Are 2006 GS1200 better than 2004 Models

[vertically challenged]

Thinking long and hard about getting my first GS but a bit put off about the reliability of them. It looks from all the comments on here that the problems were with the earlier models 2004 - 2005.
Have BMW improved the GS12's from 2006 with regards to the reliability ? or is it just the luck of the draw when getting a GS12 ?

Any advice would be great...

 

[Les Wassall]

I would say yes to the 06 and on, there was a few improvments made but the bevel drive was still a touchy area.

 

[tuckerqvmcc]

Hey man good time to be asking the question....
Haven't personally had any experience with '06 models & onwards but I can give you plenty of info on the '04 model.
Have only had my 2004 model for a year now & in the space of the past 2 months I've managed to go through a fuel pump sensor & final drive unit.
Only turned 20,450 miles on the clock which ain't good, just one more failure to expect according to many disgruntled GS riders & that's the antenna on the ignition unit!
Gonna buy a spare & carry it with me just incase lol...
A 2004 bike will be well out of warranty & you'll be doing exceptionally well getting a good will fix off a BMW dealership for an '04 bike.
Suppose it all depends on amount of service history the bike has & how good your local dealer is at negotiating with BMW customer services.
All in all it's still one of the best bikes on offer & ain't put me off coming home wiv a great big smile at the end of the day! Can't speak for anyone else as my problems may have been enough for any other rider to throw the towel in on GS's.
Good luck bro & don't forget to ask the seller of any history of fuel pump controller or antenna failure.
Give the back wheel a good pull from side to side to check for any play also.

 

[vertically challenged]

Thanks for the responses..
Does anyone know what the differances were, did the BHP increase slightly or is that just on the 2008 models.
What's the normal warrenty with a GS from BMW, is it a 2yr or 3yr ?

 

[BigAlMacMac]

Just like many owners who remain quiet on this forum I have a 2004 1200GS as does my dad. Both have 20,000+ on the clock and both haven't missed a beat.

We recently did 6 countries including Norway and only thing they needed was some oil.

Don't be put off by the number of trolls on this site.

 

[vertically challenged]

Thanks Bigalmac, I was starting to wonder about the GS12's reliability.... Did think about the 1150Adv but I'm only 5'6 and they are a heavy bike plus the GS12's are more responsive..

 

[snoopy]

You might find this thread interesting, it's pretty much posing the same question...

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158016

 

[gavin@iow]

Just like many owners who remain quiet on this forum I have a 2004 1200GS as does my dad. Both have 20,000+ on the clock and both haven't missed a beat.

We recently did 6 countries including Norway and only thing they needed was some oil.

Don't be put off by the number of trolls on this site.

Me too, 12gs, bought new in may '04, only done 13,000 miles, but f**k all wrong with it.

 

[Big Lee]

Me too, 12gs, bought new in may '04, only done 13,000 miles, but f**k all wrong with it.

Same here, mines a 54 bought new and 16k miles. Some people are too fussy

 

[tuckerqvmcc]

In all fairness even though my beemer has only turned 20 thousand plus miles I don't know the previous history of it as in any "off roading etc" to contribute towards the Final Drive failure. I put 10,000 of those (hard + mostly fully loaded) miles on it in approx. 8 months cause I owned a TDM 850as well.
I also stated that it ain't put me off owning & enjoying the GS day after day & for many year's to come, that was my personal opinion & certainly didn't aim to discourage or prejudice any prospective buyers!
So the bottom line is when you ask a question on this forum you get a straight forward answer as to an owners personal experiences with the model in question?
Not too sure where the troll scenario comes into play in this relatively new thread?
Get a copy of the past 2 weeks motorcycle news if you really want to know what the latest news is on BMW's.....interesting reading indeed.
Quote: Still ain't put me off owning & enjoying my GS12, still one of the best bikes on the market!
The bike will put the biggest grin on yer face.....I sold my TDM becaus it never got a look in after purchasing the GS!
Go buy one, you won't regret it faults or not.....

 

[NoBridgeTooFar]

Me too - a happy owner!

'04 GS, bought with 23k on the clock, not had a problem with it. Now got 32k on the clock, I ride it every day to work and through the winter. I look after it, it looks after me

'04, '06 whatever. Get one. It'll leave a big smile on your face.

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Vertically challenged,

As you dont live a million miles away from Cracoe Village Hall on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales heading towards Grassington, tomorrow as its the first Sunday in the month we have our meeeting from 12.00noon till 2.00pm. Although basically its BWM Yorkshire Section meeting place, we do get people from the GS Club calling as well as Vintage Club (we even get people on push bikes calling in). I can show you my 04GS and no doubt some differences between 04 and 06 as they will be 06 bikes there.

