Quendi
the wiring harness completely burned out taking the alternator and possibly ABS pump with it.
Claim on the insurance hopefully?
3 year old failures
- Thread starter quendi
- Start date
yep same here, nearly 24k. do i open the garage door in the morning to find the best panzer wagon has self ignited,with a flat battery,warped the disc`s,dumped fd oil allover the floor,chucked up an ABS fault and won`t like the key and if it did the fpc has packed in so thats that!, when do yamaha make the xtz850 then?,oh hang on thats what i had before i bought this!!!
(home made model, ofcourse)
(home made model, ofcourse)Deleted account 210516001
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Difficult one to quantify just by looking at what is posted on sites like this. The only people who know for sure is BMW. They know how many bikes they sell and how many replacement bits they supply either under warranty, as a goodwill gesture or just a straight sale to a customer.
If the actual failure rate is much better than the perception given by these posts then BMW can knock this on the head once and for all by saying "We have such confidence in our product we will extend all warranties to 5 years or 50,000 miles at no cost" Splash the news in the biker press, restore confidence to the second hand market, encourage new buyers who might otherwise be put off by exaggerated horror stories and boost the takings of their dealers who would pick up on the servicing that otherwise would go elsewhere when the bike is out of warranty.
If on the other hand the failure rate is as bad as it appears and this extended warranty would cost BMW far too much the best thing to do is pretend there is nothing wrong and employ some clever marketing people to rename the failing motorcycle side of the business before the lack of reliability starts to impact on the car brand. Relaunch BMW bikes under a vaguely jap sounding name with a one year 12,000 mile warranty and no roadside assist. Spend lots of money on the biking press at the relaunch and pay Charlie and Ewan to ride the bikes from pole to pole. Rake in the cash and stash it away to pay for the next re-branding exercise.
The worst possible response for BMW is to ignore the rumblings of discontent and hope they go away.
By the way I am my second GS and have only ever suffered a blown headlight bulb. I love the bike and struggle to come up with a suggestion how to improve the ride, styling, load carrying capacity or handling. So why am I thinking I need to ditch this turkey while it still has some value? Why do I check the rear wheel for signs of play or leaks as regularly as I check the oil level?
The damage being done to the "perception" of reliability in relation to this brand may be unfair but it is real and needs to be addressed by BMW.
If the actual failure rate is much better than the perception given by these posts then BMW can knock this on the head once and for all by saying "We have such confidence in our product we will extend all warranties to 5 years or 50,000 miles at no cost" Splash the news in the biker press, restore confidence to the second hand market, encourage new buyers who might otherwise be put off by exaggerated horror stories and boost the takings of their dealers who would pick up on the servicing that otherwise would go elsewhere when the bike is out of warranty.
If on the other hand the failure rate is as bad as it appears and this extended warranty would cost BMW far too much the best thing to do is pretend there is nothing wrong and employ some clever marketing people to rename the failing motorcycle side of the business before the lack of reliability starts to impact on the car brand. Relaunch BMW bikes under a vaguely jap sounding name with a one year 12,000 mile warranty and no roadside assist. Spend lots of money on the biking press at the relaunch and pay Charlie and Ewan to ride the bikes from pole to pole. Rake in the cash and stash it away to pay for the next re-branding exercise.
The worst possible response for BMW is to ignore the rumblings of discontent and hope they go away.
By the way I am my second GS and have only ever suffered a blown headlight bulb. I love the bike and struggle to come up with a suggestion how to improve the ride, styling, load carrying capacity or handling. So why am I thinking I need to ditch this turkey while it still has some value? Why do I check the rear wheel for signs of play or leaks as regularly as I check the oil level?
The damage being done to the "perception" of reliability in relation to this brand may be unfair but it is real and needs to be addressed by BMW.
Ian1200
Guest
Hi,
Interesting to hear about peoples experiences...I've just bought an 08 plate 1200GS after riding a Honda Blackbird for just over 5 years. Done 63K miles on the Blackbird even though its a Honda it has not been without problems. The regulator rectifier/alternator has had to be replaced 3 times and the cam chain tensioner has gone twice. The bike has left me stranded twice and had to be recovered by the RAC.
At the end of the day anything which is mechanical can break down or have problems...in my experience all bikes have their weak points if you use them a lot too.
The GS has a bags of character and something 'extra' which is hard to define which is probably why people like it so much...remember there is no beauty in perfection !
