A little bit torn?

[RicoSys]

Hi All,

I am seeking advice.

I have a VFR800 vtec, 2008, 11500 miles....right

I have come across an R1200GS, 22000 miles with full luggage, on computer etc.

I am very very tempted as I am sure the 1200 will do everything the vfr will plus a bit of off road, which is something I hanker for.

The money is right so the purchase could easily be made however....

NO WARRANTY on the 1200... How reliable are they? the vfr has never missed a beat and i use it every day...can I expect the same from a 1200?

Cheers All.

Alex.

 

[D6]

id say the vfr is more reliable, depends how old the 12 is,
do a search on here bout fuel pumps etc

 

[RicoSys]

Right it would be fair to say that I bought the vfr because of the legendary reliability.

The 1200 is mid 2006 and well cared for.

 

[Ian M]

I’ve just made a similar move, albeit from a non-VTEC VFR (2001 and 51,000 miles all by me) to a brand new 1200GS. This was one of the things I thought long and hard about before buying as the VFR had been totally trouble free. There are plenty of reports of 1200GSs with various problems, but equally loads of satisfied customers with no problems. Equally, in the VFR club, there are troublesome bikes and indeed some which the dealers have replaced after a few months with new ones.

I guess you pays your money and takes your chance!

 

[Mort]

Lets face it, no one is going post up a thread saying, "my bikes still running fine and I haven't had any problems". Like every forum people with a issue will be more vocal than those without an issue.
Buy the GS, if it breaks then fix it ....you'll love it

 

[RicoSys]

Cheers guys,

I have taken the 1200 home this evening and been out for a play

I have to say great fun really enjoyed it...though it does not like slow riding low revs, very juddery.

I think my mind is made up and i'll be having the GS.

The main point of this post was to get a feel for regular trouble i.e. Italian bikes used to be a pig for wet electrics.

 

[Bryn]

Main things are the fuel pump controller and ring antenna- neither are that difficult to sort Enjoy the new bike

 

[RicoSys]

Thanks for that. The bike has been very well looked after by the look of it.

Both of those items seem to have been recall items at some point so hopefully they have been sorted (fingers crossed).

Just got to do the final hashing out of the deal then

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Big Lee]

Great stuff! Before the deal is finally thrashed out check the gearbox to engine gasket for oil leaks, round the final drive for leaks and play and round the rear swingarm boot for leaks. If you`re not sure about where these are do a search and you`ll find loads of info on them

 

[Colban]

Welcome to the GS side of life.
As part of the deal why not ask the dealer to obtain a spare fuel pump controller for you at trade price to you,as an on-bike spare.
If yours goes wrong,easy fix;if it doesn't,the market to sell it on is there.

 

[smartbear]

what?

Lets face it, no one is going post up a thread saying, "my bikes still running fine and I haven't had any problems". Like every forum people with a issue will be more vocal than those without an issue.
Buy the GS, if it breaks then fix it ....you'll love it

my bikes still running fine and i havent had any problems

 

[elevensies]

Cheers guys,


I have to say great fun really enjoyed it...though it does not like slow riding low revs, very juddery.

dont ride it like the vfr, use the engine torque and select the gears appropriate, it will all make sense after that

howdee by the way

 

[smartbear]

tractor!

that can be a little suprising,the gs has more torque than a vfr but if you try to open a gs up at low rpm in a high gear it wont be as smooth as the vfr
the honda with less torque is able to run higher gears at lower speeds than a gs.
my old fireblade could run 6th gear down to 30mph with no snatching and go on to top 150mph,thats flexibility.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

"...though it does not like slow riding low revs, very juddery...."
The GS is a completely different type of motor and you will develop a different riding technique very quickly- and you will be much safer!
Now PLEASE don't start off another long list of ".....my bikes still running fine and I havent had any problems" There are too many of us!

 

[RicoSys]

Hey Hey!

All signed, insurance in place and picking her up tomorrow

Here is hoping I get over in the near future for a play about.

Thanks for all the advice and answers it is much appreciated.

Keep the rubber side down guys.

Alex

 

[manxpanzer]

r.i.p. daisy may!

welcome to the dark side

 

[MickF]

You won't regret if. Over the years I've had all the others, but for the last seven years have ridden Beemers. I have been very fortunate with them, the only problem being a fuel pump issue three years ago on my RT1200 which my dealer replaced under warranty. Lots of people have asked me about reliability issues but so far, " touch wood " I seem to have been lucky and long may it continue. I have often panicked when I have seen surveys asking about the number of FD and antenna ring failures but hey, the amount of pleasure my GSA gives would easily compensate some minor hiccups. I rode a GSA through three countries in South Africa in February this year and six countries in Europe in may without a problem. Think positively and enjoy all the benefits of a Beemer.

 

[RicoSys]

Hello there Panzer

Awww poor Daisy

She did me well though time for change.

 

[RicoSys]

MickF

Cheer for that, soundslike you use properly

5 hours until shes mine.... i'm sure they should be lyrics

 

[Ian M]

So, you've been riding a GS all afternoon, where've you been and are you still impressed? Like you, I need a trip on the Steam Packet sometime soon - but in my case to see how my GS copes on Manx roads!