Engine corrosion - result!

[Neil W]

Couple of mates were in a similar position with FJR1200's they looked at BMW's and in the end both bought used Suzuki V Strom 650's, brilliant bikes, excellent build quality, few if any known major issues and they can easily do major miles without the fear of very large bills .

Hi all,this is my first posting on the site.
I am 66 years old and have been riding bikes of all types over the past 50 years but I have for the first time,purchased a 2013 R1200GS Liquid cooled.I bought the bike from a non franchised dealer,I traded in my FJR1300 which had covered 140000 miles and apart from routine servicing carried out by myself and normal wear and tear items,I have had to do nothing to it.
Because of a recent hip operation,I needed a lighter to handle bike.Friends of mine suggested that I try the new water cooled GS so reluctantly I did.I had it for a whole day and did a 400 mile ride,these are my thoughts.
To me the bike felt a light as a feather and went around corners as if it were on rails,the engine sound is little different to the FJR and so was the vibration,it was never going to be as smooth as a big 4 but I soon got to
like it.The gearbox,after being used to the silky smooth changes on the FJR,was a bit of a shock,it was clunky to the point of me thinking that there must be a fault on this one,it reminded me of my old Norton but worse.
I soldiered on and figured out,with this box the secret was to rev higher and change like a quick shifter,this method helped a lot and by the time I had to take the bike back,it was no longer an issue for me.The drop in power compared to the FJR is significant but the FJR because of its high up weight,could not corner like the GS,so I was happy with this trade off.To sum up,as a package the GS is unbeatable,I love it thats why I bought one.
I have had my bike for two weeks,here's where I am now......Corrosion showing on various areas of the engine and on the final drive casing (I should have looked more closely)but more importantly,I have play in the
rear wheel,if I grab the wheel at 12 oclock and six oclock,there is approx 2mm of play.I was under the impression that BMW had sorted the final drive problems out on the newer machines but it seems they are still leaving customers to do the R and D for them.Maybe they should ask Yamaha how to build a final drive.
I am worried now,the bike has only covered 8000 miles and its out of warranty,cant see it lasting 140000 miles,that's why I ask,Have I done the right thing!

 

[Karlread]

Hi all,this is my first posting on the site.
I am 66 years old and have been riding bikes of all types over the past 50 years but I have for the first time,purchased a 2013 R1200GS Liquid cooled.I bought the bike from a non franchised dealer,I traded in my FJR1300 which had covered 140000 miles and apart from routine servicing carried out by myself and normal wear and tear items,I have had to do nothing to it.
Because of a recent hip operation,I needed a lighter to handle bike.Friends of mine suggested that I try the new water cooled GS so reluctantly I did.I had it for a whole day and did a 400 mile ride,these are my thoughts.
To me the bike felt a light as a feather and went around corners as if it were on rails,the engine sound is little different to the FJR and so was the vibration,it was never going to be as smooth as a big 4 but I soon got to
like it.The gearbox,after being used to the silky smooth changes on the FJR,was a bit of a shock,it was clunky to the point of me thinking that there must be a fault on this one,it reminded me of my old Norton but worse.
I soldiered on and figured out,with this box the secret was to rev higher and change like a quick shifter,this method helped a lot and by the time I had to take the bike back,it was no longer an issue for me.The drop in power compared to the FJR is significant but the FJR because of its high up weight,could not corner like the GS,so I was happy with this trade off.To sum up,as a package the GS is unbeatable,I love it thats why I bought one.
I have had my bike for two weeks,here's where I am now......Corrosion showing on various areas of the engine and on the final drive casing (I should have looked more closely)but more importantly,I have play in the
rear wheel,if I grab the wheel at 12 oclock and six oclock,there is approx 2mm of play.I was under the impression that BMW had sorted the final drive problems out on the newer machines but it seems they are still leaving customers to do the R and D for them.Maybe they should ask Yamaha how to build a final drive.
I am worried now,the bike has only covered 8000 miles and its out of warranty,cant see it lasting 140000 miles,that's why I ask,Have I done the right thing!

