BMW ownership does it make you worry ?

[Keith24GB]

I had always planned on buying a 1200GSA, I love the looks, the fuel range, the comfort and on top of all that it has Road Presence. Now I thought BMWs reliability would be first class, but after reading about all the breakdowns and failures that the GSs are having I now think otherwise.
Now I have owned the same Fireblade for 15 years now and 50,000 miles later, in that time it has never broken down or had any major problems. Yes I have had to replace a rusted down pipe, but at the 14 year old point I think that’s pretty good. Dam I had to replace the battery at 10 years, but you’re getting the point. This year I will be taking it to Turkey (its last big tour, before new bike), and am I worried it will let me down! Not a chance.

Now I love everything about the GSs, just not the reliability issues is stopping me from owning one. Having had a bulletproof bike for the past 15 years, I would be very reluctant to replace it with a bike with so many issues (I just can’t afford to run an unreliable bike). Shame as I would so much like to have one.

 

[Stonker]

I had always planned on buying a 1200GSA, I love the looks, the fuel range, the comfort and on top of all that it has Road Presence. Now I thought BMWs reliability would be first class, but after reading about all the breakdowns and failures that the GSs are having I now think otherwise.
Now I have owned the same Fireblade for 15 years now and 50,000 miles later, in that time it has never broken down or had any major problems. Yes I have had to replace a rusted down pipe, but at the 14 year old point I think that’s pretty good. Dam I had to replace the battery at 10 years, but you’re getting the point. This year I will be taking it to Turkey (its last big tour, before new bike), and am I worried it will let me down! Not a chance.

Now I love everything about the GSs, just not the reliability issues is stopping me from owning one. Having had a bulletproof bike for the past 15 years, I would be very reluctant to replace it with a bike with so many issues (I just can’t afford to run an unreliable bike). Shame as I would so much like to have one.

You want one of those nice reliable Moto Guzzis

 

[APE]

Now I love everything about the GSs, just not the reliability issues is stopping me from owning one. Having had a bulletproof bike for the past 15 years, I would be very reluctant to replace it with a bike with so many issues (I just can’t afford to run an unreliable bike). Shame as I would so much like to have one.

That's a real shame. How do you know your bike would have any issues at all There are too many people who come on to this site to whinge and bitch. Life is too short why don't you take a chance

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I had always planned on buying a 1200GSA, I love the looks, the fuel range, the comfort and on top of all that it has Road Presence. Now I thought BMWs reliability would be first class, but after reading about all the breakdowns and failures that the GSs are having I now think otherwise.
Now I have owned the same Fireblade for 15 years now and 50,000 miles later, in that time it has never broken down or had any major problems. Yes I have had to replace a rusted down pipe, but at the 14 year old point I think that’s pretty good. Dam I had to replace the battery at 10 years, but you’re getting the point. This year I will be taking it to Turkey (its last big tour, before new bike), and am I worried it will let me down! Not a chance.

Now I love everything about the GSs, just not the reliability issues is stopping me from owning one. Having had a bulletproof bike for the past 15 years, I would be very reluctant to replace it with a bike with so many issues (I just can’t afford to run an unreliable bike). Shame as I would so much like to have one.

Sounds like a 1100 or 1150 GS would be right up your street

 

[Wapping]

Sounds like a 1100 or 1150 GS would be right up your street

If I were short of cash and couldn't take the risk (or worry) of a 1200 GS / GSA not making it through a year or week...... I would take the 50,000 mile 15 year old FireBlade (which by now owes the owner nothing), get the suspension done (off Ebay), maybe get some fresh head bearings, a nice new chain and sprocket set, polish up the callipers, fit some new grips or whatever. Then chuck on some excellent Ventura luggage (off Ebay) and run it for the next 15 years up to 100,000 miles. You certainly ain't going to break the engine.

 

[Jonnirocket]

Got mine last year 1200gs T.B had one minor oil leak found on first service rear of engine (these things happen sometimes think of how many BMW have sold), dealer fixed then straight of 4,000 miles with wife and luggage to Southern Spain FANTASTIC MACHINE love it love it!Can't wait for 2012 adventure.....

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Then chuck on some excellent Ventura luggage (off Ebay)

Leave it on the bike or take it up to your hotel room?

That's the real question :-0

 

[Wizard]

Leave it on the bike or take it up to your hotel room?

That's the real question :-0

No it's not. The real question is will you have to make one trip or two

 

[Big Lee]

If I were short of cash and couldn't take the risk (or worry) of a 1200 GS / GSA not making it through a year or week...... I would take the 50,000 mile 15 year old FireBlade (which by now owes the owner nothing), get the suspension done (off Ebay), maybe get some fresh head bearings, a nice new chain and sprocket set, polish up the callipers, fit some new grips or whatever. Then chuck on some excellent Ventura luggage (off Ebay) and run it for the next 15 years up to 100,000 miles. You certainly ain't going to break the engine.

And it would spark more interest than a (any) GS

 

[bod]

That's a real shame. How do you know your bike would have any issues at all There are too many people who come on to this site to whinge and bitch. Life is too short why don't you take a chance

Yep, and the same moaning pricks hang around to spread their gloom long after they sold their Gay S ?

 

[Stonker]

opinions are like arseholes

 

[B4ndit]

BMW. It doesn't do what it says on the tin!

