RELIABILITY or a bundle of problems.

stick

stick

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Hi new to the forum , have just bought a 2005 1200 gs 8000 miles on the clock ( always garaged ) and in as new condition.
Question :- I have spent many nights reading the interesting post in most sections of the forum , but have become somewhat alarmed.
How reliable are these bikes with all the problems that seem to arise.
Feel that a trip to local shops may result in a call to the AA - Help.

:comfort:nenau
 
Hello, good evening and welcome.

It's not an easy question to answer. Some folk have no problems, some do.

The statistics are obscured on one hand by undue expectation a few have from what is supposedly a 'premium' brand, that probably isn't anymore, and on the other by dogged loyalty from those who wouldn't complain if their beloved GS stole their wife and drank their last beer, both on the same night.

There are several common issues that are well documented in the forum, I'm too lazy to reiterate them but I'm sure you've read about most of them already. If I took a wild stab in the dark I'd say GS's are probably less reliable than a Honda, but even some Hondas break down some of the time.

Bottom line is don't worry about what might happen, just enjoy the bike and if it does break, which is unlikely, then fix it. There's always a load of help available here.
 
There are a bunch of problems that many of us (me included) think are not acceptable, but they still only affect a small minority of bikes, so don't panic.

Read up on the common issues that can leave you stranded (fuel pump controller, ring antenna), so you know what to look out for, and be aware that you may have a few niggles, but really, don't let it put you off enjoying what is a great bike.

Just use it. If you do have a problem, BMW are reasonably good at helping out with goodwill payments (although you may need to hassle them about it), but there is probably only about a 1 in 10 chance that anything at all will go wrong.

You have two choices, don't use it, or use it. I'd recommend using it.
 
on my second one at present, just get out and use it :thumb2

read any forum about other manufacturers.........like headstocks on suzuki :eek:.... yamaha sub frame cracking :eek:

my 1200 is the the best bike i have ever owned in the last ten years :thumb2
 
Ring antenna

Hey , many thanks for the the great replies - could not as for more - one thing , cannot find anything on the Ring antenns - any clues or a link to the thread / fix.

Happy Days :beerjug:
 
stick said:
Hey , many thanks for the the great replies - could not as for more - one thing , cannot find anything on the Ring antenns - any clues or a link to the thread / fix.

Happy Days :beerjug:
Click to expand...

A clue would be to type in 'Ring antennae' into the search button ;)

To prove that I'm not being nasty and hard on a newbie though, here ya go, click here, I've done it for you ;)

Pour yourself a cold one and sit back to read :beerjug:
 
Ring antenna (again)

Thanks for the tip ( tried it before ) but still cant find the 'how to fix' -' road side' link . Im sure i have read something about two keys and a bit of tape - or am i imagining it. Any ideas .

Again thanks in anticipation

Happy days:Motomartin
 
Found it on outside link

Quote:Alternative Failed / Faulty EWS Ring Antenna work-around
you will not have to remove the top yoke or ignition lock in order to get you home or finish your trip.

1. On the back of the ignition lock there are two small torx screws that hold the ignition wiring security cover on. Remove these and you will then be able to see the wiring that plugs into the ring antenna.

2. Unplug this wiring from the RA (the plug has a small tab that you will need to ease out of the way to get it out)

3. Plug in the new RA

4. This is where you have to be a bit careful. If you only have the one key you have to put the key in the ignition then position the new RA over the key whilst turning the ignition on. the RA has to be able to read the chip in the key for it to work. Then start the bike. Once it is running you can remove the RA as it is only used to immoblise the starting system. If you have the spare key you can tape it inside the new RA and you then don't have to worry about it being any where near the ignition lock. In this case just use the ignition key as normal as the chip is being read from the spare key. If you are going to leave it connected just make sure that you secure the new RA so it can not get damaged or foul the steering operation.

You wil only ever need one spare ring antenna as they are not coded to the bike so if you have more than one bike go down the same spare one can be used to start as many bikes as required.

Getting better all the time

Happy days
 
your f**ked you've blown your wad on a pile of shite,good job you only bought a cheap old clanker not a big new one,why not ride the tits off it and let us know what breaks if or when it breaks!:blagblah
 
I've not had mine long and have been doing my homework. I see nothing to make me think that these bikes are statistically any less reliable than the best of the Japs and seem much more sorted than most. My brother had a brand new KTM, new engine after 300 miles and never did get it working. In the end he bought an XT but they have fuelling issues. He's saving up for a GS now after 20 minutes on mine.
These are top bikes and I've not seen anything to make me even remotely concerned about mine.
 
Only bad posts?

When you think about it, people usually post when something breaks. You cannot exactly post to say it's still working! You're bound to get a negative view of the bike from the forum. Mine has had a few hiccups but I love it. My last bike, a Honda CB500, never ever went wrong but it was dull. Charecter in a bike counts for a lot.:)
 
my problems with the 1200 are well documented ..probably forgotton now ....
my freind liam was tempted from his klv to the darkside .. i pleaded with hiim not to buy it but he was smitten ... so 9500 quid later we set off for the weekend nothumberland run ..with his 07 gs adv .. literally his first run out ....
i was gutted for him ..i mean it he is a good freind of mine and i wished him well

119 miles later ...
ropypanzer.jpg

By minkyhead, shot with Canon PowerShot SX200 IS at 2009-07-05

battery discharged and it ground to a halt 4.85 on voltmeter ... totally donalded battery ... :eek: unreal after that milage ...continuos running ... sad but true ..
what should have been a special weekend for him turned into a **** up ...liam being the guy he is got through it with good humer and spirit but surley this shouldnt be how it is ...



By minkyhead
because we jumped his battery .. swapped it with the strom ..with e engine running ...after the bike got the new batterry [halfords sunday morning ] [bmw wouldnt bring us a battery but they would tow it away ffs ... it started clockin up miles like **** a 100 mile run put over 700 mile on the odo... apparantly it was our fault for having the jump leads on when the gs ses engine was running ...which apparently ****s up the electics on thebinnicle ... jeez
if they uncomplicated the fancy systems and made it simpler im sure the problem solving would be within the remit of most mortals ...
its the electrics mostly that let the gs1200 down .. lol
 
cookie said:
if only you'd let us :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

no cookie its not acceptable ... why should it be ?? theres nothing much new going wrong that wasnt three years ago ..and you know it ...
if you dont want the information ...block it ....burn some books after youve done it ...
maby they read this stuff and maby they will take more care ....or

stick your fingers in your ears and go lalalalalalala :hide
 
Just ride it as you like, clean it as often as you like and stop worrying....just enjoy what is a great bike.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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