High miles on an 1200LC engine-- what issues to look for plz?

steadysteve

Well-known member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
2,961
Reaction score
302
Location
Lincolnshire
One for the collective.

I've been looking at a 60-odd thousand mile 1200LC and just wondered if there's any issues to be aware of at this sort of mileage. You don't seem to see many at that mileage to establish a common list of likely issues so if anyone has first hand experience I'd be grateful for your input.

It's got plenty of service history and looks like a good honest bike, but doesn't look in any way pampered.

For example, I'm thinking the clutch might be an issue sooner rather than later--is this a big job on these engines?. Driveshaft and FD maybe?

The usual routine stuff like discs and wheel bearings I can deal with , no problem.

Thanks.
 
steadysteve said:
One for the collective.

I've been looking at a 60-odd thousand mile 1200LC and just wondered if there's any issues to be aware of at this sort of mileage.
Click to expand...

No experience personally, but bmwmotohire told me of issues they'd had with alternators on higher miles bikes - more so the cost to replace.
 
Doing a clutch on these is more complicated and expensive than on the old models. Even though you don't have to split the bike. And the clutch is only available as an entire kit. £600 or something like that. And you definitely need the manual.

Alternators can burn out. And they're on the back of the engine. You have to remove the engine to swap them. But It's not a common fault. It was a known issue on the high output 1200RT models which were produced for the Emergency services.

Don't you just love Beemers.

I'd be more concerned about the valvetrain. The coating wears off the cams easier than it should. And the camshaft gears ware and can get noisy. There are different sizes available to take up the lash.
 
Not sure whether your question is simply confirmed to the engine or not, but if it has esa suspension then be aware that plenty enough users have failures, even under 30k. Not sure what the signs are for a unit on the way out, however.
 
OP. - If GNITs of this Parish sees your post I’m sure he will comment as he put well over 100K miles on his original 2013 LC (you could always try a PM)

IIRC the main thing that went wrong in that time was the alternator (or Stator, can’t remember which) and that was a pretty big job, coming in around £700.

It also had the usual problems with the flappy valve thingy which jammed every now and then and was replaced under warranty. This was solved when he fitted proper Akra headers!

Other than that I think it was a pretty reliable bike which served him well over a number of years and he only got rid of it recently.

Hopefully he will be able to provide more accurate details than me as I’m relying on my sketchy memory of our conversations!
 
steadysteve said:
One for the collective.

I've been looking at a 60-odd thousand mile 1200LC and just wondered if there's any issues to be aware of at this sort of mileage. You don't seem to see many at that mileage to establish a common list of likely issues so if anyone has first hand experience I'd be grateful for your input.

It's got plenty of service history and looks like a good honest bike, but doesn't look in any way pampered.

For example, I'm thinking the clutch might be an issue sooner rather than later--is this a big job on these engines?. Driveshaft and FD maybe?

The usual routine stuff like discs and wheel bearings I can deal with , no problem.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Why not spend a little more. 2014 bikes with under 30k can be had for 7.5k if not less.

It is not the mileage now but when you want to sell or part x
 
When i chopped my 2014 GS in after four years and 80,000 trouble free miles it was only changed as the extended warranty just covered me to 80K
I knew i had made a mistake since then i am on my third GSA no major problems with them but that GS had nothing other than the exhaust flap done which i soon replaced with Acrapovic headers which gave better economy and a nice throaty noise
So no faults with mine to report only a bit of corrosion on engine
 
The alternative or stator as the Americans call it, is a pita and expensive, but very rarely fail. There was a batch of bad cams in some of the late 15 to early 17 bikes, but not on the earlier ones ( mine is a February 15 bike ) and the cams are fine. The clutch is at the front of the engine and easy to get at if you needed to.
 
Thanks chaps. Food for thought.
Its a 66 plate bike so might potentially suffer the camshaft problems. Clutch looks easy enough...according to youtube. Denzo for the suspension if it needs a refurb.
Thanks.
 
steadysteve said:
Thanks chaps. Food for thought.
Its a 66 plate bike so might potentially suffer the camshaft problems. Clutch looks easy enough...according to youtube. Denzo for the suspension if it needs a refurb.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

hope you get lucky, sometime old is gold
 
steadysteve said:
My last gs LC was on its original pads at 24k and only half worn. I try not to use the brakes...slow you down too much:D
Click to expand...

Was that the rear pads? still seems a lot, I got 40,000 out of front. Since I serviced my rear calliper I am getting a couple of K more from the rear pads but not double figures.


To achieve, we must first attempt.
 
Interesting video to see what's gone wrong.

It does prove the old adage that it's the gimmicks that go wrong and cost money. In his case, Keyless ignition.


I don't know how much advice I'd take off someone who lets his dealer charge him for new cover gaskets everytime they check his valve clearances. Pretty naive.
 
schneazle weazle said:
Was that the rear pads? still seems a lot, I got 40,000 out of front. Since I serviced my rear calliper I am getting a couple of K more from the rear pads but not double figures.


To achieve, we must first attempt.
Click to expand...

Both sets, front and rear.
I think riding style plays a big part. I tend to use the engine braking more than anything and I did have a touring screen acting as an air brake...:thumb2
 
If you're on original front pads at 100,000 miles then you're just just sitting on open highways for miles on end. Which makes sense if he's just up and down the US interstates.

No way he's going hard on the brakes or riding it aggressively. Especially loaded up. I bet his tyres look like car tyres. :D
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

1250GSA any issues to look for
Replies
10
Views
2,084
Bubb
Bubb


Back
Top Bottom