Abi
Guest
I've gotta say after the warranty period is over I rather fancy a KTM. The only fly in the ointment is the chain drive, but the bike is a lot cheaper.
What do you think?
What do you think?
Long Term GS Ownership - Post Warranty
- Thread starter GSmonkey
- Start date
The Nutter
Registered user
Marcus Shurvinton said:I have the luxury of my bike being a toy not my main mode of transport,but if it was i'd seriously consider getting a second bike for the winter to aviod the corrosion issues.There are plenty of cheap trail bikes around at the £ 1000 mark ,this would save the " expensive " bike from rotting away underneath you.
Imagine spending 10 grand on a car, and then being told by the manufacturer that it would be best if you spent £1000 on a little run around for the winter to avoid corrosion. Can't see them staying in business.
But this is where we as bikers go wrong. I can't believe that in the 21st century, man can't make a non corroding bike, and until he does he should be made to replace the bits that do. If we shout at them loud enough and stop spending money on thier bikes, they might have to treat us with the same respect that car makers, on a whole, give to drivers.
FOr my two pennys worth.
I had a Triumph ST with 12K on the clock I lost £3,000 in one year and it was corroding. The day I bought it the fuel guage packed up, was told theyd fix it at first service! I said fine just give me your mobile number so I can call if I run out at 2 in the morning!.. (They fixed it
)
Previous to that I had a Yammie Fazer 600, it rotted IN my garage!
I had VFR which sounded like a bag of nails did 30ish
to the gallon was so uncomfortable I had a numb bum after 1/2 hour had it for two weeks coz thas all I could stand.
So alternatives, Ducatis, electrics falling apart £1000 service not unheard of re-sale value squat!
Before buying a 1200 I test road an Pan 1300 year old bike with corrossion all over rear shaft and mirror fell off when I went over a bump!!
Ive had a couiple of issues with my bike within warranty, an each has been dealt with quickly and efficiently, so I will keep it and if I get worried spend £300 give or take a few bob on extended warranty.
Still the best bike Ive ever owned I spent hours at the NEC and still couldnt find anything to float my boat.
I had a Triumph ST with 12K on the clock I lost £3,000 in one year and it was corroding. The day I bought it the fuel guage packed up, was told theyd fix it at first service! I said fine just give me your mobile number so I can call if I run out at 2 in the morning!.. (They fixed it
)Previous to that I had a Yammie Fazer 600, it rotted IN my garage!
I had VFR which sounded like a bag of nails did 30ish
to the gallon was so uncomfortable I had a numb bum after 1/2 hour had it for two weeks coz thas all I could stand.So alternatives, Ducatis, electrics falling apart £1000 service not unheard of re-sale value squat!
Before buying a 1200 I test road an Pan 1300 year old bike with corrossion all over rear shaft and mirror fell off when I went over a bump!!
Ive had a couiple of issues with my bike within warranty, an each has been dealt with quickly and efficiently, so I will keep it and if I get worried spend £300 give or take a few bob on extended warranty.
Still the best bike Ive ever owned I spent hours at the NEC and still couldnt find anything to float my boat.
The Nutter
Registered user
Totally agree. Whenever I'm asked how long I'm gonna keep the GS, my response is "until something better comes out". The only thing is, judging by the whole 2006 range of bikes, it may well be some time.ianran said:Still the best bike Ive ever owned I spent hours at the NEC and still couldnt find anything to float my boat.
MATKAT
Registered user
£340
the renewal for the warranty is £340 at Clarks. I will be doing mine in March, as its worth it for european breakdown and repatriation cover. Mine had a gearbox at 5000 now nearly 13500. Only minor minor faults have been caused by ectrical extras. I intend to run it to 30,000 then take all the trick bits of it buy a '55 or '06 model and sell this incredible machine on, that will be winter 2006nadeem said:
medicbike
Guest
Try www.warrantyworks.co.uk. £203.44 for twelve months warranty up to £2500 claim at a time(more than enough even for BMW prices). They do 2 and 3 year packages also. Drive shaft covered unlike BMW extended warranty. 
