Fussy BMW owners?

[JayGee]

I got a bit dissillusioned with my GS after reading about all the problems people have posted on here. Then I got to thinking is the GS that bad or is it that many of us BMW owners expect more and complain more, partly because we pay more?

I'm lucky enough to have two bikes a 2004 GS and a 2000 Blackbird. The Blackbird broke down on holiday and cost me around £600 to be repaired whilst I kicked my heels in Strasbourg for a week. The GS has never let me down so why do I think the Blackbird is more reliable?

The GS has had a couple of recalls and quite a few trips to the dealers for software upgrades, new wheels and new side panels but these are just cosmetic things. The blackbird on the other hand has never been back for a recall, never had any work under warranty (except for a free wiring loom when 5 years old!) but it has let me down. So more annoying little trips to the BMW dealer against one big problem on the blackbird.

However things fixed by BMW would I think, just be ignored by other manufacturers with less demanding owners. Take for example the Blackbird, where the swing arm hit the side arm and left a small grove on the inside of the silencer but all Honda did was put a spacer washer to give enough clearance and left the exhaust, I was happy with this but I'm sure BMW would have done more and BMW owners would still be whinging about it!

Another example is I have the first signs of an oil leak from the gearbox oil seal on the GS, it's the mearest hint of oil appearring at the crankcase, bell housing joint. It might well have been there since new, doesn't appear to be getting any worse yet the dealer is going to replace the seal (with free labour on a bike that is just out of warranty). I'm sure any other manufacturer would just say keep an eye on it and bring it back when it's a problem.

So maybe the GS isn't so bad and it's just their owners are more demanding, what do you think? I'm not belittling the major problems some on here have had but we do seem to complain about the smallest problems as well, and BMW mostly do something for us so maybe we shouldn't moan and maybe I should view the GS more positively.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Nice post...!! having owned many different bikes over the years, I`m on my 3rd BMW. I started with an 1100S Boxer Cup Replika which was absolutely superb. Gave in to the ravages of time and too much Rugby and bought an 1150GSA. Did 27K in just over 12 months with NO problem whasoever. Just got my 1200GSA 2 weeks ago and am delighted so far. I have nothing but good to say about the bikes and the dealers I have been to both here, in Europe and in the USA.
I am of the opinion that because we have this great forum, more problems are highlighted and it gives us the chance to air our views and grievences however minor they may be.
My opinion is the whole GS range is a superbly built and designed motorcycle and there are few issues. Of course there are Friday afternoon bikes and even Rolls Royces occasionally go wrong.
I`ve read some really bad threads and posts on reliability etc etc but I think we sometimes expect too much.
I`ve owned plenty of Jap crap and Triumphs and wouldn`t go back to their idea of service and quality that`s for sure.
The simple truth is, if someone really doesn`t like the GS, sell it and buy a K#M or something because nobody`s making you keep it!!
Well that`s my two penneth for what it`s worth....!!

 

[Bananaman]

When I had a problem with my fuel gague warning light not performing correctly I tried hard to remember the good old days of commuting in the 70s on my trusty BSA.
Arriving at work forty minutes later and after shaking off the effects of vibration white finger, stiffus backus maximus and sorearseitus, wiping the oil off the gearbox and back tyre, then sliding half an oil can under to catch the drips. Oh bugger another two blanking plugs shaken off as well. Will keep a look out for them on the way home

Ahhhgghhh......the good old days

 

[welder8uk]

Ive had my Gs for 2 years now (bought it off MrIfan before he went back to being a luddite with the 1100, ) and 12k miles. As far as reliability goes, it is neither better or worse than any other bikes I have had.

They have always been reliable and the Gs is no different, starts in the crappiest of weather, gets mid 40's mpg. Everything works on it without any problems.

It doesnt get looked after from an asthetic point of view, I haven't washed it since I bought it off MrIfan (but I have chnaged the colour, hated yellow). It isnt any more rusty than from when I bought it which amazes since it is ridden all through winter and still doesnt get washed or hosed down or anything. I think there is decidedly very little rust/ corrosion on it.

once a month or so (when I remember) i go round it with a can of WD40 and spray anything that looks like it wants it, or even if it doesnt. And thats it.