One thing with the final drive, if there is a problem with it you should take the bike back to the dealer you bought it from. Presumably, there was some sort of warranty, in any event the bike needs to be fit for purpose. For the record, I have an RT LC and there is no play in it.

 

[sven]

The dreaded white spots are reappearing already on the 1500 mile/2 month old replacement engine

I don't think it's even been wet yet


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[duckspeed]

They really aren't very good are they?

 

[Engineer]

They really aren't very good are they?

My 14,500 mile silver engined 2015 LC TE is fine so far, washed every weekend and soaked in FS365 - fingers crossed it will stay this way until it's time to swap for a new one, next spring or the following.

PS this is my 4th 1200 GS since 2005 and only had minor corrosion on one bike - I ride all year too - what am I doing wrong????????

 

[Steviej4558]

Bubbles on head, 65 plate 9 months old

Hi guys, my bike is 9 months old and a number of bubbles have appeared on the cylinder head under the paint. I have reported it! Can I also add that my bike shows more signs of corrosion than my 2009 GSA! I wash her weekly or daily depending on the weather and cover her in FS365.

Honestly can't believe how corroded she is?

Let's wait and see what BMW say

 

[bod]

My 14,500 mile silver engined 2015 LC TE is fine so far, washed every weekend and soaked in FS365 - fingers crossed it will stay this way until it's time to swap for a new one, next spring or the following.

PS this is my 4th 1200 GS since 2005 and only had minor corrosion on one bike - I ride all year too - what am I doing wrong????????

Same here!

3 1200s all sprayed with FS365 after washing!

Tiny bit of corrosion on the underside of the twin cam final drive where I couldn't be arsed to get on my knees to get to it.

WC (14 plate) best of the bunch and still concours condition.

 

[R800]

Same here!

3 1200s all sprayed with FS365 after washing!

Tiny bit of corrosion on the underside of the twin cam final drive where I couldn't be arsed to get on my knees to get to it.

WC (14 plate) best of the bunch and still concours condition.

Ditto... The spots in mine were there when I bought it.

Wash regularly enough and fs365 and Iv never had a problem personally.

 

[Tyzer]

Sept 2015 GS LC

My GS is 10 months old, garaged and has never been ridden in the winter or in the rain if I can help it. After completing the NC500 the clocks filled with condensation in one corner after 5 days of rain which has now disappeared.After a good clean when I got home i have noticed some rust coloured staining around the weld on the passenger footrest/pannier bracket , some spotting on the engine casing joint,paint missing off the side stand and the centre stand now looks 10 years old .Some of the fastenings and bolts are also showing signs of furring, I'll wait until it's 6,000 service and see what the dealer has to say. I have owned a 2012 ZZR 1400 from new and I have to say it is in pristine condition ,shows no signs of corrosion probably helped by the fairing, and has only been back to the dealer for servicing. I have been riding bikes for 40 years and have never owned anything other than Japanese bikes the majority have been 100% reliable and have never used any anti corrosion treatments . The GS however is a brilliant machine, gearbox aside ,I could have never done the NC500 on the ZZR my neck, wrists and knees couldn't have coped.

 

[Caesi]

Cause for concern on?
65 plate.


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[Reggie P]

Caesi, for what its worth...mine is the same. Just 9 months old and covered in corrosion.

Washed and dried with an electric dog-drier after most rides.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Cause for concern on?
65 plate.


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It's weird how that happens

My 14 plate is the same. It has three rusty nipples but only on the front wheel. Weirdly they are not located close to each other.

I'm now waiting to here back from the Mothership as to what they are going to do about it?

 

[duckspeed]

Cause for concern on?
65 plate.


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You clearly haven't been washing that with BMW unicorn tears

 

[Andycj]

You need to get it in writing, what date and where the work was done, then you should get the same warranty cover again if its a new part, ie 2 years, if it happens again, get it done again as people have posted. Its all good fun!

 

[cookie]

You need to get it in writing, what date and where the work was done, then you should get the same warranty cover again if its a new part, ie 2 years, if it happens again, get it done again as people have posted. Its all good fun!

as has been said many times. you only get the new 2 year warranty if you make a contribution.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Keep saying it and one day, who knows, someone might actually listen