ok iwant one but reliabality is putting me off

[nsm]

First hi all, now i love the look of the 1200gsa but readiing through some of the posts it seems like all im going to get is a bunch of probs. I ride a blackbird at the moment and it has given me no real probs exceept the r/r and a loom fix in the last 70,000 miles. Are they as bad as some of the posts i read? or is it the my v-tech is crap syndrome. I would hate to spend £11000 and to totaly regret it. thanks for any input

 

[Davy F]

You have to remember that for every one person who moans or slags off their (or others) 12 GS's on tinternet, there's probably another 9 or 10 who are silently clocking up trouble free miles.

 

[Mort]

You have to remember that for every one person who moans or slags off their (or others) 12 GS's on tinternet, there's probably another 9 or 10 who are silently clocking up trouble free miles.

Agreed



Of course you could buy an 1100 and save all the worrying to others

 

[Uinneag]

I loved mine but got fed up sitting in a recovery wagons.

for reliability get an 1150 that from someone who has had 2 x12's

 

[cabby]

Hi there.
Im about to go for a GSA and wasnt sure whether to go for a 1150 or 1200. From the various people I have spoken to including dealers and users alike, the following points might be of help. I do not own either yet so im only going on second hand info...

1. The 1200 is lighter (around 25kg)than the 1150. This partly due to quality of materials / coating thickness/ and the 1200 more reliant on composites.
2. The 1200 is far more dependent on its computer and as such will potentially require more trips to the dealer for minor faults when you want to get rid flashing warning lights/ or bleeding brakes etc.
3. I think the service intervals are the same but you need to check that.
4. Most appealing to me is the maintainability of the 1150 which is after all what it was designed for, self service whilst in a desert somewhere. The 1200, I have been told is not so friendly....
Im sure other members will have more experience than me on the above, and I only wanted to voice some of the differences I have been told about. Some of which may or may not be correct. Ive gone for a 1150, but as the learned gent davy F above has said, you may only hear about peoples horror stories. Speak to as many people as possible and try to base your choice on informed reasoning. Once done its a gut feeling that will make you decide. Good luck and hope this has been of help.

 

[Mucky Helmet]

Hi NSM

As already said, people only tend to share bad news.

All I can do is speak from experience and that is - I've had four GSs: 2 x 1200 (05 & 07), 1 x 1150 (03) and an old G/S which doesn't really count. I have bought them all new from three different dealers and done above average mileage on all of them.

I know I'm going to regret this but......... I've never had a breakdown on any of them, I've never been stranded anywhere on any of them and never had any issues with my dealers. All warranty work and servicing has been carried out at times convenient to me and at costs I find to be reasonable. Yes, it's that simple and I'm happy.

I use my 1200 everyday for commuting, touring holidays and as the first choice of transport any other time. I clock more miles on my GS every year than I do in my car and wouldn't have it any other way.

I've spent time being relayed with a number of bikes over the years but, so far, never with a GS. I'm not saying it's the most perfect bike in the world, just sharing my particular experience of mine.

The only other road bike I'd consider would be the 990 Adventure but really can't be arsed with chains on my road bikes and don't feel it's any better than the GS.

HTH
MH

 

[nsm]

Thanks for the quick replies guys but SEE MY PROBLEM. oonyack had 2x12 and wants the 1150. m-helmet has had no probs with his 12. However mucky helmet you seem to have changed your bikes very quick [compered to me] what was the milage on them.or maybe you just wanted a newer one. will these bikes clock 100,000 or am i asking to much? Sorry to go on but £11000 is a lot of money to me and i am looking for a long time mate.

 

[steveh]

if reliability counts above all else..

stick with a japanese bike as a very general rule.

Saying that I've had one oil leak on mine fixed under warranty and nothing but smiles.

 

[Yellow Peril]

then buy second hand gs12 get one for 6k easy and see how it goes and make your own mind up. As it is obviously the money that is of concern, but the new bike has a 2 year warranty and most bikes get fixed with like or no fuss.

 

[nsm]

It is the main thing to me steve,its my only transport i dont do the cleaning thing on bikes the b-bird gets a hose down about 3 times a year.Its a tool for the job

 

[AdamA]

If you want it, get it.
If things go as planned, keep it.
If they don't, swap it for something else.

