1200?

[roddy]

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

Will nae mess us up its your lot that will need to change the UK bit

Those we probably start paying the subs in euros

 

[team duvet]

Hi Phil on my 4th GS ..another vote for the "twin cam" (GSA) if you can push the funds.

TD

 

[Delboy777]

Well ive just picked my 2010 Twin Cam up today and its bloody brilliant, still getting used to it but i know already its bloody good.

 

[Belper phil]

twin cam and newer the better

seems to have the vote - but with my luck i can see a fri afternoon bike coming my way. How much would a second hand one be by the way, i' ve come across another guy today who is now on his 3rd final drive - along with other problems which have grounded him.

Miff on one hand seems to have done well and covered some mileage - rasher on the other has had issues which taint anyones opinion of a bike. Then you have autogs with - ''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'' it just is not as clear cut as you would hope for and anyone worth their salt must surely consider the pros and cons before buying. Still very interesting to hear everyones experience and very thankful for the responses so far - keep em coming - even if they are bad

 

[autogs]

opinions are like,well you know,do some research on rashers posts he scared himself so much about what might happen but actually never did he sold the bike,i prob dont have to tell you that you will here more about the bad on the tinternet than the good.the bikes are not perfect but as a genuine all round all year bike you cant beat it.

 

[Mark1892]

Only had my 2011 GSA TB for 4 weeks and have put 1200 miles on it, everyone of them has put a smile on my face. Coming from sports bikes, I am still staggered just how much fun it is so dont really care if any problems develop whilst in warranty. Might be different next year when it runs out but going off what i have read so far on here, buying a later or twin cam reduces the risk. In my opinion of course

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Phil, do you have a budget?

Stu.

 

[birdseye]

Should i / should i not?

No one can answer that but you. I bought a second one because I found the first one to be the best all round bike I have ever had. Simple as that. But I have never been a sports bike type or an off road type so when I say best bike I mean best for me.

Dont be conned by the rep. BMW isnt Honda reliable. You might be paying a premium price but what you are getting is not a premium quality bike so much as a different and less bland bike. The Hondas I have had are much better built but are refined to the point of being character free.

I can afford any bike that I fancy. I have bought a 2008 1200GS because thats what I want. Take lots of different bikes for a ride out and decide what you want. But be honest with yourself - lots of people buy GSAs because of the more macho image , and in doing so confirm themselves as followers of fashion. Bike tarts

 

[BBB61]

rasher on the other has had issues which taint anyones opinion of a bike.

What issues has Rasher actually had? Has he ever detailed them? Or are they in his head?

 

[sidestand]

Wasn't it a Basic I saw you on in Belgium last August, Phil ?

Surely you could do a swap for a 1200GS with money coming your way with that

Seriously though, I have a twin cam GSA & haven't had any issues with it yet in almost 12k miles ( I'll wish I hadn't said that next month when it's out of warranty )

Nice bikes though, and go well

Hope you are keeping well,

Mick

 

[Nutty]

seems to have the vote - but with my luck i can see a fri afternoon bike coming my way. How much would a second hand one be by the way, i' ve come across another guy today who is now on his 3rd final drive - along with other problems which have grounded him.

Miff on one hand seems to have done well and covered some mileage - rasher on the other has had issues which taint anyones opinion of a bike. Then you have autogs with - ''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'' it just is not as clear cut as you would hope for and anyone worth their salt must surely consider the pros and cons before buying. Still very interesting to hear everyones experience and very thankful for the responses so far - keep em coming - even if they are bad

Most of those issues are on the pre twin cam bikes. Tell us your budget, then people can give you advice. Don't be put off by all the horror stories on forums. For every problem bike you read about, there will be a few thousand trouble free bikes out there.

 

[Rasher]

despite what rasher keeps on saying the later bikes do not suffer from ews and fpc.

I know the EWS issue is gone, but is the FPC not exactly the same as earlier bikes, just less failures due to the twin cams being fewer in number and newer? Hardly a deal stopper, I just kept one in my top box.