Interesting to hear about peoples experiences...I've just bought an 08 plate 1200GS after riding a Honda Blackbird for just over 5 years. Done 63K miles on the Blackbird even though its a Honda it has not been without problems. The regulator rectifier/alternator has had to be replaced 3 times and the cam chain tensioner has gone twice. The bike has left me stranded twice and had to be recovered by the RAC.
At the end of the day anything which is mechanical can break down or have problems...in my experience all bikes have their weak points if you use them a lot too.
The GS has a bags of character and something 'extra' which is hard to define which is probably why people like it so much...remember there is no beauty in perfection !
THE DOCTOR
Registered user
I bought my 2005 1200GS in January 2007 from Southport Superbikes, a BMW dealership.
When I got the paperwork through I sent a leter to the previous owner just to ask if he had any bits for it.
He replied via an e-mail (& I still have it)
I sold my old bike to Kens Motorcycles in Newcastle Upon Tyne at the back end of September last year, I have since heard that the person who bought it then has been in touch with the supplying dealer ( Mill BMW of Boldon ) as he was not happy with it, I'm not sure if it was you or not.
As for the history of that machine, where should I start? It has never been crashed although my legs proved to be too short on one occasioin not long after I bought it, hence the scratch on the left cylinder. However it proved to be the worst buying decision which I ever made as it was by far the most unreliable and disapointing bag of crap which I have ever had the misfortune to own, let me explain
after 1000 mile the final drive hub required replacing as it had developed too much play,
shortly after this both of the lower spark plugs failed ( the insulating core developed some slack in the holder ) this caused combustion gases to wreck one of the spark plug caps/coils which required the services of the breakdown people
after another 1000 miles or so the final drive hub was replaced again as the part which had been fitted previously had not been painted properly,
when approx 5000 miles wher on the clock the gearbox required a full replacement as it was making odd noises and shortly after this the final drive hub required replacing yet again as it was worn out, although I was never happy with this hub as it always seemed to have some slack on it, grab it at quarter to 3 when on the centre stand and try to wigle the wheel, you should be able to feel it move, it has more slack on it when hot, although it may have been changed again since Sep
to cap all this, the bike had a software mod to prevent the battery going flat but it still did, to the extent that if it was left in the garage for over a week or so it would not start.
If you were to take my advice and it's not too late, I would take it back from where you got it and get your money bike as I feel it is what the saleman in the BMW dealers has been quoted as saying "that it must be a friday afternoon bike" not good enough really is it.
I went a bought a nice Suzuki v strom perhaps not as nice to look at and not as good handling as the gs can be but at least I feel I can rely on it.
Please accept my apologies if this puts a dampener on thinngs for you.
Anyway, I'll cut a long story short..
I bought this bike in January 2007, in February I got the shock news that this bike had previously been a lemon.
2 & a half years later I've ridden to Scotland twice, France & Rome and it's not missed a beat.
I still have pleasure in e-mailing the previous registered owner & sending him photos of my travels.
My 1200GS, best bike I've ever owned.
Go figure that one out.
2007
Nantes, France
Scotland
2008
1st MOT & my 1st service, Roy Gardner Motorcycles
Italia, the UKGSer tour
2009
Fitted some ARD cases & headed off for The Highlands
I still love the old girl & haven't swore at her yet.
When I got the paperwork through I sent a leter to the previous owner just to ask if he had any bits for it.
He replied via an e-mail (& I still have it)
I sold my old bike to Kens Motorcycles in Newcastle Upon Tyne at the back end of September last year, I have since heard that the person who bought it then has been in touch with the supplying dealer ( Mill BMW of Boldon ) as he was not happy with it, I'm not sure if it was you or not.
As for the history of that machine, where should I start? It has never been crashed although my legs proved to be too short on one occasioin not long after I bought it, hence the scratch on the left cylinder. However it proved to be the worst buying decision which I ever made as it was by far the most unreliable and disapointing bag of crap which I have ever had the misfortune to own, let me explain
after 1000 mile the final drive hub required replacing as it had developed too much play,
shortly after this both of the lower spark plugs failed ( the insulating core developed some slack in the holder ) this caused combustion gases to wreck one of the spark plug caps/coils which required the services of the breakdown people
after another 1000 miles or so the final drive hub was replaced again as the part which had been fitted previously had not been painted properly,
when approx 5000 miles wher on the clock the gearbox required a full replacement as it was making odd noises and shortly after this the final drive hub required replacing yet again as it was worn out, although I was never happy with this hub as it always seemed to have some slack on it, grab it at quarter to 3 when on the centre stand and try to wigle the wheel, you should be able to feel it move, it has more slack on it when hot, although it may have been changed again since Sep
to cap all this, the bike had a software mod to prevent the battery going flat but it still did, to the extent that if it was left in the garage for over a week or so it would not start.
