rear shaft drive 1200gs

[patboy]

Going home the other day from work, heard a grouging/banging noise, stopped no more drive to the rear wheel. Recovered through my BMW extended warranty, taken home and dealer picked up the bike the next day. Got a hired car through the warranty. I phoned BM today and they said its the shaft drive gone in two places one near the gearbox and at the other end. He asked if I had a new clutch and i said no, that they would look at it when out and replace the parts if needed ( not covered under the warranty and about 300 quid he reckoned although if ok they will leave alone). They still need to order the shaft and get authorised by BM. Just as well i kept the warranty although will have to pay 100 quid excess either way. the bike has done 52000 miles. So now you know No I will not be paying 300 quid for a clutch parts!

 

[MattW]

Going home the other day from work, heard a grouging/banging noise, stopped no more drive to the rear wheel. Recovered through my BMW extended warranty, taken home and dealer picked up the bike the next day. Got a hired car through the warranty. I phoned BM today and they said its the shaft drive gone in two places one near the gearbox and at the other end. He asked if I had a new clutch and i said no, that they would look at it when out and replace the parts if needed ( not covered under the warranty and about 300 quid he reckoned although if ok they will leave alone). They still need to order the shaft and get authorised by BM. Just as well i kept the warranty although will have to pay 100 quid excess either way. the bike has done 52000 miles. So now you know No I will not be paying 300 quid for a clutch parts!

I don't think the dealer is trying to pull a fast one with the clutch - I'd ask you to consider a clutch if I was them.

As they're splitting the bike anyway, at 52,000, I'd seriously consider a new clutch if it's getting worn - £300 is a bit of a bargain from a dealer and it'd cost you a lot more with labour in the future.

 

[TeaPig]

Agree that if they are splitting the engine/gearbox then it's worth bunging in a new clutch whiles it's apart. However, unless the failed shaft has smashed the back of the gearbox casing then the new shaft will simply plug it won't it? Just take the swing arm off and that's all?

 

[MattW]

Agree that if they are splitting the engine/gearbox then it's worth bunging in a new clutch whiles it's apart. However, unless the failed shaft has smashed the back of the gearbox casing then the new shaft will simply plug it won't it? Just take the swing arm off and that's all?

You're right of course but this bit in the OP's original post made me think they were splitting the bike:

He asked if I had a new clutch and i said no, that they would look at it when out and replace the parts if needed ( not covered under the warranty and about 300 quid he reckoned although if ok they will leave alone).

 

[IJGser]

pay the £300

At 52k i would pay the money for the clutch mine went at 26k and warrenty refused to pay and it ended up costing me just shy of 1k

 

[Rasher]

Is the clutch another 1200 weak point on top of the FD / FPC / EWS / ABS Controller

Perhaps it would be easier to list the components that are not sub-standard!


It also seems the extended warranty cops out on about 50% of faults, perhaps I will offer them half price to renew mine.

And before loads of bull about how they are no worse than any other bike, check out last weeks MCN and the GSXR1000 that has topped 100k with no major problems and does about 30k on a chain and sprocket - about the same mileage as the average FD, but about 1/10th of the cost.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Is the clutch another 1200 weak point on top of the FD / FPC / EWS / ABS Controller

Perhaps it would be easier to list the components that are not sub-standard!


It also seems the extended warranty cops out on about 50% of faults, perhaps I will offer them half price to renew mine.

And before loads of bull about how they are no worse than any other bike, check out last weeks MCN and the GSXR1000 that has topped 100k with no major problems and does about 30k on a chain and sprocket - about the same mileage as the average FD, but about 1/10th of the cost.

Right on cue

 

[cookie]

Is the clutch another 1200 weak point on top of the FD / FPC / EWS / ABS Controller

Perhaps it would be easier to list the components that are not sub-standard!


It also seems the extended warranty cops out on about 50% of faults, perhaps I will offer them half price to renew mine.

