I am always reading how unreliable 1200's are and I'm always defending them and saying they are as good as anything else if they are looked after.
On my recent trip across the USA, we had 11 bikes of which 9 were 1200's from a 2004 to 2009 and 7 were 1200GSA's.
We rode @ 6300 miles each through every kind of weather mother nature could throw including hailstorms with hailstones the size of peas (ouch) to 40 plus degrees of hot humidity. We also went from -284ft to 12100ft in altitude so the bikes had some serious stuff to deal with. We also did a bit of off road but mostly highway. All had panniers and were loaded with one also carrying a pillion.
Here are the things that broke or are relevent:
One rear shock on a 1200GSA which had done 32k. BMW reckon the shocks are good for 25 to 30k so no surprise and it was going to be upgraded anyway. This particular bike has had dogs abuse from day 1 so the owner was happy to get a nice new Ohlins fitted
2 x rear drive seals leaked but were not replaced. We found no significant loss in FD oil and the leaks stopped. I think it was due to very high temperatures which caused seals to soften and so leak a bit. Could be talking bollix but there was no problems.
1 steering lock jammed when the pins seized. Not heard of that one before. At the same time his servo packed up. A quick knock on the side of the servo unit sorted it out and no further problems. We had been riding in hot dusty conditions so I'm guessing a bit of dust got on a contact in the unit and also contamonated the steering lock.
2 batteries failed. Common issue on a 1200 and they both went without any warning. One on the highest road in the US and one in 40degree heat
Both were original and both changed with new batteries no problem.
Approx 1 litre of oil was used across the bikes and that was on only 2. The rest never used a drop despite the temp range encountered.
No punctures.
One bike lost all power 3 times for some unknown reason and we never found out why. It restarted immediatly.
The only bike to give us any sort of headache was an 1150 with an outer FD bearing and seal failure which was repaired in 4 hours. Bike had done 62k so not unexpected. The seal continued to leak a bit but did another 3000miles without a problem.
I know there are a few rogue ones around but I think the point here is that most are great reliable bikes which can be taken anywhere. The key is to prepare them properly and have a working knowledge of your bike so you are ready for anything. You can also ride round a few issues if you have to and the bikes won't explode underneath you. They aren't made of cheese that is for sure.
This isn't meant to decry anyone who had a rogue bike who or has problems but an honest critique on a bike which gets a bit of unfair press on here sometimes.
I suspect I'll get some negative responses but in my opinion, a well sorted 1200 is at least as good as anything else available and I know I wouldn't ride anything else when I do my long haul stuff.
On my recent trip across the USA, we had 11 bikes of which 9 were 1200's from a 2004 to 2009 and 7 were 1200GSA's.
We rode @ 6300 miles each through every kind of weather mother nature could throw including hailstorms with hailstones the size of peas (ouch) to 40 plus degrees of hot humidity. We also went from -284ft to 12100ft in altitude so the bikes had some serious stuff to deal with. We also did a bit of off road but mostly highway. All had panniers and were loaded with one also carrying a pillion.
Here are the things that broke or are relevent:
One rear shock on a 1200GSA which had done 32k. BMW reckon the shocks are good for 25 to 30k so no surprise and it was going to be upgraded anyway. This particular bike has had dogs abuse from day 1 so the owner was happy to get a nice new Ohlins fitted
2 x rear drive seals leaked but were not replaced. We found no significant loss in FD oil and the leaks stopped. I think it was due to very high temperatures which caused seals to soften and so leak a bit. Could be talking bollix but there was no problems.
1 steering lock jammed when the pins seized. Not heard of that one before. At the same time his servo packed up. A quick knock on the side of the servo unit sorted it out and no further problems. We had been riding in hot dusty conditions so I'm guessing a bit of dust got on a contact in the unit and also contamonated the steering lock.
2 batteries failed. Common issue on a 1200 and they both went without any warning. One on the highest road in the US and one in 40degree heat
Both were original and both changed with new batteries no problem.Approx 1 litre of oil was used across the bikes and that was on only 2. The rest never used a drop despite the temp range encountered.
No punctures.
One bike lost all power 3 times for some unknown reason and we never found out why. It restarted immediatly.
The only bike to give us any sort of headache was an 1150 with an outer FD bearing and seal failure which was repaired in 4 hours. Bike had done 62k so not unexpected. The seal continued to leak a bit but did another 3000miles without a problem.
I know there are a few rogue ones around but I think the point here is that most are great reliable bikes which can be taken anywhere. The key is to prepare them properly and have a working knowledge of your bike so you are ready for anything. You can also ride round a few issues if you have to and the bikes won't explode underneath you. They aren't made of cheese that is for sure.
This isn't meant to decry anyone who had a rogue bike who or has problems but an honest critique on a bike which gets a bit of unfair press on here sometimes.
I suspect I'll get some negative responses but in my opinion, a well sorted 1200 is at least as good as anything else available and I know I wouldn't ride anything else when I do my long haul stuff.
(well two had Goldwings
......I prefer 'well ridden'......
