Out of warranty FD failure - options
- Thread starter Demongroover
- Start date
no hard proof mate... I don't work there...Johnny Dangerously
Registered user
Crikey these threads do start to get a passionate response from the nay sayers and BM defenders!
Just thought I'd add my personal experience in.
Used to own a 2007 GS (black one)
Sold in 2008 approx 6,500 miles on the clock
Corrosion on front cover despite only being ridden in the rain once and kept spotless
Paint bubbling up on petrol cap at same point
Recall done for EWS
Recall done for brakes
Front cover replaced under warranty after a 'heated' discussion with the guys over at Battersea
Sold it as I wasn't using it enough. But left with a bad taste for BMW. Pretty poor finish on paint in general, although I'd say this applies to most brands compared to a few years ago. Terrible dealer experience, but aware this was down to my dealer in particular. General constant worry about price of spares after warranty ran out.
I loved the GS (a bit too much), and it really is my perfect bike. But I won't buy another one. I've bought a new commuter bike since (yamaha XT),and will be buying a big bike again soon for touring, but it won't be a BMW.
Pains me to say it, but I just don't have confidence in them. I don't mind things going wrong with bikes, but I'd spoken to a few other GS riders along the way who'd had major warranty work done (FD's, Gear box oil leaks etc). With the cost of repairs as they are, I just think BM are running at no risk. The thought of a £1000 repair bill outside of warranty just puts me off.
Combined with poor paint finish, two recalls in a year, and a dealer that made things worse just ruined my confidence and put me off ever buying BMW again. Shame though as I loved their bikes.
The only way I'd ever go back to BMW would be a better warranty, or even an introduction of a structured service plan. i.e pay x amount per year and all servicing/repairs are covered.
although, I don't agree with most of you that the bikes are sold at a massive premium. the new Tenere is more than the GSA and nowhere near as nice. I think they are ok priced, just not reliable enough. A little over engineered I think, without the focus on quality.
I still read this site though to keep up to date.
just my 2p
Just thought I'd add my personal experience in.
Used to own a 2007 GS (black one)
Sold in 2008 approx 6,500 miles on the clock
Corrosion on front cover despite only being ridden in the rain once and kept spotless
Paint bubbling up on petrol cap at same point
Recall done for EWS
Recall done for brakes
Front cover replaced under warranty after a 'heated' discussion with the guys over at Battersea
Sold it as I wasn't using it enough. But left with a bad taste for BMW. Pretty poor finish on paint in general, although I'd say this applies to most brands compared to a few years ago. Terrible dealer experience, but aware this was down to my dealer in particular. General constant worry about price of spares after warranty ran out.
I loved the GS (a bit too much), and it really is my perfect bike. But I won't buy another one. I've bought a new commuter bike since (yamaha XT),and will be buying a big bike again soon for touring, but it won't be a BMW.
Pains me to say it, but I just don't have confidence in them. I don't mind things going wrong with bikes, but I'd spoken to a few other GS riders along the way who'd had major warranty work done (FD's, Gear box oil leaks etc). With the cost of repairs as they are, I just think BM are running at no risk. The thought of a £1000 repair bill outside of warranty just puts me off.
Combined with poor paint finish, two recalls in a year, and a dealer that made things worse just ruined my confidence and put me off ever buying BMW again. Shame though as I loved their bikes.
The only way I'd ever go back to BMW would be a better warranty, or even an introduction of a structured service plan. i.e pay x amount per year and all servicing/repairs are covered.
although, I don't agree with most of you that the bikes are sold at a massive premium. the new Tenere is more than the GSA and nowhere near as nice. I think they are ok priced, just not reliable enough. A little over engineered I think, without the focus on quality.
I still read this site though to keep up to date.
just my 2p
Magic Ayrton
Registered user
I'm just not going to fund BMW when they clearly are not doing enough to make the bikes reliable, they are supposed to be around the world bikes, what a joke.. what's even funnier but no joke is that people still carry on buying them.. so BMW keep on churning out the same crap on people.
Totally unnaceptable in 2010.
