BMW 1200 reliability

[jimmystewpot]

Hello,

I have always believed that the BMW boxers are very reliable and the build quality is exceptional. I have recently been looking to purchase my first bmw motorcycle (1200 GSA). I have recently been told by several people that the reliability and build quality is not what it used to be. Most of their comments come from the first year 1200's are there still any problems?

Has anyone had any issues that I should be aware of before purchasing?

Regards,

Jimmy.

 

[Berin]

I've just had mine (1200gs) for a year now. No problems at all. Would probably still look new, if I ever gave it a proper clean. I bought it from Cooper Reading, now moved to Tunbridge Wells so it's just had a service at North Oxford Garage, who were great - did the service while I waited, nice little coffee bar to sit in, and they ran a check to see if there were any updates/recalls which applied.
Dunno how the quality compares with the good old days when BuMW's were exclusivley ridden by old fat blokes with beards but I think it's pretty good in comparision with the Yams and Suzuki's I've had, at least as good as Honda and don't even get me talking about Triumphs (pre-Bloor...)

Never had a MBW before, but I'd struggle to go back to the scroty showrooms and miserable servicing that I had with my Jap bike days.

 

[marcus]

Mines a 55 plate and has had the following under warranty:

Lots of coughing and spluttering under acceleration - diagnosed as "wrong spark plugs fitted" (4500 miles)

Battery going flat (well known problem, replaced under warranty)

fuel pump water ingress (design fault - man from BMW assist had a load of spares in the boot) replaced under warranty


apart from that its fan-bleedin-tastic

I'd say however on my experience that they are better than the early ones - mine fell to bits.

 

[cookie]

2500 miles, new front master cylinder fitted as the old one made a clicking noise. bloody italian rubbish


i can see a new rear disc being needed in the not too distant future too. that's probably the fault of the feckwitted german ECU though

 

[howdoo]

Reliable

My 54 plate had the normal re-calls for the battery and fuel pump(?).
Leaking gearbox at the back fixed under warranty.
Bevel drive leaking and the outside coating on it crazing and replaced under warrant.
Warped front discs, which weren't warped enough for BMW to replace until I put up with them for another 6000ish miles....replaced under warranty.
New discs warped after only 1000 miles, which weren't warped enough for BMW to replace, so told to go away.
Once the warranty expired, still warped discs and the paint on the cover at the front of the engine started bubbling.
Apart from that though, totally reliable.

Got another one now, with a warranty.

 

[davidgibson999]

mine is august 2004 and I haven't had any problems with it at all. Awesome bike!

 

[terayon]

Mine's a October 04 and never had a problem with it

 

[Geeza]

Mechanically the bike has been sound. Front engine cover changed under warranty (bubbling paint) and ABS brake recall (twice) but no problems found.

55 plate

 

[Pukmeister]

Mines one of the very first R1200GS models, March 2004. Dealer ex-demo bike so probably ragged senseless yet still she runs like a swiss watch. Like a fine wine or a smelly cheese, she improves with age/mileage. 25K at present.

She had a new rear drive unit as a precaution early in her life, plus I had it changed again recently due to a minor oil leak on the input shaft seal (possibly my fault I think I overfilled it).
She has had two engine front covers before I managed to treat the screws/bolts myself and prevent a reocurrence of corrosion. (Details on this site.)
I had a gearbox oil seal changed under warranty due to a minor oil leak.
Several software updates to cure minor niggles and improve engine response.

I fitted a Hawker Odyssey uprated battery as a precaution (no problem with the old battery, just peace of mind/reliability). A sensible 'upgrade' to the bike as batteries are a known issue.


She's like an old friend to me, I've never felt so bonded with a machine and am not tempted to buy a newer 'improved (?)' version or the Adventure model. When I emigrate to Australia in September, theres a space already reserved for her in my sea container. If that's not a good enough recommendation, I don't know what is.......?

My advice with hindsight if I were buying another......

1) Put tape on the frame on the LH side to prevent your boots rubbing the paint off.
2) Remove the screws holding on the plastic alternator cover. Coat the screw threads in Duralac/Starbrite or similar product before replacing into their holes.
3) Put aside enough money for a Hawker Odyssey as a replacement in about 18 months time.
4) Regularly wash then dry and spray in WD-40/FS 365/ACF-50 or similar to prevent corrosion. Ignore all that 'dirty is better' bollocks.
5) Buy some silicone grease and seal up the auxiliary power socket wiring connector under the seat. Do the same for the rear lamp holder.

