade in value on what i had, were restrictive to say the least so stuck with what i had.

Unique - no, rather mass produced - have they gone too far with this for the sake of greed and flooded the market.
Does it really matter, as popularity seems to continue to rise and every other bike out there seems to be a one, they clearly appeal to people and many of these are the born again biker type - dont mean to offend, and i do realise that not everyone who owns one is born again etc.

Servicing for me would be an issue - see i like to tinker and wield the odd 13mm, screwdriver and a rachet occasionally - change the fluids, filters, brakes, fork oils, fuel filters etc - that sort of thing.
Is ownership all about dealer service schedules, computers, brain on a wire and fault code readers and having to sit in the customer lounge area and wait for it.

Over to the experts

 

[morty]

don't listen to anyone,if you want one just get it & enjoy.Pack you gear & ride off.Servicing, you can manage most things if your competent enough & there's plenty of experience on here to cover everything GS if you get stuck.
Theres plenty of clean bikes with low mileage on the used market.By late 2008 most of the little foibles had been sorted but plenty of folk with a lot earlier bikes & serious mileage with no probs.As you said you never hear about the ones that never miss a beat.Mine included.
So whats stopping you?????

 

[paganman]

I bought a 2007 GSA with 17500 on the clock & full service history, privately in August this year.
It's now got 20600 on the clock, been through 2 rear hub oil seals, the fuel gauge has just stopped working. I replaced the lights with hid's as the standard ones aren't too good for 05:30 commutes to work. It's a lovely bike to ride, I've wanted one for years, but feel a bit let down by the issues.
I wish I'd bought a newer one from a dealer so I could take the bloody thing back for it's numerous faults. Or alternatively, bought a Honda.

 

[ihandyman247]

I own GS for over 7 years now , never had any problems , I intend to have the bike serviced in regular bases by the dealer . You will find out that the people whom complain about the problem are usually the people that sticks the fingers in trying to have a go servicing the bikes himselfs trying to save money but that is a false economy becouse they bikes will brocke down at the most obvious time and the damages are big.
I think that BMW bikes are one off the best bikes ever made staring with quality , craftsman ship , reliability , safety , comfort , effeciant , handling etc. also most people who bought BMW realy have seeing the light and they will never get back to othe bikes .

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

You will find out that the people whom complain about the problem are usually the people that sticks the fingers in trying to have a go servicing the bikes himselfs trying to save money but that is a false economy becouse they bikes will brocke down at the most obvious time and the damages are big.
.

I couldn't agree any less with this statement. There are thousands of people, me included that do all their own servicing and don't have any problems. Maybe your not capable of looking after your own bike but don't tar everyone else with the same brush.

To the op, there is nothing stopping you from doing your own servicing/repairs. The bikes are dead easy to work on if your mechanically minded and most of the service work hangs out the sides of the bike so they are a damn site easier to work on that most. Your not going to get any modern bike without a load of computers. About the only recurring problems left now are the FD and the fuel level sensor. All the other problems are pretty much sorted now assuming its had all its recalls. I probably still wouldn't buy one pre 2007 though.

 

[GS TRV]

. Or alternatively, bought a Honda.

Its never too late

 

[ihandyman247]

I couldn't agree any less with this statement. There are thousands of people, me included that do all their own servicing and don't have any problems. Maybe your not capable of looking after your own bike but don't tar everyone else with the same brush.

To the op, there is nothing stopping you from doing your own servicing/repairs. The bikes are dead easy to work on if your mechanically minded and most of the service work hangs out the sides of the bike so they are a damn site easier to work on that most. Your not going to get any modern bike without a load of computers. About the only recurring problems left now are the FD and the fuel level sensor. All the other problems are pretty much sorted now assuming its had all its recalls. I probably still wouldn't buy one pre 2007 though.

I am totally capable to do my own service thanks very much! And much more then that. Just don't have time for myself , I just prefer to take my bike to the dealer , let the professionals do the work and ride happy ever after

 

[Rasher]

Had a few issues on my 2008 bike, and that was enough to put me off buying a brand spanker when I fancied a new bike this year.

Some seem to run forever with no problems according to owners, whilst others have one problem after another.

Even the latest ones do seem to have occasional Final Drive problems, but apart from that issues look to be mainly minor electrical problems, FPC's still seem fragile - but only cost £80 and the fuel gauges seem to be pretty shite.

Dealer service prices are painful, but it does seem if history is kept very up to date BMW often will assist with "goodwill" contributions if you do have a major failure such as a Final Drive Meltdown.

Can't fault the bikes to ride, the Twin Cam GS was top of my list against all the new Adventure bikes for everything except reliability, where I had it down with the Guzzi and Ducati as most likely to turn out to be a dog.

If YOU ARE comfy with the "risk" of a GS (a personal thing, I am very comfy with anything Jap, whereas many here will be much happier on a BMW) then go buy one, if not there are a lot of very decent alternatives.

I bought a Super Tenere which is probably closest to the GS and its all-rounder status, KTM's are more Off-Roady and Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati and Triumph all have more road / sport orientated offerings.

Don't forget with the new WC GS and KTM 1190 appearing soon there could be a lot of decent trade-ins floating about early next year, and many deals on left over stock from other manufacturers.