It does get maintained very well though, probably over maintained compared to the standard bike that is done at a dealer. I dont wait 6k mile before I check it over to make sure that the pads arent worn donw/ bolts loose or anything else.

I dont have sticking calipers (and I dont strip them down every 3 weeks like I read one member did), no oil leaks, it uses about 200ml of oil per 1k miles. It gets used up and down backroads/ motorways/ dual carriages. I use the cheapest oil filters I can find (£1.66 becuase they are available locally) use car sparkplugs and use the same oil as my Land rover takes (both engine and axles/ gearboxes, 'cos its easier than worrying about wether 15W40 may or may not make the engine last longer than 20W50) - Im never going to find out at 6k miles a year.

It runs sweet and hasnt got any bad habits yet, but i do all my own servicing and if there is anything I am not happy about I investigate and either ignore it or fix it.

It is so cheap to run and easy to service. Wins hands down over Jap bikes. I very much doubt a Jap bike would hold up to the abuse this gets and will continue to get.

I think if you are very pedantic over it (and I think you have every right to be for the cost they are) then I think that BMW does let itself down against peoples expectations. But I think that the difference is that they dont need to be looked after or molycodled as much as a Jap bike (on the whole) needs to be.

They are not as smooth as Jap bikes or perhaps as well made, but they will outlast and can be repaired at home most of the time. It is a damn good workhorse.

Am I allowed to say 'Jap' this week? Ive lost track now, I know 'Nip' is out apparently and 'Chinky' was out last week. And according to another thread 'white man' is out in 'Merica.

Stop worrying, do your own maintenance (you'll understand far more about your bike and mechanics) and ride the thing.

My 2 penny wrth
steve

 

[Eastriding2002]

I think griping on internet forums is just what happens.

I've found you'll either come across moaners who would find something wrong with a perfect article, or the "my dad's bigger than yours brigade", the ones who have thwe most powerful bikes, scrape the most on bends and have ridden the fastest on HM Highways.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

In the old days when cars used to have various teething problems I used to find that it all depended on the dealer and his preparation and servicing. We do pay a lot for our bikes and we do expect ( and in my case I do get) top class service and attention. It is over 30 years since I owned a bike of another make so I cannot really make any comparison - but I think that you get what you pay for - as always.

 

[SilverBobGS]

If I believed all I read on the forum I would not have bought one

Prior to buying and whilst awaiting delivery of my first BMW I poured over the tales of woe and dispair on the site. If I had believed all that I had read I would have cancelled the order and run with my money back to the nearest Honda dealers and upgraded to a Fireblade.
I did`nt and now am a proud owner of a 1200gs. From the very moment I rode it I knew it was the best thing I had done. If it breaks down in the future so be it. I know also from the site that the dealers will take care of you and for me that balances it out.
As for the expectations of the brand, I dont have any. Why should I. Its want I wanted and it was the right bike for me at this point in my circumstances. I do however expect to be treated as a valued customer and the dealer I bought the bike from certinally did that.
As for other peoples expectations of the brand I cant answer that, but just see what the average BMW driver is like on the road and perhaps that filters down to some bikers.
No I expect some flak over that last comments, but I`ve seen it all before on the Honda vfr forum, exactly the same ! You can please some people etc
I might even start a " nothing has ever gone round with my bike " thread

Bob

 

[riderbob]

Agree with Bob.