The fuel sensors seem to be far worse though and less reliable than earlier models, although only another annoyance why can't BMW just stop trying to save a few pence on a £11k plus bike and fit decent fuel sensor and FPC

It also seems many happy owners are those who have had 3,4 or 5 1200's this suggests a new bike every year or two and all faults being covered by warranty.

If I could afford a new bike every two years I probably would buy a GS, but as I may want to hang onto my current steed for 5 or 6 years it ruled out the BMW as even small issues can become very expensive if the cost is out of your own pocket.

And as for used service from BMW dealers I had been harsh in the past complaining about them not sending out my warranty book / card, this is now untrue, it turned up with a letter dated 26th October 2012 - for a bike bought over two years earlier - well done BMW

 

[vikingiii]

Experience with R1200GS

Should i / should i not?

I have a -07 with 80 000 km on the clock. Bought it one year old, ridden 20 000 km. Before the the warranty expired I complained about excessive play in the final drive. The dealer ordered a new one and replaced it without any costs to me. Since then no problems.

I'm servicing it myself and I'm not using it during the winter months (too cold and too heavy bike for me in the snow).

The more I use it the more I like it . What I would like however is more torque in the mid range (5...6 000 rpm).

The best improvements I've made are changing the screen to A Givi AF 330 and installing a splash guard from Ilium Works for the rear wheel (similar to MudSling).

 

[cookie]

I know the EWS issue is gone, but is the FPC not exactly the same as earlier bikes, just less failures due to the twin cams being fewer in number and newer? Hardly a deal stopper, I just kept one in my top box.

it's the same component as the earlier bikes, but the last update has made them much more reliable. failure is now rare, whatever bike it is fitted to.

The fuel sensors seem to be far worse though and less reliable than earlier models, although only another annoyance why can't BMW just stop trying to save a few pence on a £11k plus bike and fit decent fuel sensor and FPC

the later twin cams (2011> i think) have a float system for the fuel sensor. probably should be a retro fit option for the older bikes, but it isn't.

 

[autogs]

dont waste yer breath cookie hes not for turnin

 

[cookie]

dont waste yer breath cookie hes not for turnin

i don't really see that as a priority, but in a thread about reliability i just thought it would be better if the facts were correct.

 

[autogs]

the facts have always been there he just refuses to accept them

 

[juddadredd]

Hi phil, I'm lee from ripely Derbyshire

I ride a GSA 2006 give me a shout and meet up if you want as I think I'm the most local to you and I do all my own servicing and I'm not really mechanical minded.

I've ridden from ripely to Thailand, all of w/e Europe and right up to the stans on my little Dakar, so unlike the Matlock cafe muppets I do know what I'm talking about.

 

[Pukmeister]

If I could afford a new bike every two years I probably would buy a GS, but as I may want to hang onto my current steed for 5 or 6 years.....

Any you can, why make excuses ???

Owned my first R1200GS for 5 years, serviced by myself. Traded in against my current R1200GSA, now owned by me for almost 3 years and again self serviced, no desire to sell it. Probably keep it until it falls apart.

Changing a perfectly good vehicle every two years is for those folks who either have more money than sense, are fashion victims, or have no money at all and live on credit/PCP deals. Even if I could afford to change every two years, I wouldn't.

 

[ihandyman247]

Any you can, why make excuses ???

Owned my first R1200GS for 5 years, serviced by myself. Traded in against my current R1200GSA, now owned by me for almost 3 years and again self serviced, no desire to sell it. Probably keep it until it falls apart.

Changing a perfectly good vehicle every two years is for those folks who either have more money than sense, are fashion victims, or have no money at all and live on credit/PCP deals. Even if I could afford to change every two years, I wouldn't.

Why do you want everybody to agree with you ? You had your opinion now let others ! Just because you are master off all and like to stick your fingers in this dose not mean that everybody has to fallow you path
You are like the Israeli ! If they don't like the news they kill the messenger