If you were to take my advice and it's not too late, I would take it back from where you got it and get your money bike as I feel it is what the saleman in the BMW dealers has been quoted as saying "that it must be a friday afternoon bike" not good enough really is it.
I went a bought a nice Suzuki v strom perhaps not as nice to look at and not as good handling as the gs can be but at least I feel I can rely on it.
Please accept my apologies if this puts a dampener on thinngs for you.
Anyway, I'll cut a long story short..
I bought this bike in January 2007, in February I got the shock news that this bike had previously been a lemon.
2 & a half years later I've ridden to Scotland twice, France & Rome and it's not missed a beat.
I still have pleasure in e-mailing the previous registered owner & sending him photos of my travels.
My 1200GS, best bike I've ever owned.
Go figure that one out.
2007
Nantes, France
Scotland
2008
1st MOT & my 1st service, Roy Gardner Motorcycles
Italia, the UKGSer tour
2009
Fitted some ARD cases & headed off for The Highlands
I still love the old girl & haven't swore at her yet.
Deleted account 211025001
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THE DOCTOR
Registered user
Nice
Andres
He was a member here, he may be along soon as I've just e-mailed him my latest trip & invited him to comment.
We get on OK, he told it how it was.
It's unbeleivable. I've had Chain & Sprockets last longer than that.
And I EXPECT to have to change them.
BlueBird
Registered user
TEMPTING FATE
Just to level the debate a little,My 05 1200 has 42k on it now,I have written it off,snapped the front forks clean off it in a crash,just had to replace the top yoke,big ball joint and one stanchion,straighten the frame.I was well impressed with the way it took the smash.
Had a few probs early on with warped discs (twice),
battery(which didnt pack up just looked a bit iffy one time),
oil seal on clutch pushrod.
Apart from the battery if I had to pay I would have lived with the little probs,indeed I had waited a year before the seals on the gearbox were done (the day before the waranty ran out) and It didny cause any probs in that time.
I really take the piss when it comes to servicing it,as cardiff motoradd will confirm,15k late on the last one,it started missing coz of no valve gap,thought i better get it looked at then.
I clean it once a year and it comes up great.
Could the problems be from from lack of use?
Just to level the debate a little,My 05 1200 has 42k on it now,I have written it off,snapped the front forks clean off it in a crash,just had to replace the top yoke,big ball joint and one stanchion,straighten the frame.I was well impressed with the way it took the smash.
Had a few probs early on with warped discs (twice),
battery(which didnt pack up just looked a bit iffy one time),
oil seal on clutch pushrod.
Apart from the battery if I had to pay I would have lived with the little probs,indeed I had waited a year before the seals on the gearbox were done (the day before the waranty ran out) and It didny cause any probs in that time.
I really take the piss when it comes to servicing it,as cardiff motoradd will confirm,15k late on the last one,it started missing coz of no valve gap,thought i better get it looked at then.
I clean it once a year and it comes up great.
Could the problems be from from lack of use?
RogerJ
Registered user
I just keep hoping that Toyota starts to make motorcycles and preferably dual sport bikes in the 800cc and 1200 cc range. Wouldn't that put the cat among the pigeons?
[email protected]
Registered user
Got one because
it was supposed to be reliable, so far in ten months and less than 4 000 miles I have had, battery go,replaced under warranty, right hand side injector go, replaced under warranty, FPC go in europe, cost to me £95, still trying to get it refunded and the final drive go 1563 euros, still trying to get that refunded, it has spent more time being repaired than ridden.I am so glad I kept my car a 203000 miles audi a6 as I was going to sell it when I got this bike, its been needed rather a lot.
BMW can do things right, mondial assistance were fantastic when the final drive went in Austria, recovery to nearest delaer, taxi to vienna airport (100km) flight home on BA,hire car to home, cost of petrol to Stanstead airport, flight out to LINZ, taxi from Linz to fixing dealers and ferry home from Rotterdam, I bet its cost them over £1200, add in the cost of repairs IM claiming and its going to be about £2500, on a £7000 bike, which to me does not seem very cost efficent, mondial recovery where very good.
If your bike stops for no reason and then starts agian the FPC is probably on the way out and I would replace it, they go with no warning and is potentically very dangerous.
