Any advice for newby? Thinking of buying a 1200 GS

[irich]

Hi

Just joined the forum.

I have a 1200 GS on my shortlist for my next bike. I would appreciate honest advice.

Is the bike generally reliable over distance? I have read conflicting opinions on the net.

Some seem to think it is wonderful, others that the motor is stretched and the odd issue with transmission and final drive.

Would very much appreciate your feedback.

Regards

Richard

 

[Tim Cullis]

A few people have had problems, the vast majority not. Don't know how it statistically compares to other bikes, but my personal experience is that I did 48,000 miles on my 12GS, and currently at 11,000 on my 12GSA.

I would buy another tomorrow.

Tim

 

[LiquidLAN]

I've got a 12GSA and a friend of mine has the 12GS, both seem fairly reliable so far.

The 12GS regularly beats another mate of mine on a GSXR1000 K6, mostly through the twisties, it just seems to grip better, especially when it starts to get wet.

That said I have had one or two incidents that have tarnished my enjoyment of the 12GSA, I'm not sure it would stop me buying another one, but it would make me think twice about why I wanted it in the first place.

I have seen the 12GSA described here as a softroader and IMHO, I think that is a fair description of what you should expect of them. At least then if it perform better its exceeded your expectations rather than falling short.

 

[Technopole]

R1200 GS

I think there is always a problem with relying on internet postings which give a negative impression of the bike's reliability. A huge number of these bikes have been sold, and they continue to sell like hotcakes. A vocal minority of people have a problem and write a lot about it. The huge majority are out there riding and enjoying their bikes and not posting about it.
My bike was registered in May 2005, and has therefore needed a few mods and upgrades from the dealer, which they have sorted no problem. I love the bike and would not swap it for anything but another one, or a GSA.

 

[Big Lee]

Hi Richard
My 12Gs is a september `04 model with a lightweight 10k miles & so far has been ok. I don`t generally use it when it`s salty but if I do a good spray with some scottoiler f365 seems to sort it. It`s always garaged & when I use it to go to work it gets parked under cover in the bike shed.
Theres afew bikes on here with over 50k miles & also a few high mileage riders over on adv rider www.advrider.com

Get one, if it`s crap you can always sell it!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Richard

They are brilliant bikes and of course there are a few problems. After all it`s only metal but the back up is generally excellent. My mate`s new Bentley wouldn`t start last week so it happens to the best of us....

I`ve covered 40k on 2 GS`s and never had any real issue. As already mentioned mosy people are out loving them not whingeing about them.

It`s a true al rounder and you`ll enjoy every mile especially when you`ve been around some twisties with your sports bike buddies. Not only have you frightened the living bejezuz out of them but you can get off the bike without bitching about your back/knees/neck aching!

Enjoy

 

[jonothan]

Love mine to bits.

A genuinely capable long-distance tourer with a good upright sitting position, off-road ability and in my opinion is very reliable and well built.

Go onto any forum, for any motor vehicle, and you'll read long lists of complaints, from VW to Honda to Jaguar to Kawasaki.

What Technopole says is right. The huge majority are happy with their bikes. As am I.

J

 

[Dellis]

Have a good long test ride and you'll be wanting to buy one - ride and enjoy

Dave

 

[Timpo]

R1200GSA

My 12GSA is great, well worth the 7 month wait.
Excellent mile muncher with good tank range, riding position and road presence.
Ok, to be fair I haven't used it as much as I should of yet (3000 miles), but only because of the trail rides are better during the Autumn and Winter months so GSA has stayed in the back of the garage. But come Spring and Summer, it will be getting most usage.
I would recommend you test ride one and see what you think.
Timpo.

 

[Janie]

Go and have a test ride...............and make up your own mind,
but be warned.......
once you have had a go on one.........you will go over to the dark side.....
My hubby rides a 12gsa and i have a 12gs and they are the best bikes for distance and comfort, we have every had..................janie

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

others that the motor is stretched

Not sure I've ever heard that. Compared to others in the R1200 camp, it is in quite a low state of tune. If that's what you mean.

Otherwise, it does take time to get used to the flat twin. Especially if you have had Jap 4 cylinder bikes. There's also a dip in the rev range just before 5k but you soon learn to deal with it.

Reliability varies too. Some people are unlucky and get dud bikes with a string of faults. However, the battery is often an issue and you have to be careful to regularly check the oil. Mine has done 18k miles and still drinks it!

FWIW I think the bike is great. Different, but great.

Enjoy the test ride, but be warned

Kai

ps Have you thought about testing the 'opposition' too? The new Triumph Tiger doesn't float my boat and seems to be in a different class now. The KTM 990 Adv is certainly worth testing though.

 

[GSmonkey]

Well I'm an ex-owner that ditched mine due to a string of problems.

I still would not say don't get one, still one of the best bikes I've ever ridden and had oodles of fun on the thing. It'd still be in my garage now if it hadn't spent so long in BMW's garage during my Ownership.

I'll definately own another GS in the future, but this time I'll buy an outgoing model rather than an incomming one. My mistake was to turn down a fully loaded 1150GSA and go for a bling bling 1200GS when they first came out.

Should also add that BMW Warranty is superb, no hassle, they just fix it.

 

[SAGEM]

I have an April 05 1200GS only problem I have had is failure of the ABS pump after 13000 miles repaired in 24 hours under warranty. Would I buy another damn right I would. Ridden bikes for thirty years some of the best fun I have had has been on the beemer (fond memories of a 1989 suzuki GSXR 750 though.)

Get a test ride and enjoy.:

 

[k12pfc]

I can only repeat what everyone else has said, they are truly a great bike, I had always had the K series and although I liked the image of the GS never bought one until I had a k1200s, if I had kept that I would have lost my licence, and it was not an all rounder, just liked to be thrashed, mine did anyway, crap in traffic, so I traded to a GS with 4k on the clock, it is the best thing I have ever done, less than 12 months on, with 17k on the clock, I traded it in for a brand new one, just so I could own one from new, run it in etc. I will never own another model of bike again, it is truly the best bike I have ever owned/ridden. Try one on a day's test ride, try it in all traffic conditions, scratch it round the lanes, then take it off road, you will buy one after this. Good luck with your decision.

 

[dronning]

Plenty of good advice on reliability from the previous posts. My advice is start to set aside extra cash right now for all the stuff you will be buying that you have never even thought about until after you start riding her. You won't be able to live without it you know.

Dave

 

[irich]

Thanks Guys

Thanks for the advice everybody.

By one of those odd twists, I wandered into the local Saudi dealer here (Im an expat) who has a batch of brand new 1150R Rocksters on discount (old models presumably being dumped here).

They are a good price (1/2 that of the GS) so Im likely to get one instead of the GS.

Thanks anyway

R

 

[smirky]

Mine has broken down 3 times now and had a recall - the breakdowns where/are the reason the bike will be sold this year but i can honestly say it's a great bike to ride/own (just be lucky with a good'un)