 

[Wizard]

BMW. It doesn't do what it says on the tin!

opinions are like arseholes

Never a truer word spoken

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Sounds like a 1100 or 1150 GS would be right up your street

And of course they are utterly bomb proof and have never ever had an issue

My feeling is that for every one GS that has a few problems, there are loads buzzing around with no issues whatsoever

 

[Nutty]

And of course they are utterly bomb proof and have never ever had an issue

My feeling is that for every one GS that has a few problems, there are loads buzzing around with no issues whatsoever

Exactly.

 

[Keith24GB]

That's a real shame. How do you know your bike would have any issues at all There are too many people who come on to this site to whinge and bitch. Life is too short why don't you take a chance

I still have just over a year left to decide what the new bike will be, I still might take the plunge with the new water cooled GSA and hope in the update they have fixed the final drive and fuel controller issues.

 

[Keith24GB]

If I were short of cash and couldn't take the risk (or worry) of a 1200 GS / GSA not making it through a year or week...... I would take the 50,000 mile 15 year old FireBlade (which by now owes the owner nothing), get the suspension done (off Ebay), maybe get some fresh head bearings, a nice new chain and sprocket set, polish up the callipers, fit some new grips or whatever. Then chuck on some excellent Ventura luggage (off Ebay) and run it for the next 15 years up to 100,000 miles. You certainly ain't going to break the engine.

Oh the old girl aint going anywhere, me and her have far too much history together to let her go. Im afraid she will be used as a daily work horse, leaving the new bike for dry days or long tours.
The reason I would like a new bike is that not only is the Fireblade getting older but so am I, and I would like something a little more comfortable.

 

[jwpzx9r]

Thing about the fireblade, and most sport bikes, is that it demands to be ridden fast, well I think it does I have found that since getting the GS I ride much more sedately.... Its nice and you don't spend as much money on gas and you don't feel every pebble on the road The down side, if you would call it that, is it is not the.. eh most smooth of motors but I say that as someone who has only ever owned lots Jap fours (oh and a Jap single XT550 that was a thumper, had to adjust the chain every lamp post). But over the piece Its gggrrrreat!

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

I bought a new Kia Sportage last year. I have no idea how reliable it will be but the manufacturer is convinced it will not have any big bills for 7 years or 100000 miles because that is how long the warranty runs for. Its a nice car and I am very pleased with it but to be honest I was first attracted by the warranty then discovered I liked the features of the car. That is a sign of the manufacturer's faith in their product.

BMW will only give a two years warranty for one of their motorcycles. They give you 3 for one of their cars. What does that say about their faith in their product?

I enjoy my GSA and have not had any trouble with it but if I am going to have sleepless nights about the costs of keeping my vehicles on the road which one do you think will give me more worry?

 

[Virco]

How does one spell "0 worries" in capital, block, letters?

After riding socialist 2strokes (Mobra50, CZ175, MZ250) in my early days, I have only had rice burners (and I say it endearingly) XT600, GSXR1100, Blade900, and the amazing R1. Oh, and when I felt the need to batter and bruise my body like I hated it I was taking an LC4 (KTM600) off roading and enduroing (I know, I know but I just like making verbs, English being so permissive that way).
While I was having my R1/LC4 tandem if anyone would have told me that soon I'll be riding a Bavarian boxer and enjoy it I would have laughed loudly in their face and called them names.
In autumn 2007 a friend of mine who did a longer stint through Europe on a GSXR750 and needed massive attention from a kiropractor on return, asked me to join him in visiting a BMW dealership where he had booked a test ride *on a GS12. I accepted his invitation split between what I thought will be a slow boring ride along his test tractor and the fun of whizzing past him just to make a point.
It turned out that the BMW dealer was an old acquaintance of mine from my moto racing days and he absolutely insisted that I too take a GS for a spin. I tried to politely decline by hinting at my gleaming R1 in the parking lot but he would have none of it, so I mounted a GS feeling rather silly in that new to me upward position, like a doggie waiting for a biscuit.
To cut a long story short, our test ride ended about 4 hours later (instead of the 90 minutes agreed) and upon return, that very afternoon before leaving the dealership I had already made a first payment for a GS.
Since then me and my trusted "Beem of joy" have been together for almost 50,000 Km now, out of which 30,000 done in 2008 while on a 4 moths trip all around Europe, from Sicilly to Lapland.
I might have been just lucky, but in 5 years and almost 35K miles I had "0" (zero, zilch, nada) problems with my bike . Gas, regular oil changes, tires, service inspections and maintenance rigorously observed and that was all I ever had to do. The rest were just thousand after thousand miles of joyful riding.
Accessories? Well, that's a completely different topic. Kitted as it comes out of the factory the GS is hardly a bike apt at touring, and to such an extent is this aspect obvious that I even wonder if BMW don't have shares or some secret deal with Touratech and Wunderlich, the 2 main suppliers of after market bits for our beloved G(elände)S(trasse)s. So if proper touring, as this bike otherwise fuly deserves, is on your agenda be prepared to shell out a few good quid to improve it's all weather (especially wet) ridebility.
In conclusion my advice, if you're reasonably satisfied with the bike you currently ride, is to NOT test ride a GS. You'll just end up having one.
Oh, and just one word to those funny, funny people bringing Triumph into a conversation about reliability and good engeneering / build quality. Read my lips: whhhooooooaaahhhhhahhhhahahahahahaha!!!