My GSA story so far...

[madmacs]

Well all, I am a newcomer to the site but have been reading if for the past week.

My opinion: best GS site out there.

My GSA story so far……


Bought my 57 plate GSA on Thursday the 13th of August. Rode it the 20 odd miles back to my house in leamington, then looked it up and down happy and Larry. Rode it to work the next morning then after work rode it the 200 miles or so home to Wexford, Ireland for the weekend, smiling all the way. Did a few miles around at home showing it off to my family and friends. Got very drunk. Then on the Sunday (16th of august) started my trip back on the 3pm Stenaline fast ferry (Rosslare to Fishguard). Met some UKGSer’s on there way back from their trip to Tipp on the ferry. Left Fishguard at about 5.30pm smiling all the way back as I was on the way. Made it to the M50 when the sweet sound of the boxer engine (bit tappety but told that’s normal) disappeared, silence, trip over. Good old Fuel Pump Controller. And dumb ass here sitting of the side of the M50 waiting on BMW rescue. Got home at 12.15am with a dead GSA, nice.

Positives (so far):
When the bike was going it was class loved every second and couldn’t wait to get back on it when I got off it.
Met Sgt Bilco while waiting on the side of the M50, top class guy stopped with me and gave loads of info.
Even though the bike bit me it was so good for the 350 odd miles I had with it I’m in no doubt it deserves a second chance as Sgt Bilco said I should give it.

Negatives (so far):
After having this FPC issue I researched all issues the GS/A can have in more detail and have seen a lot of different things popping up. A little worrying but does make me want to learn my bike inside out.

What next:
I may get the blue connector from the FPC to make my own bypass harness
I may get a backup EWS antenna even though mine ends with 247, have seen online they are now failing.
I need to make up my mind (by the 19th of sept) if the BMW extended warranty is worth getting (advice welcome) or am I held to ransom by BMW
1. because the bike may start costing me a lot more than £360 over the next year even though a 2 year old bike shouldn’t
2. because of my new found knowledge of the large number of possible failures and the lack or BMW offering recalls
Any advice anyone has on the bike is more than welcome.

I need to start getting miles under me so if anyone is up for some ride outs in the Leamington/Warwick(shire) area lets go.

 

[contact23]

well mine did something similar to what happened to you , fpc went a few days after i got it then got that sorted and the ews thing went walla a few days later !!!, ... they all do that aparently, my advice is drive it like ya stole it ...enjoy

 

[Wee Ewan]

luck of the Irish....

 

[Sgt Bilco]

A cracking start to GS ownership

Glad you got it sorted and it wasn't a difficult diagnosis even on the side of the M50 in the pitch black

Don't get too spooked by the tales of woe on here because the vast majority of bikes do not have an issue and in my view, they are as reliable as anything else out there. I'm at 48k now and no real problems. My own view is teh more you ride it, the better it is

We have a meet next Tuesday in Broom, Warwickshire so pop down there to meet some fellow tossers! I'll put a seperate thread up here later.

 

[madmacs]

Thanks for the reply’s lads

Contact23:
I need to get a spare EWS module then cause Murphy’s law states if I don’t it will certainly fail. Have you have any trouble with either the EWS or FPC since you had them replaced.
I asked the guy in BMW if could I get the FPC part back they took off my bike. I wanted it so I could use it to build a bypass harness. Anyway he said that they have put the latest part on the bike and it should not fail again and they had to send the part off my bike back to BMW because it was changed under warranty.
Also if the bike gives me more trouble I’ll wish I had stole it so I could at least burn it out

Sgt Bilco:
Cheers,
I won’t get too spooked don’t worry I’ll just spend a lot of time learning my bike inside out so if anything does happen hopefully I’ll be ready for it. I need to get a Haynes manual etc for it now.
I’ll be in Broom next Tuesday to meet everyone and get more tales of woe. See you there

Wee Ewan:
When I’m on the bike I use all my luck up keeping me alive not the bike

 

[Mutley]

Welcome to the forum, just a shame you bought the wrong GSA

 

[contact23]

latest woes

well boy, not much trouble since, that may be as a result of carrying around in me pocket the bypass lead for the fpc, as that rules out murphys law, funny though the bmw guy told me the fpc went as a result of having the bike on sidestand in wet conditions, dunno...as for the ews , it has been replaced with the new thing, but on occasion latley refuses to start on the first push , so wait.... turn off ...turn on... and vrooom ....bit worrying , which reminds me to check it out on here!

i know how u feel bout the thing , you dont expect it from bmw.. but there u go , my bike is on its final warning too , but its just too fackin deadly to ride so what do you do!!