Is there a difference

[GB.]

Hi chaps, it's been a while and 3 1/2 years since I had a 1200gs and my accident which resulted in my shoulder and humerus being replaced. I still wanted to venture off road so bought a Xchallenge then the 701. In all honesty I was fooling myself if I thought I'd be able to ride anything other than a dusty road so I have now made the decision to stick to the road and get another GS. I have test ridden the new rally I really liked it but I also like the look and simplicity of the last of the hex heads.
The question is what is the ownership experience like with the WC, do they suffer from FD or any other repeating failures like the previous models did (my last hex head sold with 90000miles on it and was pretty reliable) what are they like to service, can you do it yourself? Is there year models to avoid, are the LED lights worth the money? I will probably go secondhand so any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[unicycler]

2014 on GS would be your best bet, all bikes have niggles. I have owned a 14 and now a 17 bike and never had any problems.

** plus dont read to much in to this forum as people seem to only moan about bad points and exaggerate the problems then others jump on the band wagon to try and better the problems with how their problems are bigger and bmw are worse than north korea**

 

[dave hendy]

2nd hand bikes from BMW now get 2 years warranty


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fredaroony]

Queue the rust and corrosion comments from the same people ad nauseam...

I have a 2016 GS with 18,000klms and it's been fine for me so far.

 

[GB.]

Haven't found a bike that doesn't corrode yet.

 

[GB.]

2014 on GS would be your best bet, all bikes have niggles. I have owned a 14 and now a 17 bike and never had any problems.


** plus dont read to much in to this forum as people seem to only moan about bad points and exaggerate the problems then others jump on the band wagon to try and better the problems with how their problems are bigger and bmw are worse than north korea**

How many miles do you do?

 

[Nutty]

I bought a new Rallye in April, and absolutely love it. As above, ignore all the negative stuff that floats around the forum, and just do it. Look after it properly, and it won't let you down. If buying second hand, just get the newest you can afford, as they are constantly developing and improving the bikes. BMW don't sit still when it comes to tech.

 

[Arsey]

Queue the rust and corrosion comments from the same people ad nauseam...

I have a 2016 GS with 18,000klms and it's been fine for me so far.

Did you mean 'Cue' or that there'll be a queue of people with rusty GSs??

 

[snaponphil]

Yes there is a big difference in my opinion.
As Unicycler said the 14 model LC (white suspension springs & factory steering damper) onwards are the best to go for..
I've had 3+ years out of my GS LC & have ordered a new Rallye but funnily enough have specced it virtually identical to my earlier bike. (Just goes to show I was happy with it)
Pidcocks in Nottingham will be reselling it later next week & if you fancy a White bike with silver alloys give them a call. It's sat in my garage waiting for a call to say my new one is ready but in all honesty I've never liked a bike so much..
Good luck..

 

[XPilot]

2014 on GS would be your best bet, all bikes have niggles. I have owned a 14 and now a 17 bike and never had any problems.

** plus dont read to much in to this forum as people seem to only moan about bad points and exaggerate the problems then others jump on the band wagon to try and better the problems with how their problems are bigger and bmw are worse than north korea**

How right you are !!!

 

[Victor c]

I bought a new Rallye in April, and absolutely love it. As above, ignore all the negative stuff that floats around the forum, and just do it. Look after it properly, and it won't let you down. If buying second hand, just get the newest you can afford, as they are constantly developing and improving the bikes. BMW don't sit still when it comes to tech.

+ 1 what Nutty said

 

[unicycler]

How many miles do you do?

About 15000 a year.
Is that relevant?

 

[GB.]

About 15000 a year.
Is that relevant?

I think it is, if you say only done 2000 a year it wouldn't be the reflection of reliability as it is with your 15000 a year. I spent all afternoon on one today and really enjoyed it, think I've found a nice 15plate I may just be able to afford.

 

[unicycler]

Go for it.
You wont be disappointed.

 

[bogey]

Hi,

On my 6th GS and yes I had a few niggles but overall they are fantastic, latest one is 2017 GSA and its the best yet. They just keep getting better and better. Think for servicing you would need the diagnostic thingy, in nay event would stick with dealer servicing if you get something still under warranty, I like the LED lights, not really any models to avoid just the later and newer the dearer. As long as you pay the going rate for any year/model/milage don't think you can go far wrong.

 

[Rederic]

Go for it mine is only a baby at 47,000+ miles, but has been the most reliable bike I have ever owned, it has had 18 or 19 sets of tyres on it and never had to top the oil up
Just don't listen to all the shite people who have never had them go on about, I don't commute on it I am trying to keep the miles down on this one

 

[fredaroony]

Did you mean 'Cue' or that there'll be a queue of people with rusty GSs??

Yes I did mean cue and I am blaming alcohol on that one!

 

[GB.]

Well I rode a 17 yesterday and a 15 today, but still haven't found the one I want, make no doubt about this will be my next bike. I do have a couple of questions, I'm presuming the battery is in a similar place as the previous hex head model? Now due to a replacement shoulder and humorous I run heated clothing 9 months of the year, is there an issue wiring directly off the battery as my heated gear takes over 120watts or will the can bus take it?

 

[snaponphil]

Well I rode a 17 yesterday and a 15 today, but still haven't found the one I want, make no doubt about this will be my next bike. I do have a couple of questions, I'm presuming the battery is in a similar place as the previous hex head model? Now due to a replacement shoulder and humorous I run heated clothing 9 months of the year, is there an issue wiring directly off the battery as my heated gear takes over 120watts or will the can bus take it?

Hi, the can bus won't take it.
It's simple to run a separate supply to the battery negative & get the supply from the jump post located close to battery.
The battery is buried but a great idea to put the jump post in an available place..

 

[lgresh]

Hi there, just to let you know that I also shattered my shoulder 4 years ago (mountain biking). It was arduous re-education but I am now almost back to normal. I have replaced by 2015 multistrada (a complete lemon) with a 2014 1200GS and have not regretted it a single time. I should have shied away from the dark side long time ago.