Totally unnaceptable in 2010.
The "hard proof" was the BMUU PR at the time of launch of 1200 GS.
Their marketing was based around the lighter weight and durability of the newly designed machine. They specifically mentioned the FD.
If that's not enough for you Bob, then just accept they spent bog all in R&D and that's why is's such a poor design with short lifespan.
Johnny Dangerously
Registered user
On another note though, I do believe BMW will be forced to address some of the issues in some way in the near future. They've had a serious monopoly on the 'big trailie' range for some time now, but the other brands are stepping in more and more (XTZ, Multisdrada, rumoured Varadero update). I do believe the market share for BMW has peaked and they will lose some ground over the coming years.
Hopefully it might force a focus on reliability? Or at least a beefier warranty?
Then again, probably not
Hopefully it might force a focus on reliability? Or at least a beefier warranty?
Then again, probably not
In your opinion of course, which is totally objective and free of bias
It's not my opinion, it's a statement of fact from the original announcement of the 1200GS in 2004.
Concerning bias, read the opinions of the poor bastards having to cough up for BMUU's poor manufacturing, design and development. Remember this is the updated FD that is causing problems after the re-design of the 2004/5 original.
Chris Terry
Registered user
A lot of shaking heads here. I'm on my second gs12 and I'm looking towards my next big trialie. The last bike change, I looked around at all the bikes available at the time and picked the best bike for me yes a gs12. I'll do the same again in a year or so. If I like it I'll buy it. If everybody does the same the best bikes will rise to the top, and the bad ones at the bottom will improve or die. The r1200gs was not the only bike out there but we bought them (in large numbers), why if they are so bad ???
A lot of shaking heads here. I'm on my second gs12 and I'm looking towards my next big trialie. The last bike change, I looked around at all the bikes available at the time and picked the best bike for me yes a gs12. I'll do the same again in a year or so. If I like it I'll buy it. If everybody does the same the best bikes will rise to the top, and the bad ones at the bottom will improve or die. The r1200gs was not the only bike out there but we bought them (in large numbers), why if they are so bad ???
They are an exceptionally good bike, but with manufacturing quality issues.
On another note though, I do believe BMW will be forced to address some of the issues in some way in the near future. They've had a serious monopoly on the 'big trailie' range for some time now, but the other brands are stepping in more and more (XTZ, Multisdrada, rumoured Varadero update). I do believe the market share for BMW has peaked and they will lose some ground over the coming years.
Hopefully it might force a focus on reliability? Or at least a beefier warranty?
Then again, probably not
the problem mate is, as Chris Terry also points out above, that the GS12 is probably the best bike of that lot out there, dodgy failures or not..
What can you get instead?
New Tenere 1200? Really? £15k for a glorified TDM with barely any more go or capability?
Tiger 1050? Well, yes, but not the same bike really....
Varadero? Must be joking.. That bike was out of date and out of its depth in 1998... Cannot believe they still make them.. Easily Hondas worst bike in history. Rather have an K reg Africa twin...
KTM Adventure? Ok, but too uncomfortable for serious miles.
What else is there? V strom 1000? perhaps, but not really in the GS league anywhere...
Ducati Multistrada? Tried one, cracker bike, too much even, and I would not ride 600miles in a day in one... I wouldn't last..
By default you ve got to get a GS..
Or go sportier and open the sport touring can of worms..... Whose current king has got to be the VFR1200....
Re: Varadero.
Don't make sweeping statements about things you obviously know nothing about!
Edit: Don't be an arsehole and make sweeping statements about things you obviously know nothing about!
Ladies and gents, we have a Varadero owner among us! Welcome to the board legend.
I have ridden a Varadero once in Mykonos abt 10 years ago when I was vacationing with my boyfriend. It was his bike. He was hairy and macho and very Greek and he needed an equivalent bike...
I am sure it beats the GS12 in any reliability measure you d care to mention, but that does not make it a good bike. Mainly because its a top HEAVY bugger...and ugly. and slow. andit steers like a kangaroo with white spirit up its @ss
Edit:
You got to sell it dude.... Buy yourself a GS1200. Better bikes all round.
