Ring antenna and other questions........

[longdog]

Being something of a dinosaur, I've never paid much attention to the 1200GS models, but there is something about the 1200GSA that appeals.

I've been looking at the posts about all of the faults and niggles with the 1200s and I'm wondering if I should bother after all! I have seen a nice '06 ADV, but should I go for it or not?

What is the "ring antenna" (EWS???), what does it do and is it a warranty item? What happens if it fails and is there a work around?

What about the fuel pump fault? It seems to affect the majority of bikes, although I have spoken to one or two riders and they haven't had an issue in over 20k miles!!!

I also remember reading somewhere about a South African who altered the indicator function to operate both indicators on the left hand switch, (I have lost my right thumb, so this is important), does anyone recall this? On my 1150, I had a 3 way switch on the left side.

Cheers!

 

[DavidJames]

Ring antenna is a security feature that senses if the right key is being used to start the bike. It can fail and therefore the bike cannot be started, it is a warranty fix. A temporary fix can be done using a spare antenna.

Fuel pump controller also prevents the bike from running and is also fixable under warranty but again can be replaced easily at the side of the road if you are carrying a spare. There is also a temp fix somewhere on here but the part is pretty small so I just carry a spare.

There is loads of information on here on both so try searching and having a good read.

So yes there are some show stoppers but easily covered if you are going on a trip and you don't want to wait for recovery. That being said I am on my 2nd 1200 (around 25K miles between them) and have never had an issue with either.

 

[cookie]

ring antenna part has been modded, and i have not heard of a new type failing. my old one did 12K and was updated while fully functional.

there is a new (black bodied) fuel pump controller to replace old units, dunno about any failures.
mine has been replaced, but not with latest type as it was done earlier as a precaution (FOC). i still have the original working unit which i carry as a spare.

 

[lewisjohn]

1200GSA

Hi Longdog
I`ve had my 1200GSA since August 06,absolutely love it have only done 8000 miles,completely trouble free.4000 of those miles were done in two ,week long trips to France and Spain.There is no bike on the market that would have handled the different road surfaces or weather conditions better than the GSA,i have loads of touratech goodies(all bought at good prices off a mate)and a few parts i have made in my workshop.As for the ring antennae and fuel controller,once the new dealer opens in Cardiff i`ll be buying a spare of each.I live near Swansea(Gorseinon)if you want to call and have a look at my bike and have a chat you are more than welcome,just send me a pm.


John

 

[Big Nick]

I love mine and wouldn't swap it for any other bike out there at present.

This forum is far bigger than most other bike forums and if you link this to the fact that owners tend to mainly post when they've got a problem and not when things are fine then I think you can worry yourself unnecessarily.

Buy it, ride it,enjoy it and if it goes wrong fix it and ride it some more!

 

[Fanum]

If you want to go for it, JFDI.....you're going into it open eyed which is good and as above, most of the niggles can be worked around or have solutions.

We've had 1200GSAs on many off road tours and I have to say I am quite impressed......they crash well (though not as well as the 11xx's in the sense that an average big off on a 12 will cost you more in damage than the same off on an 11 IYSWIM) and they will do more than most people will believe until they see it

Don't let the niggles stop you.....but do go and ride one, for several hours, to make sure you like it- they are a very different beast from the 11's and not everybody gels with them (I don't) but if it rings your bells, just bloody do it!!!

 

[wilbjr21]

Another thing to bear in mind is that quite a few perceived problems wouldn't have arisen for some owners if they'd read the handbook they got with their bike.

 

[longdog]

Another thing to bear in mind is that quite a few perceived problems wouldn't have arisen for some owners if they'd read the handbook they got with their bike.

Would you care to enlighten me please?

 

[wilbjr21]

Many people do not read the handbook.

In the handbook it tells you how not to get a flat battery. It tells you what to do if you do get a flat battery. It tells you how to reset the TPS.

In the handbook it tells you how to start your bike properly.

Just two of the hot topics doing the rounds at the moment - as its winter.

The best investment to make in your new bike is to read the handbook from cover to cover.

 

[longdog]

Hi Longdog
I`ve had my 1200GSA since August 06,absolutely love it have only done 8000 miles,completely trouble free.4000 of those miles were done in two ,week long trips to France and Spain.There is no bike on the market that would have handled the different road surfaces or weather conditions better than the GSA,i have loads of touratech goodies(all bought at good prices off a mate)and a few parts i have made in my workshop.As for the ring antennae and fuel controller,once the new dealer opens in Cardiff i`ll be buying a spare of each.I live near Swansea(Gorseinon)if you want to call and have a look at my bike and have a chat you are more than welcome,just send me a pm.


John

Hi John, I may just do that! Thanks for the offer, I'm not too far from you.

 

[Wapping]

I also remember reading somewhere about a South African who altered the indicator function to operate both indicators on the left hand switch, (I have lost my right thumb, so this is important), does anyone recall this? On my 1150, I had a 3 way switch on the left side.

Cheers!

No clear idea, I'm afraid but the a BuMW (I forget which one) apparently has conventional switch gear. Maybe it will be retrofitable?

Penny to a pound someone has done something similar.Have you tied the disabled bikers' website. Some people on there with a lot more than a thumb missing.

A friend, who lost the complete useful use of his right arm (he was hit by a bloke on another motorbike, chopping his GS in half) converted an 1100 to run from just the left hand. He velcros his right hand to the right hand grip. Who says counter steering is a myth?

He found the site and the people on it incredibly helpful.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Longdog

In your first post you said you `d heard the the fuel pump issues affected the majority of bikes. Not true....it`s a small minority.

It`s like any forum in as much you`ll generally only hear bad news. Most people I know with 12`s have never had any issues whatsoever.

My GS-A is the best bike I`ve ever owned and can`t praise it enough. It`s got great power delivery, fantastic road presence, comfy, doesn`t get pampered, lives outside, goes on and off road and I can`t think of a better all round bike available.

 

[st247]

I also remember reading somewhere about a South African who altered the indicator function to operate both indicators on the left hand switch, (I have lost my right thumb, so this is important), does anyone recall this? On my 1150, I had a 3 way switch on the left side.

Cheers!

That'll be this one.

 

[longdog]

Thanks Sgt Bilko and st247.

I was keen to know about the South African guy because I'm not sure if the 1200 and the canbus system allows me to tap into the wiring to fit the 3 way switch and seperate flasher relay.

I have been scouring the 1200 comments and there are a lot of good write ups and happy owners. Any comments on the drive shaft failures? I know Steptoe has had a load of failures with the 11** series bikes and he carries a spare drive shaft in his underwear when he goes on tour!

(What do you mean it's not a drive shaft???)

 

[Brooner]

I have an 08 GS and the antenna ring failed a couple of months ago. This happened after a period of inactivity, so I dont know if that had anything to do with it.

I have to say I was impressed with BMW's handling of the situation (other than the recovery driver's strapping down of the bike when it was collected)

Im happy it happened during rubbish weather, so I didnt miss out on any good riding!

 

[cookie]

I have an 08 GS and the antenna ring failed a couple of months ago

do you know if your failed antenna was the revised part?

 

[Brooner]

do you know if your failed antenna was the revised part?

err dunno - I assume that it wasnt as it failed, and I think mine was one of the first 08 models...but do I remember threads correctly? - was there a recall / engineering mod to swap out potentially faulty antenna rings?
Or did they decide to do the honerable thing, then back track and fix the failures as they appeared?

I should have taken them up on the offer of a hire car and taken that down to the bike show in December rather than putting the miles on my car.....