laughingBob
Guest
Luv mine. Get's better and better as the miles pile on.
I love my bike
- Thread starter ktmmark
- Start date
streaky
Registered user
paul mac seems to have gone quiet!
apoll013
Guest
CAll me Frazer
1200 miles and 200 miles since second gearbox. The bike still doesn't feel right. Jumping out of gear again. I loved this bike at the start, but it is peculiar how a fundamental problem undermines your trust in the bike. I do believe BMW is sincere in sorting the problems as they arise on an individual level. But the problems exist and they are real. Is it not time for some kind of public acknowledgement of that fact - even a recall on suspect part-numbers. As an aside my screen still vibrates horribly under 3k in town. Talk of a 'mod' by Wollaston at time of new gear-box seems irrelevant. It is the same. The 1200 is a wonderful bike dynamically, but flawed. How deeply we shall see.
1200 miles and 200 miles since second gearbox. The bike still doesn't feel right. Jumping out of gear again. I loved this bike at the start, but it is peculiar how a fundamental problem undermines your trust in the bike. I do believe BMW is sincere in sorting the problems as they arise on an individual level. But the problems exist and they are real. Is it not time for some kind of public acknowledgement of that fact - even a recall on suspect part-numbers. As an aside my screen still vibrates horribly under 3k in town. Talk of a 'mod' by Wollaston at time of new gear-box seems irrelevant. It is the same. The 1200 is a wonderful bike dynamically, but flawed. How deeply we shall see.
ktmmark
Registered user
Do people realy think bmw will just sit on a problem like a diff fault , i don't think so thay have been selling over 6 bikes a day since jan & thats just the uk . If there is a problem it will cost a fortune to just keep putting new parts on till the warranty runs out .
With any mechanical thing you buy there are differences as time goes on to fix problems found in production which can turn a problem vehicle in to a reliable one .
Should think the 1150 adv being the last will be the most sorted .
& the first 1200 s will have the most problems
Do any of you rember the first cx 500's major problems but when sorted was reliable & sort by despatch riders. Just stick with it' it will get sorted . It you are wishing you had the 1150 sell the 1200 to some one who wants it & buy the adv then you can be happy like me
With any mechanical thing you buy there are differences as time goes on to fix problems found in production which can turn a problem vehicle in to a reliable one .
Should think the 1150 adv being the last will be the most sorted .
& the first 1200 s will have the most problems
Do any of you rember the first cx 500's major problems but when sorted was reliable & sort by despatch riders. Just stick with it' it will get sorted . It you are wishing you had the 1150 sell the 1200 to some one who wants it & buy the adv then you can be happy like me
Paul Mac
Guest
Hold 0n whoaaaaaaaa!!! Before you criticise me as being a moaner who just wants to slag the bike off for the sake of it let me explain.
I have owned and still own several BMW bikes - for the last 8 yrs I have riden nothing else and have covered around 100,000 miles on them. I love BMW bikes and think that the Boxer twin is a great configuration for how a sorted motorcycle should be.
