Has your GS1200 been reliable...or not?
- Thread starter dogman
- Start date
Achim
Registered user
What's a GS1200 - some kind of Suzondawasakiyama?
If we're talking about 1200GS reliability, my 08 GS (12,000m) has blotted its copy book big time. So far the following problems have been fixed:
- EWS and rear shock replaced @3,750m
- fractured brake line @ 6,157m, resulting in
- new engine crank case
- new gearbox (gearbox casing not available separately)
- rear subframe
- swingarm bearings replaced @ 6,157m
- LED rear light replaced @ 10,065m (water ingress)
Oh, and it's an absolute blast to ride!
Achim
I went to the Horizons Unlimited meeting in Ripley recently on my 04 1200 gs with 38000 unblemished miles on, got chatting to several people who appeared astounded that I was taking it on the Culums Road ride to Gambia next year, one guy said "on that !" whilst rolling his eyes.
I did think about getting a newer one, but then you come to your senses, Why should the next few thousand miles be any different to the last 38k.
I did think about getting a newer one, but then you come to your senses, Why should the next few thousand miles be any different to the last 38k.Nice words Achim! After reading these posts I think I will be suggesting to BUMW that they should add a 'sense of humour' as an optional extra to their list.
They could include it free as part of the comfort pack perhaps?
They could include it free as part of the comfort pack perhaps?
RogerJ
Registered user
Results so far with three bikes. The first two are 2005 model year R1200GS's in Canada. The third is a 2007 model year R1200GS ADV in Mexico. All bikes purchased new.
02/05 Production R1200GS - returned to BMW due to (in my view) uncontrolled "detonation" issues. A bad-out-of the-box fault presenting on ride home from dealer. BMW replaced motorcycle. Satisfied with BMW response to the problem.
06/05 Production R1200GS - 20,000 kms to date. No significant problems to date. Satisfied with this unit so far. Knock wood.
11/06 R1200GS Adventure - ran fine until 22,000 kms. During Antenna Ring replacement problems started. "Low voltage arriving at the ABS modulator" fault and ABS problems resulting in new wiring loom and ABS modulator. Also rear shock failure. All parts and labour covered under warranty except shock replacement for which I had to pay labour. Two weeks after installing second wiring loom and ABS moduator a new fault appeared. "Cam Position Sensor." Turned out newly replaced wiring loom had failed in two places. Near the connector to the BMS-K and near the Cam Position Sensor connector. Wiring patched up to get me home but fault remained present. Bike recovered again to BMW. Third wiring loom installed, new FPC installed, new cam position sensor installed, new coils, new plugs, software replaced. Fault is cleared after 122 days in BMW's hands. "Cam Position Sensor" is a known fault that (in my view) should have taken 10-12 days total rather than ten times that to resolve. Accordingly an additional year of warranty was authorized by Germany. Bike is returned with Cam Position Sensor fault resolved but water and gas vent hoses under right side of tank unconnected resulting in bike gushing petrol out of both vent/drain tubes under bike upon fueling. This fixed by local dealer without charge. A total of 144 days in the course of six months without my bike due to failures. BMW compensation? BMW Roadside Assistance paid for four nights accommodation.
Other damages to motorcycle during repair by BMW is still a matter not yet resolved. Hopefully Munich can assist in a response from Mexico.
Is the R1200GS reliable? Not all of them. And the quality of your experience in seeking resolution will determine how you feel about the brand and what you have to say to your peers. BMW's advertising budget is quite small as they are relying on us, the BMW riders and BMW clubs to be their best unpaid advertisers. I hope they are listening. A loyal BMW customer who has a problem that is resolved quickly and completely becomes a doubly loyal customer. If not, then you all know what happens and BMW should consider this more fully in these tight economic times for the motorcycle industry.
02/05 Production R1200GS - returned to BMW due to (in my view) uncontrolled "detonation" issues. A bad-out-of the-box fault presenting on ride home from dealer. BMW replaced motorcycle. Satisfied with BMW response to the problem.
06/05 Production R1200GS - 20,000 kms to date. No significant problems to date. Satisfied with this unit so far. Knock wood.
