Final Drive, Final Ride?

Mike IIRC my FD had clean oil but the bearings were all ready for changing.
I believe some effective dry lube can't help but extend bearing life.
As I understand it - grease from a blown bearing seal discolours the oil but why do BMW use greased bearings in an oil filled gearbox?
Wouldn't it make more sense to use single seal bearings?
 
Just read this thread start to finish as my 2011 GSA 35k miles was in for service/MOT today and they discovered final drive splines are knackered so whole unit needs replacing. Having now been shown the play in the rear hub I'm astonished I didn't notice and that the wheel hasn't fallen off as its that wobbly.

On the subject of BMW extended warranties which are mentioned in this thread, personally I'm so glad I've had one for the past two years as I've had two rear ESA shocks, one front ESA shock, two ABS sensors, the final drive oil seals and now a final drive about to be replaced, all under warranty. This is not a bike I'd have without a warranty.
 
Im half empty with anything that's full of known faults. But I'd not have bought a GSA, if I was really a half empty sort of bloke.
 
It's not a bike a bike I would ever own again !!!

Why is that? Most 1200's are trundling round with no more issues than any other bike and please don't tell me Honda's, Triumphs KTM's etc etc are any more reliable because it just isn't true.

One of the great things about a GS is if it does go wrong, the manufacturer generally stands by it unlike other's who show you the door.
 
Why is that? Most 1200's are trundling round with no more issues than any other bike and please don't tell me Honda's, Triumphs KTM's etc etc are any more reliable because it just isn't true.

One of the great things about a GS is if it does go wrong, the manufacturer generally stands by it unlike other's who show you the door.
Couldn't agree more Sgt Bilco. 1000's out there trouble free.
 
Do Triumphs still have the laughable corrosion warranty stipulation that the bike must be washed after every ride? ;)
 
A couple of the guys at work have explorers, both high mileage and neither have had FD problems.


However......both have been stranded at some point and both have been back to the factory for remedial work. One lives outside and is covered in rust and parked next to my similar age/mileage GSA both look a bit worn and 'cheap'. To be fair to Triumph their warranty back up has been first class, but as they pitched it directly at the GSA as 'the more reliable' big adventure bike I suppose it has to be. Not knocking the Explorer, it's a good bike (though I could never live with that engine whine!!), just sometimes things need to be put into perspective. As has been said many times, 1000's of GS's out there going strong, you only hear about the lemons though. Having been to Mikeyboys service day I'm confident that I'll spot potential FD problems before they become terminal and know he'll rebuild it to ?better than new for a reasonable sum

And yes, Triumph still require you to wash your bike after each ride:D
 
Had the Explorer - and to be fair to Triumph it had loads of work done on it and the warranty was honoured. But as I nicknamed the bike Triumph Recall it had to go ;)
 
as the old saying goes a satisfied customer will tell everyone they know but a dissatisfied customer will tell everyone and anyone they meet .
 
My 08 GSA had suffered from crap paint on rear subframe. But it's really not a hideous job to strip out the frame and have it zinc primed and powder coated. It now looks better than new and should last a great deal better than any standard finish.
 


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