I bought my1200 GS with the intention of riding around Eastern Europe and I wanted a sturdy no nonsense go anywhere bike that would transport me off the beaten track without worries of reliability. I previously rode and still own a BMW R1150 RT which in my opinion is the best bike BMW have ever made and I can't imagine that I would ever want to part with this. I thought the 1200GS would be more of the same , but I now think that with the 1200 BMW have radically moved away from what attracted me to the bikes in the first place. I feel that the bike was released too soon without all the teething problems being sorted out ie. Bevel Box, Fuel Pump, Warping Discs and generally less robust build quality than what I have previously been used to from BMW. I don't have one single issue with my R1150 RT other than it's a great bike and a pleasure to ride. I have loads of issues with my 1200GS mainly due to the inbuilt design (aka weight saving) problems that come with the bike. Take an example of riding into my house drive which is on a SLIGHT hill, every other bike I have owned - no problem not even think about it. The 1200GS the clutch smells like it's going to burn out everytime I come up my drive - NO I am not slipping it overly I know how to ride a bike and this is bike related and not operator error. I know the clutch hasn't burnt out yet (3500 miles on the bike) and it probably won't BUT it just undermines confidence in the bike. The other day on the M1 my front nearside plastic tank panel blew off - that was scary. Only thing that holds it on at the front is the plastic twist screw. If you are happy with this and think thats OK design well fine - but to me this is just poor cheap design, never had anything blow off any other BMW bike - again confidence goes down. Yes small issues, but with this bike it's a constant drip drip of confidence eating problems. To me this bike is a stonking engine in a so-so package and what I suppose I would really like is the 1200 motor in the 1150GS frame. I DON'T want a lightweight bike that's covered in plastic held on by dudbious clips I WANT a well sorted bike that feels like it's rock solid and reliable. I am SURE that BMW will sort these niggling issues and yes of course the 1200GS could be a great bike it's just for me at the moment too flawed and I don't like being used as a Beta tester in the field to reveal all it's real world shortcomings.
I have owned and still own several BMW bikes - for the last 8 yrs I have riden nothing else and have covered around 100,000 miles on them. I love BMW bikes and think that the Boxer twin is a great configuration for how a sorted motorcycle should be.
I bought my1200 GS with the intention of riding around Eastern Europe and I wanted a sturdy no nonsense go anywhere bike that would transport me off the beaten track without worries of reliability. I previously rode and still own a BMW R1150 RT which in my opinion is the best bike BMW have ever made and I can't imagine that I would ever want to part with this. I thought the 1200GS would be more of the same , but I now think that with the 1200 BMW have radically moved away from what attracted me to the bikes in the first place. I feel that the bike was released too soon without all the teething problems being sorted out ie. Bevel Box, Fuel Pump, Warping Discs and generally less robust build quality than what I have previously been used to from BMW. I don't have one single issue with my R1150 RT other than it's a great bike and a pleasure to ride. I have loads of issues with my 1200GS mainly due to the inbuilt design (aka weight saving) problems that come with the bike. Take an example of riding into my house drive which is on a SLIGHT hill, every other bike I have owned - no problem not even think about it. The 1200GS the clutch smells like it's going to burn out everytime I come up my drive - NO I am not slipping it overly I know how to ride a bike and this is bike related and not operator error. I know the clutch hasn't burnt out yet (3500 miles on the bike) and it probably won't BUT it just undermines confidence in the bike. The other day on the M1 my front nearside plastic tank panel blew off - that was scary. Only thing that holds it on at the front is the plastic twist screw. If you are happy with this and think thats OK design well fine - but to me this is just poor cheap design, never had anything blow off any other BMW bike - again confidence goes down. Yes small issues, but with this bike it's a constant drip drip of confidence eating problems. To me this bike is a stonking engine in a so-so package and what I suppose I would really like is the 1200 motor in the 1150GS frame. I DON'T want a lightweight bike that's covered in plastic held on by dudbious clips I WANT a well sorted bike that feels like it's rock solid and reliable. I am SURE that BMW will sort these niggling issues and yes of course the 1200GS could be a great bike it's just for me at the moment too flawed and I don't like being used as a Beta tester in the field to reveal all it's real world shortcomings.
There is no doubt that there have been a fair number of people that have been unlucky with their 1200GSs and have a list of complaints.
The reason I know this is because for the benefit of other owners they all post there woes here for us all to read so that we can be informed about these problems - just in case they happen to us.
HOWEVER - there are a good number of us who are covering average and above average mileage, ride the bikes for fun, commuting, touring, on-road and off-road and are REALLY HAPPY WITH OUT BIKES and want to make sure that the balance is right on this website and that it's not just full of maoners and groaners. 
Sure - if any of these bad things happens to me and my bike I'll be well cheesed-off and will proably join the m&g group.