And before loads of bull about how they are no worse than any other bike, check out last weeks MCN and the GSXR1000 that has topped 100k with no major problems and does about 30k on a chain and sprocket - about the same mileage as the average FD, but about 1/10th of the cost.

no it isn't.

sounds like they are suggesting fitting a new clutch might be a good idea if it's worn, as it would save the OP money.

FFS go and buy a suzuki if they are so fucking marvellous. clog their forums up with your tedious postings.

 

[Rasher]

FFS go and buy a suzuki if they are so fucking marvellous. clog their forums up with your tedious postings.

Hoping to line up some demo rides this weekend

I just can't see that final drives and shafts should be failing at 50k (and often much earlier) or clutches should be knackered at 20k or 30k.

I bought the GS to clock up miles and from what I can see major failures are almost a daily event around here, I daren't take the bloody thing out in case it breaks, I have a 3,000 mile trip lined up and have little faith the bike will make it, and even less faith in the manufacturer / dealer to provide any useful assistance if it does fail.

 

[TeaPig]

GS clutches are good and solid, but like brake pads wear out at a rate influenced by the rider and the road. Based on experience I'd be surprised if the clutch needed replacing at 50k as i've had 100k from a GS without looking at the clutch but, as has been said, if the bike is in bits it's worth looking at just as would be the case if for a car as getting the engine and box out is a big and expensive job.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I bought the GS to clock up miles and from what I can see major failures are almost a daily event around here, I daren't take the bloody thing out in case it breaks, I have a 3,000 mile trip lined up and have little faith the bike will make it, and even less faith in the manufacturer / dealer to provide any useful assistance if it does fail.

Maybe you bought the wrong bike?

 

[Beemerman59]

Hoping to line up some demo rides this weekend

I just can't see that final drives and shafts should be failing at 50k (and often much earlier) or clutches should be knackered at 20k or 30k.

I bought the GS to clock up miles and from what I can see major failures are almost a daily event around here, I daren't take the bloody thing out in case it breaks, I have a 3,000 mile trip lined up and have little faith the bike will make it, and even less faith in the manufacturer / dealer to provide any useful assistance if it does fail.

Rasher,

You are making a lot of this up in your head and convincing yourself of impending doom to your bike. You need to get out of this mode and be more positive for your sake and for ours. I own a '94 K1100RS which, if you know about these bikes, are extremely reliable and clock up zillions of miles. They are for want of a better word - bulletproof in the general sense. I have owned mine for 14 years and not even a bulb has blown. But everyday, on the forums I'm on, someone is posting about a problem. It could be just a blown bulb or it could be a failed FD but it does not mean there is any inherent problem with the product such as a design flaw or manufacturing defect.

I don't have my head in the sand, there have been and there always will be things that go wrong and there have been weak points on the 1200 build. I'm doing my own servicing and not taking out warranty's in order to give myself a bit of protection for when I might have to replace something. So far, in 18 months all I have done is save money as I have had no failures. Also, the number of real "I have a problem" posts have significantly reduced since I joined this forum 2.5 years ago. You seem to pick up on things on threads and want to turn them into design flaws - it's like you enjoy doing it! It also appears to be impossible for you to make your own mind up about your own bike. You can do that you know. You don't have to believe that 100 different things that have happened to a 100 different people will automatically all happen to you. And all while you are on holiday to. Because they won't.

 

[GADGET]

well said sir, a man with his sensible head on.
Rasher, like you, I have a long trip in the planning for 4 weeks this Summer, I will be on a 1200. Will I worry about braking down, no. Lifes too short, just ride it!

 

[SM46]

Just RIDE it!!! i've got a 3000 mile round trip to Spain and back from the end of next week & and i aint loosing no sleep about breaking down, if it happens it happens & i'll deal with it. If you start getting paranoid about these things you'll end up doin' nothing, stop worrying about 'ifs' & 'maybes'
Enjoy it

 

[BBB61]

I bought the GS to clock up miles and from what I can see major failures are almost a daily event around here, I daren't take the bloody thing out in case it breaks, I have a 3,000 mile trip lined up and have little faith the bike will make it, and even less faith in the manufacturer / dealer to provide any useful assistance if it does fail.