We don't stand on ceremony. You wont be badgered to join the BWM Club tea, coffee bacon sandwich, cake and a natter.

 

[vertically challenged]

Dennis, only just picked up your message otherwise I'd have come across..
I really appreciate your offer and the sound of a bacon buttie sounds really good. When's your next meeting (I'm assuming it'll be at Cracoe)

Thanks again..

VT

 

[Gaulois]

I had an 04 one (18000 miles) which was great. Only thing that went 'wrong' was the gearbox seal which was picked up by the dealer and replaced (under warranty) during the 6000 mile service. The 06 bike (12000 miles so far) has been fine as well except for an EWS failure at around 2000 miles.
The main difference is that the brakes no longer have servo assistance. Still just as good on the 06 as they were on the 04 but no whines and squeals when you squeeze the lever. Apart from that only differences are tweaks. Eg.the gearbox is a little smoother and the centre stand is different making it easier to get the bike onto it.
Which ever you get just enjoy it!

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Vertically Challenged

This is my Bike 04 30,000 miles

This guy lives in Inverness, been camping in Durham. Came to Cracoe going home to Inverness Monday.

Just a collection of some of the bikes in the Car Park. Comsidering the weather it was a good turn out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Me on my way home having a wet



This Sunday BMW Club Northern Section meeting at Chipping Village Hall 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Its a bit more formal than Yorkshire Section meeting (where anyone's welcome). If you're going to Chipping make sure you speak to someone otherwise you'll be left alone. I'll be there, sometime, then calling at Rivington Barn on my way home.

(Yorkshire Section camping at Dent this week end , if you camp).

 

[deaninkl]

Short answer is Yes. The 04 models were a new vesion of the GS, as with any new development there are glitches. These get ironed out in sebsequent
models, so the 06 is two releases later and there are many small improvements.

On top of that a newer bike is generally always better than a older one. Buy the best and newest you can afford.

This site is full of stories that will worry you. Go to any other bike site and you'll find the same. Especially if its a predominatelly British site. We brits are either a wining bunch of moaners (we are) or we trash bike faster than other nations.... (I don't think we do).

I have an 06, bought new is May 07, done 17k km since then, had to replace a battery under waranty. This is the best bike I've evr owned, and is a hoot to ride. I live where its very hot and rains in amounts that Brits can not comprehend, I ride it come rain or shine, and "touch wood" its a gem.

I also worry about the niggly bits, as there is only one dealer in the whole country, but the vast majority of us have very few problems.

 

[Andy B]

05 (04) GS1200

I bought a 12 month old 04 model GS in June 06 from North Oxford BMW. Came with the BMW 12 month approved warranty. It had 12,000 miles on the clock. I sold in March this year with 19,000 on the clock.

Over the period I had three problems, all occured AFTER the 12 month warranty expired:

Corrosion on engine cover - replaced by North Oxford FOC
Warped front discs - front and rear discs and pads replaced by North Oxford FOC
Engine seal - replaced and new clutch fitted by North Oxford FOC

All well reported issues on these bikes, and to the best of my knowledge, all still occuring on 06 bikes.

Couldn't fault the service all be it I couldn't differentiate between the goodwill of BMW and the goodwill of North Oxford.

 

[jeffers]

04 GS

i bought my 04 GS in feb this year, i had been lurking around the site for a couple of years and read all the horror stories i still went ahead and bought it, it had 13,000 miles on the clock and was in fair nick, you could tell it had been used. since Feb i have put around 8000 miles on it incliding 2 trips into europe. I have not had a moments trouble(touch wood). some of the noises from the engine, gearbox and clutch are awful but it all works a treat, the paranoia that its about to lunch itself is just begining to wear off.

i would recommend a GS to anyone, the most practicle bike i have ever owned, and there have been a few in the last 30years on the road.

buy one, ride it and enjoy it

 

[Boxerboy55]

Did think about the 1150Adv but I'm only 5'6 and they are a heavy bike plus the GS12's are more responsive..

5'-8" here. Same reason I got 2006 GS. Couldn't lift an 1150ADV off side stand while sitting. What a heavy beast!

I don't get out much and have only added 4,000 miles to mine since May 2007, but nothing's broken yet, though I am nervous about the Top 2 failures as reported on here. Maybe I'll buy spares soon.

Take a chance.