11/06 R1200GS Adventure - ran fine until 22,000 kms. During Antenna Ring replacement problems started. "Low voltage arriving at the ABS modulator" fault and ABS problems resulting in new wiring loom and ABS modulator. Also rear shock failure. All parts and labour covered under warranty except shock replacement for which I had to pay labour. Two weeks after installing second wiring loom and ABS moduator a new fault appeared. "Cam Position Sensor." Turned out newly replaced wiring loom had failed in two places. Near the connector to the BMS-K and near the Cam Position Sensor connector. Wiring patched up to get me home but fault remained present. Bike recovered again to BMW. Third wiring loom installed, new FPC installed, new cam position sensor installed, new coils, new plugs, software replaced. Fault is cleared after 122 days in BMW's hands. "Cam Position Sensor" is a known fault that (in my view) should have taken 10-12 days total rather than ten times that to resolve. Accordingly an additional year of warranty was authorized by Germany. Bike is returned with Cam Position Sensor fault resolved but water and gas vent hoses under right side of tank unconnected resulting in bike gushing petrol out of both vent/drain tubes under bike upon fueling. This fixed by local dealer without charge. A total of 144 days in the course of six months without my bike due to failures. BMW compensation? BMW Roadside Assistance paid for four nights accommodation.
Other damages to motorcycle during repair by BMW is still a matter not yet resolved. Hopefully Munich can assist in a response from Mexico.
Is the R1200GS reliable? Not all of them. And the quality of your experience in seeking resolution will determine how you feel about the brand and what you have to say to your peers. BMW's advertising budget is quite small as they are relying on us, the BMW riders and BMW clubs to be their best unpaid advertisers. I hope they are listening. A loyal BMW customer who has a problem that is resolved quickly and completely becomes a doubly loyal customer. If not, then you all know what happens and BMW should consider this more fully in these tight economic times for the motorcycle industry.
paddyI
Guest
08 9k never missed a beat
Four 1200s and eighty thousand miles between them - never missed a best.
Fabulous machine.
Fabulous machine.
MattSwain
Guest
In a word - No
2008 1200 GS 11k miles.
So far mine refused to start one morning due to the immobiliser playing up, although after a few choice words with it, it did start eventually so I was delayed rather than stranded. Fixed under warranty.
Had a problem with it stalling on downshifts for a while which was what I'd consider a serious problem and one which the dealer couldn't replicate. They replaced a rusted cover on the fuel pump and did a software update and it's been like a new bike ever since.
So mine hasn't been 100% reliable however given that all's well now I'm prepared to forgive it because I love the bike but it has been touch and go. The immobiliser could have left me stranded and any one of the stalls in worst case scenario could have had a really bad outcome. Would I still recommend a GS? Course I would.
It's true that threads like this will probably give a skewed outcome that make the bike look worse than it is. There'll be many people who registered here just because they were having issues and have hung around since then.
2008 1200 GS 11k miles.
So far mine refused to start one morning due to the immobiliser playing up, although after a few choice words with it, it did start eventually so I was delayed rather than stranded. Fixed under warranty.
Had a problem with it stalling on downshifts for a while which was what I'd consider a serious problem and one which the dealer couldn't replicate. They replaced a rusted cover on the fuel pump and did a software update and it's been like a new bike ever since.
So mine hasn't been 100% reliable however given that all's well now I'm prepared to forgive it because I love the bike but it has been touch and go. The immobiliser could have left me stranded and any one of the stalls in worst case scenario could have had a really bad outcome. Would I still recommend a GS? Course I would.
It's true that threads like this will probably give a skewed outcome that make the bike look worse than it is. There'll be many people who registered here just because they were having issues and have hung around since then.
So far not good
'07 57 and less than 2 years old and at only 7.4k I have had both mirrors replaced 'cause they vibrated a bit!!! (not noted by me incedentally, it was Bahnstormer who diagnosed and rectified during the 6k service). Lost all confidense now
want my VTR back. Oh and the sore a*** after 75 miles and the 110 mile range and the.... Oh so that's why I love the GS.
'07 57 and less than 2 years old and at only 7.4k I have had both mirrors replaced 'cause they vibrated a bit!!! (not noted by me incedentally, it was Bahnstormer who diagnosed and rectified during the 6k service). Lost all confidense now
want my VTR back. Oh and the sore a*** after 75 miles and the 110 mile range and the.... Oh so that's why I love the GS.
deaninkl
Registered user
My 07 GS has 38k KM on the clock.