Your own bike has been 100% reliable with no problems whatsoever yet still you whinge and moan about "lacking confidence in the bike". If it had been unreliable your fears could be justified, but that is not the case in your personal experience.

I for one am getting fed up of your tedious ramblings and paranoia about a bike that has been reliable in your ownership. As Cookie says, if you are that worried just sell the bike and get something else. But please spare us from your incessant crap about design flaws, unreliability etc etc ad naseum when it is clear you are talking out of your backside.

 

[Hexme]

have little faith the bike will make it, and even less faith in the manufacturer / dealer to provide any useful assistance if it does fail.

We have little faith in your posts

 

[karlp]

Hoping to line up some demo rides this weekend

I just can't see that final drives and shafts should be failing at 50k (and often much earlier) or clutches should be knackered at 20k or 30k.

I bought the GS to clock up miles and from what I can see major failures are almost a daily event around here, I daren't take the bloody thing out in case it breaks, I have a 3,000 mile trip lined up and have little faith the bike will make it, and even less faith in the manufacturer / dealer to provide any useful assistance if it does fail.

I hd exactly the same issue as you - a 3000 mile trip comming up and a bike I had little faith in.

What was it a Kawasaki GTR1400 - it had a melting instrument pod, a leaking final drive, KIPASS failed once.

What did I do - SELL IT AND BOUGHT A GSA.

results trip had no problems and I have had non since.


PLEASE, PLEASE sell your bike and at least you willl have no worries

and maybe relieve us of all these repetative posts.

 

[Sooty09]

My wife and I are just back from a 3200 mile tour of the Alps. Two F800GS and despite the doom and gloom posts of engines exploding and chains snapping we had 0 problems with the bikes. (None in the previous 31000 each either)
On the Alpine tour there were lots of bikes about, (Busier than I have seen in 20 years of touring) and I guess the R1200 to any other make ratio was 50/50 yet I did not see one broken down.
Yes it can happen but just put it to the back of your mind, extend your warranty or take out recovery/rescue insurance.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Is the clutch another 1200 weak point on top of the FD / FPC / EWS / ABS Controller

Perhaps it would be easier to list the components that are not sub-standard!


It also seems the extended warranty cops out on about 50% of faults, perhaps I will offer them half price to renew mine.

And before loads of bull about how they are no worse than any other bike, check out last weeks MCN and the GSXR1000 that has topped 100k with no major problems and does about 30k on a chain and sprocket - about the same mileage as the average FD, but about 1/10th of the cost.

Rasher, you really are in danger of becoming a prize cock with your ramblings. To quote one Suzuki which has had a more or less trouble free life to 100k isn't really a good comparison now is it. There are plenty of Beemers and other bikes which do the same.

The OP would be advised to change the clutch at 52k because it won't last for ever and with the bike apart it makes sense. I'll be doing the same this autumn even the the clutch has plenty left in it.

Mate, you really need to stop worrying and just ride your so far trouble free bike. I'd suggest you get back from a nice holiday with Mrs Rasher and trade the GS in for a nice reliable Moto Guzzi or Yamaha and get on their forums to give them the tales of woe of GS ownership

 

[NLC]

Rasher, you really are in danger of becoming a prize cock with your ramblings. To quote one Suzuki which has had a more or less trouble free life to 100k isn't really a good comparison now is it. There are plenty of Beemers and other bikes which do the same.

The OP would be advised to change the clutch at 52k because it won't last for ever and with the bike apart it makes sense. I'll be doing the same this autumn even the the clutch has plenty left in it.

Mate, you really need to stop worrying and just ride your so far trouble free bike. I'd suggest you get back from a nice holiday with Mrs Rasher and trade the GS in for a nice reliable Moto Guzzi or Yamaha and get on their forums to give them the tales of woe of GS ownership

2,000 mile trip through Europe just completed. No problems. Although I keep replacing bulbs on my mates bikes.

+1 above

Perhaps we can set up a constant moaning forum?