Is the new GS a reliable bike?

[Irn-bru]

A strange question to ask on a GS forum.

I have a Versys 1000 and have decided I want to change to a shaft drive. For me the choice is between the Triumph Exolorer and the GS. Both great but very different bikes. In the end the character of the twin engine wins for me.

When I announced my plans on the Versys forum I got a very strong reaction against the GS. See example below.

I want a reliable bike I can ride all year round. While the comments below are extreme is there an element of truth to it? Have you been disappointed at the reliability of your GS?

Your honest opinion would be appreciated.

Thanks



Good luck with that. It's the bike that killed Kevin Ash, one of the most respected motorcycle journalists on its launch in Spain last year. It's the bike that has had at least four major recalls so far. It's the bike that has major reliability issues if the Beemer forums are anything to go by. Wouldn't have one if you paid me to. Then there are the servicing

As to the Explorer, i'd rather have one of those, the head issues are sorted on the new ones as far as i know, way more reliable.

 

[Captain Black]

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

A strange question to ask on a GS forum.

I have a Versys 1000 and have decided I want to change to a shaft drive. For me the choice is between the Triumph Exolorer and the GS. Both great but very different bikes. In the end the character of the twin engine wins for me.

When I announced my plans on the Versys forum I got a very strong reaction against the GS. See example below.

I want a reliable bike I can ride all year round. While the comments below are extreme is there an element of truth to it? Have you been disappointed at the reliability of your GS?

Your honest opinion would be appreciated.

Thanks



Good luck with that. It's the bike that killed Kevin Ash, one of the most respected motorcycle journalists on its launch in Spain last year. It's the bike that has had at least four major recalls so far. It's the bike that has major reliability issues if the Beemer forums are anything to go by. Wouldn't have one if you paid me to. Then there are the servicing

As to the Explorer, i'd rather have one of those, the head issues are sorted on the new ones as far as i know, way more reliable.

I wouldn't pay much heed to that author

The bike test was in South Africa, not Spain and the only thing they have in common is that they both begin with 'S'

He's probably never owned one or even ridden one

 

[PatM]

I can’t vouch for it reliability (so why post? Some might add..) but I was given one for 2 days when my GSA went in this week for a replacement rear brake calliper. I've had 3 BMWs since 206 and a Triumph before- the latter Id not want to repeat- which is a shame, but boy, did I have some problems with the Daytona..
Firstly, it was off course the GS- it felt MUCH lighter than mine
The throttle is fly-by-wire and very easily to move- it caught me out a couple of times as I was riding with heated gloves which tend to be a bit thicker. It does rev freely and takes off rapido- it’s a winner in that respect.
It was louder than my GSA- which surprised me as I was told that the water jacket would make it for a quieter engine.
The speedo and rev counter are more difficult to read for me without my specs on (I have them mainly for reading and rarely ride with specs except during the summer in town)
It’s got a computer with loads of settings- they have done away with the press to reset trip that’s on my ’11 GSA- this is a big plus. There are loads of different ride profiles, rain etc. It had me fiddling with it while stuck in traffic- but not for long, as it’s nimble and easy to toss around.
The side stand is like the new breed of BMW’s- Can’t say I’m a fan- I sometimes wonder who the hell designs these things? You have to use your toe to drop it- not good when wearing winter-boots.
The screen is manually adjustable- but only when stationary and like the old GS- not great during the winter, but better than nought- I had it full up as it was about +3 degrees. I do 100 miles a day, 50/50 motorway/town riding.
I’m sure they have overcome the FD issue that plagued the pre 2010 models- my ’11 has the breather fitted and has done 40k in 2 years without a squeak.
The battery is no longer accessible from under the seat- I wired my KEIS lead to it- you need to undo 2 6mm star-heads to get to it- there's a handy positive terminal to access and I earthed on the screw holding the rear brake-fluid reservoir.

I cant say I know about the rider who got killed or the circumstances- but in ignorance, Id probably agree with the previous sentiments. Many journalists make a living without really knowing the subject matter at grass-roots level. Also, any machine I ride- I ride with respect, regardless of whether its mine or not. Its an age/breeding thing for which I apologise If I offend.

