Couple of GSA questions

[Rusape]

I do use the search by the way, never seem to find the exact answers I want though

Your absolutely correct snerkler!

I put in a search for GSA screens and I got:

Show us a pic of your toenails
Hopalong to the barn dance(this Sat night)
Oil and its derivatives
How to hang your washing out when there's a bonfire next door
Shelling Peas the easy way
Airheads on parade
My 1150 is a horse/donkey/camel...discuss

etc etc etc...

Seldom actually find what I'm looking for without multiple & repeated searches.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Your absolutely correct snerkler!

I put in a search for GSA screens and I got:

Show us a pic of your toenails
Hopalong to the barn dance(this Sat night)
Oil and its derivatives
How to hang your washing out when there's a bonfire next door
Shelling Peas the easy way
Airheads on parade
My 1150 is a horse/donkey/camel...discuss

etc etc etc...

Seldom actually find what I'm looking for without multiple & repeated searches.

The topics you found...................taught you more about life............ than what you were searching for

Laugh and live a bit

 

[Rusape]

The topics you found...................taught you more about life............ than what you were searching for

Laugh and live a bit

Funnily enough, (you get me) I wasn't interested in finding out about life at that particular moment; I wanted to find out about GSA screens innit doh.

 

[Wapping]

Don't just ask.....................search and research first ......................and then ask, not before

Ok I'll bite, I'm interested to know what makes you say that?
I do use the search by the way, never seem to find the exact answers I want though

Your absolutely correct snerkler!

I put in a search for GSA screens and I got:

Show us a pic of your toenails
Hopalong to the barn dance(this Sat night)
Oil and its derivatives
How to hang your washing out when there's a bonfire next door
Shelling Peas the easy way
Airheads on parade
My 1150 is a horse/donkey/camel...discuss

etc etc etc...

Seldom actually find what I'm looking for without multiple & repeated searches.

The topics you found...................taught you more about life............ than what you were searching for

Laugh and live a bit

Funnily enough, (you get me) I wasn't interested in finding out about life at that particular moment; I wanted to find out about GSA screens innit doh.

That's odd, as when I asked it to search for gsa screens it came up with quite a good list of 210 threads:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/search.php?searchid=5033283 with few if any mentions of toenails or washing lines.

BUT: When I didn't ask the dumb device to limit its search for gsa screens in just the 1200GS section it came up with 500 threads, not 210. These included, Charley Boorman appearing in the north east of England, Macbooks (value of) and a thread about Yamaha's new 1200.

My suggestion to snerkler and Rusape: Try filtering via the dropdown box.

Of course, snerkler, the exact answer you want may not be there; that will depend on exactly what answer you might expect, of course. It will also depend on some previous bod asking the same (possibly bizarre) question. If nobody has, then of course the exact answer will not appear. That being said, if you search for the word, drying you will find several threads suggesting the use of leafblowers to drive water from the nooks and crannies of 1200GS motorcycles, along with assorted advice on cleaning.

So maybe JB was not so far out in his advice after all, innit doh?

Go in peace.

 

[Dainese Brave]

[/B]

Thought so

Just a helpful pointer here about BMW GS's.....................

It will be quirky and weird

It will corrode

The paint will flake

You may encounter catastrophic mechanical failures

You will become very familiar with BMW's warranty procedure

The GS engine may blow up

It will use inordinate amounts of oil

It will eat rear brake pads

The shaft final drive may collapse it bearings and/or leak oil

The GSA alloy panniers will oxidise and discolour

You will spend inordinate amounts of money on mainly trivial Touratech stuff

The immobiliser may leave you stranded

The fuel pump controller may leave you stranded

In the event of dropping the bike, the crashbars and cylinder guards will be about as much use as a chocolate teapot

Apart from that........................you may grow to love the bike or you may just grow to hate it and sell it very quickly

Other than that they are pretty good bikes.....................so this is just to put your mind at rest and stop anymore questions

Remember...........................the SEARCH button on here.....................is your friend

I think that is a little harsh on the GS range....but I'm assuming it was meant in jest more than in seriousness.

The GS may do a lot of the above things, but it is a bit harsh to say it will on all of the subjects.

Certainly some will if not prevented by ritual cleaning and preventitive measures....panniers and corrossion etc.

The immoboliser and fuel pump issues have been (hopefully, fingers crossed) sorted by BMW on the later, and newer models.

