High Mileage 1200GS - Things to look out for

[RedAngel]

Hey,

I am a complete noob in all things BMW, I have been on Hondas pretty much exclusively for years and feel like a change.

So I am looking out for a cheap 1200gs as a toe in the water - I looked at the Honda Varadero 1000, but for some reason it just doesn't float my boat.

Unfortunately the Lovely Mrs Angel has mandated that we go to Thailand on holiday this year so My budget has just been shrunk down to 3 - 3.5K.

I appreciate that this lands me on the earliest 2004-2005 bikes (Or possibly an 1150 if I cant find an acceptable 1200.)

Inevitably this means I am looking at high mileage bikes, and having spent a couple of days reading the forum I have identified some problem areas to be vigilant on.

1. Final Drive - is there any way to check this without disassembly?

2.Clutch - any record of the last change.

3. Brakes, does it still have the servo installed.


Have I missed anything else that is critical? Obviously at this age/mileage everything will be more prone to failure.

Ta

 

[JJH]

You are looking at a early 1200. The abs was a option on those. It’s easy enough to remove if you get one with abs on it. I’d leave well alone till unless it gives trouble. I’m not sure about final drive if you see any oil leaks or if there is any play should be a warning sign. Clutch? If it doesn’t slip it’s ok. Clutch life depends so much on use/abuse. JJH

 

[Flyingdutchman]

Hey,

I am a complete noob in all things BMW, I have been on Hondas pretty much exclusively for years and feel like a change.

So I am looking out for a cheap 1200gs as a toe in the water - I looked at the Honda Varadero 1000, but for some reason it just doesn't float my boat.

Unfortunately the Lovely Mrs Angel has mandated that we go to Thailand on holiday this year so My budget has just been shrunk down to 3 - 3.5K.

I appreciate that this lands me on the earliest 2004-2005 bikes (Or possibly an 1150 if I cant find an acceptable 1200.)

Inevitably this means I am looking at high mileage bikes, and having spent a couple of days reading the forum I have identified some problem areas to be vigilant on.

1. Final Drive - is there any way to check this without disassembly?

2.Clutch - any record of the last change.

3. Brakes, does it still have the servo installed.


Have I missed anything else that is critical? Obviously at this age/mileage everything will be more prone to failure.

Ta

I'm by no way an expert but why not try a lower mileage 1150? There are some nice examples on sale here with low mileage for the year and clearly very well cared for or brought back to good condition.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Final drive, put it on stand and push pull the wheel 9-3 and 12-6. A good one has no play especially when cold. A very slight click is acceptable (1mm at the rim) otherwise the bearing is done for. The first bikes were the worst for FD failure and had a problem with the pinion bearing as well but you need to remove the gator and pull the drives haft to tell that one.

I am sure there will be some great early 1200 bikes out there but given the problems they can have, personally I would look at a late 1150 as they were pretty sorted.

 

[RedAngel]

I'm by no way an expert but why not try a lower mileage 1150? There are some nice examples on sale here with low mileage for the year and clearly very well cared for or brought back to good condition.

Yes that's definitely a possibility, I wouldn't even consider a high miler with other brands but I am encouraged by the tales of 100K plus 1200s on here and over on the ADV forum being perfectly fine.

 

[NicD]

Check frequency of FD oil changes. If it was changed frequently then better chance it is OK.

 

[Flyingdutchman]

Yes that's definitely a possibility, I wouldn't even consider a high miler with other brands but I am encouraged by the tales of 100K plus 1200s on here and over on the ADV forum being perfectly fine.

I (finally) bought my first R1200GSA at the start of last year. Always wanted one but for some reason often ended up with various other makes. Bit the bullet last year on a 2009 GSA with 47K miles bought in England. Got the 48K mile service done here locally and bike got complete bill of health from mechanic who is an avid GSer himself. As the bike was in England I got someone to test ride it for me and give it a good look over. If you buy from anybody on here you will most likely get a bike that is mechanically sound and well looked after.

Good luck with whatever you go for and I'm sure you will enjoy many happy miles (after you spend 100's or more on bling). If you are planning to travel buy a bike that comes with luggage. Second hand panniers can be hard to come by and cost a bomb!!

 

[Posh Pete]

I'm by no way an expert but why not try a lower mileage 1150? There are some nice examples on sale here with low mileage for the year and clearly very well cared for or brought back to good condition.

Makes an awful lot of sense that.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I've got a 2006 GSA with 150,000 miles and she's as sweet as a nut so don't be put off with high mileages.

I think the early 2004 and 2005 1200's are great value for money, are terrific bikes and seem to have loads of go in them. They were pretty well put together and all the problems they may have had will have been sorted many moons ago and they should be serenely going about their business.

The biggest issue with 1200's is the drive but it's not the huge thing people carp on about sometimes. Check if it's ever been rebuilt and a good owner should know this and just check for excess movement. In the worst case scenario, it's a £400 ish rebuild with Mikeyboy and then it will be good for many many miles. I've had mine rebuilt twice in the time I've had it and I budget it as a service item every few years but I do do some big mileages.

I've seen 1200's with some huge mileages and have never missed a beat.

Check the service schedule and if it's been done by the dealer or a good independant you will be fine. Saying that, a lot of owners do their own servicing as it's fairly easy and are fastidious with maintenance.

