Hi
I have 6,000 K on my 12000 and no problems, except I am spending too time on the bike.
North
I have 6,000 K on my 12000 and no problems, except I am spending too time on the bike.
North
Having serious doubts now!
- Thread starter JDH
- Start date
I think we should all take notice of the excellent mark scored by BMW and the 1200 GS in the 2005 Ride survey. Perhaps it should be a sticky to allow quick reference for those in doubt ( as I once was )
JDH said:
John
I have the BM ones... also have plastic head guards as well (fitted first)
General concensus seems to favour the Helco and Becker bars... cheaper and just as good (if not better)
HTH
nadeem
Guest
I have the H&B Bars and they're pretty solid...also the Touratech headguards - worth getting if you're thinking fo going off-road at all.
JDH
Registered user
Thanks guys, H&B sound like the ones to go for I guess. Can't make the East London night Nadeem, work commitments, but will aim to get to the Eynsford meet. Looking forward to putting some names to faces.
John
John
llop
Guest
Llama said:Had mine 3 months, covered 3000 miles on and off road.
Nothing has broken.
BMW dealers was friendly and professional
Absolutly love it.
Buy one you wont rgeret it.
I'm completely agree. I Had min since June 05 8000 Km and no problems at all.
guffter6969
Guest
They are right about one thing at least, it is a rattly big bus!
Relaibility?? No problem!
I can only re-iterate what most of te guys in this thread say, Ive had a VFR (Junk!) and a Triumph ST, I put 12000 on the ST in just over a year and got treated like Id been to the moon and back at trade in time.
Look at the miles these things do, average jap sports bike is LESS than 1500 miles per year!!!! A smegging Cossack Ural could be reliable in those miles !!
Like they say, its trade in time that you get back what you pay.
PS absolutely no warranty probs with my WBM dealer.
I can only re-iterate what most of te guys in this thread say, Ive had a VFR (Junk!) and a Triumph ST, I put 12000 on the ST in just over a year and got treated like Id been to the moon and back at trade in time.
Look at the miles these things do, average jap sports bike is LESS than 1500 miles per year!!!! A smegging Cossack Ural could be reliable in those miles !!
Like they say, its trade in time that you get back what you pay.
PS absolutely no warranty probs with my WBM dealer.
twodear
Guest
It seems like there have been a different experience for every person that has written a reply. I purchased a GS1150GSA new (and nicknamed it Bubba) in September 2003. It is my first BMW. At this point I've only ridden it just under 20,000Km. Without a doubt, I've had more trouble with it than all my other new bikes together.
Three recalls:
1) Rear brake hose replacement,
2) Oxygen sensor
3) another that I can't recall exactly.
Failures?
1) Front brake rotors were replaced due to warping (flutter in the lever).
2) Clutch master cylinder was replaced when it pissed the fluid all over the tank (this one also meant the tank was repainted and rebadged).
3) Rear diff wheel bearing came loose (wobbly wheel) replaced bearing
4) Rear diff wheel bearing came loose again, the whole rear diff was replaced
5) Currently in the shop due to a really expensive sounding SNAP and subsequent rattling noise coming from the gearbox.
Service response has been astounding, no cost to me for any of the above failures. Even now that the warranty has officially expired, I've been told not to worry about costs for transmission repairs.
Other new bikes, for comparison.
1979 H-D Sportster, had to replace shifting pawls once, otherwise trouble free in about 10,000 miles
1991 Honda CBR1000F, no problems (only put 6,000 miles on it)
1993 Honda CBR900RR, no problems (about 10,000 miles when sold)
1997 Honda Valkyrie, no problems (sold with 37,000 miles)
2000 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille, no problems (sold with 12,000km)
Would I trade Bubba for any of the other bikes? No. Bubba gives that much better of a riding experience, and is that much more flexible regarding destination or road type. Dealer support continues to be first class.
Three recalls:
1) Rear brake hose replacement,
2) Oxygen sensor
3) another that I can't recall exactly.
Failures?
1) Front brake rotors were replaced due to warping (flutter in the lever).
2) Clutch master cylinder was replaced when it pissed the fluid all over the tank (this one also meant the tank was repainted and rebadged).
3) Rear diff wheel bearing came loose (wobbly wheel) replaced bearing
4) Rear diff wheel bearing came loose again, the whole rear diff was replaced
5) Currently in the shop due to a really expensive sounding SNAP and subsequent rattling noise coming from the gearbox.
Service response has been astounding, no cost to me for any of the above failures. Even now that the warranty has officially expired, I've been told not to worry about costs for transmission repairs.
Other new bikes, for comparison.
