Are wc really better than my TC ?

[majaem]

I've owned an 07 plate GSA, 10 plate GSA and the 12 plate triple black GSA. Loved them all but now have the 14 plate GSA wc which in my humble opinion is better in all aspects than the TC.
Someone suggested test riding one and it's the only way you'll be able to judge for yourself

 

[waynecoluk]

I test rode the 2013 TC GSA last year and it was the first GS Id ever ridden. Honestly I didn't know what all the fuss was about I thought it felt quite slow, agricultural and the dash looked old fashioned.
About 2 months later I ended up test riding the GSA LC and fell in love with it. Now I could see what everyone was raving about and why they sell so many. I bought it in June this year and have just come back from a 2200 mile Swiss Alps tour and its been brilliant. Might have to change the seat though..The 2 guys I went with have the GSA TC and both love them, horses for courses as they say.

 

[Neil W]

I did think long and hard , I took a GSA WC demonstrator out on 2 occasions (solo and 2 up ) for 2 half days on challenging and quite poorly surfaced roads and the demonstrator had very good suspension (so BMW can get it right occasionally ). I didn't buy the bike immediately and put off until the second production batch when I spent a large amount of my own money as a retirement present.

From day one it was obvious that my own bike had vastly inferior suspension to the demonstrator (on back roads or less than billiard smooth roads) and it hasn't improved .

As for selling , when after 12 months I was still pissed off I spoke to 3 BMW dealers and despite the bike having less than 4,700 miles on the clock at that time the maximum price I would have got in part exchange would have meant taking a hit of just short of £6000.

I was also interested in the Yamaha Super Tenere , test rode the newest model and it was a really nice bike with no vices, it would have needed tweaking to the rear footrests for my wife but that would be it and I would have to put up with the smaller tank .

The rub was that two Yamaha dealers local to me stated that they would not take an almost new BMW in part exchanged having had their fingers burnt with warranty issues on the last ones they had taken in


TE=JohnnyBoxer;4455887]I think I'd thought harder before I bought a WC, in that case

In 2008, I bought one of the new variant MU 1200GSA's with ESA and all the toys

I didn't gel with it, somehow...................it was a competent bike, with loads of gadgets - but it was a bit soul less and nowt went wrong with it - but I sold it

Luckily I'd kept my 1150 GSA,owned from new........... instead of chopping it in and after a 6 month hiatus, I got it back out of the garage and loved being back on it, so much so ............I bought another to keep it company

Different bikes suit different blokes, ride and buy what you enjoy[/QUOTE]

 

[mrtee43]

The rub was that two Yamaha dealers local to me stated that they would not take an almost new BMW in part exchanged having had their fingers burnt with warranty issues on the last ones they had taken in

If it was a nearly new bike, then surely it was still under BMW warranty so would not have cost the Yamaha dealer a penny if something did happen to go wrong.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I did think long and hard , I took a GSA WC demonstrator out on 2 occasions (solo and 2 up ) for 2 half days on challenging and quite poorly surfaced roads and the demonstrator had very good suspension (so BMW can get it right occasionally ). I didn't buy the bike immediately and put off until the second production batch when I spent a large amount of my own money as a retirement present.

From day one it was obvious that my own bike had vastly inferior suspension to the demonstrator (on back roads or less than billiard smooth roads) and it hasn't improved .

As for selling , when after 12 months I was still pissed off I spoke to 3 BMW dealers and despite the bike having less than 4,700 miles on the clock at that time the maximum price I would have got in part exchange would have meant taking a hit of just short of £6000.

I was also interested in the Yamaha Super Tenere , test rode the newest model and it was a really nice bike with no vices, it would have needed tweaking to the rear footrests for my wife but that would be it and I would have to put up with the smaller tank .

The rub was that two Yamaha dealers local to me stated that they would not take an almost new BMW in part exchanged having had their fingers burnt with warranty issues on the last ones they had taken in

That's a big kick in the nuts and sorry to hear that - we won't BMW exchange your bike, noting the issues you have had?

