Attention BMW!

[cafemaestro]

I love my 07 1200GS.

I have lavished too much money and time on it and know it better than I know my kids.

It's one of the best selling bikes etc etc. can do anything and costs as much as a car BUT....it could be better.

So, BMW if you're reading this, here's a few tips for the next generation 1200GS.

For starters: there's the obvious

Fix the FPC controller
Give us a more comfortable seat
Improve the wind protection

& the more subjective:

Change the gear ratios so 30 mph is in either less buzzy & snatchy in 2nd or less flat in 3rd. Same goes for 60mph & 3rd/4th gear.

I am sure that fellow Tossers will add their own suggestions (constructive ones - i.e. not cheap breakdown cover type jokes!), so read on Mr. Customer Satisfaction Manager & knock our socks off with your next model.

The 1200GS is a top bike - but perfection is not yet achieved.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

A lower 1st gear.

 

[BeemerBaz]

Fix the FPC controller.

Not been a problem for me

Give us a more comfortable seat.

Agreed

Improve the wind protection.

Not been a problem for me, but am only 6'3". If you want more protection then get a tourer

 

[Yonkyo]

Fix the FPC controller
Give us a more comfortable seat
Improve the wind protection

& the more subjective:

Change the gear ratios so 30 mph is in either less buzzy & snatchy in 2nd or less flat in 3rd. Same goes for 60mph & 3rd/4th gear.

The 1200GS is a top bike - but perfection is not yet achieved.

I'm on my 4th 1200GS now. Its a 2009 GSA and after 6000miles, i think its very close to perfection.

The seat is at least 4hours comfy
The wind protection is excellent - i'm a short arse 5'8".
The bike has the Enduro gearbox (low first gear) which is excellent when filtering at walking pace, i can even pull away from standstill without revving the engine

The bike was a bit buzzy at first but now she's seems to be getting smoother and smoother with the mileage.

Perfection = another 10 - 20 horsepower for when she's fully loaded with SWIMBO and luggage

 

[Fanum]

If they fixed all the niggles, they'd lose millions from the kickbacks from the likes of Touratwat who are given early access to the new models so that they can then sell addons and farkles that correct things like the seats

 

[Dainese Brave]

If they fixed all the niggles, they'd lose millions from the kickbacks from the likes of Touratwat who are given early access to the new models so that they can then sell addons and farkles that correct things like the seats

I'm thinking that even if BMW did acheive the perfect GS/GSA....

....there are still some who would load it with Touratech stuff!

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

5 year factory warranty. (with 2 year BMW assist if that helps keep BMW costs down)

If they improve their build quality it will cost no more than a 2 year warranty and probably help dealers by encouraging more owners to stick with dealer servicing for longer.

 

[BeemerBaz]

5 year factory warranty. (with 2 year BMW assist if that helps keep BMW costs down)

If they improve their build quality it will cost no more than a 2 year warranty and probably help dealers by encouraging more owners to stick with dealer servicing for longer.

Now that would be sensible

 

[Tim Cullis]

I agree that quality should be BMW's main push. I don't think they do enough with the potential feedback they get on failure rates through warranty claims. My first 1200GS (04 model) was almost rebuilt though warranty claims. The F650GS twin is, if anything, even worse with failures of all different types and is in the process of getting replaced.

I remember Hewlett-Packard CEO John Young setting HP a target of improving quality ten-fold over ten years and they succeeded through total commitment and quality focus groups. BMW could do the same and regain the quality reputation that the car division never lost.

 

[LiquidLAN]

5 year factory warranty. (with 2 year BMW assist if that helps keep BMW costs down)

If they improve their build quality it will cost no more than a 2 year warranty and probably help dealers by encouraging more owners to stick with dealer servicing for longer.

A big plus 1 on that!

If nothing else it shows that the manufacturer actually believes in their product.

Why not go one step further and put a 5 or 10 year anti-corrosion warranty on the bike as well. They can do it with cars, why not with bikes.