...looks to be a good policy. Even the cheap bronze cover will include the final drive.medicbike said:Try www.warrantyworks.co.uk. £203.44 for twelve months warranty up to £2500 claim at a time(more than enough even for BMW prices). They do 2 and 3 year packages also. Drive shaft covered unlike BMW extended warranty.
That only leaves the corrosion issues to deal with. Maybe I've just got to buy a new front engine plate every year
As said before, I can't find any other bike which touches the GS for what I need. It does the commute, it does touring, it can put sportsbikes to shame in the twisties and it does 50mpg.
GSmonkey said:...looks to be a good policy. Even the cheap bronze cover will include the final drive.
That only leaves the corrosion issues to deal with. Maybe I've just got to buy a new front engine plate every year
As said before, I can't find any other bike which touches the GS for what I need. It does the commute, it does touring, it can put sportsbikes to shame in the twisties and it does 50mpg.
Shame we cant keep the "faulty" ones from MBW, stick some non waterbased paint on it,job done.
Regards other warranty policies, I ve had em on Cars, some good but many not worth paper written on when you read the small print.
A bike with Manufact warranty and service record is not gonna cause any problems if you have a fault 3rd parties that old chestnut 'Wear and tear' is interpreted very liberally !!!!!!!!!!!.
look at all these sub 3K 1100's on here - no corrosion to speak of ?
mines 8 yrs old and looks like new
mines 8 yrs old and looks like new
BBB61
Registered user
If its been in Australia all its life then it has had an easy life from the corrosion perspective. As for the finish on the 1100's, I had problems with mine relating to the finish on the rims and spokes (sorted out by BMW even though the bike was out of warranty) and also the rocker covers (same again, replaced when the bike was 3.5 years old as a goodwill gesture). I really didn't find it very different to the 1150 I had in terms of quality of finish.
If its been in Australia all its life then it has had an easy life from the corrosion perspective.
Thats true enough - but i was comparing 1100's 'in general' in the UK.
They just 'seem' to be better for corrosion.
yeah - and slower and uglier etc
Thats true enough - but i was comparing 1100's 'in general' in the UK.
They just 'seem' to be better for corrosion.
yeah - and slower and uglier etc
...just rang the company up, the three year policies are only £280, with 1500mile single claim limit. Seems a bargain. The guy did say that they are currently underselling the bike policies as they concentrate on cars.medicbike said:Try www.warrantyworks.co.uk. £203.44 for twelve months warranty up to £2500 claim at a time(more than enough even for BMW prices). They do 2 and 3 year packages also. Drive shaft covered unlike BMW extended warranty.
Mouse
Registered user
1500 mile single claim limit? Does that mean only one claim per 1500 miles? Or was it a brainfart?
Hi there GSMonkey
This is my piece on the issue... hope it helps
Yellow 1150GS for three years did 83.000 miles, and then the Adventure with 60,000 miles in two years. Both 'bikes used summer and winter AND kept outside, albeit under three covers. (1 none scratch'n soft. 2 waterproof and then the top cover heavy duty!) Both bikes as good as new when sold, and returned good money.
Knowing of the corrosion problems I wiped the edges of the front cover (the edge of the machined mating surface) with waxoil to seal them against the salt etc. Most bolts etc. replaced by stainless as and when possible. The front fork brace of both 'bikes, when replaced under warranty (because of corrosion) were blasted and repainted in two-pack... no further probs. In the winter I made an issue of washing the 'bikes down after a run. To leave 'em a week encrusted in salt is a recipe for disaster! After washing I'd spray just about all over them with WD40 or Duck Oil (not di brakes of course) Auto Glym on the paintwork etc. NEVER EVER power washed... or washed when the engine was warm just after a run. We did this with the police 'bikes and the heat would turn the water into steam which would find its way into all the electrical connections under the tank etc. causing corrosion problems later.
1993 R1100RS 53,000 miles
1996 R1100RS 42,000 miles
1998 R1100S 13.000 miles
1999 R 1150GS 83,000 miles
2002 Adventure 60,000 miles
I make that over a quarter of a million miles on the four valve boxers without clutch, shaft drive, final drive or gearbox problems of any sort.
Have I been lucky?
