Hi all - New GS?

[Richard Fuell]

Hi,

New to the forum but have been reading pretty much every thread as I have (almost) decided to get a brand spanking GS.

Only problem is reading the forum I seem to see lots of problems (and is it me but do most be from the US? are they dropping the Friday afternoon bikes on you guys?). I want the bike to do a bit more two wheeled commuting and need reliability - which is what I expected to get with BM - so the problems I read about are disconcerting.

Currently I have a ZX12R which has never let me down, but as you can imagine, is not exactly practical for commuting and carrying luggage.

Dispel my fears people - I really want one.

Cheers

 

[Russ]

the problems have been few and far between.

Lets be honest how often do people come on here to complain about a problem compared to people who have no cause to complain whatsoever and have superb 1200GS'

Mine is FANTASTIC (power wheelied it up Langham Street this morning ) i love it to bits, its the dogs, i'm chuffed

 

[nadeem]

I've now done 1700 miles on mine over 7 weeks and had no probs whatsoever...runs great and loving it...

 

[richie]

This has been said before but bad news travels a lot faster than good. I don't think you'll have too much to worry about.

BTW I have a good friend over here with a ZX12 and he blew his gearbox at 6000KMS. Does that make you worry about yours. Probably not.

Him neither, kawa gave him a ZX12 whilst waiting for his one back. He wore the back tyre out and it did not cost him a penny.

Happy riding

 

[Kiddo]

I think that a lot of people who have the 12GS will be like me and read all the posts about problems with a certain amount of bemusement. Maybe the kind of people that like to find problems also like to take part in these discussions!!!
Anyway I upgraded from the 1150 and have had mine for approx 8 weeks now and I use it everyday for commuting. I have had no problems whatsoever and it is a joy to ride. Do yourself a favour, get there faster and safer and have more fun doing it, buy yourself a 12GS.

 

[Parky]

Ive done 2000 miles on mine in a month and had absolutely no problems whatsoever. It's mixed riding, sometimes a 12 mile commute, sometimes a 160 mile commute.

It's quick, comfortable, and carries all the gear you could need, I usually just use the topbox which takes a laptop, a change of clothes and lunch.

Highly recommended

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I think that a lot of people who have the 12GS will be like me and read all the posts about problems with a certain amount of bemusement. Maybe the kind of people that like to find problems also like to take part in these discussions!!!
Anyway I upgraded from the 1150 and have had mine for approx 8 weeks now and I use it everyday for commuting. I have had no problems whatsoever and it is a joy to ride. Do yourself a favour, get there faster and safer and have more fun doing it, buy yourself a 12GS.

Why is it faster & safer than an 1150GS??????????????
Don't follow on the safer angle........have i missed something?

 

[Marty Hill]

We have over a thousand 1200GS's on the road in the states. Perhaps 10-15 have had problems and only 2 have been recent. Many of us have over 12k miles with no problems. Best bike I've owned.

 

[richie]

Why is it faster & safer than an 1150GS??????????????
Don't follow on the safer angle........have i missed something?

Probably compared to the ZX johnny

 

[Shep]

I bought my R1200GS late September Ex Demo with 4Kmls.
There was slight corrosion on the rear wheel spindle this was changed under warrantee, the screen vibrated at low revs, new screws were fitted at the same time (maybe stuffing your gloves behind the screen at petrol stations etc wouldn't help)

I suffered clutch slip due to the barkbuster on the LH side touching the end of the lever causing the hydraulic system to pump up (worth just giving the levers a flick now and again to check for freeplay, as the hand guards seem to be of a light construction compared to some off road setups and are easily rotaed arond the bar)

I had a residual braking only situation (see sep thread) easily fixed by removing a lump of mud from the rear brake light switch.

Rear tyre fitted at 7000mls

Have now covered 7800mls total

Sticky ign switch tumbler today (a few drops of lubricant to cure)

Conclusion:

Great bike, really makes me get out and enjoy myself, I've not had a bike this much fun for ages

See ya soon, Shep

 

[Mouse]

If your hand guards rotate too easily, just tighten the large bolt at the end of the handlebars. I think the largest torx spanner in the supplied tool kit fits it.

 

[TheJoker]

New to the forum but have been reading pretty much every thread as I have (almost) decided to get a brand spanking GS.

Goodonya... what, apart from commuting, is it that made you lean towards a GS?

Only problem is reading the forum I seem to see lots of problems (and is it me but do most be from the US? are they dropping the Friday afternoon bikes on you guys?). I want the bike to do a bit more two wheeled commuting and need reliability - which is what I expected to get with BM - so the problems I read about are disconcerting.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the problems you've read about, they have all been corrected by BMW, haven't they? Looking at it from a different angle, there are a few guys on here that have had problems with their bikes, and still swear by them. I think that BMW has done a brilliant job in fixing what's gone wrong.
Also, like said before; it's easier to post a gripe than a praise.
1600 miles or so on mine; only problem I've had is a puncture (which I'm not going to blame on the bike ).

Currently I have a ZX12R which has never let me down, but as you can imagine, is not exactly practical for commuting and carrying luggage.

The ZX-12 is a bit overkill for a country like UK, as is the Hedgeabuser... (I had a GSX-R1000 and loved it!) The GS is a much better real-life-bike. And not only that, it's fun to ride, and it performs well.

Dispel my fears people - I really want one.

I don't think that you should have any fears - if the bike really would be bad, you wouldn't see people posting in this forum; we would all have sold our bikes.

The bottom line is, as always, does the bike flick your switch? Have you ridden one? What did you think? Have you tried other bikes? Etc - get the one that makes you grin the most!

And, if you see a blue-black-black-wirespoke 1200 around Thame/Bicester/Kidlington/Oxford/Buckingham... wave - it's probably me!

 

[Shep]

ref Handguards

Dealer tried to tighten/remove torx screw in end of bars, ended up replacing bars after using heat to free screw, it was that tight!

ref 1200gs

One of the big reasons for purchasing the GS12 was the need for a bike with proper all year round ridability, with the backup of a quality warrantee & a solus dealer network.

After many years of the "We've got your money, there's the way out" attitude of some motor cycle dealers, the approach of SPC was refreshing. Not perfect but alot better than other dealers I have chosen in the past.

I hope you choose a Blue / Red / Silver one as there are far too many yellow ones about already!

Regards Shep

 

[cliff]

another satisfied customer
picked up mine on 2nd sept have now done 2000 miles and used 200ml of oil (run it in by the book)
the bike gets better every time i ride it

cliff

 

[ujeni]

Great bike. At 5k now and no problems.

No bike is perfect, and unhappy people are always the loudest.

Test ride it. If you like it, then go for it. Nothing to be afraid of.

 

[Richard Fuell]

Thanks

Well thanks to you all for the comprehensive answers - boy you guys are FAST!

Thanks for dispelling my perhaps unreasonable fears, I guess anything mechanical can break down no matter who makes it. Its the service you get if you need it that counts.

Anyway with all the feedback I've decided I'll be joining the ranks of the GSers in the very near future. For me the Blue / Grey Black seat with wire does the trick.

I'll let you know how I get on.......

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback, great to know there are people out there passionate about these things.

Cheers