 

[Neil W]

Bike has a problem customer returns it to a Yamaha dealer where they bought it ,Yamaha dealer then has to arrange to get it to the BMW dealer who's attitude in one case was well it is not our sale , our workshops are busy it will be at least 2 weeks until we can look at it. So Yamaha dealer is forced in order to keep good customer relations to either give the customer a demonstrator for 2 weeks plus or in that case load the BMW into his van and have a member of staff drive the van with the bike for over 100 miles to a more receptive BMW dealership and have them do the diagnostics and sort out the warranty claim work (still in total 2 return trips (400 miles) of their van and wages and then having to lend the customer a bike for a week).
In the other case the dealer said just take it to the local BMW dealer direct who again messed the customer around , customer gets peed off with original seller who then has to do a similar thing and take it at their expense to another BMW dealer to keep the customer happy.
Obviously a Yamaha dealership has neither the GS911 or other diagnostics for a BMW bike nor in most cases the experience/specialist tools to work on newer BMW bikes so they end up out of pocket, a lot probably has something to do with the uncooperative attitude of the local dealer but makes you understand why ime at that tthey said it was easier not to bother with certain makes or if they did just make ridiculous part exchange offers .

In a way mind you can understand the local BMW dealers attitude in that they did not get the original used bike sale and then to be lumbered with warranty work (that is barely paid for in time terms by official times allowed ) if their workshops are busy

If it was a nearly new bike, then surely it was still under BMW warranty so would not have cost the Yamaha dealer a penny if something did happen to go wrong.

 

[mrtee43]

Bike has a problem customer returns it to a Yamaha dealer where they bought it ,Yamaha dealer then has to arrange to get it to the BMW dealer who's attitude in one case was well it is not our sale , our workshops are busy it will be at least 2 weeks until we can look at it. So Yamaha dealer is forced in order to keep good customer relations to either give the customer a demonstrator for 2 weeks plus or in that case load the BMW into his van and have a member of staff drive the van with the bike for over 100 miles to a more receptive BMW dealership and have them do the diagnostics and sort out the warranty claim work (still in total 2 return trips (400 miles) of their van and wages and then having to lend the customer a bike for a week).
In the other case the dealer said just take it to the local BMW dealer direct who again messed the customer around , customer gets peed off with original seller who then has to do a similar thing and take it at their expense to another BMW dealer to keep the customer happy.
Obviously a Yamaha dealership has neither the GS911 or other diagnostics for a BMW bike nor in most cases the experience/specialist tools to work on newer BMW bikes so they end up out of pocket, a lot probably has something to do with the uncooperative attitude of the local dealer but makes you understand why ime at that tthey said it was easier not to bother with certain makes or if they did just make ridiculous part exchange offers .

In a way mind you can understand the local BMW dealers attitude in that they did not get the original used bike sale and then to be lumbered with warranty work (that is barely paid for in time terms by official times allowed ) if their workshops are busy

Crap BMW dealer then. I bought my GS LC privately with 550 miles on the clock. Noticed the white spot corrosion had started which I put down to the previous owner putting the bike away over winter without cleaning it first.

Took it to Allan Jeffries for its first service and pointed out the marks. Even though they hadn't sold me the bike, they were very helpful and the result was a few weeks later, a new engine/gearbox, swingarm and final drive replaced under warranty.

They have since got my servicing money and of course, will be first in line for a deal on a replacement bike should I swap.

 

[sagalout]

Crap BMW dealer then. I bought my GS LC privately with 550 miles on the clock. Noticed the white spot corrosion had started which I put down to the previous owner putting the bike away over winter without cleaning it first.

Took it to Allan Jeffries for its first service and pointed out the marks. Even though they hadn't sold me the bike, they were very helpful and the result was a few weeks later, a new engine/gearbox, swingarm and final drive replaced under warranty.

They have since got my servicing money and of course, will be first in line for a deal on a replacement bike should I swap.

Yeah, Jeffries are good, although I'd expect that service from any main bike or car dealer. I didn't buy my car from the franchise dealer, but I take it there for any warranty work without quibble.

 

[steele01]

were you on the extended warranty mr tee or approved used one? getting a bit coming through on mine but on the extended warranty

 

[mrtee43]

were you on the extended warranty mr tee or approved used one? getting a bit coming through on mine but on the extended warranty

No, I bought the bike privately when it was about 6 months old with 505 miles so of course it still had the remainder of the 2 years manufacturers warranty.

 

[yankeedoodledandy]

I have experience of both and these are my views. I have had numerous BMW's yes too many, the reason being age.

I got a model with no abs, bog standard suspension. I can maintain it myself and when the timing is right it will receive some decent suspension. But the standard suspension was definitely better than the LC.( well the one I had )
...
From my view of ownership the LC is an expensive toy to run. Depreciation and running costs are high. With regard to the TC the servicing can be done by myself and the major part of its depreciation has taken place.