In my opinion, they are a better bet than a late 1150 as they are lighter and more agile.

The 1200 is a great all round bike and prepare to spend a few more ££££'s on bit's and bobs.

 

[Andy63]

I bought mine in 2011 a R1200GSA 2006 it had done 20,000 when i bought it and for Jersey that's high mileage on a 4 year old bike. within the first few weeks of ownership the slave cylinder and fuel pump controller went and i'd thought i'd bought a pup.

Since then Iv'e had an ignition issue (broken wire at the headstock) that was easily fixed. other than that it hasn't skipped a beat the bike has now done 58.000 miles (dare i say it) still on the same clutch, final drive and servo still works fine.

Don't be put off by the bike being an early high mileage 1200 if its been looked after they are superb bikes.

 

[JJH]

I've got a 2006 GSA with 150,000 miles and she's as sweet as a nut so don't be put off with high mileages.

I think the early 2004 and 2005 1200's are great value for money, are terrific bikes and seem to have loads of go in them. They were pretty well put together and all the problems they may have had will have been sorted many moons ago and they should be serenely going about their business.

The biggest issue with 1200's is the drive but it's not the huge thing people carp on about sometimes. Check if it's ever been rebuilt and a good owner should know this and just check for excess movement. In the worst case scenario, it's a £400 ish rebuild with Mikeyboy and then it will be good for many many miles. I've had mine rebuilt twice in the time I've had it and I budget it as a service item every few years but I do do some big mileages.

I've seen 1200's with some huge mileages and have never missed a beat.

Check the service schedule and if it's been done by the dealer or a good independant you will be fine. Saying that, a lot of owners do their own servicing as it's fairly easy and are fastidious with maintenance.

In my opinion, they are a better bet than a late 1150 as they are lighter and more agile.

The 1200 is a great all round bike and prepare to spend a few more ££££'s on bit's and bobs.

Agree entirely. First 1200 was a fantastic bike. Head and shoulders above the 1150. Yes I know we could argue about it all day. The only advantage the 1150 had was comfort. I have riden both. 50 kilos lighter and 15 bhp up on power give or take. I’d rather see a well maintained bike with a few miles up than a garage queen. They like miles. JJH

 

[TLSgazza]

My 2006 GSA has done near 97.000 miles now. A few things have needs doing in the 11 years I've owned her.
Final drive rebuilt twice.
Drive shaft replaced.
Rear shock leaked. Wilbur's now fitted.
Ignition switch replaced.
Clutch switch replaced.
Mainstand replaced, it bent.
7 fuel strips.
Front engine cover powder coated. Corrosion.
Both Main coilsticks replaced last year.
Still got the odyssee battery in her which was in it 90.000 miles ago when I bought her.
Replaced the batteries in the alarm for the first time this year.
Sergeant seats fitted for more comfort.
Usual service parts.

Original clutch still going strong.
Gearbox is fine,
I change the oils every 6.000 miles.
Servo and abs still ok.
Never changed the front wheel bearings
Still on original fuel pump. Works fine.
Only on its second set of brake discs.
Apart from a clean the calipers have never been apart and seals are fine.

A high milage bike could be better than a low mileage bike if stuff is sorted and it's looked after.

 

[mikeyboy]

Let’s face it,if the bike is 13/14 years old it not that bad.
Bad thing is these bikes get expensive when you pull them apart,
Not necessarily because things are bollicksed,more so because it’s a big job to split for a clutch,for instance.so it makes sense to do preventative stuff .this can bump costs.

 

[RedAngel]

I really appreciate the comments - all useful.

As I suspected, at the very bottom of the 1200 price range its probably a better bet to look at a nice 1150. So if I want a 1200 its better to increase the budget a bit; moving up to 5K widens the field substantially, and you would probably end up throwing the extra 1500 into the cheaper one anyway.

Seeing 2 1200s and an 1150 this weekend, but I have decided to slow down and wait until the right one presents itself, no rush really, I have other bikes and really I need to get rid of one to make room.

 

[Bendy toy]

The main issues with older 1200s are final drive internal bearings and the servo ABS system. The 08-09 has a slightly better FD so expect to see its been rebuilt. Mine was done at 50K miles. Any suspension with more than 30K is well past its best so get it rebuilt or stump up for Wilbers units. But they have to be serviced (rebuilt) every 15000 to maintain the warranty. That's not a negative for WIlbers, they are simply being realistic about the usable mileage of the damper oil charge.

 

[Blowzorn]

I wouldn't have thought there are many early 1200s still around that have not had thew FD issue addressed. If it's got high mileage then then the FD is not an problem you have to worry about.
I had 3 FDs on the bike but all within the first 50k miles no problem since.
ABS servo failed at 185k
Clutch is down to how it's been ridden, there are high mileage bikes out there still on original clutch.
My 1200 now has over 200k miles (all be it with an engine rebuild. But this was done for more power rather than any fault. Do a Seach for Projekt Dicker Hammer for more info).
The rebuild was done circa 170k (on the whole) trouble free miles. I would take a high mileage bike any day of the week over a low mileage bike. In my experience High mileage bikes have already experienced any significant issues they are going have,I think they are a more honest bike and the previous owner can probably let you know how what has been done.