Shame about the FD, FPC, EWS, rust, valve popping, seal leaking, switch burning pieces of motorrad nirvana that occur so flippin often!
I ll still take any sh@gged up Africa Twin with 2billion miles on it over any Varadero. Seriously.
As far as my arsehole is concerned, please use better language as everyone here is equally allowed to their opinion, as long as it remains an opinion. Whether you like it or not.
Last edited:
Make up your mind, you said earlier it was PR blurb, now you say its the facts. You can't have it both ways.
red said:
It's your opinion that is the issue here, and you can hardly say that you have been objective in your postings. Relying on PR blurb for facts is proof of that.
Ah if your argument fails then good old fashioned abuse always works
Most of the time!
I'm talking about the PR blurb from BMW. So are you saying BMUU PR isn't fact? ... that they tell fibs?
If we can't rely on what comes from BMUU what are we supposed to believe?
Remember their bikes are "Unstoppable" !!
My apologies theop.
But ONE ride on a Varadero does not make you an expert.
The AT is reportedly a good bike but one I have not ridden so will refrain from comment.
As for the comparison of the Varadero to a GS1200 ..... the road performance is very similar, torque almost identical with the later GS being given about 10bhp more. It's comfortable and suits me for touring.
Weight is a non-argument unless you intend to go off-road which 99% of GS/GSA's never do. A Goldwing is even heavier but once moving has no effect. It is handy when pushing down the road after a failure I must admit.
I've never had a problem with the handling even if it isn't up to the GSA and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
And I have until recently owned and toured EU on a 1200GSA.
fair enough... Apologies accepted..
Yes indeed one 10mile summer dirt ride with flip flops and no helmet on a greek island does not make me an expert.. I never claimed I was an expert in anything really.. Just voicing my opinions really with a touch of hyperbole for effect...
In truth, I wouldn't pick a miley 15yo bike over a new one, whatever the comparisons may be.. I guess the hyperbole there was obvious..
The Varadero - always IMHO - has been a big bland bike that never really compared favourably even against the (much slower at the time) 1100GS more than 10 years ago. When I rode one, to me it felt very much like a bigger & heavier version of the TDM (which I was running locally there at the time). More capable pillion carrier perhaps, indifferent otherwise.
On a side note, these bikes (Varaderos, Africas, TDMs etc) have been ultra popular in countries such as Greece - way more than in sportbike-mad UK. I would say that before the ultra competitive BMW financing packages of the last 5-7 years (a GS is over 20k Eur Greece, but you can have one with 2k eur deposit and 120 monthly 0% rate payments of like 160eur, thast sort of stuff), the other Traillies had a significant % of the market.
Now a GS at Eur 20k and the V strom 650 (and even the Yam XT600) at 7k eur are probably 60% of the big bike market down there.
Johnny Dangerously
Registered user
Without wanting to stir things up on the bike Debate, I don't think the varadero is a GS equivalent. When I bought the GS, it was one of the other bikes I considered, along with an FJR. Test rode one of the tri colour ones with the wife and thought it was rubbish compared with the GS because:
Chain drive
Weighed too much
Looked ugly
Had ugly cases
Didn't work out much cheaper
In it's defence though, it looked well built, was very comfy, and being a honda I'm sure it would be dead reliable. Just no way I was going to part with the money for a bike that would have been a 'tool'. No way the wife was going to part with the money for it either.
I'm honestly hoping that after the VFR update, the varadero is next. If they can make it no heavier, give it a shaft drive, and make it pretty (probably can't!), then I would be very interested in it.
Chain drive
Weighed too much
Looked ugly
Had ugly cases
Didn't work out much cheaper
In it's defence though, it looked well built, was very comfy, and being a honda I'm sure it would be dead reliable. Just no way I was going to part with the money for a bike that would have been a 'tool'. No way the wife was going to part with the money for it either.
I'm honestly hoping that after the VFR update, the varadero is next. If they can make it no heavier, give it a shaft drive, and make it pretty (probably can't!), then I would be very interested in it.
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