Looking for a GS1200 09/2012 Advice please

[Stiffler]

Hi there one & all,
Hope your all well in 2026,
I`m looking to buy a GS1200 this year & im kinda settling on this model "Hexhead" yeah? I`ve only learnt this expression from reading posts on here over the last 24 hrs so sorry if i`m wrong. I prefer the look of 2013 onwards but i like simple bikes , so the least electrickery the better. I could go higher but i also want a Scimitar GTE this year so don`t want to spend too much on the bike.

I`m going to see a 2011 1200 with 26k on it Monday. It has all the boxes heated grips but not much else so that`s fine for me. Price is £5,495 which is high i feel but average (in a shop) from what i`ve looked at lately & prices for GS`s vary soooo much. I know the guy`s in the shop & they have always been good to deal with & their stock has always been pretty clean so i hope this bike will be ok. The bike will sit still for 60% of the year so no point going mad eh.

Previous bikes have been the usual suspects Fizza/KH`s/Jap GS`s/GSX/ZZR/ZX10`s/CBR`s/Bandit`s/CBX`s/FJ`s/VFR`s/Daytona`s but now dodgy knees/hips dictate something different. During the past week ive tried Multistrada 1260/Tiger 800/900/1200/GS Hex/CB1300/Z900RS/Bonnie`s/XJR 1300 just to see what i fit. The GS on average rose to the top choice after deciding price / servicing cost / Comfort.

I know very little about these old gal`s but hopefully i`ll trip over a Gud`n & learn load`s trawling through all the posts on here.

Cheers

 

[GORILA]

Hi there one & all,
Hope your all well in 2026,
I`m looking to buy a GS1200 this year & im kinda settling on this model "Hexhead" yeah? I`ve only learnt this expression from reading posts on here over the last 24 hrs so sorry if i`m wrong. I prefer the look of 2013 onwards but i like simple bikes , so the least electrickery the better. I could go higher but i also want a Scimitar GTE this year so don`t want to spend too much on the bike.

I`m going to see a 2011 1200 with 26k on it Monday. It has all the boxes heated grips but not much else so that`s fine for me. Price is £5,495 which is high i feel but average (in a shop) from what i`ve looked at lately & prices for GS`s vary soooo much. I know the guy`s in the shop & they have always been good to deal with & their stock has always been pretty clean so i hope this bike will be ok. The bike will sit still for 60% of the year so no point going mad eh.

Previous bikes have been the usual suspects Fizza/KH`s/Jap GS`s/GSX/ZZR/ZX10`s/CBR`s/Bandit`s/CBX`s/FJ`s/VFR`s/Daytona`s but now dodgy knees/hips dictate something different. During the past week ive tried Multistrada 1260/Tiger 800/900/1200/GS Hex/CB1300/Z900RS/Bonnie`s/XJR 1300 just to see what i fit. The GS on average rose to the top choice after deciding price / servicing cost / Comfort.

I know very little about these old gal`s but hopefully i`ll trip over a Gud`n & learn load`s trawling through all the posts on here.

Cheers

The GS bikes are quite tall. If you have dodgy hips and knees you might find the roadster R1200R easier to manage as it's lighter and lower. Even the R1200RT, though heavier may be easier to manage as it's lower to sit on.

 

[Stiffler]

The GS bikes are quite tall. If you have dodgy hips and knees you might find the roadster R1200R easier to manage as it's lighter and lower. Even the R1200RT, though heavier may be easier to manage as it's lower to sit on.

Cheers for the reply Gorilla,
TBH ive not tried any of those bikes yet. When i say "dodgy", i mean i cant ride GSXR`s etc anymore. Not had any issue`s with the GS fit so far & i usually know in 10 seconds! The joy`s of being over21, in numbers at least

 

[Santa-2512]

5495 for a 2011 with 26k is on the money

I paid 6k for a 2011 with 16k on the clock

At 26k it should have had the last big service done

So nothing until the 30k service

Just check the oil filter on the bottom of the bike. If it says hi flo, you want a oil change with 20/50 semi synthetic, a reputable brand and a genuine mahl oil filter fitted

Don't skimp on servicing, and or parts where specified

Follow the service schedule, use a good BMW indie, they know there stuff and have the specialist tools, a lot of all makes servicing places dont

 

[botus]

im kinda settling on this model "Hexhead" yeah? I`ve only learnt this expression from reading posts on here over the last 24 hrs so sorry if i`m wrong.

the hex head is the first ones from 2005 to 2008, 4 bolt cyl covers
the twin cam was 2009 to 2012, 2 bolt cam covers

they look much the same, ride much the same but lots think the twin cam is better


I prefer the older engine - its a bit rougher, but has a better power output for riding round town, the throttle is lighter and the gearbox is different - riding back to back I prefer the older gearbox too. the earlier engine has a smidge less top end go but a better power curve where you want it (once fuelling is tweaked) - these bikes are not about top end grunt - running wise both have mapping by couldn't be bothered is us.... blame emissions, but its closer to apathy, without help coming from a jap bike you'll wonder how they were allowed to sell them

 

[DrFarkoff]

As usual the BOT has sourced its info from It's Servers

Hexheads were from 2003 to whenever they stopped selling them!

Approx 2003 ~ 2010

Twincams "TC" were 2010 to whenever they stopped selling them

And they are a much better set up Its a shame that they then went water cooled about 2013

If you were to ask me which model I would be buying definitely a TwinCam

 

[Mistacat]

My 2012 Twin cam has been a wonderful bike now done over 112K miles, I had a 2009 Hexhead before it which was also a very good bike.
Very easy to self service , Spark plugs are cheaper and iridium alternatives for the Heaxhead pre - twin cam .
Easy to lower the bike if necessary and reposition foot pegs, handlebars seat position etc to make it a perfect comfortable fit.

