Problems New GSers Should Know About?

gsbiker

gsbiker

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As a possible future owner of a BMW 1200 I am really suprised to read how many GS bikes are unreliable according to their owners! I would like to know what faults to look out for and how to fix them and cost.

Paul
 
ph4824 said:
As a possible future owner of a BMW 1200 I am really suprised to read how many GS bikes are unreliable according to their owners! I would like to know what faults to look out for and how to fix them and cost.

Paul
Click to expand...

Paul, the question is a bit broad... sit down with a cuppa and have a look through the 1200 section...you'll soon get the idea of recurring niggles with the 1200 ;)

Then ask the question in the technical section again :thumb2
 
Use the search function and for starters look at "antenna" fuel pump controller" and "final drive".

Not all bikes have had problems, but some have had the same fault more than once :(

Cost to repiar depends on what fails and who's paying, the warranty / extended warranty might be "prudent" depending on your technical ability / if you work at a BM dealer.
 
Reliability

Don't worry old fruit they are ******* reliable. I've had an 05 and now 08 and never had any problems even when it's 42 deg c and the Jap bikes are as hot as hell. Yes there were EWS problems but what percentage? - pretty low I think. Cheers Roger
 
I think its a fair question, as i'm looking at a 1200 GSA, could we not have a basic list?

thanks
 
For what its worth, my much beloved 2004 R1200GS is one of the first into the UK and was a dealer demo when it was the new bike on the block, so doubtless it was ragged by anyone and everyone from new.

Despite this, it has only let me down once due to the fuel pump controller which cost me £70 and 30 minutes to fix with the modified part. It also had a new final drive and gearbox seals under warranty (due to small oil leaks) and a claim for two corroded front engine covers (cosmetic). I now carry a home made power cord for the fuel pump in case the controller fails again (doubtful) and a spare EWS immobiliser antenna when touring, even though my bike is not part of the EWS recall and is unlikely to need it.

A lot of owners panic once that warranty expires and rush to the dealers for a trade-in, so you can get a pretty good deal on a reliable used GS with dealer warranty. Make sure that whatever GS you buy, it at least has a pair of engine bars fitted to prevent damage when it eventually goes down.

As for engine smoothness, it depends on the mileage plus having the valve clearances set properly and the throttles synchronised properly. Good quality fuel also helps (super unleaded).

I hope you get a GS as there are very few of us that regret ownership. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another or recommend one.
 
Read everything on here with an open mind and open eyes. You will always hear more about the faults on a bike, especially on a forum dedicated to it.

the 1200 is currently the top selling bike in Germany, which speaks volumes for the bike.

But as a 1150gs owner i recommend you get a sorted 1150 and you will sleep easy at night.:D
 
Best advice I can give you is buy as new as poss with warranty I had a 05 bike which BMW replaced after 6000 miles WHAT a nightmare it spent more time on the back of a recovery truck than on the road, I would not sleep at night if my GS was out of warranty:mad::mad::mad:
 
Take a couple of weeks off work and have a read through the 1200 section:thumb
 
Old Faithful?

As people keep posting here, there's a risk that all you will find if you look are the complaints. I never wake up, think my 05 GS hasn't missed a beat in the fourteen months and 10,000 miles I've had it - must tell the guys.

I didn't extend my AUB warranty at the end of year 1 - sometimes wish I had, but the £300 saving is nice to keep in my pocket, thanks.

Just remember that BMW have made lots of these things and the warranty claims don't seem to have sunk them yet.
 
S funny really i havnt been around here for a while and theres so many posts about faults possible faults etc:rolleyes:

ive a friend who has an 05 1200gs that bike is used and abused everyday has done hard off road trips into morrocco , has hit the road at least twice through diesel spills and is STILL !! GOING STRONG WITH NONE OF THE FAULTS MENTIONED IN THREADS ON THIS FORUM opps sorry for shouting:aidan

there seems to be no hard and fast rule to this.

i moved over to a ktm990 adv in feb this year the first 800miles i had three problems with an intermittent electrical fault and it was finally put down to a few pence electrical connector:rolleyes: the 990 has now done 12400miles and has been totally faultless and is a complete hoot to ride:thumb

a comon joke between me and lord vader is he's ADV has been through 3 final drives in the same amount of miles my chain has done and my chains still going strong:D:D:D:D

however i still lust after the 1200adv and one day can see myself taking the plunge and getting one at some point in the future:D

:robi dont subscribe to this bollox of MY BIKES BETTER THAN YOURS when we buy a bike theres a 50/50 chance that we might have a problem:rob

you makes your choice, you pays your money, and you have to live with the consequences.....but it is gutting when you fork out big money for somthing and then have problems ..

it felt like crap when the 990 first played up..its not so much the problem its how its dealt with in these matters:thumb

just my two penneth worth:hide


oh and no list from me as it'll take tooooo long to type:blast
 
chad said:
however i still lust after the 1200adv and one day can see myself taking the plunge and getting one at some point in the future:D
Click to expand...

I hope your missus doesn't see this or you'll be limping on the other leg :augie:augie:augie
 
Seems you either get a good one or bad one.
Mines a June 07 just had the antenna ring replaced while down the South of France I think it's a case of when not if on the 07 range but get the dealer to check & they'll replace it free.Saying that I've been told even the new one can be upset at petrol pump forcourts not sure how true but a dealer told me this only this week
12000 miles & I love it but must admit I worry more about breakdowns with it than any of my previous vfr's
:beerjug:R.R.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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