Marcus' 1200GS replacement thread.....

[GSmonkey]

Oh dont get me wrong I intend to test all of them......I'll try to post reports.

Good. I'm surprised at the number of people that buy bikes based on a magazine article or someone else's review - pure crazy

I read up on all the bikes before testing them and they all surprised me in one way or another. Its impossible to tell what you'll like from just stats.

I try and make a rational choice every time I go and choose a bike. I always come to the same entirely logical conclusion that my ideal bike is a Honda Dullville. I find this conclusion so abhorrent that I cast logic aside and buy the bike I actually like the idea of owning and riding

Anyway, look forward to reading your reports. I never got round to testing the Honda or Suzuki.

 

[marcus]

to tell what you'll like from just stats.

I try and make a rational choice every time I go and choose a bike. I always come to the same entirely logical conclusion that my ideal bike is a Honda Dullville. I find this conclusion so abhorrent that I cast logic aside and buy the bike I actually like the idea of owning and riding

.

Definitely on the same wavelength there but I just can't even bring myself to try the dullsville.

Anyway, New Competition Entrant:
Yamaha Tedium 900 (ABS)
Price £ 6,099
Seat height 825
Dry weight 192
Power 72bhp
P/W 0.3750
Tank 20l

 

[bobbyc]

new bike

There is also the new MotoGuzzi coming out soon.Around £8000.
Me i just buy with my hart after 119 bikes in 33 years my head is not working.
Best bike the one i am riding at the time.
Cheers Bobbyc

 

[flatvee]

]QUOTE=marcus;1181698]Oh dont get me wrong I intend to test all of them......I'll try to post reports.

[/


I wouldn't get too hung up on test rides. It usually takes several rides to really start to appreciate ( or dislike ) any bike. The GS being a prime example of a bike which just gets better and better the more you ride it.

 

[sven]

I had a Caponord, although it was one of the earlier (faster) non-cat models.

It was quick at the top end (139mph on the flat GPS verified), very comfy and cheap.

Unfortunately the handling was awful at speed (really vague), the windroar from the screen was deafening and it needed a lot of cleaning to keep it in good nick.

I thought it would be a cross between a GS and an RSV Mille, but was sorely dissapointed

 

[BBB61]

Triumph Tiger?
Stonking motor, but pick a good dealer... DAMHIK.

The dealers are the least of your worries. Poor build quality and a crap attitude from the warranty department at the factory are major issues.

 

[Hawk]

Right,
Warranty on 1200GS runs out in January so I'm thinking of (shock horror) possibly not buying a BMW. Or then again I might buy another one.

Can I ask why the need to buy a 'new' bike just because the warranty is running out?
Have to agree with Italian Trev on this one unless you want a change and the warranty thing is a red herring

 

[birdseye]

Been through the same process and bought a KTM as a result. Looked at the Honda, and thought it very Honda - heavy, reliable, well made, bland. You want a bike for all season commuting - get this one! If you want a bike that makes you grin when you look at it - get something else. The Triumph is totally a road bike and should IMHO be compared with the likes of the Fazer 1000 etc.

I dismissed the Aprillia for a variety of reasons - being Italian for one, spares supply, resale value, and again really a road bike only. Bit like the new Guzzi in that its s styling exercise more than anything else.

Came down to the KTM99vs the 1200GS and since I had a BMW last time round I chose the KTM. Have commented in more detail elsewhere.

The KTM servicing is every 4500 miles or 12 months. Its expensive (my first sevice is near £300) so if you are buying new make sure you do a deal. Incidentally, the price for the straight 990 at the mo is £8300 inc panniers offered by all dealers and the starting point for haggling.

The fuel capacity is 19.5 litres in the owners manual and 22 litres on the web - either way its only 5.8 gallons if you are a yank. In real money its around 4.5 gallons so the range might be 180 / 200 miles. No fuel guage so you have to watch mileage.

The overwhelming impression of the bike is quality. Not a single thing to criticise really.

 

[minkyhead]

comuting mpg 650 ve strom will do it its quite lively and will do off road

1000 strom is very good too about the same on petrol but with very little know how 0 servicing costs
i sold th e gs 12 months ago for the dl 1000 and have no regrets at all cracking bike ...... new 2nd hand they are a steal just over 5 grand fully loaded
waiting patiantly for honda or suzuki to bring out a new one

 

[Chris Terry]

I read all the reports on the GS12 & from what I can remember nobody had a bad word (well not many) to say. So I took one out from CW for a spin. It felt a bit clunky and strange after the Blade & Bandit. Anyway they were selling like hot cakes (back in 2005) & no dealer was willing to drop the price for the deal. So I bought one, thinking to myself that I could "move it on" easily if I didn't like it !. Well 15,000 miles later we are still together and it's probably the best all round bike I've owned.
Not sure what that says about my decision making process but its worked for me. Don't over think it just go for it

 

[Tobers]

You forgot a KTM950 Supermoto. Much much better than all of those on your list. Worth a ride at least while you are over at the KTM dealer

 

[NLS]

and 100mph felt like 100mph (whatever that means )

I understand him completely, first time I got to 100mph on mine, felt like it was 60mph. Then I got used to it.

