1200GSA frame paint wear

[BTBR]

Have you checked the rear calliper bolts.............

Easy answer to stop the paint from rubbing off, stop wearing those boots with the spurs on.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

its just behined the handlebars where the subframe joins the front, its a sticker which they forgot to order so currently the bike is without a VIN

I don't agree. There is a VIN plate is just behind the headstock (the tank bag clips onto it) but this is not connected to the rear subframe. The rear subframe does has a VIN plate on it though - when the dealer order a new one from BMW, they will quote the frame number and a new one will appear with the frame number on. From memory, the rear subframe plate is under the dise panel on the hearside (i.e. near your left knee when you're sat on the bike - I may even go out to the garage later to check).

My frame is paint is wearing slightly in a similar place. I think it's to do with the make-up of the paint used these days which isn't as tough as it used to be (although no doubt a little kinder ot the environment).

 

[Davy F]

More and more people want to head to the courts these days because something or other is 'not fit for purpose'. I'm sorry, but this story is laughable considering the dealer has already sorted the problem out. I do smypathise to a degree as I'm pretty anal about how my bike is kept, but I wonder just how happy you actually are with the bike. Are you really looking to get your money back because it doesn't do exactly what is says on the tin ? I think your argument is as thin as the paint on the subframe.

 

[Pukmeister]

Yeah, my rear subframe paint has worn through yet again after I repainted it with a little silver paint. The BMW fiche even shows a pot of touch up paint for the R1200GS. I am too lazy to do it again, maybe I will do it in the summer when the weathers nice, then slap a Touratech or Wunderlich frame saver cover on it. I understand the frustration of your pride & joy looking a bit scrappy, its a design oversight on somebodys part IMHO.

The issue of the paint 'wearing' through use would be considered by a court as fair wear and tear. As has been said already, the dealer has already offered to make the bike as good as new once, why push your luck and end up backed into a legal corner from which you can't 'win' your way out.

The practical solution is tape on the frame to prevent it wearing again, or a frame saver from the specialist part makers as mentioned above.

 

[Greybeard]

My sub-frame paint also got worn through quite quickly on the left hand side. I was a bit concerned it might rust but it hasn't so far, so I'm leaving it for the mo'. I looked at the Touratech frame guards but didn't really like the look of them to be honest.

JimboGSA - I reckon you got a good deal from your dealer, don't think you could really ask for more.

 

[Terzikat]

A'ha.............I'm glad I spotted this thread because when I cleaned my 1000 mile old 1200GSA yesterday (after a cracking run out to Devils Bridge - saw 4 other GSer's up there) I spotted that the subframe paint on the left hand side was wearing pretty thin which surprise me.

I thought the cause was going to be me sitting on the bike duck footed, but if others have had this problem then we can't all be qwackers

Not sure if I agree with the debate about claiming in court and all the fitness for purpose stuff though. At least its not the gold plating on my fork bottoms falling off this time!!

 

[ballistic]

Is it April 1st allready

 

[JohnC]

I don't agree. There is a VIN plate is just behind the headstock (the tank bag clips onto it) but this is not connected to the rear subframe. The rear subframe does has a VIN plate on it though - when the dealer order a new one from BMW, they will quote the frame number and a new one will appear with the frame number on. From memory, the rear subframe plate is under the dise panel on the hearside (i.e. near your left knee when you're sat on the bike - I may even go out to the garage later to check).

My frame is paint is wearing slightly in a similar place. I think it's to do with the make-up of the paint used these days which isn't as tough as it used to be (although no doubt a little kinder ot the environment).

It actually is a sticker on the headstock in front of the tank! I had a look this morning

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

Some items that go wrong with bikes should be chased up

But this one seems to have been delt with as well as anyone could have reasonably wanted from the dealer.

I think Clarkes did the right thing with what seems to be no fusson there part.

To try and hunt Clarkes or BMW down.... seems a tad of an over reaction to a problem that may have been solved by the new frame.

Another option if you were worried about it happening again would have been to ask to see if you could get the new frame lacquered before it was put on... that's if Clarkes have a spray department.

Or go to a local sign shop and get them to cut you clear vinyl strips to cover the area in question.... this option would cost only a few quid and solve the issue for good.

 

[JayGee]

There's no doubt that the paint should not wear off the frame so quickly but it hardly makes the bike unfit for purpose. Most bikes show some sign of wear where the boots run, usually this shows as a shine on the alloy kick guards etc. and sometimes the frame, as the beemer has a painted frame then the paint wears off. Mine started to do that and I just put some tape on the frame and forgot about it. BMW should have put some plastic frame protection film on that spot, just like they have where cables and hydraulic lines can rub the frame but they didn't. It's hardly a significant problem and a new sub frame isn't going to affect resale value.
I've had two new wheels, a new front engine plate and new main oil seals but I never dreamt of trying to claim it's unfit for purpose as it so obviously is a great bike let down by a few faults, but still a great bike.

 

[birdseye]

I've got a 1200GSA had it from new since May 2006. After about 2 months of use the paint on the nearside frame near to the pegs (where your ankles would sit) started to rub off. I don't ride with my legs close to the frame and there is always a layer of fabric in the form of my trousers between the frame and any boots being worn.

I took this matter up with my local dealer Clarkes, and their response was the fitment of an entire new rear subframe, which was done in November. Quite a drastic step I thought, but the technical departments said that there may be paint wearing off in other unseen areas so this was the only feasible solution. Simply touching up the affected area may hide other problems on unseen parts of the frame.

