Gimme the good and the bad...

[Sunny Jim]

Am having a serious look at a 2011 GSA, low mileage, in mint condition and well cared by the only owner (who I know).
Having a 100GS and 1150 GSA in the garage (& well pleased with both I must add), I haven't spent time keeping up with the 1200's to be honest - ridden the hex and wc and agree, they're fantastic bikes.
So, in a few words tell me what I need to know about the bad stuff you've come across...warranty work that should have been done etc etc...
Thanks in advance.

 

[cookie]

the twin cam hexhead is the best of the bunch. never had a single problem with mine.

non ESA stock suspension was pants, but wilburs/ohlins fixes that. the ESA models i've ridden were just as bad. ditto stock seat. so pretty much like your 1150 then

 

[Bumhead]

Love mine (2011 gsa tc) now done 5000 miles this year including 2500 miles around spain no faults or complaints. The best gs there is in my opinion.

 

[28jay]

Had mine 4 years now, longest I've ever kept a bike. No real problems mostly just build quality. Rear subframe, head covers all replaced under warranty within the first year.
Got offered a good trade in last week on a new GSA, but decided the new one wasn't really the £8000 better it was to change. Probably buy a second bike and keep the TC as I always get off it smiling.

 

[patzx12]

Its all good

 

[bod]

The exhaust flappy thing needs a smear of Teflon grease each year. Give up on the fuel gauge and use the trip. Bin the saddle and buy a Sargent.

Other than that just fit a mudsling and happy days!

 

[Engineer]

Apart from the switches being replaced under warranty 3 times my 2010 twin cam was a pretty good bike, however the LC is the better bike handling and performance wise, especially for long distance and two up riding.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Thanks chaps ... Keep em coming !

 

[DING-DONG]

My TC makes the same bhp as a stock WC and makes nearly the same torque as a mapped WC oh and the heated grips are much better then the WC shite ones, and it's painted with proper paint and not that shit watery stuff they paint the wc in.

 

[Engineer]

My TC makes the same bhp as a stock WC and makes nearly the same torque as a mapped WC oh and the heated grips are much better then the WC shite ones, and it's painted with proper paint and not that shit watery stuff they paint the wc in.

The TC was painted with water based paints too, all the 1200s were, I believe?

 

[Engineer]

Thanks chaps ... Keep em coming !

I hate to say this because I have always gone for the most basic spec bikes in the past but the LC TE model active suspension is much better than the basic suspension, really, really good in fact - the only caveat is that it will cost an arm and a leg to replace out of warranty.

 

[oldnfat]

Love mine....had GSA LC for a while but went back to the TC...just makes me smile in a way the LC doesn't. No problems with either TC I had over 30k. As others have said, the seat is shite. I have cured this with having the front on high, rear on low and use a sheep skin if going any distance. The fuel sensor seems be taking a reading from another bike as it bears no relation to mine ....so use the trip if you are going to do a long push in one go.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Thanks chaps ... Keep em coming !

Just get shot of that Stone Age 1150 GSA ~ you know it makes sense

 

[Wrinkly]

Had both the T/C and the W/C....if I were going back to a BMW gs it would without question be the T/C

If you've already got two GS's in the Garage,why not go for something different ?

I don't for one minute regret swapping my W/C gs for my present Guzzi Stelvio it's so much more engaging to ride.

Steve

 

[Pukmeister]

IIRC the recalls affecting 1200's are to replace the rear brake disk carrier/drive flange (from an alloy to a steel one) but the 2011 model should be steel as standard, and a recall for the plastic fuel line connections on the fuel tank to be checked for cracks and then a reinforcing collar fitted.

 

[mpgscott]

Recently moved from a standard 2011 1200GS to a 2012 GSA and i thought the standard suspension was dire when two up, since i have the GSA with ESA i think its a hell of a difference and i cant fault it so far. Only done 2K miles on the GSA due to work so far hopefully remedy that next month.

Switch gear is an issue had a starter switch replaced under warranty after the bike starter kept on running, the standard seat is nae good on a long run remedied by replacing with Sargent rider and pillion and the other half loves her's over the standard also. Screen is crap even on the adventure replaced with a GiviA330 a lot better no wind blast and keeps the bugs off plus allows you to drop it on hot days easily.

I really thought my new GSA had been re-tuned but im told it hasnt, the bike has the same engine as the 2011 TC GS i had but it was causing me all sorts of issues with white finger until i fitted Rox Risers anti-vibe, so far on the GSA i have no issues and i dont have the risers fitted its a hell of a lot smoother than the other bike. The current bike has 4K miles on the clock the last one i had only covered 14K miles. The last one was using oil around 1ltr every 3K miles or so.

Great bikes..

 

[sagalout]

Love my TC (Rallye colors). As someone above said, I've had this bike longer than any others (just over 3 years and 15k miles). Nothing has gone wrong at all. Standard seat fine for me - just added winglets and a touratech lip to the standard screen which works for me. Visor up cruising at 90mph no problem.

Test rode the WC and XR but neither have the character and solidity of the TC. Proper BMW indicators too!

 

[Sunny Jim]

The deed has been done! Many thanks for your replies chaps

Just get shot of that Stone Age 1150 GSA ~ you know it makes sense

err Johnny ...you're not allowed in here

1150 GSA is the one that will be leaving the stable

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

err Johnny ...you're not allowed in here

1150 GSA is the one that will be leaving the stable

I remember the day you bought it

Hasn't he previous owner of your new 12GSA, bought a 1150 GSA

Enjoy your new bike Jim, you're worth it

 

[Sunny Jim]

That were a few years ago John ... had some fantastic days out on that bike and seen things I'd never have seen without it that's for sure!

Train ride/ferry to Tobermory on Friday to collect bike then a nifty ride home on Saturday...will be watching the fuel gauge

And finally - who do I have to bear my arse to to come in here as a regular