R1200GSA low first gear

[red1]

Anyone know how to tell if the low first gear is fitted?

 

[Roymondo]

No easy way to tell for sure, as the bike could easily have had a different gearbox fitted during its lifetime. The difference is not huge - only a couple of mph road speed at medium revs, so you *could* try running the thing at (say) 6k revs in 1st and see if it is measurably slower than another bike at the same revs (although then again, the bike you are comparing it against might also have the low ratio option...).

 

[red1]

Thought they may have a mark on the VIN. We used to stamp a mark there after bikes had been recalled. Obviously before computerised records.

Sent from my MOTO G

 

[Roymondo]

Why would they? It's just an option like heated grips, ABS (used to be) fog lights, ESA etc. Besides which, even if they did mark the bike, who is to say it still has its original gearbox? I daresay BMW could tell from their records if it originally had the "enduro" box, but again that's not to say it still has it.

 

[red1]

So it sounds like gearboxes are a weak link if there's so many being changed. How long does a gearbox last on a 1200?

Sent from my MOTO G

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

So it sounds like gearboxes are a weak link if there's so many being changed. How long does a gearbox last on a 1200?

Sent from my MOTO G

How on earth did you come to that conclusion?

Andres

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

So it sounds like gearboxes are a weak link if there's so many being changed. How long does a gearbox last on a 1200?

Sent from my MOTO G

That's the lc's you're thinking of

 

[red1]

How on earth did you come to that conclusion?

Andres

The response to the question included the notion that a gearbox could have been changed, something that I have never come across in 49 years of riding. The question relates to a motorcycle with a maximum age of approx. 6 years. The fact that the responder considered that it was pertinent to the question that a gearbox change could have occurred would seem to imply that it was not uncommon.
So logic would say that if it was not uncommon that there may be an issue, otherwise why change the gearbox.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Well, for your peace of mind the hexhead 1200's do not, as a rule, have gearbox issues.

Andres

 

[david a hall]

The response to the question included the notion that a gearbox could have been changed, something that I have never come across in 49 years of riding. The question relates to a motorcycle with a maximum age of approx. 6 years. The fact that the responder considered that it was pertinent to the question that a gearbox change could have occurred would seem to imply that it was not uncommon.
So logic would say that if it was not uncommon that there may be an issue, otherwise why change the gearbox.

Elementary my dear Watson..... But inaccurate it will be on the BMW computer at the dealership

 

[bmwbikeruk]

Have a look in your manual for first gear ratio of your GSA and compare it with GS's 1st gear ratio. Hope it helps.

 

[RoyF]

Take a look at this web page,

http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

Enter the last 7 digits of you VIN number and hit 'check' The data is all in German, but look down the list for "X631A - Getriebe Enduro", if it's there it was built with the enduro gearbox, but bear in mind it's only about 9% lower in first gear only so not really that noticeable in everyday riding.

 

[red1]

Thank you!