 

[Dainese Brave]

5 year factory warranty. (with 2 year BMW assist if that helps keep BMW costs down)

If they improve their build quality it will cost no more than a 2 year warranty and probably help dealers by encouraging more owners to stick with dealer servicing for longer.

This is what BMW need to do. Build quality is their nemisis at the moment, both with owners and potential customers.

They have been a bit naive with their reaction to it so far..but I think they are beggining to see the error of their ways now.

Better build quality would result in more sales, and better customer loyalty. And a long term warranty would show their belief, and faith, in their product once more.

Let us all hope

 

[Pukmeister]

If they improve their build quality it will cost no more than a 2 year warranty and probably help dealers by encouraging more owners to stick with dealer servicing for longer.

The 'build quality' issue is what keeps me coming back to the dealers to buy the components I need to replace the broken ones, eg FPC, EWS antenna, rear drive flange, rear brake disk at 25,000 miles, replacement brake pads within 9,000 miles etc etc. I suspect that is where the money is really made.

Your plan makes sound business sense for BWM, there's no way I can justify paying £100 and hour of my own hard-earned cash when outside of the warranty period to watch somebody else do the oil changes and valve clearances on my bike, no matter how good the 'free' coffee is or how nice the dealers are. If I had a longer warranty I'd get the bike dealer-serviced for longer to protect that warranty.

 

[Aggy]

If I had a longer warranty I'd get the bike dealer-serviced for longer to protect that warranty.

It makes sense. When you have the likes of Hyundai offering a 5 year warranty and Kia a 7 year warranty as long as you keep the vehicle serviced at one of their garages. In the case of these manufacturers they have a low value product with not a massive profit margin, which is different to BMW, but even they are confident enough to offer at least a 5 year warranty.

Its a way of extending the income period of the product. As soon as its outside of the warranty that income dwindles.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

sell farkles

I need a farkle.. Do they do them in Candy Flip Red?? Where can i get a Farkle?? Do they do a left handed one??

 

[bardicastle]

Now that would be sensible

HEAR HEAR

 

[GSmonkey]

Don't forget a lot of this is subjective and depends on your riding style. I have no problem with the seat, feel the weather protection is fantastic for the extent of fairing and would like a longer rather than shorter first gear. So, if they 'fix' your problems, they bugger things up for me. Hence your perfect bike will always require aftermarket parts.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

would like a longer rather than shorter first gear. .

So, how about a 7 speed box. With a really low 1st, but a 2nd gear that you can pull away in???

Maybe Touratwat can sell one alongside the Golden Farkles.

 

[elefantmanshawn]

I love my 07 1200GS.

I have lavished too much money and time on it and know it better than I know my kids.

It's one of the best selling bikes etc etc. can do anything and costs as much as a car BUT....it could be better.

So, BMW if you're reading this, here's a few tips for the next generation 1200GS.

For starters: there's the obvious

Fix the FPC controller
Give us a more comfortable seat
Improve the wind protection

& the more subjective:

Change the gear ratios so 30 mph is in either less buzzy & snatchy in 2nd or less flat in 3rd. Same goes for 60mph & 3rd/4th gear.

I am sure that fellow Tossers will add their own suggestions (constructive ones - i.e. not cheap breakdown cover type jokes!), so read on Mr. Customer Satisfaction Manager & knock our socks off with your next model.

The 1200GS is a top bike - but perfection is not yet achieved.

They have done all that they call it the GSA

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Whatever next?

5 year factory warranty. (with 2 year BMW assist if that helps keep BMW costs down) I cannot see that happening with any bike...look at some of your fellow riders, would you insure them? Would you ride pillion? A 5 year gurantee would only encourage further extravagances!! ( Presnt company excepted of course.)

 

[elefantmanshawn]

If they extended the warranty further they would most probably insist on keeping it totally standard with only bmw services