1979 H-D Sportster, had to replace shifting pawls once, otherwise trouble free in about 10,000 miles
1991 Honda CBR1000F, no problems (only put 6,000 miles on it)
1993 Honda CBR900RR, no problems (about 10,000 miles when sold)
1997 Honda Valkyrie, no problems (sold with 37,000 miles)
2000 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille, no problems (sold with 12,000km)
Would I trade Bubba for any of the other bikes? No. Bubba gives that much better of a riding experience, and is that much more flexible regarding destination or road type. Dealer support continues to be first class.
HOGDAWG
Guest
It's been good to read the comments posted on this issue. I'm waiting for delivery of my nearly new GS1200 and like JDH had been reading the postings and getting a little nervy! I've moved from a HD - Stop don't even think it..!!! I had a softail and it was bloody brilliant. Took it to the south of France no problemo! Im just wanting sonething a little more fun. The HD was a great cruiser but that's all it can do (apart from serious posing!)
Ah, but how quickly we forget the little niggles and the crap service, Im hoping BMW dealers are a shade more professional than HD dealers.....please say it's so!
I can't wait for my GS to get here (wish the bloominn' rain would ease up a little!)
Cheers
Ah, but how quickly we forget the little niggles and the crap service, Im hoping BMW dealers are a shade more professional than HD dealers.....please say it's so!
I can't wait for my GS to get here (wish the bloominn' rain would ease up a little!)
Cheers
HOGDAWG
Guest
On the subject of Helco and Becker Bars has anyone got a web address etc for them or suitable suppliers?Tricky said:John
I have the BM ones... also have plastic head guards as well (fitted first)
General concensus seems to favour the Helco and Becker bars... cheaper and just as good (if not better)
HTH
Cheers
nadeem
Guest
Available from www.nippynormans.com - Norman will look after you...
And slightly cheaper from Moto-Bins who are H&B importers 01775680881, [email protected]
HOGDAWG
Guest
Thanks Guys,
I'll have a look.
Ta.
I'll have a look.
Ta.
twodear
Guest
twodear said:
5) Make that rear diff unlucky number three. This time all crown gear teeth are utterly shattered, like broken glass. As I seem to be the only one here having any trouble with the rear diff, I will have to review my riding habits. At the moment I'm awaiting BMW's decision whether it will be covered by warranty or not since warranty just expired in September.
Mikef
Guest
twodear said:
If you do that Jim then the rest of us might have a chance of keeping up with you
twodear
Guest
Mikef said:If you do that Jim then the rest of us might have a chance of keeping up with you
Ahhhh, gee whiz (kicking the dirt). Now that you've made a comment like that I'll wind up in the ditch trying to live it.
When do we get a vid of the group ride two Sundays ago
? And are you really considering a Grizo? 
HOGDAWG
Guest
To anyone who will listen
Now as I'm a newbie to GS's I'm not really in a position to comment about the reliability of them. However, I'm comfortable with the idea that they will be no more or less reliable than most other items of man made machinery that grace the highways. I guess it must be a bit like your football team....only supporters of yoiur team are allowed to say how crap they are, anybody else and you'll defend them til you drop!!!
Anyway I don't care right now because picked up my bike today and brought it home for the first time (Metaphor Alert....) I was like a schoolboy on his first date when I arrived at Mill BMW Sunderland. Did all the paperwork and rode home I've now done just ovefr 100 miles and needless to say I'm like a pig in the proverbial sh#te!!!!
JDH if your still following this thread, this is for you... I absolutely loved the ride home all my fears and concerns dissapeared as soon as I opened the throttle , fantastic. And as for another thread you started regarding 12's on track days, the salesman showed me a photo of him on a track day on a 12. His knee sliders were working overtime and the bike was defying gravity!!! If that's your thing.. it was awesome. Look forward to Feb 1 It's a great bike and I'm sure you'll love it, enjoy the anticipation. Think kids, think Christmas!
Cheers 
Now as I'm a newbie to GS's I'm not really in a position to comment about the reliability of them. However, I'm comfortable with the idea that they will be no more or less reliable than most other items of man made machinery that grace the highways. I guess it must be a bit like your football team....only supporters of yoiur team are allowed to say how crap they are, anybody else and you'll defend them til you drop!!!
Anyway I don't care right now because picked up my bike today and brought it home for the first time (Metaphor Alert....) I was like a schoolboy on his first date when I arrived at Mill BMW Sunderland. Did all the paperwork and rode home I've now done just ovefr 100 miles and needless to say I'm like a pig in the proverbial sh#te!!!!
JDH if your still following this thread, this is for you... I absolutely loved the ride home all my fears and concerns dissapeared as soon as I opened the throttle , fantastic. And as for another thread you started regarding 12's on track days, the salesman showed me a photo of him on a track day on a 12. His knee sliders were working overtime and the bike was defying gravity!!! If that's your thing.. it was awesome. Look forward to Feb 1 It's a great bike and I'm sure you'll love it, enjoy the anticipation. Think kids, think Christmas!
Cheers