 

[Stiffler]

Cheers Santa!
Stupid question but what is the service schedule on a "Twin Cam" model so i can bear it in mind when looking. I`ve just seen a nice 2010 for 6k with 22k on the clock.

TIA.

 

[HxH]

Hi Stiffler, Welcome to the forum.

You might also look also at some high mileage bikes, as many have excellent service history or have experienced owners who do their own servicing, so that they can do the bigger mileage than say a bike shed cosseted gleaming machine will do.
High mileage examples sometimes offer up a lower cost for the new owner. Many dealerships, if offered them will pass higher mileage ones onto an auction site buyer, so a bargain may be had before that happens, ask for trade bikes being moved on, or buy one privately.

Or you may subscribe to ukGSer, then keep a keen eye on the Sales/Wanted section on site, many good bargains on there and new ones always being posted. Best time to buy.
Or place a Wanted advert on there with exact details of bike your interested in purchasing.

 

[Stiffler]

5495 for a 2011 with 26k is on the money

I paid 6k for a 2011 with 16k on the clock

At 26k it should have had the last big service done

So nothing until the 30k service

Just check the oil filter on the bottom of the bike. If it says hi flo, you want a oil change with 20/50 semi synthetic, a reputable brand and a genuine mahl oil filter fitted

Don't skimp on servicing, and or parts where specified

Follow the service schedule, use a good BMW indie, they know there stuff and have the specialist tools, a lot of all makes servicing places dont

Hi Stiffler, Welcome to the forum.

You might also look also at some high mileage bikes, as many have excellent service history or have experienced owners who do their own servicing, so that they can do the bigger mileage than say a bike shed cosseted gleaming machine will do.
High mileage examples sometimes offer up a lower cost for the new owner. Many dealerships, if offered them will pass higher mileage ones onto an auction site buyer, so a bargain may be had before that happens, ask for trade bikes being moved on, or buy one privately.

Or you may subscribe to ukGSer, then keep a keen eye on the Sales/Wanted section on site, many good bargains on there and new ones always being posted. Best time to buy.
Or place a Wanted advert on there with exact details of bike your interested in purchasing.

Hi H,
Yes i have thought about that too but i don`t want to get into major wear & tear bikes. I know too little to go after one really. My mileage in a year will be minimal, maybe a couple of thousand until i retire then things will change. I`d rather start off with a stamped up low ..ish miler so i can put the miles on it later. SWMBO has informed me this will be my last bike so make sure i buy a Gud`n to last Fun Police are a PITA!

 

[HxH]

I get that, good luck in your search.

 

[Santa-2512]

Cheers Santa!
Stupid question but what is the service schedule on a "Twin Cam" model so i can bear it in mind when looking. I`ve just seen a nice 2010 for 6k with 22k on the clock.

TIA.

Service schedule is every 6k or 12 months

Its a sliding scale of work to be done but think the following

Every 6K oil & filter

Every other 6K oil filter & other things

Generally & i may be wrong, but 12/24/30 etc are considered the biggy's , Brake fluid, rear drive, pads, plugs etc

 

[FERRET]

Whereabouts in Shropshire are you?

 

[Stiffler]

shifnal

 

[Stiffler]

Service schedule is every 6k or 12 months

Its a sliding scale of work to be done but think the following

Every 6K oil & filter

Every other 6K oil filter & other things

Generally & i may be wrong, but 12/24/30 etc are considered the biggy's , Brake fluid, rear drive, pads, plugs etc

Cheers Santa,
That info will help a lot. So the bike im looking at tomorrow has 3.5k till a major & the other one only has 2k until a major. Funny, it`s really narked me how many people sell the bloomin bike within 2k miles of a 1k service bill(Tigers £920 up to £1200- Multistrada`s £1200 be it 800/900/950/1200/1260). Obviously as a seller it makes perfect sense but blimey it`s got my goat over the last few weeks

Are there any GS specialist hidden away in Shropshire? I think there was one in Church Stretton years ago(sorry , thinking aloud, i`ll google it)

 

[gspod]

Personally I’m of the opinion that riding motorcycles is not a practical choice, therefore, practicality should not come into it.
Choose the bike you like to look at (obviously within reason) first and foremost. A rider can learn to ride any bike but cannot learn to love the look of it.
Don’t worry about servicing and such like if you love the bike you’ll do whatever it takes to ride it - and have a far more enjoyable riding life than the practical rider.

I will say that I have a 1200 TC and love it and my wife has a 1200 WC and loves it - both bikes have been reliable:
114K and 51K miles respectively.

 

[Santa-2512]

Service costs at an Indy aren't that bad

I think with me supplying all parts OE , & mot
it was about £300-350 that was plugs belts fluids

 

[FERRET]

shifnal

I have a 2023 twin cam adventure, 90th anniversary i may be willing to sell.
Ime only in Wheaton Aston, can't message you as you're not a subscriber, if you let me knowxyoure e mail address I can send you some details if interested.

 

[Stiffler]

I have a 2023 twin cam adventure, 90th anniversary i may be willing to sell.
Ime only in Wheaton Aston, can't message you as you're not a subscriber, if you let me knowxyoure e mail address I can send you some details if interested.

Hi Ferret,
2023? Mate im not spending that much on a bike, im looking at 2010/2012. Shame as your only up the road but cheers

 

[dub 24]

Ferret I think meant a 2013 90th anniversary