Reliability

[rust bucket]

Not impressed.
Bought second hand in July, a 06 with 24000 miles in outstanding condition.
I've just come back from Spain, the starter motor fell off in the Pyrenees luckly I'd had some torx keys with me.
Oil pressure light wouldn't extinguish on starting and its not the sensor because you could hear the crank knocking!.
Cut out coming off motorway to catch ferry from Bilbao, could not get it restarted and had to push it the last 2km to the ferry, good job it wasn't near a cliff or I would pushed it over the edge.
Got home on the back of a recovery truck, thank god for this forum as I found the problem straight away-Fuel pump controller.
I love the bike but but the reliability is shocking I've never broken down with any of my previous bikes and that includes a 2003 Ducati which I still own.
I replaced the pump controller and got running but it cut out twice whilst idiling?, the battery has now failed probably to the protracted starting atempts in Spain (only because I couldn't find a branch to thrash it with).
Have not looked into oil pressure problem yet as its intermittant.
Good job they don't still make aero engines

 

[degsey]

Sounds like you've got one of the better ones

 

[IJGser]

Shame that's your first post! The problematic thing is there so dam good when they work. I think this makes the failures all the more annoying. Good luck

 

[Nutty]

Sorry to hear of your woes. The early 12's can be unreliable. You want one of the newer twin cams

 

[trainman]

Sorry to hear of your woes. The early 12's can be unreliable. You want one of the newer twin cams

statement soon to be replaced by 'all the 12's can be unrelaible. You want the water cooled version'

 

[Pukmeister]

How hot was it in Spain and how hot was your engine??

They can knock/rattle/warn on oil pressure when hot, especially in traffic when not moving. This was improved by changing oil viscosity from 10W40 to 20W50 in about 2006. My first 1200 had this problem during its first summer in 2005, caught in heavy traffic with oil warning light and knocking at tickover unless the throttle was held slightly open, once on the move with airflow across the oil cooler the bike was fine.

Also had an FPC fail whilst living in Austalia and out for a ride in the back of beyond so I share your pain, but it's an easy fix. If you still have the failed part make yourself an emergency power lead from it, search the forum for details it should be in the font of all knowledge section.

Get it fixed and fall back in love with it.

 

[rust bucket]

I love the bike althougth my wife doesn't after trying to push start it in the Pyrenees,as shes not built for that sort of thing.
I'm hoping the oil pressure problem is either the relief valve or the filter.
The rest of the bike looks like its almost new, doesn't use a drop of oil, I'm going to give it one more chance, if I get more problems its got to go.
We intend to go to the North Cape in Norway next year and I don't fancy breaking down north of the Artic circle.
If I replace it i'm going for an older bike with carbs or early injection system, modern bikes just have over complicated electonic systems.

 

[rust bucket]

Hi Pukmiester,
It wasn't that hot and I changed the oil before the trip using 5/50w fully synthetic. I think the oil may leaking past the non return valve in the filter, I hope.
The noise on start up was horrific, so i switched it off immediately, started again, same noise i so increased the revs and it stopped.
This sympton only occoured several times sometimes cold, sometimes hot ?
I love the bike its comfort and the handling is superb no matter what the surface and you can load it up with lots camping gear no problem.
At least the bike has one major advantage it's easy to work on.
I'm in the process of making a lead from the old controller, would post some photo's if i knew how to, thanks for everyones replies.

 

[Dave56]

I really sympathise with you as almost the exact same thing happened to me with my 07` GS in Spain - AP7, completly cut out, would`nt re-start, breakdown truck to BMW Alicante - yet another new battery and new ECU unit, but completly ruined holiday.
Loved the bike, but got bloody sick of all the little problems - 3 batteries, 2 "little black boxes", rear wheel bearing, final straw was shock loosing damping at the last service, only 16k and never carried a passenger.
So enough was enough, went out and bought an S10 - love it, as good as the GS and everything works - always......

 

[slydog]

reliable not

reliable they aint lol .

 

[Big Si]

reliable they aint lol .

Mines ok

 

[jetjock]

So enough was enough, went out and bought an S10 - love it, as good as the GS and everything works - always......

Yep did the same and had zilch nada problems .

 

[Sgt Bilco]

reliable they aint lol .

Oh, Ok then.....

 

[polecat]

Sorry to hear of your woes. The early 12's can be unreliable. You want one of the more reliable 1150s

Fixed it for yer

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Had a standard GS and am on my 4th Adventure, only problems were fuel strip issues on the earlier two.

Great bikes!