The other Bob

Prior to buying and whilst awaiting delivery of my first BMW I poured over the tales of woe and dispair on the site. If I had believed all that I had read I would have cancelled the order and run with my money back to the nearest Honda dealers and upgraded to a Fireblade.
I did`nt and now am a proud owner of a 1200gs. From the very moment I rode it I knew it was the best thing I had done. If it breaks down in the future so be it. I know also from the site that the dealers will take care of you and for me that balances it out.
As for the expectations of the brand, I dont have any. Why should I. Its want I wanted and it was the right bike for me at this point in my circumstances. I do however expect to be treated as a valued customer and the dealer I bought the bike from certinally did that.
As for other peoples expectations of the brand I cant answer that, but just see what the average BMW driver is like on the road and perhaps that filters down to some bikers.
No I expect some flak over that last comments, but I`ve seen it all before on the Honda vfr forum, exactly the same ! You can please some people etc
I might even start a " nothing has ever gone round with my bike " thread

Bob

 

[ktmmark]

, wiping the oil off the gearbox and back tyre, then sliding half an oil can under to catch the drips.

I rember when new british bikes had drip trays under them when new in the show rooms
no sealed for life back then (not even sealed) still love'em though

 

[fuddy]

I will keep mine till its done 250k then i may get rid of it

 

[Panzer Patrol]

I totally agree with SilverBob. I also have no expectations of any brand. I have had so many different bikes over the years that I have come to regard them all as A motorbike. I dont care what badge is on the tank, as long as the bike delivers what I want and the dealer at least makes an effort to help me out when needed. Both the bike and the dealer have passed that test with flying colours.
I sit here reading the misfortunes of others and despite my cavalier attitude towards bikes and biking, some of them hit home and put a seed of doubt in my mind. I then go into the garage and look at my bike and despite flogging the tits off the thing since the minute I bought it....its never missed a beat. Its now done 22,000miles of hard work. It has the tell tale smear of oil on the bellhousing, which does make me wince, cos knowing my luck it will go, just at the wrong time. Having said that my 1150GS did fourty odd thousand miles with the same problem and it was OK.
Lets face it we all lived in blissful ignorance before the advent of the internet forum. It was word of mouth only that let each other know of any faults with a particular bike and that information flowed at glacial speeds. Having all this information which, through no fault of the unfortunates, has to biased one way.
If one based our buying decisions on the information available on forums we would never buy a bike, we would all suffer from paralysis by analysis. My 10p worth.

 

[JohnC]

Great post ^

 

[JayGee]

I totally agree with SilverBob. I also have no expectations of any brand. I have had so many different bikes over the years that I have come to regard them all as A motorbike. I dont care what badge is on the tank, as long as the bike delivers what I want and the dealer at least makes an effort to help me out when needed. Both the bike and the dealer have passed that test with flying colours.
I sit here reading the misfortunes of others and despite my cavalier attitude towards bikes and biking, some of them hit home and put a seed of doubt in my mind. I then go into the garage and look at my bike and despite flogging the tits off the thing since the minute I bought it....its never missed a beat. Its now done 22,000miles of hard work. It has the tell tale smear of oil on the bellhousing, which does make me wince, cos knowing my luck it will go, just at the wrong time. Having said that my 1150GS did fourty odd thousand miles with the same problem and it was OK.
Lets face it we all lived in blissful ignorance before the advent of the internet forum. It was word of mouth only that let each other know of any faults with a particular bike and that information flowed at glacial speeds. Having all this information which, through no fault of the unfortunates, has to biased one way.
If one based our buying decisions on the information available on forums we would never buy a bike, we would all suffer from paralysis by analysis. My 10p worth.

Too bloody true Panzer, I've also got about 24000 on mine, I've got the tell tale smear of oil on the bell housing. I wouldn't have even worried about it except I read about tales of woe on this forum and another GS rider told me the clutch was about to slip, the oil would pour out and I'd be left with a knackered GS. Well the dealer has got BMW to fund the labour and 50% of the price of the oil seal and it's in to be done this week. I'm left wondering if it's a real problem, does it really need doing and was it really caused by too much ol in the gearbox anyway but more to the point I'm sure most iother manufacturers would have said " go away stop being a wus, if you cleaned the bike regularly I wouldn't even notice it" and maybe BMW should say this as well. The upshot of all this is I have a bike that has never let me down, that handles in a way it really shouldn't for such an ugly beast and is such great fun to ride, plus BMW seem to fix anything under warranty without question and even some outside the warranty so I really shouldn't whinge.