Confused!

[Chapperz]

Hi all.I haven`t owned a BMW since 2009.I had an F800GS but found it underpowered & a bit `twitchy` from the 21" front wheel at speed on the motorway.I also suffered with pain in my shoulder after riding it for more than 1/2 hr! Anyway, I sold it and av been riding a Suzuki 1250 since, but am thinkin about changin & choppin it in for a new R1200GS Triple Black. I test rode a new 1200GS on Saturday, & after a 2hr ride out, I really liked it,however i have 3 issues.Firstly,I took it out with the lowseat as i am only a 29" inside leg. I did notice te OLD pain again creeping back in the shoulders after a while. I took the bike back & changed the seat for the standard, but I just felt that i was Perched on the top of the bike, & not in it. Secondly, how RELIABLE are these new GS bikes? I read all sorts of horror stories about my 800GS after I had brought it, like the rubbish oem chains & the water hoses disconnecting whilst out riding!Never really had this with any of the jap bikes I have owned over the last 30yrs. So I am confused Thirdly, the dealer offered me a PCP deal, but said if I go over the agreed mileage,I will av to pay them 0.61 p per mile!Has anyone signed up for this and regretted it when they have done their annual mileage with maybe 3/4 months left to go in the year? Yeah, I don`t know what to do. Love the new Triple Black GS & am lucky enough now at 48 yrs old to be able to afford one ,so any comments to help me decide woud be appreciated. Thanks, chapperz.

 

[Georgeeboi]

Hi chapperz, cant tell you about the reliability problems as i havent had a 1200 but plenty of threads on the alledged fuel pump and final drive problems, but ive had cars and bikes on a pcp dont worry to much about the mileage just make sure you tell them a rough guide to the mileage you do so they can work out a final value of the bike after the term, the mileage will only come into play if you hand the bike back and walk away other than that you can px it as normal and they will adjust the price accordingly, pcp deals are ok if you want lower monthly payments and your going to change every two to three years if its a keeeper then i would advise hp as you will have to find a balloon payment at the end ive had pcp for the ten years or so and they work for me unless a 0% deals come up, also just one last thing the apr is slightly higher on a pcp than hp. hope this helps.

 

[Chapperz]

Thanks for the advice Georgeeboi. Yeah, I will av to try & gauge how many miles a year I will probably do, altho if i go for the bike, I might not wanna get off it! PCP is prob for me then, a I tend to change my bikes every 2/3 yrs. Regarding the seat, I will just av to go for the low option & see how it goes. Maybe the dealer might change it for a standard if I av problems with shoulder aches!You never know! The fuel gauge & final drive problems don`t sound good for a bike that costs over 10K to buy tho does it? What is that marketing statement again? UNSTOPPABLE BMW! Shame really, cause I really enjoyed the test ride, but looks like I am goin to av to give it some serious thought before I commit to something that might break down, even if it happens within the warranty period.

 

[David Lee]

Got my GSA new 4 years ago now, been to the Sahara in 2009 and Nordkapp this year. Done 37k.

Routine servicing, tyres and rear disc pads and that is that........

You only hear the bad things most of the time, the majority just enjoy riding them

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Chapperz, think abour bar risers for your shoulder problem. They will move the bars back which may help

As for reliablity, you only hear from those unlucky enough to have had a failure. yes there have been FPC issues which I understand are now cured and the FD is ongoing but it only affects a very small percentage and BMW will stand by their product with warranty and goodwill should you need it.

The huge majority soldier on through all seasons with no issues whatsoever. Mine is at 67k and I can honestly say, it's been fantastic and I'm still on my original final drive, fpc, ews ring and all the other supposed weak points

They are a brilliant bike

 

[Daffy]

Alright chapperz,
As said before you only hear the bad things, I have had 3 1200's and not had any issues other than a couple of warped discs on the first on (2006) since then I have really had trouble free motoring.

Some might say i don't keep them long enough but there ar plenty on here who have done big mileages with no issues.

Got myself a triple black earlier this year and love it, you won't regret it.

Re the seat, whichever seat you go for if you decide you want the other either your dealer will swap it or you will find someone on here who will want what you have got.

 

[Chapperz]

Hi all. Thanks for the positive comments & replies. Yeah, you are right, people only av a moan on forums when things go wrong. You don`t tend to hear people shoutin how good these bikes really are. I am starting to think that its time to come across to the dark side,lol.Its funny, all my mates with Jap bikes are tryin to discourage me from buying a BMW GS...Strange. Obviously they av never rode one