All my bikes have had faults, TS 125 WARPED CLYINDER HEAD, TDR 250,BROKEN CHOKE LEVER (DAMM HARD TO START) GSX 600, CRACKED WIRING LOOM NEAR HEADSTOCK,FJ1200 KNACKERED REAR WHELL BEARINGS, KLR650 OIL LEAK CAUSED BY FAULTY SEAL, FZR EXUP( NOTHING I CRASHED IT) SECOND EXUP FAULTY EXUP VALVE, APRILLIA FUTURA, DODGY ELECTRICS AND EXPLODING REAR BREAK HOSE, TRIUMPH DAYTONA 955I THERMOSTATIC VALVE WENT POURED COLLANT ALL OVER THE FLOOR 5 OR 6 TIMES.
They all do it to me, but none cost as much as the BMW
it was supposed to be reliable, so far in ten months and less than 4 000 miles I have had, battery go,replaced under warranty, right hand side injector go, replaced under warranty, FPC go in europe, cost to me £95, still trying to get it refunded and the final drive go 1563 euros, still trying to get that refunded, it has spent more time being repaired than ridden.I am so glad I kept my car a 203000 miles audi a6 as I was going to sell it when I got this bike, its been needed rather a lot.
BMW can do things right, mondial assistance were fantastic when the final drive went in Austria, recovery to nearest delaer, taxi to vienna airport (100km) flight home on BA,hire car to home, cost of petrol to Stanstead airport, flight out to LINZ, taxi from Linz to fixing dealers and ferry home from Rotterdam, I bet its cost them over £1200, add in the cost of repairs IM claiming and its going to be about £2500, on a £7000 bike, which to me does not seem very cost efficent, mondial recovery where very good.
If your bike stops for no reason and then starts agian the FPC is probably on the way out and I would replace it, they go with no warning and is potentically very dangerous.
All my bikes have had faults, TS 125 WARPED CLYINDER HEAD, TDR 250,BROKEN CHOKE LEVER (DAMM HARD TO START) GSX 600, CRACKED WIRING LOOM NEAR HEADSTOCK,FJ1200 KNACKERED REAR WHELL BEARINGS, KLR650 OIL LEAK CAUSED BY FAULTY SEAL, FZR EXUP( NOTHING I CRASHED IT) SECOND EXUP FAULTY EXUP VALVE, APRILLIA FUTURA, DODGY ELECTRICS AND EXPLODING REAR BREAK HOSE, TRIUMPH DAYTONA 955I THERMOSTATIC VALVE WENT POURED COLLANT ALL OVER THE FLOOR 5 OR 6 TIMES.
They all do it to me, but none cost as much as the BMW
somclan
Registered user
The Road Sweeper
Some of the stories of all the parts replaced remind me of the story of the road sweeper on his retirement day when asked how long he has had his brush replied ... I have had that brush 20 years , its only had 15 new handles and 12 new heads !
Btw I am running a 06 12gs 26 k miles , Final drive just replaced , am now very worried about big money items going on this bike in the future ... Its a pity because I love the way it rides but just dint trust it anymore...
Some of the stories of all the parts replaced remind me of the story of the road sweeper on his retirement day when asked how long he has had his brush replied ... I have had that brush 20 years , its only had 15 new handles and 12 new heads !
Btw I am running a 06 12gs 26 k miles , Final drive just replaced , am now very worried about big money items going on this bike in the future ... Its a pity because I love the way it rides but just dint trust it anymore...
mibs
Guest
Engine failure
This all sounds pretty BAD.
I had a valve jam which then ment the piston came accross and smashed everything to bits.
The bike was 3 1/2 years old and had done less than 10,000 miles cost to repair £1600 parts and labour. I eventully got 50/50 on parts but this really should not happen with such a low milage should it ?.
Of course they said its 3 1/2 years old but to me it shouldnt matter if its 12 years old when it had only done 10,000 miles
The manager of the dealership tried to say this had never happened to any bmw before but yet other people that worked there know of two other incidents, why cant they just be honest !
This all sounds pretty BAD.
I had a valve jam which then ment the piston came accross and smashed everything to bits.
The bike was 3 1/2 years old and had done less than 10,000 miles cost to repair £1600 parts and labour. I eventully got 50/50 on parts but this really should not happen with such a low milage should it ?.
Of course they said its 3 1/2 years old but to me it shouldnt matter if its 12 years old when it had only done 10,000 miles
The manager of the dealership tried to say this had never happened to any bmw before but yet other people that worked there know of two other incidents, why cant they just be honest !
original_concept
Registered user
IMHO, an engine that lasts 10K wasn't built correctly and isn't fit for purpose. Feck me I've done more miles on scooters and 2-stroke 125s without it seizing or anything else.
