Coming to the 1200 technical section over the years has not been a joyous experience. It's not the newbies asking questions that have been asked before who make it more onerous than it should be but the gang who have never owned a 1200, or had a 20 minute test ride and think themselves an expert, or who have owned one for 5 minutes and decided it wasn't for them and keep on coming back to tell us why ad nauseum. Their comments are rarely useful or constructive.
They think it is amusing to make derogatory comments about the type of people who own a 1200. The comments were barely amusing back in 2004/5 when the 1200 first appeared and time has not been kind to their unfunny ramblings.
They keep on telling us what a piece of shit the 1200 is and how the older 1150/1100's are much superior.
I have no doubt there are owners out there who have had problems with their 1200's, but the same can be said of the 1150 and 1100's too. But taking the usual suspects seriously can lead to a bit of paranoia creeping in. The section would be much better if these people were more constructive in their comments and helpful, but I shouldn't be knocking the therapeutic value it has for those with low self esteem who feel the only way they can feel better is to keep on attacking others.
So, having bought a new 1200GS in July 2005 and finally selling it in June this year, what plethora of problems have I had with the bike, especially since the warranty expired in July 2007? Have I been knocking on the door of Steptoe or Steve Grover continually to sort out the problems?
In a word, no.
Here is a list of components I have had to replace since July 2007.
Battery x 2 (June 2008 and July 2011)
Seal behind alternator belt cover (October 2012)
Fuel pump controller (November 2012)
That's it! When I sold the bike it still had the original EWS, gearbox, clutch and final drive. I suspect my experience is echoed by many who either don't belong to forums or don't feel the need to post.
It has had the usual consumables over the years but it hasn't been heavy on brake pads and tyres, with BMW OEM front brake pads having a particularly good life. When sold it had just under 41000 miles on the clock and it had been used for a variety of tasks including touring, commuting to work and being used for instructing.
I replaced it with a 2012 GSA Triple Black which I kept for just under a year and did a run down to Javea in Spain in May, and a trip to the French Alps at the end of June. I sold this in September having done 6800 miles and replaced it with a Honda Crosstourer. There was nothing wrong with the GSA, it was a fine motorcycle and only showed one problem during my time with it (right indicator would come on at will, sorted with a new switch) but it was time to try something different.
So here's to a fine and capable motorcycle................................the R1200GS and GSA!!
They think it is amusing to make derogatory comments about the type of people who own a 1200. The comments were barely amusing back in 2004/5 when the 1200 first appeared and time has not been kind to their unfunny ramblings.
They keep on telling us what a piece of shit the 1200 is and how the older 1150/1100's are much superior.
I have no doubt there are owners out there who have had problems with their 1200's, but the same can be said of the 1150 and 1100's too. But taking the usual suspects seriously can lead to a bit of paranoia creeping in. The section would be much better if these people were more constructive in their comments and helpful, but I shouldn't be knocking the therapeutic value it has for those with low self esteem who feel the only way they can feel better is to keep on attacking others.
So, having bought a new 1200GS in July 2005 and finally selling it in June this year, what plethora of problems have I had with the bike, especially since the warranty expired in July 2007? Have I been knocking on the door of Steptoe or Steve Grover continually to sort out the problems?
In a word, no.
Here is a list of components I have had to replace since July 2007.
Battery x 2 (June 2008 and July 2011)
Seal behind alternator belt cover (October 2012)
Fuel pump controller (November 2012)
That's it! When I sold the bike it still had the original EWS, gearbox, clutch and final drive. I suspect my experience is echoed by many who either don't belong to forums or don't feel the need to post.
It has had the usual consumables over the years but it hasn't been heavy on brake pads and tyres, with BMW OEM front brake pads having a particularly good life. When sold it had just under 41000 miles on the clock and it had been used for a variety of tasks including touring, commuting to work and being used for instructing.
I replaced it with a 2012 GSA Triple Black which I kept for just under a year and did a run down to Javea in Spain in May, and a trip to the French Alps at the end of June. I sold this in September having done 6800 miles and replaced it with a Honda Crosstourer. There was nothing wrong with the GSA, it was a fine motorcycle and only showed one problem during my time with it (right indicator would come on at will, sorted with a new switch) but it was time to try something different.
So here's to a fine and capable motorcycle................................the R1200GS and GSA!!
Cut to avoid half an hour's whining 
