2012's - ongoing issues fixed?

jpooch00

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I've been out of the market a while, but now I'm considering a 2012 GSA.

I was wondering if they have the same problems that seemed to plague the earlier bikes, and put me off buying one, or if they have been addressed and fixed on the newer models. :confused:

I have noticed that there doesn't seem to be as many reports of final drive leaks/failures as before. Not many "left stranded" stories either.

All opinions and info are very much welcome and appreciated. :)
 
jpooch00 said:
I've been out of the market a while, but now I'm considering a 2012 GSA.

I was wondering if they have the same problems that seemed to plague the earlier bikes, and put me off buying one, or if they have been addressed and fixed on the newer models. :confused:

I have noticed that there doesn't seem to be as many reports of final drive leaks/failures as before. Not many "left stranded" stories either.

All opinions and info are very much welcome and appreciated. :)
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I'm not surprised there are few reports of anything concerning the 2012 variants.
 
Beemerman59 said:
I'm not surprised there are few reports of anything concerning the 2012 variants.
Click to expand...

Funny how a bike that nobody can buy until next year has not gone wrong yet.

I think some 2011's have had FD failures, the fuel gauges seem to fail very often and cam position sensors are also a bit iffy, so assuming next years model is based on this years there are still some issues, probably far less than once upon a time though :nenau

Plus of course it takes a while for things to show up, the current bike ha sonly been out for 2 seasons so not as many around, and probably very few with large miles on.

Asking if next years model is going wrong this year will probably provide a positive, but not very accurate picture :blast
 
I maybe tempting fate :blast I have had a 2011 bike and done 7000 miles and it has not missed a beat long may it continue.
 
2009 1200 20000 miles fuel gauge packed in but no worries there as i use the trip anyway. Changed under warranty no probs.
FD is fine no issues with it or anything else. Best bike I've ever owned easily:thumb
 
Rasher said:
Funny how a bike that nobody can buy until next year has not gone wrong yet.

I think some 2011's have had FD failures, the fuel gauges seem to fail very often and cam position sensors are also a bit iffy, so assuming next years model is based on this years there are still some issues, probably far less than once upon a time though :nenau

Plus of course it takes a while for things to show up, the current bike ha sonly been out for 2 seasons so not as many around, and probably very few with large miles on.

Asking if next years model is going wrong this year will probably provide a positive, but not very accurate picture :blast
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I didn't realize that the 12's aren't available in the UK yet.

The 2012 models have been available in the US for a while and many have been sold here already.

I'll stick with the US sites regarding the 2012 models.

Thank you for your response.
 
2012 models are available to order in the UK as of August, after the factory in Berlin resumes production after their break.

I have just bought one!
 
Lozza said:
2012 models are available to order in the UK as of August, after the factory in Berlin resumes production after their break.

I have just bought one!
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Congrats on your purchase. :bounce1

From what I've been seeing on some of the US sites, the fuel gauge issue has been addressed by the installation of a float type sensor and it would seem that many of the other nagging issues are also receiving attention, since there are very few reports of failures compared to years past. :clap

The 2011's seem to be the best reference for research on the 12's, since apparently the only thing that changed this year is the paint color.

Good luck and ride safe. :)
 
The number and type of any reported failures is directly proportional to the numbers sold and the mileage's they have done (OK, a generalisation but essentially that's the case). There can't be any info of any real use either way concerning the 2012 models specifically so I would do as others suggest and go on what you believe for the 2010/11 twin cams.
 
Rasher said:
Funny how a bike that nobody can buy until next year has not gone wrong yet.

I think some 2011's have had FD failures, the fuel gauges seem to fail very often and cam position sensors are also a bit iffy, so assuming next years model is based on this years there are still some issues, probably far less than once upon a time though :nenau

Plus of course it takes a while for things to show up, the current bike ha sonly been out for 2 seasons so not as many around, and probably very few with large miles on.

Asking if next years model is going wrong this year will probably provide a positive, but not very accurate picture :blast
Click to expand...

Unlike you to be misinformed Rasher!!!
2012 sat in my garage, first impressions are engine and gearbox better than previous model.
59 Plate never had any problems in 24K miles apart from Light bulb went!
 
My 2009 model has covered 11,100 miles and the only fault has been a blown headlight bulb - most reliable bike I've ever owned including two new VFR800's :thumb2
 
Rasher said:
Funny how a bike that nobody can buy until next year has not gone wrong yet.

I think some 2011's have had FD failures, the fuel gauges seem to fail very often and cam position sensors are also a bit iffy, so assuming next years model is based on this years there are still some issues, probably far less than once upon a time though :nenau

Plus of course it takes a while for things to show up, the current bike ha sonly been out for 2 seasons so not as many around, and probably very few with large miles on.

Asking if next years model is going wrong this year will probably provide a positive, but not very accurate picture :blast
Click to expand...

Funny that. I've been riding around on a 2012 for a few weeks now.

Back to your MCN job....
 
original_concept said:
Funny that. I've been riding around on a 2012 for a few weeks now
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If it is just colour changes I assume your 2012 bike is really the same as the 2011 one, which is almost identical to the 2010 one - which is quite different to the 2008 one.