I'm on my third batery, (if counting the one changed on the day I took delivery cos the new bike could not start...) two under warranty 1 paid for by me, +70 quid to tanspot it to the dealer.... Each time the battery has gone I can not get it to start even by jumping so it needs a twip to the dealer. That is a real pain as there is only one in the whole country, luckily I've always been home when the problems ocure and the dealer is about 25 kliks away.
Only other problem is the front light, there is a bad connection in the 3pin pluck going into the light cluster, sometimes workd sometimes dosent.
I've had none of the recall work done that UK bikes would get (In Malaysia they keep telling me no recalls...twats)
I worry cos of reading on this site, but mine is pretty reliable.
I'm on my third batery, (if counting the one changed on the day I took delivery cos the new bike could not start...) two under warranty 1 paid for by me, +70 quid to tanspot it to the dealer.... Each time the battery has gone I can not get it to start even by jumping so it needs a twip to the dealer. That is a real pain as there is only one in the whole country, luckily I've always been home when the problems ocure and the dealer is about 25 kliks away.
Only other problem is the front light, there is a bad connection in the 3pin pluck going into the light cluster, sometimes workd sometimes dosent.
I've had none of the recall work done that UK bikes would get (In Malaysia they keep telling me no recalls...twats)
I worry cos of reading on this site, but mine is pretty reliable.
Lord Vader
Registered user
Hmmm interesting thread that is
For starters,my 1200GSA is the best bike i ever owned and i love it
But
no but
she is a 06
bought her with 17000 miles and she had already a new final drive by then
i put on 30000 miles since last year Jan and had
2 more final drives go (replaced for free by BMW)
plus as a good will gesture from BMW
a new rear shock(which i regard as normal wear and tear but BMW still replaced it,on my old vara the rear shock went at 24k miles)
new gearbox seals
a new reardisc and pads( last final drive failure somehow affected them.Dont ask me about techie things)
would i buy another one
OH YES
love the way they look,ride and make me feel everytime i open my garage door
For starters,my 1200GSA is the best bike i ever owned and i love it
But
no but
she is a 06
bought her with 17000 miles and she had already a new final drive by then
i put on 30000 miles since last year Jan and had
2 more final drives go (replaced for free by BMW)
plus as a good will gesture from BMW
a new rear shock(which i regard as normal wear and tear but BMW still replaced it,on my old vara the rear shock went at 24k miles)
new gearbox seals
a new reardisc and pads( last final drive failure somehow affected them.Dont ask me about techie things)
would i buy another one
OH YES
love the way they look,ride and make me feel everytime i open my garage door
ktmmark
Registered user
1200gs Had new in 2005 it's had g/box seal replaced on warranty in 25000 miles very happy with it, along with my 100'000 + 1100 gs
07 / 57 GSA12 bought new by me from Coopers Tunbridge Wells.
Warped rear disc, Disc and pads replaced under warranty
Bike failed to start, At home. BMW assist came out and fitted a new FPC
EWS failed, At home, BMW assist came out and fitted a new EWS
Fog light switch failed, replaced under warranty.
Mirror glass fell out, replaced under warranty.
Then ....... at 16500 miles and just under the two year warranty mark I booked it in for it's 2 year 18k service (I did this early so a couple of further bits of warranty could be done which were)
Front engine cover corroded, replaced under warranty
Fuel filler corroded, replaced under warranty
The other mirror glass loose, replaced under warranty
Chrome headers (£80 option) severely rusty, replaced under warranty.
At this point it's fair to say that Coopers handled all this work with great competence although I must stress that it's a 100 mile round trip for me to have anything done there. I wait at the dealer for the above mentioned service / warranty work to be carried out. I get the nod from the service guy Matt that it's all done, great I think, All sorted. As he hands me the keys after me settling the £250 service bill he says "Oh we will need to have it back, the final drive is worn out"
Final drive, replaced under warranty.
I asked why it was worn so soon, "They tend to do that sir, It's quite common" He tells me the bill for the job could be as much as £1300 depending on how far gone it is.
I spent nearly £13k buying the bike and then a subsequent £1000 ish having it serviced etc etc, I'm fecked if I'm going to ride it into a potentially £1300 final drive rebuild.
The sad thing is that I found it to be a fabulous bike and at that time I couldn't think what I'd replace it with. However 3 weeks later it was sold and a deposit place on a 990ADV.