I keep reading the "I can service a TC myself" comparison claim and wonder what aspects of the TC are more serviceable than a similarly equipped LC? As far as I can tell, the one bad design for serviceability on the LC is the stator (hello engine removal). Almost everything else is easy to get to. Electronics are usually not repairable, but that is pretty much par for the course on all modern bikes for the last decade or more. For everything that is part of regular servicing (brake pads, brake fluid, engine oil/filter, tires, final drive, air filter, valves, coolant), its all well designed for do it yourself on the LC. The LC is certainly more road focused than the TC, but that doesn't mean its not designed to be a daily ride.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

I keep reading the "I can service a TC myself" comparison claim and wonder what aspects of the TC are more serviceable than a similarly equipped LC? As far as I can tell, the one bad design for serviceability on the LC is the stator (hello engine removal). Almost everything else is easy to get to. Electronics are usually not repairable, but that is pretty much par for the course on all modern bikes for the last decade or more. For everything that is part of regular servicing (brake pads, brake fluid, engine oil/filter, tires, final drive, air filter, valves, coolant), its all well designed for do it yourself on the LC. The LC is certainly more road focused than the TC, but that doesn't mean its not designed to be a daily ride.

The LC servicing is more complex a new engine every 6000m is a bit over the top for the home mechanic

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[pitrat101]

I came from a 2011 Suzuki GSXR1000 and wanted a total change as wife wanted to get out and about with me. We went Allan Jefferies and road tested a 2014 TC and I would have quite happily walked away! It was jerkey into 1st gear and the suspension was rock solid and felt awful, skipping through the modes 1 & 2 up just couldn't find anywhere near what I thought was comfortable. The road noise through the front was awful as well. I gave the bike back and said I would not part with my money, the guy then said they had a 2012 triple black TC just come in with 4500 mile on it and its like it was the day left the showroom. Test rode this and it now sits in my garage! Well for ME! not everyone! I found it smoother with a tad less power and the suspension had some feel to it, seemed to fit me like a glove! So my best advice would be to ride both side by side! yes both have negatives but both have benefits! I would love cruise control! And the easily adjusted screen and satnav control but not at the compromise of my riding comfort! This was just my findings!!

 

[ThomasGN]

Are wc really better than my TC? Any thoughts ?

No no. The previous version is always better. That is why I never update my computer. Or my wife.

 

[stonehenge]

I had a 2012 TC regular GS Triple Black. When I test rode a 2013 GS, I thought it was flighty with hard suspension; I preferred the TC. When I rode a 2014 WC GSA I liked the bike but also thought that the suspension was hard. Now having owned a 2016 GSA I really "get" the Dynamic ESA. I am not sure if the 2016 bike is softer, but in comfort mode the ride is very smooth and with Dynamic - sorts itself out when the going gets lumpy. My previous TC had regular ESA2 that did not monitor the road conditions and could not cope when the going got lumpy. Like all bikes - the WC needs more than an hour to appreciate it - try one for a weekend.

 

[J.R.]

were you on the extended warranty mr tee or approved used one? getting a bit coming through on mine but on the extended warranty

Won't the extended warranty cover corrosion issues?

 

[Grim Rider]

I have ridden every model of 1200GS for at least a couple of hours, IMHO they have all been great bikes and I would suggest the OP should get an extended test ride then buy what he wants to without worrying about what anyone else says or thinks -all this bollox about one model being better than another is just that and is very tedious.





Personally I wouldn't change my 1150GS for any of them; at least not until it wears out

 

[steele01]

I keep reading the "I can service a TC myself" comparison claim and wonder what aspects of the TC are more serviceable than a similarly equipped LC? As far as I can tell, the one bad design for serviceability on the LC is the stator (hello engine removal). Almost everything else is easy to get to. Electronics are usually not repairable, but that is pretty much par for the course on all modern bikes for the last decade or more. For everything that is part of regular servicing (brake pads, brake fluid, engine oil/filter, tires, final drive, air filter, valves, coolant), its all well designed for do it yourself on the LC. The LC is certainly more road focused than the TC, but that doesn't mean its not designed to be a daily ride.

I think a lot of it is to do with parts costs, led headlight, water pump, none rebuildable suspension haha looked into it after I bought my LC GSA, so far being on the warranty has paid for itself been back a fair few times in 16,000 miles

 

[Y7 JMM]

I have ridden every model of 1200GS for at least a couple of hours, IMHO they have all been great bikes and I would suggest the OP should get an extended test ride then buy what he wants to without worrying about what anyone else says or thinks -all this bollox about one model being better than another is just that and is very tedious.





Personally I wouldn't change my 1150GS for any of them; at least not until it wears out

But surely with progress a newer model should be better??!! or whats the point?

 

[Nutty]

But surely with progress a newer model should be better??!! or whats the point?

Not according to here.

The oldies don't like change!