My understanding is there are basically 3 variants:

2004 - 2007:

First models with minor changes revolving around the FPC and EWS disasters, plus a few other mods / recalls

2008 - 2009:

MU Model upgrade - first major change, another 8BHP and slightly sharer frame geometry, plus the FPC housing is angled to reduce the amount of water and the Final Drive now has a drain plug - also has magnesium rocker covers to save a farts worth of weight.

2010 - Present

Latest version with DOHC engine, another 10BHP, higher rev limit, another new Final Drive design


Assuming that the 2012 is essentially a 2010 then it may be worth researching issues with any models from 2010.

I have noticed BMW have a habbit of buying really shite components and then when they fail repeatedly these may get changed during production, examples include EWS and FPC on earlier models, and it seems the 2010's had problems with fuel gauges and cam position sensors - which may (or may not) have now been replaced with better ones on those machines currently coming off the production lines.

My theory when buying the 2008 was that it should have been much improved with lessons learned from 04-07, however it appears BMW do not learn lessons and insist on always trying to use the lowest quality components they hope they can get away with - if they did not then by now the GS should be the most reliable bike on the planet after 8 years of production, instead each model year brings a new set of issues, although they do seem to be reducing in magnitude.
 
Rasher said:
If it is just colour changes I assume your 2012 bike is really the same as the 2011 one, which is almost identical to the 2010 one - which is quite different to the 2008 one.

My understanding is there are basically 3 variants:

2004 - 2007:

First models with minor changes revolving around the FPC and EWS disasters, plus a few other mods / recalls

2008 - 2009:

MU Model upgrade - first major change, another 8BHP and slightly sharer frame geometry, plus the FPC housing is angled to reduce the amount of water and the Final Drive now has a drain plug - also has magnesium rocker covers to save a farts worth of weight.

2010 - Present

Latest version with DOHC engine, another 10BHP, higher rev limit, another new Final Drive design


Assuming that the 2012 is essentially a 2010 then it may be worth researching issues with any models from 2010.

I have noticed BMW have a habbit of buying really shite components and then when they fail repeatedly these may get changed during production, examples include EWS and FPC on earlier models, and it seems the 2010's had problems with fuel gauges and cam position sensors - which may (or may not) have now been replaced with better ones on those machines currently coming off the production lines.

My theory when buying the 2008 was that it should have been much improved with lessons learned from 04-07, however it appears BMW do not learn lessons and insist on always trying to use the lowest quality components they hope they can get away with - if they did not then by now the GS should be the most reliable bike on the planet after 8 years of production, instead each model year brings a new set of issues, although they do seem to be reducing in magnitude.
Click to expand...

Every GS I have had has got better than the last one, EVERY problem has been fixed by BMW including a complete new bike, to replace a year old one with 12K on the clock.

Ive been biking for 36 years and bought Suzukis, Yamahas, Hondas, Guzzis, Triumphs and BMW's. Ive had multiple models from each manufacturer and have had really good and some really dodgy ones from all of them.

The major difference between them all is that I have had really poor customer service from all but BMW. Thats why I go back, I dont treat them like shite in the show room when I have a problem, therefore I have no problem getting good service from them.
 
Rasher said:
If it is just colour changes I assume your 2012 bike is really the same as the 2011 one, which is almost identical to the 2010 one - which is quite different to the 2008 one.

My understanding is there are basically 3 variants:

2004 - 2007:

First models with minor changes revolving around the FPC and EWS disasters, plus a few other mods / recalls

2008 - 2009:

MU Model upgrade - first major change, another 8BHP and slightly sharer frame geometry, plus the FPC housing is angled to reduce the amount of water and the Final Drive now has a drain plug - also has magnesium rocker covers to save a farts worth of weight.

2010 - Present

Latest version with DOHC engine, another 10BHP, higher rev limit, another new Final Drive design


Assuming that the 2012 is essentially a 2010 then it may be worth researching issues with any models from 2010.

I have noticed BMW have a habbit of buying really shite components and then when they fail repeatedly these may get changed during production, examples include EWS and FPC on earlier models, and it seems the 2010's had problems with fuel gauges and cam position sensors - which may (or may not) have now been replaced with better ones on those machines currently coming off the production lines.

My theory when buying the 2008 was that it should have been much improved with lessons learned from 04-07, however it appears BMW do not learn lessons and insist on always trying to use the lowest quality components they hope they can get away with - if they did not then by now the GS should be the most reliable bike on the planet after 8 years of production, instead each model year brings a new set of issues, although they do seem to be reducing in magnitude.
Click to expand...

I agree. So far, every time I've been ready to get serious about buying one, I do some research on the web (like I'm doing now) and end up just keeping what I've got.

I also agree with you that most likely the 2012's will be pretty likely to have many of the bugs worked out and I feel that if I'm gonna ever get one of these bikes, then it's now or never. I sure as hell won't be buying one of those water cooled first year models when they become available - or probably ever, for that matter.

Actually, a local dealer has just the bike I want in stock right now and I'm off to see it today! Who knows, maybe I'll ride it home this afternoon. :)

Best wishes,

John
 
ebbo said:
Thanks for that, wonder if it's retofit... Hmmmm
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I don't think that it will work on bikes as a retrofit, but ya never know. :confused:

Go back to the link & email that parts guy in the post. He'd probably know for sure.

Good luck, :)

John
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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