Returning to GS ownership with new 08 1200

[spagforth]

Hi Folks,

I am returning to GS ownership after an absence of a couple of years having gone all Ducati in the form of a S4RS Monster. I am now returning to the fold, ( keeping the Duke as it is the most awesome bike I have ridden and its look are to die for), but I need something which is all year practical and not just sunny day spanking.

I have previously owned a GS1150, written off when a plonker, ( another biker) ran into the back of me at speed! A GS 1150 twin spark which was absolutely wonderful. I then chopped that in for a new GS1200 but got put off with all the reliability problems. My local dealer tells me that the drive train has been sorted out with the new model and have put down a deposit and chopping in the old R1100RS workhorse. I am really looking forward to it. Has anyone any experience of the new 08 and have the inherent reliability problems with the 1200 been sorted?

And, before anyone asks, the Ducati is totally reliable and a doddle to service!!

Cheers, good to be back. Spagforth

 

[orca the porker]

Hi Spagforth, Welcome to the site.
I have just placed an order today for a new 08 12 GS which will be my third. I understand a number of the original gliches have now been sorted, however I have never experienced any problems with either of my 05 and 56 GS's.

Hope you enjoy your new bike.

ORCA

 

[wilbjr21]

+ 1

I'm getting my '08 in March and have had previously an 05, 06 and 07, not the slightest of glitches. Enjoy your bike.

 

[GSmonkey]

Hope you enjoy your new bike. Like you I had a break in GS ownership following an unreliable 04 model. I'm hoping that my new 07 will be slightly better although I'm preparing myself for the same problems.

Either way I'm going to enjoy the bike and plan to keep this one beyond warranty

 

[davegs]

Gs's

Good lucmk with your exceelent choice, how about changingthe cam belts on the ducati I thouight these were essential and difficut to do.
dave ( not a ducati owner ) GS.

 

[FatAl]

+ 1

I'm getting my '08 in March and have had previously an 05, 06 and 07, not the slightest of glitches. Enjoy your bike.

Crikey! Do you change them when the ash trays full ?

 

[TheStig]

Seems that quite a few people come back to the GS way of thinking after a break

Its nice to read some complimentary words on this forum for a change .

Cheers

Steve

 

[spagforth]

Back to GS1200

Cheers Everyone,

Previous problems with the GS1200 ranged from drive shaft, clutch, valve train chewed up on right hand pot. Not good!! Anyway assured these have been sorted so relishing the thought of getting new one which I am picking up on Monday 3rd March. Never had these problems with the 1150's but I have heard of some horror stories

As for Ducati cambelts, piece of cake. The belt covers are easily accesible and come off in minutes. The belts are easy to change, you just have to get each pot to TDC and line up the pulley wheels, tensioning is easy enough. No more difficult than checking/changing the alternator belt on the GS. Likewise valve clearences, even with the four valve head and shims is not much more time consuming than GS tappets. Thats what I like about European bikes, they are built to be worked on. The only other thing is synchronising the throttle bodies but thats just the same as the GS. A set of decent vacuum guages, sorted!

Can't wait. I expect the biggest problem will be which bike to go out on?!?

Cheers Spagforth

 

[r12gsman]

Have also ordered an 08 which I hope to collect in April. Have covered many thousands of miles on my 05, not a single problem other than a puncture.

Always kept on an optimate, has always started first time. I hope my new 08 will be just as reliable.