Honesty... ha.... ha.. ha...
veefour
Registered user
Reading these threads makes me feel really warm and fuzzy having had my new 1200GS for about 6 weeks now! 
To be honest I was warned about some of these issues by a very knowledgable guy on another (private) bike site. The site was largely VFR based (my previous bike) and whilst it's fair to say there were a few known issues with them (I'm sure all bikes have them), there was nothing like the stuff I read on here about these. It can't possibly be down to volumes of bikes sold etc.
One thread the guy had posted was about a mates 2004 1200GS that had a gearbox problem and his disbelief at the quality of the engineering he found when he stripped the bike down and dismantled the gearbox. Unfortunately I can't link to the thread as it's a private site but I can paste a couple of the comments - which I hope he won't mind me doing!
And this:
Anyway I'm sure most of this is known but I find it interesting. I'm not trying to knock the bikes because after all I bought one and I love it but it does annoy me when companies compromise quality in favour of profit. They all do it but BMW seem to have gone too far - especially at £13k for a fully spec'd version
To be honest I was warned about some of these issues by a very knowledgable guy on another (private) bike site. The site was largely VFR based (my previous bike) and whilst it's fair to say there were a few known issues with them (I'm sure all bikes have them), there was nothing like the stuff I read on here about these. It can't possibly be down to volumes of bikes sold etc.
One thread the guy had posted was about a mates 2004 1200GS that had a gearbox problem and his disbelief at the quality of the engineering he found when he stripped the bike down and dismantled the gearbox. Unfortunately I can't link to the thread as it's a private site but I can paste a couple of the comments - which I hope he won't mind me doing!
And this:
Anyway I'm sure most of this is known but I find it interesting. I'm not trying to knock the bikes because after all I bought one and I love it but it does annoy me when companies compromise quality in favour of profit. They all do it but BMW seem to have gone too far - especially at £13k for a fully spec'd version
mibs
Guest
Not really sure which valve but it was the right hand side. I have read people saying that they should be left on the centre stand etc but it always was only if I was stopping for 5 mins or somthing would I leave it on the side stand.
As far as the dealer not knowing is concerned, they did know but tried to let on they didnt
Fudpucker
Registered user
Have had two GS's the first an 04. The only bike of about the 15 I have owned over the past thirty years to be put on the back of a breakdown wagon. The second I had no problems with but saying that I didn't have the bike very long as after having a test ride on a KTM 990 Adventure S I sold the BM and bought the KTM. The KTM has been faultless. Admittedly you have to spend money to sort the crap fueling but mine is about as good as it can get and is not really noticeable. The build quality is way ahead of BMW.
I now have a dilemma. The KTM is a far more focused machine. Solo it is superb,two up not so good. My wife used to come out with me on the BM but is far from happy with the KTM so was thinking about going back to GS's, a Adventure this time, Evan have a test ride booked for this Friday. I'm amazed that after my two and a half years away from BM that they are still having the same problems.
May be better to change the wife and keep the KTM. Seriously I am having second thoughts......F
I now have a dilemma. The KTM is a far more focused machine. Solo it is superb,two up not so good. My wife used to come out with me on the BM but is far from happy with the KTM so was thinking about going back to GS's, a Adventure this time, Evan have a test ride booked for this Friday. I'm amazed that after my two and a half years away from BM that they are still having the same problems.
May be better to change the wife and keep the KTM. Seriously I am having second thoughts......F
We should have bought the new VFR, no, wait ... theve been re-called for swarf in the engine!!
Had Hondas, Triumphs and Yamahas all rusted (fazer while you watched!!) and was told not under warranty many silly faults and the odd major. Warranty was always an argument!
This is a very active forum, (when I had FJR used that forum when I had issues, waiting replies you could almost see the tumbleweed), so you get lot of coments on here. Some of these issues are bad but the majority get fixed with warranty footing the bill, outside of that you reap the benefit of using a good dealer.
Anyone who wants to fully exerience unreliability, get yourself a Landrover!
Had Hondas, Triumphs and Yamahas all rusted (fazer while you watched!!) and was told not under warranty many silly faults and the odd major. Warranty was always an argument!
This is a very active forum, (when I had FJR used that forum when I had issues, waiting replies you could almost see the tumbleweed), so you get lot of coments on here. Some of these issues are bad but the majority get fixed with warranty footing the bill, outside of that you reap the benefit of using a good dealer.
Anyone who wants to fully exerience unreliability, get yourself a Landrover!
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