But until then i'll carry on enjoying my bike, doing 1000+ miles of leisure riding a month, on-road, off-road in rain and shine on my fantastic 1200GS.
The reason I know this is because for the benefit of other owners they all post there woes here for us all to read so that we can be informed about these problems - just in case they happen to us.
HOWEVER - there are a good number of us who are covering average and above average mileage, ride the bikes for fun, commuting, touring, on-road and off-road and are REALLY HAPPY WITH OUT BIKES
and want to make sure that the balance is right on this website and that it's not just full of maoners and groaners. Sure - if any of these bad things happens to me and my bike I'll be well cheesed-off and will proably join the m&g group.
But until then i'll carry on enjoying my bike, doing 1000+ miles of leisure riding a month, on-road, off-road in rain and shine on my fantastic 1200GS.
rick
Registered user
I love mine, had it 3 weeks and just ticked over the 1000 mile mark.
Was all a bit of a shock really. Fully intended to test ride 3 or 4 bikes on my shortlist and change next year. Rode the 1200, loved it, decided I was unlikely to find anything better and a week later picked up my new yellow GS.
Now planning to go to Germany as its a shame not to use the free travel insurance.
Rick
Was all a bit of a shock really. Fully intended to test ride 3 or 4 bikes on my shortlist and change next year. Rode the 1200, loved it, decided I was unlikely to find anything better and a week later picked up my new yellow GS.
Now planning to go to Germany as its a shame not to use the free travel insurance.
Rick
Phil W
Guest
Love it!!
Despite early teething problems i have to say the GS12 just gets better and better the more you ride it!!
I've now covered 3000 miles. Any road you ride, the bike makes it fun!! My last bike vtr1000 was fun 10% of an average ride due to poor road surfaces ect......The GS makes even mega twisty bumpy single tracks awsome fun......loving it 100% of the ride.
Only problem is i can't help pulling stonking wheelies every time i go out......I hope the front suspension is up to the job!!??
Went out with a few assorted bikes the other day, the GS out performed them all with ease......Truly wicked bike
Despite early teething problems i have to say the GS12 just gets better and better the more you ride it!!
I've now covered 3000 miles. Any road you ride, the bike makes it fun!! My last bike vtr1000 was fun 10% of an average ride due to poor road surfaces ect......The GS makes even mega twisty bumpy single tracks awsome fun......loving it 100% of the ride.
Only problem is i can't help pulling stonking wheelies every time i go out......I hope the front suspension is up to the job!!??
Went out with a few assorted bikes the other day, the GS out performed them all with ease......Truly wicked bike
apoll013
Guest
Lets hear it for Denial (mainly my own)
I am not sure it is healthy to polarise into moaners and ravers.
The central issue is whether the 12 has inherent design or construction issues or whether a significant, but nevertheless small minority, are just unlucky? Regardless most of us with 'issues' are genuinely trying to add to the debate in a constructive way - not bitch for the sake of it.
But there is undeniably a healthy dose of Teutonic pragmatism here. It is easier to deal with us one-by-one than issue clear information about likely recall-issues to everyone. BMW has a runaway seller here and understandably want to preserve the reputation of the 12.
I am mainly used to Ducati's and Japanese sports-bike. So now my bike is ostensibly fine after it's new gearbox after 750-miles; I find it judge what is acceptable BM-quirks and what is looming trouble. Are BM's meant to jump out of gear once in a while? Is the gear-shifting meant to be notchy and industrial? Is the screen meant to vibrate like DC3 on take-off? Is the front brake meant to vibrate and emit a low-droning sound?
I don't want to plague Wollaston (who have been good thus far) with this stuff, because it all may be normal. Hence I post on this site to seek the wisdom of persons much more insightful and experienced than myself on these matters. I certainly don't want to 'piss on anyone's parade'.
I am not sure it is healthy to polarise into moaners and ravers.