It's got a nice simple chain and sprockets, I open up the storage compartment and there's a row of fuses etc etc. It's not strangled or indeed paralysed by an intrusive 'big brother' can-bus system. I'm not saying I think it will be without it's niggles nor do I think it's a direct replacement for the GS, It's not as 'slick' as the beemer but I have to say it feels like a weight off my shoulders!
Warped rear disc, Disc and pads replaced under warranty
Bike failed to start, At home. BMW assist came out and fitted a new FPC
EWS failed, At home, BMW assist came out and fitted a new EWS
Fog light switch failed, replaced under warranty.
Mirror glass fell out, replaced under warranty.
Then ....... at 16500 miles and just under the two year warranty mark I booked it in for it's 2 year 18k service (I did this early so a couple of further bits of warranty could be done which were)
Front engine cover corroded, replaced under warranty
Fuel filler corroded, replaced under warranty
The other mirror glass loose, replaced under warranty
Chrome headers (£80 option) severely rusty, replaced under warranty.
At this point it's fair to say that Coopers handled all this work with great competence although I must stress that it's a 100 mile round trip for me to have anything done there. I wait at the dealer for the above mentioned service / warranty work to be carried out. I get the nod from the service guy Matt that it's all done, great I think, All sorted. As he hands me the keys after me settling the £250 service bill he says "Oh we will need to have it back, the final drive is worn out"
Final drive, replaced under warranty.
I asked why it was worn so soon, "They tend to do that sir, It's quite common" He tells me the bill for the job could be as much as £1300 depending on how far gone it is.
I spent nearly £13k buying the bike and then a subsequent £1000 ish having it serviced etc etc, I'm fecked if I'm going to ride it into a potentially £1300 final drive rebuild.
The sad thing is that I found it to be a fabulous bike and at that time I couldn't think what I'd replace it with. However 3 weeks later it was sold and a deposit place on a 990ADV.
It's got a nice simple chain and sprockets, I open up the storage compartment and there's a row of fuses etc etc. It's not strangled or indeed paralysed by an intrusive 'big brother' can-bus system. I'm not saying I think it will be without it's niggles nor do I think it's a direct replacement for the GS, It's not as 'slick' as the beemer but I have to say it feels like a weight off my shoulders!
kbada
Registered user
The time has come to sing the praises of our much maligned steed – the GS1200 (ADV)
I have owned 3 GS’s since 2004 but never an ADV, but they are so similar sooo…..
All of them have been to the Alps and or Provence with full baggage set, tank bag and the trouble and strife on the back (wife) – generally speaking, well overloaded
All of them have/had well in excess of 20000 miles, mostly long trips…..
I have never had battery failure
I have never had to change discs
I have never had to change pads either at the front or rear
I have never had fuel dings failure
I have never had antenna ring failure
I have never had it not start
I have never had less than 50mpg
I have never had to call out assistance - I did run out of brake servo one year at the top of the Alps but after a couple of hours it cured itself
I have had to change a couple of bulbs
The first one had a liking for FD’s but it was fixed with a smile by McOslo
I am not at all sure what I would replace it with, nothing springs to mind…..The time has come to sing the praises of our much maligned steed – the GS1200 (ADV)
I have owned 3 GS’s since 2004 but never an ADV, but they are so similar sooo…..
All of them have been to the Alps and or Provence with full baggage set, tank bag and the trouble and strife on the back (wife) – generally speaking, well overloaded
All of them have/had well in excess of 20000 miles, mostly long trips…..
I have never had battery failure
I have never had to change discs
I have never had to change pads either at the front or rear
I have never had fuel dings failure
I have never had antenna ring failure
I have never had it not start
I have never had less than 50mpg
I have never had to call out assistance - I did run out of brake servo one year at the top of the Alps but after a couple of hours it cured itself
I have had to change a couple of bulbs
The first one had a liking for FD’s but it was fixed with a smile by McOslo
I am not at all sure what I would replace it with, nothing springs to mind…..
I have owned 3 GS’s since 2004 but never an ADV, but they are so similar sooo…..
All of them have been to the Alps and or Provence with full baggage set, tank bag and the trouble and strife on the back (wife) – generally speaking, well overloaded
All of them have/had well in excess of 20000 miles, mostly long trips…..
