Are they as unreliable as the rumours suggest?

[JayC]

Someone told me that if I was interested in one not to test drive it as that might put me off, get one and you will soon get used to it. I test rode two 1200GS's and then bought a F800GS never regretted it. But I'm not going intercontinental or global, about 6000 miles a year mainly in Wiltshire/Hampshire and only on the roads.

On the other hand they can't be all bad, just look how many there are on the road and the dealers show rooms are full of them as they keep selling.

By contrast I did the complete opposite. Bought the F8 but there was something lacking in it for me , maybe it was the effortless torque and the feeling that I had to keep it buzzing - the bike just wouldn't let me ride it slowly! I took a test drive on two 12's.

The F8 has the far better gearbox of the two but that just wasn't enough for me to prefer it over the 12.

I chopped it in for the 12GS and what a good move it was , no regrets whatsoever.

 

[SPR Phil]

Google any bike reviews on any model and you'll here mainly crap about them, people don't usually spout off about the good stuff! After cbr600f, fireblade and a Blackbird iv'e jumped straight in and ordered a 1200gs Rallye. I walked into my local dealer, sat on one and ordered it there and then, no test ride, nothing. Pick it up on new reg and gonna make myself love it Go for it!

 

[ymfb]

By contrast I did the complete opposite. Bought the F8 but there was something lacking in it for me , maybe it was the effortless torque and the feeling that I had to keep it buzzing - the bike just wouldn't let me ride it slowly! I took a test drive on two 12's.

The F8 has the far better gearbox of the two but that just wasn't enough for me to prefer it over the 12.

I chopped it in for the 12GS and what a good move it was , no regrets whatsoever.

When the time comes to change my 800 ( some years away)I would definitely test ride another 12, but speed is of no interest as my other bike is a K1300S

 

[theoneandonly]

Yes they are likely to fall apart at any time, electrics will pack in, the rear diff will fall apart, the shocks are a joke.
However I would be happy to swap for a KTM640 adventure, out of the goodness of heart of course, and as a special favour I wont even ask you to put any money towards the swap.

he forgot it needs a heavy duty rear shock as well .

 

[pistolpete]

mine is a 2006, im the 2nd owner and i knew the 1st owner well, 25,000 and all good so far, good for keeping up with my mates on blades etc, commuting and europe fully loaded with the wife on the back, have to say im most impressed