GS1200 12k Service - Vines Of Guildford

[iangough]

Bike booked in, they delayed a week, due to staff shortages. They just need an extra person in the bikes dept. Plain and simple. Maybe a man-friday type that can cover for anyone off sick or on hols...


Told them about

1. Engine noise - bad and cam chain thinks it going to come off when dropping in revs. 5.5k down. i.e. engine braking - a ggggrrrrizzzing metal to chain sound !!

2. Rear shock goes soft after 15 mins when i have a pillion

3. Nav II broke again

4. Stalls sometimes when cold, but only when left over night, and it only happens once.

5. After riding 'enthusiastically' 2 up down a autobarn for an hour, it's sticks a bit in 6th. (heel on the lever job to get it to 5th)

So, They had it for a week. I got a replacement bike. An LT. What a monster !!

Response was:

1. They replaced the cam chain tensioner hydraulic pistons ?? cos they werent doing the job when the engine got to runnning temp. Also relpaced oil sensor thing, cos that should have stayed on and told me something was up. That's why the engine rattled. There was no swarf in the oil though. BMW now recommend 20W 50, opposed to Olive oil for the GS. Something to do with sustained performance riding requires better oil. Your dealer will have been told. Why not then 0W 50 then ?

2. Rear shock: They strapped/compressed the shock down, and left it for 12 hours. released the strap, and it did not move. Got a new shock under warranty. Have not tested it with the missus yet.

3. sat nav: Screen went ape. Not good. Got a new one, but a Nav II + this time. They dont really understand sat nav's and mapsource software. My 3rd one in less than i year. And yes, i was one of the last to pay 1500 quid for it. Still value for money though...

4. Stalls when cold: Breaking NEWS*********** BMW have launched a new firmware upgrade. Campaign/Frimware update no.: 6125. Sorts out all sorts of things, but basically makes tickover smoother, more responsive and STOPS THE BATTERY FROM MYSTERIOUSLY DRAINING. Although it never happened to me.

5. Sticky gearbox: Suggested i write to BMW for an extra year of warranty, cos that's about all they can do. (It's an 04 bike, warranty runs out in March next year)

Summary:

Vines took what i told them seriously, and investigated accordingly. The biggest problem with Vines, is that you can get through to reception, but you can NEVER get hold of someone relevant. Took 12 calls and 4 messages (2 of which i got returned).

Although all this was done under warranty, it still cost 286.00. That was with a new set of rear pads and 20.00 for loan bike insurance.

That's all for new...

Nervously off to Southish of France on Thurs - route Napolean, ??? no less...

 

[Tim Cullis]

I think all BMW dealers could do with extra service people in the summer months, but what would they do with them in the winter? Some dealers are quoting four weeks ahead even for standard service slots.

My 12GS has been with SLM for more than two weeks so far for a non-scheduled breakdown which is why I missed Princetown. I'm hoping they are going to get around to fixing it this week otherwise I shall miss yet another weekend and there aren't likely to be many more decent trail weekends left this year.

Tim

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Thanks for the write up and heads up for potential problems

Off to visit Napolean on Thursday as well (on route to N Spain)- I'll be on one of the faster red ones, maybe see you there

Andres

 

[BBB61]

I would be dreading the response from Triumph and their useless warranty department if I had to take a bike in for a service with a snag list like that. They would probably deny the whole lot and blame the owner for not riding the bike properly. At least BMW do the right thing.

Bob

 

[Tobers]

Yep - Vines are very good with this sort of thing. Maybe that's why you had to wait - they were busy giving the same attention to detail to the bike of the punter before you in the queue.

I'd be wary of the gearbox if I were you. Mine started exhibiting a reluctance to change down from 6th to 5th which gradually got worse, requiring a change of box under warranty at Vines. The old box has been sent back to Germany for analysis - they specifically requested it back rather than have Bracknell take it apart apparently. Mine is a similar age to yours - May 04.

Andy

 

[Bigtwin]

Thank God it's not just me. There is only one person at Vines who knows what he's doing, and that is Duncan. In 2 years they have been utterly appauling with me at every opportunity- I now go to Park Lane in preference every time, or Coopers, and that's saying somthing seeing as I live only 2 miles from Vines.

 

[Dahoum]

Thank God it's not just me. .

Who else is it then? all the above are mostly complimentary

 

[Bert]

How?

I think all BMW dealers could do with extra service people in the summer months, but what would they do with them in the winter? Some dealers are quoting four weeks ahead even for standard service slots.

My 12GS has been with SLM for more than two weeks so far for a non-scheduled breakdown which is why I missed Princetown. I'm hoping they are going to get around to fixing it this week otherwise I shall miss yet another weekend and there aren't likely to be many more decent trail weekends left this year.

Tim

a non-scheduled breakdown what are those? can't imagine one has these as well as scheduled ones!!! (how exactly do you manage those then???? )

Possible rear drive failure/seals on my 1200 Tim so ...commiserations- my 1200 has been unrideable for some 3 weeks now- going in next week
Still, let's look on the 'up'side- best these things happen when one is in easy range of specialists and parts!!

 

[Bigtwin]

Who else is it then? all the above are mostly complimentary

Sorry - not the clearest post - I was reading this in conjunction with the earlier posts on Vines, some of which are not complimentary at all.

Mebbe I have been plain unlucky, but they were risible on each of the 4 or 5 occasions I used them - an object lesson in the difference between BMW car service (excellent in my experience) and bikes - you drop 10 grand plus into their till, and seemingly they treat you like dirt.