As first I was shocked, a bike just 6 months old needs a new subframe as the paint comes off? So I took the matter up with BMW UK, their response, talk to Clarkes as we, quote "are not your contractual partners in this respect" so I did just that and raised the matter with Clarkes, their managing directors response "I have been in touch with a technical representative of BMW (UK) Ltd, regarding your enjoyment being diminished as a result of having the rear sub frame replaced. We both feel that the replacement of the frame while covered by warranty was in fact a matter of wear and tear, caused by the abrasive substance used by off road boot manufacturers".

There's an issue in regards to this response, mainly that I don't wear off road boots when riding my bike, so how has this caused a problem?

As I don't think this bike is fit for purpose (how many of the adverts you see for 1200's have a bloke sat on a mountain wearing said boots, etc) I am now taking the matter through the small claims court to either get the bike replaced or receive compensation for the fact that a new item has effecttively been devalued - would you want to buy abike that has had a new subframe fitted?

I'll keep you all updated as to the outcome from herein.

Nothing personal in what follows but I've got to say I think this is an unrealistic over reaction. Of course paint can wear when rubbed by fabric - the cloth used in your riding gear is chosen to resist tarmac so its got to be fairly tough. Whats more the paint will chip when hit by gravel. And it will stain a bit when some chemicals in various sprays are used. You have to expect wear and tear when using a bike. The "round the world" bit often quoted doesnt mean that the bike is indestrucible - its made in exactly the same way as the normal road bikes, from exactly the same components. And painted with the same water based paints that the EU force every EU manufacturer to use. Its largely a style issue, not an engineering approach.

The replacement of the subframe is no doubt cheaper and easier for the dealer than repainting, and to be fair to BMW they do seem to have a policy of trying to keep customers happy. The dealer margins probably allow them top be better about this than a Jap dealer would be.

I wouldnt think twice about a replaced subframe. That I know (if done by the dealer) would have been done right. The things that worry me are how the owner ran the bike in (did he do it properly or did he do what a certain american website suggests), did he drop it, did he thrash it.

You may well win something from the small claims court - the UK legal system isnt known for its common sense and there is such a thing as nuisance value. If not, let me know - I'm looking for a second hand GS and one which would be very low priced because of a replaced subframe would suit me nicely!

 

[Garfieldus]

JimboGSA, I think you've done really well to have your subframe replaced. I heard from "the horse's mouth" a long time ago that BMW warranty is as "good" as your dealer's service department/relationship with the warranty dept. Based on that you have a very "good" dealer.

I tried to have my 1150gs subframe replaced within warranty due to rust all over it including under the seat and was refused. What does that make my dealer? Based on the above I have a "bad" dealer.

Ignore the "ott" and "life's too short" remarks, you gotta do what you gotta do for good reasons. I would accept the new subframe and be thankful that you have a dealer that was prepared to replace it for you. I also don't think your bike is devalued by the subframe's replacement. Best of luck and lets know what you decide in the end.

 

[darkhorse]

Well, I could see this coming so one of the first things I did when I picked up my 1200 ADV was to put some black duck tape on the frame in the vunerable places - much cheaper than those Touratech frame protectors

 

[Taff]

Is the paint on the new frame different to the paint on the old frame then? If its exactly the same, then what makes anyone think the new frame will last any longer than another 6 months?

If I'd spent over £12,000 on a brand new bike, I'd be a bit pissed off if I was expected to stick tape on the bloody thing to protect it.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Poor design & finish...............

Paint on the alloy footrest hangers on 1100GS and 1150GS was pretty good, shame the hangers break in a bad spill

Still.........you win some and you lose some

 

[shedracer]

Poor design & finish...............

Paint on the alloy footrest hangers on 1100GS and 1150GS was pretty good, shame the hangers break in a bad spill

Still.........you win some and you lose some

To be fair to the manufacturers, new bikes have to use water based paint now (Environmental green issues), so you can't really compare the paint used on the older models as they used oil based paint, which is much more durable.

I'm with Darkhorse on this one, I always use clear 3m tape where I figure there maybe an issue of warering paint away. Just a personnel preparation thing, I prefer to try and prevent things if possible in the first place.

 

[wilbjr21]

JimboGSA.

Are you the same sensible young man that I met coming back from the 2006 BMW Biker's meeting riding through France? I too have a 1200 GSA. I too prefer the clear plastic approch to protection, as has been mentioned previously. I don't think the bikes "not fit for purpose" because the paint has scuffed

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Well said you 2 in posts 36 and 37 and Darkhorse

Prevention is better than cure, is it not

Poor personal preparation of your bike, leads to scuffed paint

Better get some clear tape then, JimboGSA for your new subframe that BMW have replaced

 

[John Armstrong]

Better get some clear tape then, JimboGSA for your new subframe that BMW have replaced

Aircraft and propellor leading edges not surprisingly get a hammering from the weather. One solution is called anti erosion tape which can be clear. I'd guess it would work quite nicely, if applied correctly.

 

[Wapping]

This thread has just about plumbed the depths.

Quite why someone wants to make such a fuss over a bit of worn paint is quite incredible. That he then wants to take on such a macho ‘sue ‘em’ pose, based on little more than having his complaint remedied, is nothing short of unbelievable. We should have encouraged him to carry through his ‘Not fit for purpose’ battle. It would have made interesting reading.

It’s a motorbike.

It is not perfect.

It sits exposed to the elements.

It gets knocked about.

Stuff rubs.

Paint gets worn.



Get used to it.


Or stick a bit of plaster on it and sell it to the next punter in the queue in twelve months.