 

[Belper phil]

Mixed

response so far then - agree any modern bike will have computer driven bits galore. Super 10 hey, hmm and nick saunders did'nt break that, after what was it - something like 52,000 - up - down and back again.

 

[Georgeeboi]

If you can afford it I would try and get a twin cam although I've not had a pre 2010 bike I've read so much about some of there niggles, it seems that the twin cam is more reliable had mine 8 months 5000 miles no problems actually love it coming from sports bikes for the last 30years. Good luck!

 

[Pukmeister]

I've owned a 1200 in one form or another since they first came out in 2004.

ANY bike can have problems, my bikes have had warranty claims early on which were handled well by sympathetic dealers and resolved to my total satisfaction.

I've serviced my own and mates bikes once outside of warranty, very easy but you need a GS911 to do it properly. Most repair work is easy too and the electronics are very reliable. Some components had failures eg FPC, fuel level strip, EWS antenna but fixed cheaply enough.

I also used the dealer for random faults out of warranty that need special kit to do eg fuel level sensor replacement and calibration.

Buy one newer than 2007 for the best value/reliability.

 

[ihandyman247]

There 3 manger issue's , like finel drive, fuel pump, and electrics why?
If you are sensible and avoid the pothole's , stop buying crap petrol and do not add lots off Christmas lights then you should not have any problems at all !
I had in the past added lots off stumped things to the bike but again I took all the crap to the dealer and let the professionals do the work and never had any problems not even as much as a puncture !
Buy with confident's and look after your bike and she will take care off you ! After all most off the bikes have problems . I know one off the big things is money and dealer price to pay but a mint cost a mint !

 

[davegs]

I own GS for over 7 years now , never had any problems , I intend to have the bike serviced in regular bases by the dealer . You will find out that the people whom complain about the problem are usually the people that sticks the fingers in trying to have a go servicing the bikes himselfs trying to save money but that is a false economy becouse they bikes will brocke down at the most obvious time and the damages are big.
I think that BMW bikes are one off the best bikes ever made staring with quality , craftsman ship , reliability , safety , comfort , effeciant , handling etc. also most people who bought BMW realy have seeing the light and they will never get back to othe bikes .

Well. if his mechanics skills are like his grammar then he's picked the best route.

 

[autogs]

There 3 manger issue's , like finel drive, fuel pump, and electrics why?
If you are sensible and avoid the pothole's , stop buying crap petrol and do not add lots off Christmas lights then you should not have any problems at all !
I had in the past added lots off stumped things to the bike but again I took all the crap to the dealer and let the professionals do the work and never had any problems not even as much as a puncture !
Buy with confident's and look after your bike and she will take care off you ! After all most off the bikes have problems . I know one off the big things is money and dealer price to pay but a mint cost a mint !

you dont half spout some complete and utter bollocks at times

my experience is mixed,1200 mile bike ate a gearbox big time,dealer replaced no prob,various small warrenty issues over the 6 gsa's ive owned all taken care of by by my very good dealer.mates have 1200's and we have toured all over europe in the last 4 years not one breakdown on bikes ranging from 06 to brand new.my advice buy the newest twin cam you can afford and you wont go far wrong,despite what rasher keeps on saying the later bikes do not suffer from ews and fpc.

 

[ihandyman247]

Well. if his mechanics skills are like his grammar then he's picked the best route.

Don't worry , there plenty people out there that they don't even know how to spell they own name , you are so clever at peek in up faults , just take a better look at yourself , How many language are you speaking ? and how many you can Speke and write?! I am very proud off myself , l never been to a English class in my life but this dose not make me a incompetent to know the difference or to have a good moral !
You and some other fukers are so fast at peeking up faults on me and the others , it makes me thing that you guys are so racist's ! Don't forget this is a international Forum !
Back to basics now!

 

[Georgeeboi]

Bit below the belt dave!

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I am on my 2nd 2005 1200GS (first one was written off in an accident) that I bought last year. Can't afford new, and have no intention of buying new anyway...

Never had any problems with them.

The 2nd one has done 34,000 miles. The previous owner had problems with the gear sensor. It was a corroded plug. Once cleaned, it has been no problem since. It had FULL Dealer service history, but my last service was done at a local BMW Independant.

As has been said, there's no reason you can't service them yourself with standard tools. Balancing the injectors, and reading the ECU for fault codes will need specialist tools, but you can buy them yourself.

The front cover is starting to corrode, but a Marc Hooton crud catcher has hidden that up Les Wassal HID lights are great

If you're really worried, then buy one from someone you know (either your mate you mentioned or from the forum).

I've never had an 11XXgs but looking on the 11XX section proves that they have faults too, and aren't as bullet proof as the owners make out.

 

[Nutty]

I've had 4 twin cam 1200's, and they are awesome. All have been 100% reliable, none of the issues you've mentioned. If you can afford a 2010 or later, you'll be grinning from ear to ear, I can assure you.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Don't forget this is a international Forum !

UKGSER.......the clue is in the name

 

[Bobbin-Man]

UKGSER.......the clue is in the name

After independence that'll mess the Scots up a little!