 

[Hexme]

Forget all the statistical shyte and just go and test ride them

Have to agree with GSmonkey, I always feel that biking comes from the heart and not whats on paper. Probably why I've spent so much money over the years when I didn't need to

 

[marcus]

Can I ask why the need to buy a 'new' bike just because the warranty is running out?
Have to agree with Italian Trev on this one unless you want a change and the warranty thing is a red herring

of course, keeping hold is the alternative option. However my first 1200GS averaged less than 1,000 miles between warranty repairs and my second averages 2,500 miles between warranty repairs. At that rate I'll have three to six potentially expensive out of warranty issues to consider every year

I love the 12GS. It's a cracking bike. An absolute belter. Biggest grin factor on two wheels there is. Plus BMW (park lane / battersea) customer services dept appears to have come on leaps & bounds over the past 3 years and they are a pleasure to deal with.
12GS provides many a nirvana moment.... hence it's a potential replacement for the current one. buuuuut I'll happily sacrifice some of what I want for the ability to not have to put up with so many things failing / breaking.

Interesting anecdotal evidence cropping up about the Trumpet and things not going all to plan. I'll dig about the trumpet forums.

Similarly a mate of mine has had a lot of grief with his KTM 950 Adv with recalls & warranty repairs although he's complimenary about the dealership (bracken)

Thanks for all the comments so far

I'm off to
http://www.georgewhite.co.uk/?category=29
and their London dealeship at lunchtime today....

That V-strom GT is looking very good value.

Have to test the Honda to see if the looks and weight of a barge are obvious on the road.....

I feel a saturday selection of test rides coming on......

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

of course, keeping hold is the alternative option. However my first 1200GS averaged less than 1,000 miles between warranty repairs and my second averages 2,500 miles between warranty repairs. At that rate I'll have three to six potentially expensive out of warranty issues to consider every year

Yeah.............but....................that's somewhat flawed isn't it.

Presumably when something is sorted under a warranty claim it is fixed and doesn't go worng again (hopefully!).

And you're not telling me that every part of your GS is gonna go wrong (are you?).

So, the warranty claims should stop, not continue


You've certainly been unlucky but, as you are well aware, there are plenty (the vast majority) on this board who have now racked up respectable mileages with no issues and, given the praise you heap upon your GS above, I reckon you know what you want to do........................

Andres

 

[marcus]

Yeah.............but....................that's somewhat flawed isn't it.

Presumably when something is sorted under a warranty claim it is fixed and doesn't go worng again (hopefully!).

And you're not telling me that every part of your GS is gonna go wrong (are you?).

So, the warranty claims should stop, not continue


You've certainly been unlucky but, as you are well aware, there are plenty (the vast majority) on this board who have now racked up respectable mileages with no issues and, given the praise you heap upon your GS above, I reckon you know what you want to do........................

Andres

There's a LOT of truth in your comments here Andres....

I havn't had a final drive failure yet......and I have had the same things repeatedly fail! (repeatedly on the same bike and/I]on both bikes.....

But yes, it would not be a difficult job for me to sell myself another bmw!
here's my sales pitch! (wasps & arse comment might come back to sting me...........)
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82696

 

[Hawk]

of course, keeping hold is the alternative option. However my first 1200GS averaged less than 1,000 miles between warranty repairs and my second averages 2,500 miles between warranty repairs. At that rate I'll have three to six potentially expensive out of warranty issues to consider every year
Thanks for all the comments so far

Yours must have been a lemon, surely? If mine turns out like that I'll be handing the keys back!!
Don't do something you'll regret

 

[GS TRV]

as they seem to be so crap - have you thought about an 1150?

 

[marcus]

as they seem to be so crap - have you thought about an 1150?

I'm very surprised we got to post 38 before that one came up - bigtwin must be asleep in court today......

Anyway the 1200GS is categorically not crap.

I had a very bitter lemon one once.....

But to answer the question, yes I have....might be difficult to get one with 2 years warranty though

 

[cookie]

as they seem to be so crap - have you thought about an 1150?

i think calling 1150s crap is going a bit far