If you can afford to spend £11k+ on a bike, you can afford to flog it and get something else if it doesn't work out.

 

[Lord Vader]

HMMMMM
Not so sure about all this
My GSA1200 is my Dream Bike
so i do not think about it in Money terms cause i just love the thing.The way it looks,rides and drags all my camping gear along.
If you would ask me if she is worth it
My Heart says every penny
My Head A £8300 bike being on its 3rd!!! final drive being only 2 years old with now 30000 miles on the clock. NO
I am sure I am of no help at all ,just thought I confuse matters a bit

 

[Big Nick]

If you're worried about breaking down my advice would be stick with Honda

Whilst I love my GSA and in the short time (2 months and 2000 miles) I've had it its ran as it should, even BMW themselves acknowledge the bike has at least 2 faults that cause total grind to a halt breakdown i.e.fuel pump controller and ring antennae.

Whilst there's hundreds more owners that have not experienced them than those that have, there seems to be a significant minority that these recognised problems have affected, sometimes to great inconvienience and cost.

Personally my desire to own the bike outweighed these concerns so I part-exed my VFR which had given me 4 years total reliability(except for a worn out battery 2 weeks before I sold it) for my GSA

If I breakdown I've got cover from BMW and never ride without my phone so I'll just have to deal with it.

 

[Barfly]

You have to remember that for every one person who moans or slags off their (or others) 12 GS's on tinternet, there's probably another 9 or 10 who are silently clocking up trouble free miles.

+ 2

Got my 1200 2nd hand (06) and trouble free so far. Took me all over Europe this summer. Don't forget, there's a large number of bikers who change their bikes regularly because they a) like the latest model and b) have got the cash to do it. There are others who don't. A friend of mine here has had a 1200 Adventure for 2 years and experienced no problems. He's just getting a new one. I asked him why and he said he liked the new gizmos on the latest model and he can set it off against tax. If it's your dream bike and you can afford it - get it. IF it doesn't work out, try something else but if you don't, you'll always wonder...

 

[GS TRV]

If i were you I'd get a 2nd hand 1150 for half the money and see if you like the whole experience. IMHO there's not 5/6k difference between the two in real riding terms - overweight trail bikes with boxer engines will always be overweight trail bikes with boxer engines.

I love my 1150 but see no reason to blow 6k just to have the same again when mine in 57k kms hasn't given me any probs.

 

[nsm]

Thanks again guys as soon as i make my mind up i will let you know

 

[Shep]

Whatever assurances you get on here, mean absolutly nothing, the 1200 is a machine some will break some will be fine.

If you want one, go and get one. Only then will you know if its the bike for you

Shep

 

[zico]

NSM for what its worth I have had reliability problems with my 54 plate 1200gs. Mainly battery problems. Had a VFR and Pan st1300 previously and only really miss the VFR. I,ve spouted out on this forum before about getting rid of the GS but still have it. Despite getting pissed off with the battery problems I cant seem to do the deed of getting rid of it. Although I am waiting patiently to see what the new VFR is going to be like. As previously mentioned if its reliability you need then probably sticking with the Hondas make sense. However the Gs,s hold their values well and if you dont like it / have reliability issues then I am sure that you could trade it in against another Honda without laying out any/too much more cash. Once you get it, you will see what I mean. I know this wont help much but its just my tuppence worth.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Had mine for 2 and a bit years ,just sold it as wasn't going to get much use for the next 4-6 months with work family and enduroHimalaya commitments.Trouble free bike ,I'll get another next year as I sold it for good money and its going to cost me £2500 to get a new one with what I sold the 06 for so not bad eh? Trade it at the dealers and they'll take yer pants down ,sell privatley and look after it and they keep their value!! Great to ride too and I already miss it!

 

['Nuffsaid]

My 3rd GS12 ...........

To add to the voices of the mostly silent happy ones - My 3rd GS12 and they have all been brilliant - I ride every day 25K a year including some touring and light off roading ........ Every time I come to change the bike, I look around , do some test rides and come back to the GS12 (Adv)

For my riding, there isnt a more competent all round bike that does everything pretty well - reliability hasn't been an issue on any of them either.

As said - if you want one get it ... As in all things in life "You reget the things you don't do, rarely the things you do do!"