Reddivedog
Registered user
Hi All,
In January, I took the plunge and bought a new GSA with a view to taking SHMBO and myself to foreign climes. After just a few miles, it was not hard to see why the bike’s handling and other capabilities have generated such a loyal following. Although I have now joined its band of biking converts, the bike has distinctly shabby build quality (compared to the 3 Honda’s I’ve owned).
At the 600 mile service, I reported the following:
1) Paint Rub. The paint on the LHS frame had been rubbed away by the cloth of my Rallye riding suit (not even a boot - I wear the trouser leg on the outside of the my boot) and the frame is now starting to rust.
2) Brake Line Corrosion. The brake line banjo bolts, both front and back, have corroded and look as though they’ve ridden the salted roads of a dozen winters. (The bike was treated with ACF50 by the dealer before it left the showroom.)
3) Rocker Cover Chipped. The paint of the leading edges of one cover had lifted and was coming away.
4) Final Drive Rust. There was rust in the “axle tunnel” of the rear wheel.
Points 3) and 4) have now been replaced by BMW as a “gesture of goodwill”.
My exchange of emails with BMW UK Customer Service team on points 1) and 2) has now become exasperating. BMW UK seems to believe that it is not unreasonable for frame paint to have been worn away after 600 on-road miles by the cloth of a BMW made trouser! Nor are they perturbed by the corrosion on the brake lines, instead preferring to state that the German cleaning product (you know, the one which is highly rated by most of the top German bike magazines) hasn’t been tested by them. Disingenuous, me thinks! (I’m still awaiting a list of BMW approved cleaning products which is taking so long to arrive that I’m not yet convinced one exists.)
To provide some context, over recent years I have ridden a Dakar from the UK to Cape Town, bought three BMW suits, done four of the Off Road School courses and put my partner through an extended BMW DAS course. Oh, I’ve also spent a small fortune keeping my M sport car on the road. In short, I’ve been a BMW supporter.
I recognise that this bike will get dropped and don’t expect to keep it meticulous, but I am hugely disappointed about the poor build quality of this so-called “premium product”. The current re-sale value must have taken a hit even though I think I’ve taken reasonable measures to look after this bike (i.e. ACF50, washing it, not riding through excessive salty conditions etc).
Nosing around a few late 2011 GSA’s suggest these bikes often suffer these problem, a lot more so that older GSs. Coincidentally, I’ve also head anecdotal evidence that BMW is reducing the spec of the brake lines in order to keep costs down. Ummm.....
I'm keen to understand if this experience is common to this generation of bikes. Does your late 2011 GS(A) have problems with either corrosion or paint which is about as durable as boot polish?
Thanks for reading and your help,
Reddivedog.
In January, I took the plunge and bought a new GSA with a view to taking SHMBO and myself to foreign climes. After just a few miles, it was not hard to see why the bike’s handling and other capabilities have generated such a loyal following. Although I have now joined its band of biking converts, the bike has distinctly shabby build quality (compared to the 3 Honda’s I’ve owned).
At the 600 mile service, I reported the following:
1) Paint Rub. The paint on the LHS frame had been rubbed away by the cloth of my Rallye riding suit (not even a boot - I wear the trouser leg on the outside of the my boot) and the frame is now starting to rust.
2) Brake Line Corrosion. The brake line banjo bolts, both front and back, have corroded and look as though they’ve ridden the salted roads of a dozen winters. (The bike was treated with ACF50 by the dealer before it left the showroom.)
3) Rocker Cover Chipped. The paint of the leading edges of one cover had lifted and was coming away.
4) Final Drive Rust. There was rust in the “axle tunnel” of the rear wheel.
Points 3) and 4) have now been replaced by BMW as a “gesture of goodwill”.
My exchange of emails with BMW UK Customer Service team on points 1) and 2) has now become exasperating. BMW UK seems to believe that it is not unreasonable for frame paint to have been worn away after 600 on-road miles by the cloth of a BMW made trouser! Nor are they perturbed by the corrosion on the brake lines, instead preferring to state that the German cleaning product (you know, the one which is highly rated by most of the top German bike magazines) hasn’t been tested by them. Disingenuous, me thinks! (I’m still awaiting a list of BMW approved cleaning products which is taking so long to arrive that I’m not yet convinced one exists.)
To provide some context, over recent years I have ridden a Dakar from the UK to Cape Town, bought three BMW suits, done four of the Off Road School courses and put my partner through an extended BMW DAS course. Oh, I’ve also spent a small fortune keeping my M sport car on the road. In short, I’ve been a BMW supporter.
I recognise that this bike will get dropped and don’t expect to keep it meticulous, but I am hugely disappointed about the poor build quality of this so-called “premium product”. The current re-sale value must have taken a hit even though I think I’ve taken reasonable measures to look after this bike (i.e. ACF50, washing it, not riding through excessive salty conditions etc).
Nosing around a few late 2011 GSA’s suggest these bikes often suffer these problem, a lot more so that older GSs. Coincidentally, I’ve also head anecdotal evidence that BMW is reducing the spec of the brake lines in order to keep costs down. Ummm.....
I'm keen to understand if this experience is common to this generation of bikes. Does your late 2011 GS(A) have problems with either corrosion or paint which is about as durable as boot polish?
Thanks for reading and your help,
Reddivedog.
. Ridden all year round but washed off two to three times a week and looked after, now done 17000 miles and has had the following replaced under warranty.