I have never had battery failure
I have never had to change discs
I have never had to change pads either at the front or rear
I have never had fuel dings failure
I have never had antenna ring failure
I have never had it not start
I have never had less than 50mpg
I have never had to call out assistance - I did run out of brake servo one year at the top of the Alps but after a couple of hours it cured itself
I have had to change a couple of bulbs
The first one had a liking for FD’s but it was fixed with a smile by McOslo
I am not at all sure what I would replace it with, nothing springs to mind…..The time has come to sing the praises of our much maligned steed – the GS1200 (ADV)
I have owned 3 GS’s since 2004 but never an ADV, but they are so similar sooo…..
All of them have been to the Alps and or Provence with full baggage set, tank bag and the trouble and strife on the back (wife) – generally speaking, well overloaded
All of them have/had well in excess of 20000 miles, mostly long trips…..
I have never had battery failure
I have never had to change discs
I have never had to change pads either at the front or rear
I have never had fuel dings failure
I have never had antenna ring failure
I have never had it not start
I have never had less than 50mpg
I have never had to call out assistance - I did run out of brake servo one year at the top of the Alps but after a couple of hours it cured itself
I have had to change a couple of bulbs
The first one had a liking for FD’s but it was fixed with a smile by McOslo
I am not at all sure what I would replace it with, nothing springs to mind…..
The time has come to sing the praises of our much maligned steed – the GS1200 (ADV)
I have owned 3 GS’s since 2004 but never an ADV, but they are so similar sooo…..
All of them have been to the Alps and or Provence with full baggage set, tank bag and the trouble and strife on the back (wife) – generally speaking, well overloaded
All of them have/had well in excess of 20000 miles, mostly long trips…..
I have never had battery failure
I have never had to change discs
I have never had to change pads either at the front or rear
I have never had fuel dings failure
I have never had antenna ring failure
I have never had it not start
I have never had less than 50mpg
I have never had to call out assistance - I did run out of brake servo one year at the top of the Alps but after a couple of hours it cured itself
I have had to change a couple of bulbs
The first one had a liking for FD’s but it was fixed with a smile by McOslo
I am not at all sure what I would replace it with, nothing springs to mind…..
Fixed it for you
BTW, i'm on my 3rd 1200GS (first GSA though) and i loves it, i do.
the boxers
Registered user
aug 07 r1200gs 22.5k miles
Massive list of failures
1 off side rear indicator bulb
1 low beam headlight bulb
1 set rear pads @11k miles, due front pads shortly.
intermittant clutch lever switch, just needs adjustment.
Massive list of failures
1 off side rear indicator bulb
1 low beam headlight bulb
1 set rear pads @11k miles, due front pads shortly.
intermittant clutch lever switch, just needs adjustment.
littleredrooster
Registered user
Please explain to a simple person like meself how the canbus strangles or paralyses it. Intrusive? Wotcha mean?
Deleted account 190920001
Registered user
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2009
- Messages
- 3,368
- Reaction score
- 0
Everybody and there dog seems to think that the CAN bus does this and does that when in reality all it is is a computer network protocol. All it does is allow different computers on a vehicle to talk to each other. Blaming CAN for your hid lights showing LampF is like blaming WIFI for your PC getting a virus. Incidentally and in the spirit of the thread its an extremely reliable protocol particularly on a 1200GS
Oh and while I am here I might as well keep ranting
. To the guy that has lost all confidence in his bike because he got mirrors replaced under warranty that he didn't even notice he needed....... Get real!
End of rant
Oh and while I am here I might as well keep ranting
. To the guy that has lost all confidence in his bike because he got mirrors replaced under warranty that he didn't even notice he needed....... Get real!End of rant
10,000 miles extra on my 2nd hand GS and coming up to 40,000. Small issues like FPC when I'd just bought it and the relay corroding but nothing that would leave me stranded once I'd sorted a decent toolkit (and gas soldering iron).
I feel that I can trust it, as I did with the 1150.
I feel that I can trust it, as I did with the 1150.
06 GS1200 7K
After quarter of a century on totally reliable jap missiles I fancied a change - I just got bored with them!
Had the GS a few months now with no issues!
This bike would have to seriosly piss me off to make me go back to rice burners again - Love it!
After quarter of a century on totally reliable jap missiles I fancied a change - I just got bored with them!
Had the GS a few months now with no issues!
This bike would have to seriosly piss me off to make me go back to rice burners again - Love it!
Similar threads