Looking for a '14-'18 1200 GSA. Model differences vs Price?

crotchrocket

crotchrocket

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Hi all, Looking to get back on a GSA since trading my 1250 for an R9T. Still keeping the R9T so looking for an older, cheaper 1200 GSA. I'm very interested in a 1 owner, 25k miles 2014 bike, but it does have a patchy service history, though I'm assured oil changes were carried out annually outside of the BMW services. I am also considering a 2018 bike from BMW, which will have a 2 year warranty, it has 33k miles on it but full bmw service history. Trouble is, its £3k more and if I were to consider the panniers the cheaper one comes with, that's nearly £4k more. So its £7k or £11k ish. On older, lower milage, one newer higher mileage.

Aside from the digital dash and possible SOS button are there any real model updates between 2014-2018? I recall the gearbox got a bit less agricultural at one point but can't remember the year, perhaps it was when they added the quick shifter? I had a 2015 1200 GS, a 2015 1200 GSA and then a 2020 1250GSA so never really rode the later 1200's.
 
LED headlight and DRL would make a difference for me. Some had halogen headlights.
 
2018 gearbox is really good . 2014 less so . I have had both . The 2018 was the last of the 1200's so well sorted . good gearshift pro as well . Go 2018
 
crotchrocket said:
Hi all, Looking to get back on a GSA since trading my 1250 for an R9T. Still keeping the R9T so looking for an older, cheaper 1200 GSA. I'm very interested in a 1 owner, 25k miles 2014 bike, but it does have a patchy service history, though I'm assured oil changes were carried out annually outside of the BMW services. I am also considering a 2018 bike from BMW, which will have a 2 year warranty, it has 33k miles on it but full bmw service history. Trouble is, its £3k more and if I were to consider the panniers the cheaper one comes with, that's nearly £4k more. So its £7k or £11k ish. On older, lower milage, one newer higher mileage.

Aside from the digital dash and possible SOS button are there any real model updates between 2014-2018? I recall the gearbox got a bit less agricultural at one point but can't remember the year, perhaps it was when they added the quick shifter? I had a 2015 1200 GS, a 2015 1200 GSA and then a 2020 1250GSA so never really rode the later 1200's.
Click to expand...
My 2014 GSA had a terrible gearbox before the quick shift was fitted ( once the GSAP was installed it was utterly and absolutely f*cking terrible), post 2016 has a much better gearbox. Speaking from personal experience the suspension on my TE was also terrible (in 32 months and 13,000 miles it had three front and three rear shocks), numerous sets of switchgear, three GSAP units plus many many ECU updates . That bike eventually went back to Germany and was apparently eventually crushed .
It was a complete and utter turd of a bike .
I personally would not touch a pre 2016 GSA LC ,that said my 2018 model GSA needed a full new clutch pack , driveshaft and an ECU in 3 years and 14,000 miles but it had a really nice gearbox and the switches did not fall to bits .
Better a higher mileage newer bike with a full service history and bought through the Approved Used network than a low mileage older one ( it has done very few miles for some reason, could be just lack of use or is it !!!!!)
 
Thank all! God these things don't hang around if they are a good deal, Two now that have sold on the day i've called up! I have now been considering all this and currently made on offer on a 2018 triple black with tft.
 
All the MY16's. Seem to have an issue with the powder coating on the rear frame section

It goes very light in colour, and then the rust starts to break through

All the garage queen owners, will dispute this,

But the all year round users , will confirm it
 
Santa-2512 said:
All the MY16's. Seem to have an issue with the powder coating on the rear frame section

It goes very light in colour, and then the rust starts to break through

All the garage queen owners, will dispute this,

But the all year round users , will confirm it
Click to expand...
I'd say the '15s as well as mine's the same and will need replacing if I keep the bike much longer. This is with the black finish so not sure if the silver finish is similarly affected. Shame really as the rest of the bike is lasting well for one that's kept outside and has done a few miles now.
 
Well I have a 17.5 which is the last of the 1200's. Even after getting it covered in Calcite, mud and other shite, the coating seams fine. except for a couple of spots on the guards and the center stand, But I did those. I do keep it under in an underground.
I will be looking for a R1200 myself come the end of March. Planning to visit Scotland for a while, hope to tick a couple of boxes off my bucket list of rides.
Similar dilemma, looks like you found a really nice bike. Enjoy your ride.
My own bike, which i have had for a couple of years. Is the cheaper bike. A nice shiny low milage bike with a warranty would be nice.
Personally I'd probably pick the 7k bike. 25k miles, I've got about double your 33 on mine.
 
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2017 had improved gearbox and was a nice bike, some have digital dash. At the time I bought one with the old style analogue ‘17 models as it saved £500 and thought it was no issue. I now realise how much better that new display is.
Owned 2014, 2017, 2022 model years and now a 2024 1300.

Would add, the ‘17 a Rallye version was faultless. Looked great when traded in with over 30k hard mikes.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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