New owner anxiety!

[ianp5uk]

Guys,

I've just bought a 2004 GS. Having come across this forum I'm now a bundle of anxiety waiting for my imminent FPC or Final Drive failure! What's the skinny on this? Is there a way of preventing these problems? Can you also explain what the problems are? I had a quick peak at the stickys but they seem about capturing the failures rather than explaining the fault or advising on prevention. I didn't read every post as there are so many.

Thanks,

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Ian

Welcome mate and just remember that people rarely complain when all is well The huge majority run around perfectly happily with little or no issues

If your bike has FSH, I would imagine all the recalls for FPC etc have been done so all should be well.

Just ride and enjoy......

 

[Big Nick]

There's sod all you can do about FPC and Final Drive failures so don't worry about it, if it happens it happens

With the FPC some buy a spare to carry under the seat for peace of mind whilst others (myself included) have a bypass cable should it happen so you're not stranded.

Final drive failures seem fairly uncommon but some have been very unlucky and had several on the same bike, one things for sure fixing it is seriously bad for your bank balance!

 

[Tarka]

Get it in FS&W or on eBay asap if you want to be able to sleep at night.

 

[earthmover]

Calm down, calm down.
If it's a 2004 the FPC is less likely to be a problem, the older ones were of better quality.
As for the final drive, is it noisy, or has any play in it? Start worrying when it does, until then enjoy!
Mark

 

[Beemerman59]

I would change the oil in the FD every service. I understand the earlier drives were designed to be sealed for life but that was then and this is now. If you have no sideways play when push/pulling the rear wheel holding at the 6 and 12 oclock positions, and you cannot feel any rumbling when you spin the wheel with one hand placed on top of the bevel housing, you're probably OK.

Other than that enjoy the bike!

 

[nedflanders]

Don't forget about dropping a valve on the RH cylinder I hear every other bike does this, if it hasn't yet it's only a matter of time
Seriously I had mine 4 years and the list of failures was 1 battery, 2 brakelight bulbs and a centrestand bolt. Enjoy riding it and don't read too much into what might go wrong. On a side note, I've just sold mine for a Pan European

Guys,

I've just bought a 2004 GS. Having come across this forum I'm now a bundle of anxiety waiting for my imminent FPC or Final Drive failure! What's the skinny on this? Is there a way of preventing these problems? Can you also explain what the problems are? I had a quick peak at the stickys but they seem about capturing the failures rather than explaining the fault or advising on prevention. I didn't read every post as there are so many.

Thanks,

 

[Pip_UK]

If your bike has made it to 6 years old and has no problems, that suggests to me that it was put together properly to start with.

P.S. I am not a professional statistician.

 

[Dainese Brave]

I don't think any of us would deny that there have been issues...some still ongoing...

....but generaly the Gs and Gsa are cracking bikes, and on the whole reliable.

I've had two Gsa's, an 06 which never had any problems in 4 years, and 18,000 miles. And a 2010 one which had it's 600 mile service, then did 6,000 miles in 4 weeks and never missed a beat.

Ok, if my final drive went I'd be the first to moan, cos they're bloody dear to replace.....but in the meantime I just ride it, and enjoy it.

It's a great bike, I'd do the same if I was you.....and welcome to the world of Gs's

 

[Popell]

Don't forget about dropping a valve on the RH cylinder I hear every other bike does this, if it hasn't yet it's only a matter of time
Seriously I had mine 4 years and the list of failures was 1 battery, 2 brakelight bulbs and a centrestand bolt. Enjoy riding it and don't read too much into what might go wrong. On a side note, I've just sold mine for a Pan European

It wasn't a 2004 with imminent grumbling of the FD was it??

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Guys,

I've just bought a 2004 GS. Having come across this forum I'm now a bundle of anxiety waiting for my imminent FPC or Final Drive failure! What's the skinny on this? Is there a way of preventing these problems? Can you also explain what the problems are? I had a quick peak at the stickys but they seem about capturing the failures rather than explaining the fault or advising on prevention. I didn't read every post as there are so many.

Thanks,

I asked similar questions when I bought my 05 plate 1200 last year. I was told to simply "Ride it. Don't worry about anything. Just ride and enjoy".

It was the best advice I could have been given. I've done loads more miles than I did on any other bike.

I keep a close check on oil levels, and tyre pressures, but I do that on ANY bike.

The only problem I have is, the fuel tank needs regular topping up every 160-200 miles

 

[mr badger]

The only problem I have is, the fuel tank needs regular topping up every 160-200 miles

Mine does that too. When, oh when will BMW address this issue?

OP- just get on with it. You might get hit by a comet too. Stop fretting and start enjoying

 

[casperfelix]

I asked similar questions when I bought my 05 plate 1200 last year. I was told to simply "Ride it. Don't worry about anything. Just ride and enjoy".

It was the best advice I could have been given. I've done loads more miles than I did on any other bike.

I keep a close check on oil levels, and tyre pressures, but I do that on ANY bike.

The only problem I have is, the fuel tank needs regular topping up every 160-200 miles

Mine does that too. When, oh when will BMW address this issue?

They have. Just buy an Adventure and you'll find you get about 360 miles a tank-full ..................

 

[how much]

my 04 1200 was the finest mostest reliable bike i ever had


my 1150 left me stranded on a few jaunts


do not take the shoite posted on here too seriously.. nobody posts


"my bike is running great" threads (except 1100 owners)


ride it, enjoy it! if it breaks..... it breaks



hm

 

[Sigster]

Flanges on 04/05 models

Keep an eye on your flange

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181453

or find out if it already has been changed


Siggi

 

[nedflanders]

It wasn't a 2004 with imminent grumbling of the FD was it??

No, it was a '06 from a german dealer (the ones built for there home Market are far superior!, the UK ones get the chocolate valves and final drives)
I only changed because I wanted something different and easier on the motorway.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

They have. Just buy an Adventure and you'll find you get about 360 miles a tank-full ..................

I would, but I have trouble reaching the floor as it is



Forums are nothing but trouble. I had a ZZR600 for 4 or 5 years. I had NO troubles at all with it (apart from the rust-u-kwik mild steel downpipes). I was very happy with it.

I then joined a ZZR forum. I then learned they jump out of 2nd gear.

Ignorance is bliss

 

[Demongroover]

It's true, reading this forum can put you off somewhat, but this is the technical help section, so you should expect some grumbling about faults.
And no-one logs on to tell you how mechanically uneventful the last several thousand miles have been.

I've had a coil, a few bulbs and the final drive go on mine.
My advice is change the FD oil EVERY service, it's fiddly on the 2004 models as they were mistakenly designed to be 'sealed for life', indicating a bullet proof reliability. Sadly BMW fell way short of the mark with this.
But it's a wheel bearing at the end of the day and will fail at some point whether you're riding a GS or a ZZR.
Da a search for Jim Von Badens final drive oil change, there is a pictoral step by step guide.

 

[ianp5uk]

Don't forget about dropping a valve on the RH cylinder I hear every other bike does this, if it hasn't yet it's only a matter of time
Seriously I had mine 4 years and the list of failures was 1 battery, 2 brakelight bulbs and a centrestand bolt. Enjoy riding it and don't read too much into what might go wrong. On a side note, I've just sold mine for a Pan European

Ha very funny! Who is this? Come on reveal yourself!

 

[STUBBS]

any minute now