The using of oil is high at the start, but tails off for most over a period (the general thought this is due to how it's run in).

Not all bikes eat pads...or discs..front, or rear....but some seem to...but some don't.

The final drive issue is still unfortunately a concern...and an all too regular occurance on low mileage machines.

The crash bars have done a fine job for me whenever I've needed them..........never tested the cylinder guards, but they're not going to perform miracles I'd imagine

You may become familiar with the BMW warranty system if you encounter any of these problems....but that's what it's there for.

Yes you will be tempted by Touratech and Wunderlich.....but if you choose wisely you can enhance the bike with the right products....or you can make it look like a Christmas tree with lots of expensive things that don't do much.....personal preference that really.

The GSA is definately quirky and wierd.....but that is why most of use love them ....and keep going back for more

Would you get any of the above problems with other makes???...Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha etc.......I think so, maybe not so frequently on some issues, maybe more on others, depending on make and model.

I think on a whole, if you ride it, look after it to a reasonable level, let BMW sort anything you're not happy with under warranty, and just go out there and enjoy the bike and stop worrying what might go wrong...then all will be fine.

In a nut-shell.....just enjoy the bike!

 

[Dainese Brave]

...my 2p's on the search....

.....it is a lot easier to ask a question than trawl through a lot of the related, and un-related threads and posts on the search engine...

...the trouble is that many have (probably) asked it many times before...

...and it can become tiresome for those who have seen it asked time and time again.

...however, it doesn't (in my opinion) warrant a heap of abuse (not saying that's what's happened here) that is often directed towards a newbie who is quite innocently asking a question, that he feels is important, before he's had time to learn the way around the tools of the site....or the etiquette required

A gentle nudge in the right direction is all that is required

And give them a break....least they used the search engine first ......without using, or knowing about, all the bells and whistles capable of it as Wapping describes.....but they at least looked

...just my 2p's worth...

 

[snerkler]

Dunno..................just a gut feeling....................where did you get yours? Pidcocks or Rainbow?

It made me curious because I do tend to change my bikes a lot, and wondered what gave that away?
However, my needs have changed for a bike and so this time I chose the GSA as much with my head as my heart and so am hoping this one's a keeper.
So far I've found the bike everything I've wanted and am very happy with it

I bought it from Rainbow, nearest place to me and when I used them in the past was very happy with their service. And I've been very happy this time so far.

Just out of curiosity why do folk say the GS's are quirky? I've ridden all different makes and types of bikes and they all have thier differences, but we don't call them quirky. Except for the indicators and lack of front end dive I don't find the GS's anymore quirky than anything else I've ridden. Yes they're different, but to me no more different from say comparing a Suzuki to a Triumph, or a Duke. Just curious to know what folk mean by quirky that's all

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

[/B]

I think that is a little harsh on the GS range....but I'm assuming it was meant in jest more than in seriousness.

The GS may do a lot of the above things, but it is a bit harsh to say it will on all of the subjects.

Certainly some will if not prevented by ritual cleaning and preventitive measures....panniers and corrossion etc.

The immoboliser and fuel pump issues have been (hopefully, fingers crossed) sorted by BMW on the later, and newer models.

The using of oil is high at the start, but tails off for most over a period (the general thought this is due to how it's run in).

Not all bikes eat pads...or discs..front, or rear....but some seem to...but some don't.

The final drive issue is still unfortunately a concern...and an all too regular occurance on low mileage machines.

The crash bars have done a fine job for me whenever I've needed them..........never tested the cylinder guards, but they're not going to perform miracles I'd imagine

You may become familiar with the BMW warranty system if you encounter any of these problems....but that's what it's there for.

Yes you will be tempted by Touratech and Wunderlich.....but if you choose wisely you can enhance the bike with the right products....or you can make it look like a Christmas tree with lots of expensive things that don't do much.....personal preference that really.

The GSA is definately quirky and wierd.....but that is why most of use love them ....and keep going back for more

Would you get any of the above problems with other makes???...Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha etc.......I think so, maybe not so frequently on some issues, maybe more on others, depending on make and model.

I think on a whole, if you ride it, look after it to a reasonable level, let BMW sort anything you're not happy with under warranty, and just go out there and enjoy the bike and stop worrying what might go wrong...then all will be fine.

