Questions from a potential buyer

harryweld

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I’m new here and thinking about getting a new water cooled adventure, so how bad are the paint, corrosion issues? Any theories why they occur? Where do they most commonly occur?

My bike will not be going off road or used on salty roads in winter, will corrosion still be an issue?

Being a short arse, how does the GS community view lowered suspension bikes, again no off road use and I’m past the point where the main aim of motorcycling is to get your knee down on every corner so ground clearance issues.

What are the other major common issues ?
 
I've had 1 GS 2 GSA and 1 XR currently on the GSA not had any issues regarding corrosion the only issue was on the 2014 GSA was the spot lights failing

I did over 10,000 miles on each and have now covered 14,000 on my 2016 GSA touch wood no issues so far, I've decided to keep this one for a few years because whatever the mileage they behave exactly the same as when new.

PS all my bikes are ridden all year and the occasional off road, go buy one and just enjoy it

Terry
 
I've had a lowered standard GS LC since March 2014. On the road, it handles really well, better than the taller versions I reckon. I had a go on a demo GSA lowered just recently on one of the BMW roadshow events and that was the same, except for hauling all that extra fuel weight off the side stand.

As for corrosion, yes mine had a few white spots when I bought it privately with 505 miles, but the previous owner had put it away unwashed over winter.

BMW replaced the engine, swing arm and final drive. To date, my bike has no corrosion at all with these new parts although I do look after it. Now done approaching 19000 miles.
 
2 gs 1 gsa no corrosion or issues although I don't use it during the winter. New triple black ordered.

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Swiss army knife of bikes - good in so many ways, don't get bogged down by the negativity on this forum at times, they are high tech & the engine layout causes issues with the layout of components / the demand for a high powered machine. despite mine having gearbox / corrosion issues early on, cured with a warranty swap out, its the best bike I have ever owned & that includes nearly every model of Boxer from the R80RT onwards. buy one - you are unlikely to regret it
 
harryweld said:
I’m new here and thinking about getting a new water cooled adventure, so how bad are the paint, corrosion issues? Any theories why they occur? Where do they most commonly occur?

My bike will not be going off road or used on salty roads in winter, will corrosion still be an issue?

Being a short arse, how does the GS community view lowered suspension bikes, again no off road use and I’m past the point where the main aim of motorcycling is to get your knee down on every corner so ground clearance issues.

What are the other major common issues ?
Click to expand...

The corrosion issue seems to be linked to the way they are built it looks like the casings are painted then the mating surfaces are machined before the engines are built damp gets in the joints later and under the edge of the paint and the problems start.

If this is whats happening as many seem to think the problem will eventually effect all bikes to some degree if you store or use the bike in damp conditions, avoiding using the bike in damp weather or coating the engine with ACF50 may help delay the start of the corrosion.

There are a few other known issues most now fixed on new models switch gear failing stand stability clutch drag and the odd alternator engine out job but corrosion of the engine casings seems the biggest problem.

Lowered bike no idea how they ride but I dont think it will effect the secondhand value as there is a market for them from the short arses amongst us

Dont let the issues put you off if you want one and it works for you go for it BMW support is second to none while in warranty and the good will is above normal after
 
Rejected my new GS after about 10 weeks and 3 water pumps. However, my newest GS is 4 weeks old now and had only 1 pump and it seems to be OK.BMW are not interested in customer satisfaction but the dealers make up for this by trying to look after the buyers.
 
I've had two LC GS's and one LC GSA, all ridden all year round, with NO ACF50 applied, and NO corrosion issues on any of them. I just made sure I rinsed them off with cold water after any rides on salty roads.
 
Are you going to buy from a dealer or private? Dealer gives 2 year warranty now!


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flatdog said:
Sounds like your dealer has your sympathy with regards big bad BMW....;)
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I find Barrie Robson is a very good dealer and have no complaints about their customer service what so ever. BMW however, thats another story.
 
I don't normally ride in the winter anymore. Had 3 GS LC no corrosion .
On the R1100S, 1999 model, front fork's replaced due to corrosion.
2008 GSA both wheels replaced due to corrosion. Had 4 1150&1200 RT's no corrosion.
So is not something that is specific to the new LC.
Some film cleaners used in washing down bikes can cause havoc with the paint finish, people leave then on to long or their are not diluted correctly etc, the salt on the road and manufacturing process, paint composition. Who knows.
I don't believe that the new black paint is going to be any better, it looks thinner and probably retouching will be easier if is chipped, only time will tell.
 
zoltan said:
I don't normally ride in the winter anymore. Had 3 GS LC no corrosion .
On the R1100S, 1999 model, front fork's replaced due to corrosion.
2008 GSA both wheels replaced due to corrosion. Had 4 1150&1200 RT's no corrosion.
So is not something that is specific to the new LC.
Some film cleaners used in washing down bikes can cause havoc with the paint finish, people leave then on to long or their are not diluted correctly etc, the salt on the road and manufacturing process, paint composition. Who knows.
I don't believe that the new black paint is going to be any better, it looks thinner and probably retouching will be easier if is chipped, only time will tell.
Click to expand...

You say you have had 3 of the LC models how long do you keep them and dont ride in winter what sort of miles do you do on them this might give an idea of when they start to go and if winter makes much difference they have only been out since 2013?
 
There are more bikes out there without problems the with - I have a 2016 bike and it is ridden all year round / had a 2013 bike before that and it was fine too - no corrosion and only rinsed with cold water after a winter ride. I did coat the wheels and spokes with ACF50 but this was a one off application when I buy the bike. I would rather the wheels and spokes look a bit manky while I own it and then give it a real good clean up before I trade it.

Just recently got back from a factory visit to BMW Berlin and the engine process is pretty std accross the industry it is a delamination of the laquer that allows water to collect at the joints of the engine components - this in turn traps salt in the area and it degrades the paint and causes it to bubble and splinter. Another good way to stop this happening is if when you wash the bike use a hot air blower to disperse any residue water - I have never done it but it seems to be what most BMW dealers recomend.
Other things to watch are cleaning products - some contain salt or caustic soda. Everyone moans about Muck off being a product that BMW won't accept as a cleaning product but it's like anything else if you use it make sure it gets plenty of cold water rinsing afterwards and you shouldn't have a problem.

All makes of bikes have their weaknesses - BMW,s at the moment seem to be switchgear (even the guy showing us around the factory said this is a budget build issue) and paint finish - from the volume of bikes leaving the factory only a few have issues - I would also say that the information we were given was that there is a higher rate of paint issues in the uk than anywhere else. I would put this down to moderate winter climates that mean we can still ride during the majority of winter - most European countries it is either just too cold / icy / snowy to allow that to happen - this means they don't see salt as much.

Someone already said it - it's a Swiss Army Knife of the bike world - for the price you pay its not a bad bike - I have friends with Ducati Multistrada / Triumph Explorer etc and they have similar niggles with some element of the bike - the biggest niggle always seems to be residual value with anything other than a BMW.

In fairness if I had to point out one thing that is better about BMW than any other bike it would be a simple answer - the Dealer network - it is genuinely better than any other I have experienced - this had kept me BMW for the last 15 years or more.

Can't comment about the short arse version - never had one.

Good look with your choice and hope all goes well.....

Rik
 
Deleted account 181015003 said:
You say you have had 3 of the LC models how long do you keep them and dont ride in winter what sort of miles do you do on them this might give an idea of when they start to go and if winter makes much difference they have only been out since 2013?
Click to expand...

1st rejected after 50 miles (major oil leak after collection), second one after over 3000 miles :blast Shit happens... I still like the bike and I am a masochist :D
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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