Id not own a BMW on a tight budget and Id always have the warrantee ‘till they refuse to sell it to you anymore.
I was impressed- I’ll be looking to get the GSA when it’s out later this year. But only when I’ve done 100k on this one- I get my moneys-worth and don’t need the latest registration snug in my garage 

 

[Lunepilot]

Forums are great,but everyone ive been on regarding bikes, cars, vans,etc list all the problems various owners have had.Unfortunately all vehicles have their problems including the Versys. Even though you may not have had them, someone will have and the usual place to vent your spleen is on the relative forum.
Regarding the GS I'm in my first year of ownership and touch wood everythings ok the bike is a real joy to ride and as soon as i park up i cant wait for the next trip.
My mate has the Explorer and loves it and why not its a great bike and well made with no more faults than any other bike.I also own an early Hinkley Trident and everyone keeps reminding me about the sprag clutches always fail on them well after 50000 miles all is still good.
Try both bikes on a test ride and buy the one you enjoy riding most, they are both excellent bikes."ya pays ya money and takes ya chance".
Good Luck with your new purchase

 

[Rasher]

You could have a look at the Yamaha Super Tenere, they just do not go wrong, virtually no reports of problems at all and the issues have all been minor, of course BMW sell more bikes, but I expect 4 years of Tenere sales add up to this years GS sales - and the bikes are generally older with higher mileages, you just do not see the type of issues reported on BMW's with the Yamaha....

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=9568.90

Generally very highly rated by owners:

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-top-10s/your-top-10-yamahas-revealed/24308.html

Worth a test ride, the engine performance is massively improved with an ECU Flash, probably still not as fast as the latest GS, but a real stomp monster even in stock trim it has bags of grunt, but with a £300 flash....

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=7936.0

 

[paintman]

A strange question to ask on a GS forum.

I have a Versys 1000 and have decided I want to change to a shaft drive. For me the choice is between the Triumph Exolorer and the GS. Both great but very different bikes. In the end the character of the twin engine wins for me.

When I announced my plans on the Versys forum I got a very strong reaction against the GS. See example below.

I want a reliable bike I can ride all year round. While the comments below are extreme is there an element of truth to it? Have you been disappointed at the reliability of your GS?

Your honest opinion would be appreciated.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum, I wonder if your Irn bru from the Srf forum ? I can't offer any advice on the new bike, mines an older one, however if you search the watercooled 1200 section you will find reams of information which may help you make a decision, there again you may have prior experience of forum opinions.
John.

 

[Fanum]

I would just like to state that Trippy is a Cnut.


That is all

 

[richie]

Bill you are way ahead of the game

 

[Fanum]

Bill you are way ahead of the game

In fairness, I think Paintman alluded to it before me

 

[elvisncheese]

I'm also a member of the Versys forum. According to the Members list:

Irn-Bru
Posts: 0 (0 per day)Age:N/A
Country:Scotland
Date Registered: July 19, 2012, 08:55:01 PM
Local Time:January 20, 2014, 08:17:57 AM
Last Active: October 10, 2012, 12:22:29 PM

Last line is interesting ...

 

[silverman10]

I'm also a member of the Versys forum ,

Irn-Bru

Date Registered: July 23, 2012, 09:33:31 AM, Local Time:January 20, 2014, 08:45:19 AM , Last Active: Yesterday at 06:39:28 PM , Posts 25 ,

Not sure where you get your information from ?

He just wants to know if the BM is reliable ????

 

[elvisncheese]

From www.versys.co.uk

As for your figures ... Just checked again. There's only one Irn-Bru and my figures are correct.

I notice this is your first post, Silverman. Congratulations.

 

[elvisncheese]

By the way, Silverman, is your name "Silverman10" on the Versys forum? I can only find a "Silverma" on the members list, and that person hasn't posted yet. Last active in 2011.

Odd.

 

[silverman10]

http://www.versys1000.com/

Not odd , but strange , where your getting your information from ?

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

A strange question to ask on a GS forum.

I want a reliable bike I can ride all year round.... Have you been disappointed at the reliability of your GS?

Your honest opinion would be appreciated....

Billy, I can call you Billy can't I?

No matter what bike you decide to settle on there will always be scare stories.

As with all new productions, there will be a continuous development curve which, unfortunately, does sometimes mean the customer identifies issues that were missed during 1,000's of miles of testing.

In my 15 years of GS ownership my GS has never been anything other than 100% reliable

Don't let the scaremongers put you off what is a fantastic machine.

 

[Fluffmeister]

Bikes are ok, the owners are Fruit loops though

 

[The Grey One]

So they have two separate forums, one for the 650 and another for the 1000. Now that is odd! Don't you guys want to be able to be rude to each other like us lot? You are missing out on so much fun.

John

 

[elvisncheese]

Bikes are ok, the owners are Fruit loops though

'Tis true. Two forums? (fora?) Well, I never. Versys 650 was brilliant. Not tried the 1000 tho.

 

[Irn-bru]

Thanks everyone. Yes that's me on the www.versys1000.com forum. I didn't realise people surfed them all.

I'm certainly not slating any of the bikes. They all have their own character. Yesterday I bought a pre registered 2013 R1200GS TE that had just became available. I pick it up on Friday.

Can't wait. I usually go through bikes at quite a rate, changing every couple of years, I'm hoping the GS is a keeper (or my wife will kill me). I had an F800GS before the Versys and loved it.

Also looking forward to the debates on this forum.