In a nut-shell.....just enjoy the bike!

I stand by my original post.....................more than likely your 12GS bike will exhibit some, if not all of the above traits

Study the 12 section and its a common trait

When I bought my first GS, brand new in 1997.......................you had 1 simple choice..................heated grips or no heated grips - and that was it as a factory order

All UK GS's had ABS, back in those days....................so you just took it and very good ABS2 was

Of course...... you could add luggage at point of sale at the dealer, if you so chose

In those days life was so simple....................now in 2010 the 12GS has a myriad of over complex electronic trickery-pokery - which may or may not be of any use to the rider whatsoever

A well ridden 1100GS or 1150GS will be no quicker or slower than a 2010 12GS over a mountain road........................progress eh...........I doubt it




I feel far happier riding a proper iconic GSA

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

It made me curious because I do tend to change my bikes a lot, and wondered what gave that away?
However, my needs have changed for a bike and so this time I chose the GSA as much with my head as my heart and so am hoping this one's a keeper.
So far I've found the bike everything I've wanted and am very happy with it

I bought it from Rainbow, nearest place to me and when I used them in the past was very happy with their service. And I've been very happy this time so far.

Just out of curiosity why do folk say the GS's are quirky? I've ridden all different makes and types of bikes and they all have thier differences, but we don't call them quirky. Except for the indicators and lack of front end dive I don't find the GS's anymore quirky than anything else I've ridden. Yes they're different, but to me no more different from say comparing a Suzuki to a Triumph, or a Duke. Just curious to know what folk mean by quirky that's all

Quirky............... because no other bike manufacturer builds bikes that are in any way similar to BMWs, in terms of engine layout and chassis design

Triumph/Ducati/Honda/Yamaha et al, use a smilar design chassis to build their bikes on........................BMW do not and never will (S1000RR excepted)

 

[Deleted Member I]

If you don't like the BMW branded pannier frames, you can get Jesse or Micatech .. both of which that have attachments that are discreet and doesn't spoil the lines of the bike.

The boxes themselves (Jesse and Micatech) are pretty good too.

Ask away! I am here all week

Jesse quick click system for attaching panniers

Micatech mounting system

 

[tommygun]

I stand by my original post.....................more than likely your 12GS bike will exhibit some, if not all of the above traits

Study the 12 section and its a common trait

When I bought my first GS, brand new in 1997.......................you had 1 simple choice..................heated grips or no heated grips - and that was it as a factory order

All UK GS's had ABS, back in those days....................so you just took it and very good ABS2 was

Of course...... you could add luggage at point of sale at the dealer, if you so chose

In those days life was so simple....................now in 2010 the 12GS has a myriad of over complex electronic trickery-pokery - which may or may not be of any use to the rider whatsoever

A well ridden 1100GS or 1150GS will be no quicker or slower than a 2010 12GS over a mountain road........................progress eh...........I doubt it




I feel far happier riding a proper iconic GSA

Have to agree there JohnnyB - the less there is on a bike, the less can go wrong. After owning a Caponord that was riddled with electrical problems, reliability was of utmost imprtance. I wanted something that would start on the button everytime and, to be frank, I should really have gone for a 1150GSA (in black ). However - and this affects nearly all of my purchases - the heart rules the head, and I went for an 06 GSA. Up till now (other than the battery) I've had 10000 miles trouble free motoring and touch wood it stays that way. After reading the latest gizmos to be added to the new models I can't help think that BMW are steering away from a piece of engineering that made it such a success in that field, and manufacturing something to please the masses. But then I read the latest Multistrada and Super Tenere reviews and how we are entering a new era of DS biking, and it seems like they're all following the same path.

'Ducati and Yamaha' aim to take a chunk out of the GS market....well I'm afraid this may happen if it continues this way.

I sympathise with Snerkler and new buyers who have just spent a big chunk of money only to be faced with serious doubts after reading forums. There will be questions naturally.

 

[Wapping]

Ask away! I am here all week

Post us some pictures of your GSA with and without panniers.

Cheers, m8.

 

[snerkler]

I sympathise with Snerkler and new buyers who have just spent a big chunk of money only to be faced with serious doubts after reading forums. There will be questions naturally.

I don't know what impression I've given but I have no doubts, I've only asked questions out of curiosity and to gain knowledge (Oil question apart)

To be quite honest with the other bikes I've had all the forums say the same thing "this will go wrong, you won't like this, this'll happen and you'll crash and get seriously injured ......."