The central issue is whether the 12 has inherent design or construction issues or whether a significant, but nevertheless small minority, are just unlucky? Regardless most of us with 'issues' are genuinely trying to add to the debate in a constructive way - not bitch for the sake of it.
But there is undeniably a healthy dose of Teutonic pragmatism here. It is easier to deal with us one-by-one than issue clear information about likely recall-issues to everyone. BMW has a runaway seller here and understandably want to preserve the reputation of the 12.
I am mainly used to Ducati's and Japanese sports-bike. So now my bike is ostensibly fine after it's new gearbox after 750-miles; I find it judge what is acceptable BM-quirks and what is looming trouble. Are BM's meant to jump out of gear once in a while? Is the gear-shifting meant to be notchy and industrial? Is the screen meant to vibrate like DC3 on take-off? Is the front brake meant to vibrate and emit a low-droning sound?
I don't want to plague Wollaston (who have been good thus far) with this stuff, because it all may be normal. Hence I post on this site to seek the wisdom of persons much more insightful and experienced than myself on these matters. I certainly don't want to 'piss on anyone's parade'.
Mr K
Registered user
You have a Bavarian donkey.
Gearbox should be Jap-ish. i.e Perfect.
Screen - Lots of variable factors...but mainly 100mph okay with Arai.
Front brake should be nothing but awesome....and silent.
I had an ABS/ Servo pump go which was fixed in 48 hours. If you have the problems you suggest you would be wise to return it to your dealer'til they make it right.
Wishing you an improved 12 experience.
Gearbox should be Jap-ish. i.e Perfect.
Screen - Lots of variable factors...but mainly 100mph okay with Arai.
Front brake should be nothing but awesome....and silent.
I had an ABS/ Servo pump go which was fixed in 48 hours. If you have the problems you suggest you would be wise to return it to your dealer'til they make it right.
Wishing you an improved 12 experience.
ktmmark
Registered user
my screen did shake till i did the rubber o ring fix took all of 10 min's
the gearbox should be good & get to suzuki smooth by 3000 mile (may just req adjustment on linkage ) to match the boots you use
i.e road bike or mx boot's
Your brakes should be good & strong
Your dealer woud be able to sort all above
the gearbox should be good & get to suzuki smooth by 3000 mile (may just req adjustment on linkage ) to match the boots you use
i.e road bike or mx boot's
Your brakes should be good & strong
Your dealer woud be able to sort all above
Gonzo
Registered user
ktmmark said:
Aaaaagh!..............you can't throw that in without explaining what the fix is. You're playing with us!!
Mike Peers
Registered user
ktmmark
Registered user
The front of the screen has 2 screws (it's the pivot point) remove one screw & slide the pivot out fit an o ring over the pin that sticks out & refit then do the same on the other sideGonzo said:Aaaaagh!..............you can't throw that in without explaining what the fix is. You're playing with us!!
o ring is small like 5/ 6 mm od bmw dealer will have one & know what you are talking about
Time to bounce this back........... but I do love my bike and is the MOST fun I've had on two wheels after twenty years of motorcycling....... warts n ol............ 
Reggie
Guest
Hi Chaps,
my bike is an Aug 04 model. I've covered 15K, so far. Had the ABS pump replaced when it was a few weeks old but the lever action never felt 100%. Just had a second ABS pump fitted and the original feel of the brakes has returned.
I still love the bike.
Oh by the way, the ABS pumps cost over £1,000! So I for on will be renewing my warranty in Aug 06.
Regards
Reggie
my bike is an Aug 04 model. I've covered 15K, so far. Had the ABS pump replaced when it was a few weeks old but the lever action never felt 100%. Just had a second ABS pump fitted and the original feel of the brakes has returned.
I still love the bike.
Oh by the way, the ABS pumps cost over £1,000! So I for on will be renewing my warranty in Aug 06.
Regards
Reggie
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