Reliability - summary for newbie

[Womble]

I think that is looking at the bikes through rose tinted glasses. I can't think of any other manufacturer that has continued to fit known faulty parts for 4 years into production (EWS, fuel relay).

You've obviously never owned a VFR - I had one of the last 750s and even at that stage in their life, regufiers were regarded as consumable. I had one go pop and nearly leave me stranded in Morocco. In the end I got the bike home by strapping a car battery to the pillion seat and charging it every evening. I'm sure there plenty of VFR riders that carry regufiers on long trips, just like 1200 riders carry EWS antennas etc.

In the meantime, Rasher, have you considered buying a non-ABS, non-servo 1150 or 1100? They're heavier than 1200s but tough as nails

 

[Rasher]

Really want newer bike, oddly for reliability as much as anything, but I think the 1200 only just has enough speed and agility for me so less power and more weight does not appeal.

Gonna see if I can find anyone who can repair FD's with better bearings, obviously BMW refuse to pay more than 50p per bearing.

Similar story with warping discs saga on ZZR1400's, Kawasaki are always "looking into the failures", well I have already found the problem and cure.

Problem: Discs are cheapo Chinese Chocolate

Fix: Put better quality ones on

Reasoning:

1. 1800 miles two-up through Pyrenees - warped a set
2. 2000 Miles two-up around black forest - warped set number two
3. 3000 miles two-up through Alps and by far the heaviest use - no problem, the difference I had a set of PFM's fitted and to quote a brake specialist with numerous IOM victories under their discs refering to cheapo discs like those Mr K use "I would not fit them to a wheelbarrow"

I guess BMW do the numbers, most make it past warranty so it is cheaper to continue with crap parts than use decent ones - according to the bean counters, not so sure they gain when you take into account lost sales and company reputation.

In my experience working with large companies some bloke is getting a bonus for buying cheapo parts and saving cash, while some other poor sod is getting a kicking for warranty claims costing too much.

Just the world we live in, just look at all those bankers who got huge commision selling loans to people they knew would never pay it back.

For some reason companies reward poor performance, I notice the guy that was in charge of powertrain development on the GS has been promoted to be in charge of all bike design, so I expect every part on every model will be crap on the next generation!

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I remember years ago being in Spain on a tour, and there was a guy there on some sort of Guzzi cafe racer. Every morning when I went into the carpark, and he would already be there, tool roll laid out on the floor, on his haunches with some feeler gauges checking his valve clearances !!

Oh how I used to scoff to myself! I was on a 1300 Pan, which never ever, missed a beat, a gear, never had a flat bettery, never had a wobble...... and took me all over Europe.

It was the most sterile, boring, bland, characterless, unloving, reliable bike I've ever owned. There was simply no love affair there. Brilliant bike, truly, a really, really capable bike, but as boring as Ed Miliband .

To the guy on the Guzzi (I think his name was Mark...) I apologise for taking the p1ss!!!

I know 3 people who thought exactly the same about the Pan. The best most reliable and capable bike they had ever owned but sold because it just had no sole. I think most of us drive bikes because they have character and soul. They aren't always the easiest things to get on with, definitely aren't the easiest mode of transport but there is a satisfaction of doing a couple of thousand mile trip. Whether you just cruise or drive like your arse is on fire we all get something from it. When was the last time you enjoyed driving any of the mundane Euro box cars? The GS/GSA have loads of character and sometimes aren't the best at doing some things but none of it is bad. They vibrate a hell of a lot but none of it make your hands numb like I always get on Jap bikes. They don't have razor sharp handling but even on the edge they are safe. I think they are engineered to be pretty mundane but cunningly make you feel like they aren't. Sure they have problems and they definitely aren't for everyone. Right now though I also have a 1000 EXUP a TDM 850 and a car but its always the GSA that I grab the keys for. If it breaks (already had 2 warranty claims) I will fix it. Not because I am brain washed but because I simply enjoy driving the bike so much.
I think it is BMW who use the slogan of a drivers car? Well these are a drivers bike!

 

[bod]

[/IMG]

Here is my last bike - wasn't she a beauty?

Had it for 5 years & couldn't see me selling it!

Faster, better built, more comfort, better handling & a lot cheaper than a GS

But God was it dull . . Perfect but dull!

And another thing, £6500 in 04, now over 10 grand