I take it all in, and without being disrespectful ignore most of it as like I've said people have problems whatever bike they own (and car for that matter), but it doesn't mean we're all going to be affected in the same way. You get your reliable ones, and your 'friday afternoon ones'.

If I listened to advice about both the Triumphs I've had on various forums I wouldn't have dared taking them out for fear of a painful death

1150 GSA, I'm sure they're a cracking bike, but I just don't like the look of them, sorry, and that's important to me

As for the electronic Gizmo's, that does seem to be the way things are going, and to be fair have found having ABS and traction control comforting in the bad weather we've had. Also, I've found the ESA very handy. Yes it's something else that can go wrong, but I don't want to spend my life worrying about all the possible things that can go wrong, if I did I'd never get out of bed in a morning. And then I'd worry about that too

 

[Dainese Brave]

I stand by my original post.....................more than likely your 12GS bike will exhibit some, if not all of the above traits

Study the 12 section and its a common trait

So how do you explain that my 06 GSA with 14,000 miles on the clock hasn't experienced or had any of the issues you mention.....and I've never had one claim under warranty.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I had a dip beam bulb blow at 19000 miles

 

[Wapping]

So how do you explain that my 06 GSA with 14,000 miles on the clock hasn't experienced or had any of the issues you mention.....and I've never had one claim under warranty.

Luck of the draw. Nothing more, nothing less, I guess. That and the simple observation that not all bikes have had problems, of course.

Most of the final drive / speed sensor / oil seal problems on the earlier bikes seem to manifest themselves at around 22,000 miles..... Patience is a virtue; eight thousand still to go

If you bought my 06 GSA second hand with 40k plus on the clock, you would not know (unless I told you) that I had had a fuel pump controller fail, the real oil seal go and the final drive / speed sensor 'dance of death'. Two of the faults (oil seal and 'dance of death) were fixed under warranty. Neither were too dramatic.

The controller I fixed myself. But I persuaded BuMW to rebate my outlay for the controller a year or so later, when it became clear they were replacing the controllers under goodwill. I still have the spare ring antenna I bought, just in case.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Luck of the draw. Nothing more, nothing less, I guess. That and the simple observation that not all bikes have had problems, of course.

Most of the final drive / speed sensor / oil seal problems on the earlier bikes seem to manifest themselves at around 22,000 miles..... Patience is a virtue; eight thousand still to go

If you bought my 06 GSA second hand with 40k plus on the clock, you would not know (unless I told you) that I had had a fuel pump controller fail, the real oil seal go and the final drive / speed sensor 'dance of death'. Two of the faults (oil seal and 'dance of death) were fixed under warranty. Neither were too dramatic.

The controller I fixed myself. But I persuaded BuMW to rebate my outlay for the controller a year or so later, when it became clear they were replacing the controllers under goodwill. I still have the spare ring antenna I bought, just in case.

I'm not saying that the GS range isn't without faults, or doesn't have its issues...and I may have been fortunate with mine...and fingers crossed...will continue to be.

I just think it is a little harsh to say that it will get all, or some, off the issues mentioned just because it is a GS..implying it is a guaranteed certainty as it is a GS.

As you rightly say a lot of the risk is determined in some cases by the mileages involved, and in others how the bike is used, for what, and how it is looked after.......and that surely relates to any bike, of any bike?

Let us say that if you were going to do 200,000 miles (a bit extreme I know) on your GS it will most likely suffer from these faults....but couldn't that be said of any bike?

 

[Wapping]

I'm not saying that the GS range isn't without faults, or doesn't have its issues...

To be fair, JB didn't say all 1200GS's had all the faults.... Though no doubt one has.

As to 200,000 miles? Well, 19,000 miles (or there abouts) is accepted as 'around the world'.... So, having one or more of the faults in ten times around the globe (even on an 'around the world' bike) would seem likely.

 

[Dainese Brave]

To be fair, JB didn't say all 1200GS's had all the faults....

...no, but in time that all will...which is a little unfair, and a bit of an elaboration on the problems that the GS does have, or has had.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Since the OP has had a 1200GS before, I assume he knows what he is buying. So I'm sure JB's "advice" is quite unnecessary (it's just a standard JB troll in fact).