 

[Eunuch]

When I emigrate to Australia in September, theres a space already reserved for her in my sea container.

Adam, if you don't mind me asking, what prompted you to emigrate to Oz? Its been on my mind fo the last 5 years. Time for a big change.

 

[Pukmeister]

Lots of reasons Daz, mostly because I am disillusioned with the UK and also because I want a better lifestyle for me and my family in a country with better weather. I could fill the page with reasons and sound very bitter and twisted in the process, however in a nutshell I took retirement from the Royal Navy after 24 years service, paid off my mortgage and have signed a contract with the Royal Australian Navy. I will spend the next 3 years in Perth, Western Australia and enjoy the weather and location to the full.

Just waiting on my Visa being issued and we will pack our things and leave.

I hope the GS can cope with the heat in Australia.

 

[jimmystewpot]

Aussie

Lots of reasons Daz, mostly because I am disillusioned with the UK and also because I want a better lifestyle for me and my family in a country with better weather. I could fill the page with reasons and sound very bitter and twisted in the process, however in a nutshell I took retirement from the Royal Navy after 24 years service, paid off my mortgage and have signed a contract with the Royal Australian Navy. I will spend the next 3 years in Perth, Western Australia and enjoy the weather and location to the full.

Just waiting on my Visa being issued and we will pack our things and leave.

I hope the GS can cope with the heat in Australia.

As an Australian the first thing you will notice about riding there is the space. Filtering is illegal in most states and territories as well.. big bust if your caught. If your in Perth the heat is nice and dry riding north to broome and then inland is unreal. There are some awesome rides out towards meekathura then going south or north from there. Just remember fuel stops for Petrol can be difficult to find diesel is easy to get in most places and some places only stock av gas although Its been ~10 years since I spent any serious amounts of time in the sticks.

I recommend riding perth to Cape arid national park along the coast. There are sections which are dirt only and some sections which you need to follow main road traffic very beautiful scenery in parts.

 

[Eunuch]

Lots of reasons Daz, mostly because I am disillusioned with the UK and also because I want a better lifestyle for me and my family in a country with better weather. I could fill the page with reasons and sound very bitter and twisted in the process, however in a nutshell I took retirement from the Royal Navy after 24 years service, paid off my mortgage and have signed a contract with the Royal Australian Navy. I will spend the next 3 years in Perth, Western Australia and enjoy the weather and location to the full.

Just waiting on my Visa being issued and we will pack our things and leave.

I hope the GS can cope with the heat in Australia.

Good reasons I relate to. Nice ot hear you have the job all lined up. Hope it all goes well for you - sure it will.

I bought an Oz and NZ moving abroad magazine over the w/e. I need to seriously think about it until its too late. I have 4 years left until I'm 45 and the points I get start falling away again.

Best of luck Adam.

 

[Pukmeister]

Cheers Daz and thanks for the riding tips Jimmy. Sorry if this thread has been hijacked, it's meant to be advice about the 1200.

I'll be sure to check out some choice routes once down under, sounds like the GS is the perfect weapon for that mixture of roads.

I've got 6 to 12 months in Mornington, Victoria before heading across to WA so I'll be based 10 miles from Philip Island as the crow flies. Moto GP and WSB down under methinks.

Perth is expanding rapidly with expat Poms, if you want to emigrate to Aus better get your skates on mate. I wanted Queensland but got sent to WA but mustn't grumble. A few more years and there'll be more Poms than Aussies down under the way UK is going. I'm 41 in July so I got in early before the 45 cut off point.

 

[Pukmeister]

As an Australian the first thing you will notice about riding there is the space. .....riding north to broome and then inland is unreal. There are some awesome rides out towards meekathura then going south or north from there. Just remember fuel stops for Petrol can be difficult to find....................I recommend riding perth to Cape arid national park along the coast. There are sections which are dirt only and some sections which you need to follow main road traffic very beautiful scenery in parts.

Dammit, I'm trying so hard not to justify an R1200GS Adventure. Surely my wimpy little standard fuel tank will hold enough .....??

 

[SQD8R]

77.000 km on a 2004 model, no issues.