Problems?

[laughingBob]

Seems to be a relevant poll with all the threads relating to various technical issues with the 12. Just wondering how many people have actually had problems with their bike and what the ratio, bikes sold/tech problems, is. I realise the not everyone in the world who has bought a 12GS looks at the site but, I still think it would be a good indicator.

No faults at all would also include where one bulb has blown, gears not engaging properly but remedied by adjustment of gear lever etc.

Minor faults would include things like speedo not working, paint flaking off, repetative bulb blowing etc.

Major faults would include engine, gearbox or brake failures etc.

 

[laughingBob]

3K no problems at all. Initial gear selection difficulties solved by gear lever adjustment.

 

[Dutchman]

11260 miles on 3 1200GS's.....

1000 on dealer demo-no problems.....

3065 on GS #1-

New battery @ 800 miles
Final drive failure @ 3060 miles

7195 on GS #2

Low tension plug lead disconnected @ zero miles
Fuel System CanBus failure @ 5126 and 5318 miles
Low tension plug lead disconnected @ 6750 miles

Despite the inconvenience caused by these failures, this is still by far the best of the 16 BMW's I've owned in the past 22 years.....

Would I buy another?

Most definately......

Cheers

Dutch

 

[GSmonkey]

Bad connection between LT leads & coil on secondary spark plug @7800 miles.

 

[R1150GuS]

9000 kms since July '04

No problems at all

Saludos

 

[Mike_swe]

12000km (ex-demo bike with 2000km)

Broken plastic holders for the seat adjuster bars.
Broken rear light cover holder (caused by overtightening the screw).
Both faults where there when I got the bike.

Some loose bolts on the pannier holders.

Rattling noise from handprotector/brakeline contact (easily fixed).

Nothing else. The engine runs excellent. I have swapped from semisynthetic to full synthetic oil at the last service, and the oil consumption is almost down to nothing.

 

[Cone Bolt]

2000mls
Front engine case corroded
Rocker covers and cylinder heads corroded
R/H Tank unit ring corroded
L/H switch gear failed

Hasn't spoilt enjoyment of the bike for me and dealer service has been great.

 

[ballistic]

Picked up new bike, stopped after 5 miles... big pool of oil on ground! Dealer had it back, new crankshaft oil seal and clutch. Is this a record?

 

[Paul Caldecott]

5600 miles only problem rattleing hand protector and broken bolt holding rear small tyre guard. Still the best GS i've owned so far by far. Love it to bits.

 

[CONWISE]

Problems

Bike (1)

0000 Gearbox was replaced before delivery due to a factory recall.

600 km Low Voltage Battery problem causing ABS malfunction.

1600 km Final drive failure plus front brake pump failure.

1700 km Neutral sensor switch failure.

1800 km Left hand side pannier flew of the bike whilst doing 130 on the highway.

Bike (2) Replaced bike (1)

3500 km No problems at all Hopefully will stay like this.

 

[Shep]

9780mls

Rear Drive replaced due to corrosion in spindle

LH swithgear replaced (hi beam intermittant)

Gear indicator still has a fault when very wet!

Front cover corroded (to be changed on warrantee next service)

Ignition switch sticky (needs regular lubrication)

Rear brake pads havn't lasted between services! (wear indicator is on inboard pad but the outboard pad wore away first?)

Would I buy another if I lost this one? Yes without a doubt, the bike was purchased as an ex-demo with 4000mls, its been the best bike I have ever owned, some of the faults listed maybe down to the fact that alot of people had ridden the bike in its early months, not many test rides are at night so the switchgear fault would'nt be noticed, the brake pad wear may have been due to new riders not being used to the linked brakes.

Still, I'm happy and thats what counts!

Regards Shep

 

[TheJoker]

Just trying to think (hard task) if I've had any problems (as descibed above)... And I think that I've not had any problems.

- Had a puncture at 600miles (hardly the bike's fault!)
- It didn't start after more than one week in the garage. Bike was alarmed. A good 70 mile run later and problem is gone.
- Just had my software updated, and the bike runs very nicely now.

And, I'm rapidly approaching 4,000 miles.

 

[Mouse]

I voted minor - the problems I've had are:

Gear indicator showing wrong gear after bike got a good drenching.

Needed replacement pannier cos the lock was broken.

Occasionally shows a red warning triangle for no apparent reason.

And the "surge" - which will hopefully be cured on Friday at the 6k service.

All in all, I'm quite satisfied.

 

[lostrider]

Put Major 'cos its stuck in France waiting to be frieghted back because a little pin broke in the sensor under the ignition key.

And this bikes got to get me round the world!!

 

[Nye]

12000miles, on a 130 daily commute.
Starting problem @ 7k miles. Recovered to dealer - couldnt find the fault. Seems to have fixed itself. No other faults whatsoever.

 

[LA_GS12]

Minor Issues Fixed

8,500 miles total since July 1. Only three niggles to date:


1) Left switchgear replaced at 600 mile service (Hi Beam wouldn't stay on)

2) Transmission oil leak onto catalyst can (at 4,500 miles). Traced to factory overfill. Drained 4.5 oz of fluid to get correct level. Oil-soaked tranny breather replaced at 6K service. Fine now.

3) Strange buzzing sound at 3,000 rpm since new. Finally got sick of it and investigated. Left handguard was the culprit. Adjusted and tightened both handguards at 7,000 miles. Perfect now. (Yes, it took me THAT long to get off my duff and do something about it!)


I love the bike! I wore out the Dunlops and just replaced with Tourances. All smiles!

 

[Mr K]

ABS/Servo pump failure at 800-ish miles. Left with "residual braking" only. Jeeves! Pas me my brown trousers!

 

[laughingBob]

Not very impressive so far is it? Out of 86 owners who have responded so far 15 have had major technical failures and a further 16 minor faults.

 

[Mouse]

Actually 86 people have responded. 36% of those who responded have had what they consider to be at least a minor problem.

But it's a self selecting poll - I don't think we can honestly draw many meaningful conclusions from it, beyond "the 1200 isn't perfect".

We certainly can't conclude that 36% of all 1200s sold have had problems. Even if they have, some of the problems reported are trivial - for example my own - a fuel injection mapping problem (solved now), a broken pannier lock (replaced). Hardly show stoppers, and the important thing is that I am more than satisfied with the bike. Some people are determined to paint the 1200 as a failure whatever the reality.

 

[laughingBob]

Actually 86 people have responded. 36% of those who responded have had what they consider to be at least a minor problem.

Der, oh yeah! I'll try and change it quick before anyone else notices!