Best model years for reliability ?

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just wondering which bike year variant is ok?

16-18?
Early ones seem problematic as do current 1250’s

A mate is looking to update from a 2011 1200 Twin Cam GS, so asking the collective

 

[Mr Bean]

I had a '63 plate bike for around 19k miles until it was stolen - @ 33k. No mechanical/electrical issues.

A '67 plate for only 4k miles - no issues, apart from being written-off...

Current bike is '68 1250. Had it for two years and 14k miles. Again, no issues.

Both the '63 and '68 plate bikes are earlier versions of the type.

Not massive miles, but nothing to bitch about either.

Both are cosmetically years ahead of my old 2007 RT at the 28k it had when I bought it as a 3 year old.

Had 3 LC's and each is better than the last - admittedly, the engines are a bit rattily, not as quiet as the oil/hex heads.

 

[DJ123]

I would hope anything from 2013-2016 by now should be fine, and any gremlins fixed. And a bike is only as reliable and good as the owner who keeps on top of preventative & reactive maintenance as/when it arises.

Look for stacks of paperwork, receipts, services etc. And ideally one with decent miles too (aim for something that's done around 5k a year) - as any bike being used, ridden & relied upon is probably (IMO) maintained better, than one left in the garage 6 months of the year.

 

[stonehenge]

16-18 had the infamous collapsing wheels with the loose spokes, although most should be sorted by now. I would say late Euro3 bikes of 2015/16; they seemed to have a nice engine / gearbox combination and both of my Euro3 gearboxes were as good as my Euro4 box. I think an early 2013 GS with the original Flywheel would be good to look out for as the engine loved to rev

 

[Pablo1]

The gearbox was updated late 2016 and theres a big difference, I would look at 2017 bikes onwards, however, both myself and my mate bought 2017 ex BMW management bikes, mine white, his triple black, he still has this bike and its immaculate with no experience of any issues, I got rid in 2021 after having had rear esa shock fail and corosion of frame starting to become a serious issue. Both bikes were TE spec and GSA's

 

[Davey B]

Early ones seem problematic as do current 1250’s

Isn't that more a case of folk tend to tell everyone when they have an issue, very rarely do you read a post that says 'I went out on my bike today, it didn't break down and thinking about it, hasn't done for 3 years since new....'

 

[Pukmeister]

I've had my 2019 1250 GSA TE since Saturday, and so far its been fine.

(Admittedly, the engine/gearbox sounds like a can of nails but its sublimely smooth and rapid for a boxer.)

 

[Schtum]

I think an early 2013 GS with the original Flywheel would be good to look out for as the engine loved to rev

Especially with a full Akrapovič system and Hilltopped. Mine goes like the proverbial. The gearbox is a bit clunky, though.

 

[stanley]

If he wants reliability, then he should maybe just buy another TC. As late and low miles as possible.
The latest bikes are great, but they are far from trouble free. Admittedly, this opinion is shaped by my own, fairly extensive, experience.

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[stonehenge]

I had Five Boxers - 1150 GSA / 2012 1200 TC / 2015 GSA / 2016 Iconic GSA / 2017 GSA Triple Black. The worse for reliability by far was the 2012 Twin Cam, followed by the 1150 (ignition coils mostly). All my WC's were faultless apart from the crap paint on the Iconic. None corroded at all.

 

[Tricky]

The last of the WC 1200s are the best.

My 68 GSA has been perfect.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

The last of the WC 1200s are the best.

My 68 GSA has been perfect.

Agreed my 66 plate 1200 was fabulous including the quick gear changer . My 1250 is better though

 

[neenaw]

65 GSA - 25k - Swiss (bavarian?) watch.....ner a hiccup

 

[King Rat]

Just wondering which bike year variant is ok?

16-18?
Early ones seem problematic as do current 1250’s

A mate is looking to update from a 2011 1200 Twin Cam GS, so asking the collective

The UPGRADE would be for an 1150. Everything else is down the scale....

 

[Schtum]

The UPGRADE would be for an 1150. Everything else is down the scale....

Only in the world of the Luddite....

 

[schneazle weazle]

mine is TE 2016 GSA with 2018 engine gearbox, (changed due to corrosion) now 57,000. Rear ESA failed at 31,000, fitted wilbers self cost, gsap failed at 20,000 replaced under warranty, rear wheel bearing replaced at 25,000 under warranty, had no other issues, seems to run sweet now. I do have a rapid bike easy fitted.

 

[sven]

2009 R1200GS MU (12000 miles from new) - Clutch slip at 12k miles, so by far the most expensive failure if it wasn't under warranty, used a litre of oil every 3000 miles, flaky paintwork on engine

2012 R1200RT TC (12000 miles from new) - Used a litre of oil every 2000 miles, left hand switchgear and front heated seat replaced under warranty, flaky paintwork on engine

2014 R1200GS LC (25,000 miles from new) - Right hand switchgear replaced under warranty, rear ESA shock replaced FOC outside warranty at 16k miles, engine and drive shaft replacement at 12k miles due to less flaky paint than the previous two! Left hand indicator switch was due for replacement when I sold it

2019 R1250GS LC (16500 miles from new) - software needed updating at 4.5k and 6.5k to resolve "Fault in engine control" TFT message

I'd say the 1250 was the most reliable of the lot

 

[Mark Hooton]

JB, I’ve had a few (as you may know) from 2006 to 2021 models.

2014, for me, seemed a good year - it’s the only one I’ve kept………,

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