PS I used to take the piss out of chain drive 'bikes, but for just over £100 I can renew chain and sprockets on the Dakar... as good as new then. Watch it stretch, adjust it and renew it. If the shaft lets go you're errr mmm well errm ... shafted!
PPS I hope I'm lucky with the 1200 Adventure
This is my piece on the issue... hope it helps
Yellow 1150GS for three years did 83.000 miles, and then the Adventure with 60,000 miles in two years. Both 'bikes used summer and winter AND kept outside, albeit under three covers. (1 none scratch'n soft. 2 waterproof and then the top cover heavy duty!) Both bikes as good as new when sold, and returned good money.
Knowing of the corrosion problems I wiped the edges of the front cover (the edge of the machined mating surface) with waxoil to seal them against the salt etc. Most bolts etc. replaced by stainless as and when possible. The front fork brace of both 'bikes, when replaced under warranty (because of corrosion) were blasted and repainted in two-pack... no further probs. In the winter I made an issue of washing the 'bikes down after a run. To leave 'em a week encrusted in salt is a recipe for disaster! After washing I'd spray just about all over them with WD40 or Duck Oil (not di brakes of course) Auto Glym on the paintwork etc. NEVER EVER power washed... or washed when the engine was warm just after a run. We did this with the police 'bikes and the heat would turn the water into steam which would find its way into all the electrical connections under the tank etc. causing corrosion problems later.
1993 R1100RS 53,000 miles
1996 R1100RS 42,000 miles
1998 R1100S 13.000 miles
1999 R 1150GS 83,000 miles
2002 Adventure 60,000 miles
I make that over a quarter of a million miles on the four valve boxers without clutch, shaft drive, final drive or gearbox problems of any sort.
Have I been lucky?
PS I used to take the piss out of chain drive 'bikes, but for just over £100 I can renew chain and sprockets on the Dakar... as good as new then. Watch it stretch, adjust it and renew it. If the shaft lets go you're errr mmm well errm ... shafted!
PPS I hope I'm lucky with the 1200 Adventure
..yes apologies for my cerebral flatulanceMouse said:
£1500 single claim limit, but no total over the three years. Seems too good to be true. I'm getting the T&C's mailed to me for review.
Thats a good statistic Micky. It does seem as though you can insure against mechanical problems, its probably the corrosion that's going to annoy me more than anything else. Like you say, there are solutions i.e. re-paint the parts in two-pack epoxy, but this will probably involve me doing all the work on the bike and it being off the road for a while, neither of which I really want.Micky said:
Cheers for the feedback from a long term tosser
It does seem as though you can insure against mechanical problems, its probably the corrosion that's going to annoy me more than anything else. Like you say, there are solutions i.e. re-paint the parts in two-pack epoxy, but this will probably involve me doing all the work on the bike and it being off the road for a while, neither of which I really want.
Me again...
You can't extend the BMW warranty after 80,000 miles, just when it might start getting expensive for them! Anyway, girlfriend Sue didn't take out a third year warranty on her 650GS because it only covers, just about, the engine and gearbox... but not the valves or bearing... so no good there then eh!
I play the old fashioned 'hunch' principle... if the fridge freezer or 'bike works OK for 12 months, no probs, then it's probably going to be a 'guddun'
Me again...
You can't extend the BMW warranty after 80,000 miles, just when it might start getting expensive for them! Anyway, girlfriend Sue didn't take out a third year warranty on her 650GS because it only covers, just about, the engine and gearbox... but not the valves or bearing... so no good there then eh!
I play the old fashioned 'hunch' principle... if the fridge freezer or 'bike works OK for 12 months, no probs, then it's probably going to be a 'guddun'
Yeah, I know what you mean. I don't take out any additional insurance on any electrical items, based on the theory that I could have spent thousands on insurance over the years, but in reality nothing of great importance has broken and most are either semi-disposable or obselete when they finaly break.Micky said:I play the old fashioned 'hunch' principle... if the fridge freezer or 'bike works OK for 12 months, no probs, then it's probably going to be a 'guddun'
I've just got a feeling with the 12GS that there is potential for some big things to go wrong. I think that the £280 for 3yrs cover is a bargain (assuming they pay out).
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