So...................3 months in

[rattler]

Certainly sums up the difference between BMW ownership and Jap bike ownership, nobody would put up with this level of reliability from a Jap bike, and certainly not from a car.

Within 3 months the bike has had more recalls than most Jap bikes have in a their production life, already there are a lot of common faults appearing, yet everyone seems fine and dandy with it all.

Been waiting 3 years for a Super Tenere to die at the side of the road, and the worst to happen is a bloody puncture.

Right, I'm off to back to the Yamaha section before the BMW mafia start on me

There's always one

 

[cookie]

There's always one

He makes a fair point though.

 

[rattler]

He makes a fair point though.

Sure but I've had new jap cr@p and had two or three recalls on them so no better or worse than BMW

 

[rattler]

But the Yamaha is sooooooo boring ... Took one out for a test and took it back after 15 mins as it was , as above , boring and soulless . IMHO

Spot on the Yam is boring and really outdated now

 

[Georgeeboi]

Let's keep the owners honest feelings a about the bike coming!

 

[Rasher]

But the Yamaha is sooooooo boring ... Took one out for a test and took it back after 15 mins as it was , as above , boring and soulless . IMHO

It takes more than 15 minutes to get a feel for a bike IMO, I will agree the GS does have what some people refer to as "character".

The Yamaha has grown on me, and with a couple of (relatively) cheap mods is massively improved - but to a degree you are correct, but nobody has had any major problems with one.

As for GS recalls, I understand there have been at least three:-

1. Problem with oil pumps (before anyone even took delivery!)

2. Problem with "forks" not being tightened properly

3. Problem with Traction Control modes

Plus it seems a fair few clutch issues, some problems with switchgear (indicators and hazards having a mind of their own) and several oil leaks.


I am sure it is a fantastic bike to ride, and probably is better than my Yamaha in some ways, but my bike goes well, handles well and seems pretty much indestructible with many bikes now past 50k, one bloke up at 85k and many more in the 20k - 30k bracket with no more than a few rusty spokes and a couple of blown fork seals reported in hundreds of thousands of miles of use.

Sorry for the hijack, please get back to reporting on the new GS, which I do not doubt for one minute is an awesome machine to ride

 

[Nutty]

I have to disagree with the comments on build quality. The build quality on this bike is as good as the last GS, if not better. "Flimsy" is most definitely not a word I could ever use to describe this bike.

As for recalls, the only one has been the forks, but most of those were done before any bikes were delivered. The oil pump and traction control modes that Rasher mentions are not recalls, and only affected a small handful of bikes. I've not had a letter from BMW, or a call from my dealer about ANY recalls.

Do I regret buying a first year model? Absolutely not!
Would I have another? Hell yeah!
Would I consider a Multistrada or S10 as a viable option next time? Don't be ridiculous.

 

[jonnyp]

It takes more than 15 minutes to get a feel for a bike IMO, I will agree the GS does have what some people refer to as "character".

The Yamaha has grown on me, and with a couple of (relatively) cheap mods is massively improved - but to a degree you are correct, but nobody has had any major problems with one.

As for GS recalls, I understand there have been at least three:-

1. Problem with oil pumps (before anyone even took delivery!)

2. Problem with "forks" not being tightened properly

3. Problem with Traction Control modes

Plus it seems a fair few clutch issues, some problems with switchgear (indicators and hazards having a mind of their own) and several oil leaks.


I am sure it is a fantastic bike to ride, and probably is better than my Yamaha in some ways, but my bike goes well, handles well and seems pretty much indestructible with many bikes now past 50k, one bloke up at 85k and many more in the 20k - 30k bracket with no more than a few rusty spokes and a couple of blown fork seals reported in hundreds of thousands of miles of use.

Sorry for the hijack, please get back to reporting on the new GS, which I do not doubt for one minute is an awesome machine to ride

There were no recalls for oil pumps, that was an oil seal issue on a hand full of pre delivery bikes in Canada. Not here!

Forks, yep give you that one but it was a quality issue nothing more, all sorted befor the bikes were delivered.

Traction control issues...... Flipfly and a few others, have reported that, in their opinion, it was over sensitive in a couple of modes, unless any one can correct me, there have not been any official issues with the TC.

Clutches and gear boxes, a few have been unfortunate and have had issues but it seems BM have taken these as serious and are, working on a solution.

As for the switches, again yes, a few have reported issues but I doubt this is more than 1/2 a dozen.

You seem to have jumped in and for some reason over dramatised this in defence of your S10 which I'm sure is a great bike and one that has been proven to have been well built and reliable like most Yamaha's are. But FFS, get your facts straight before coming here, jumping in and spouting off.....please !

 

[Flipfly]

But the Yamaha is sooooooo boring ... Took one out for a test and took it back after 15 mins as it was , as above , boring and soulless . IMHO

Some would say that about the toilet.

I've never understood the phrase "boring" when applied to motorcycles. If you ride to a bikes limits they are all exciting
Characterless I can understand, but personally I find the toilet is fairly characterless. It smooth and ruthlessly efficient at moving down the road, but gone is the character of the big twin.
I guess the yam is just smooth and easy to ride, and maybe not so snappy on the throttle. I'm sure on the right road, tied in knots it an absolute hoot

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Back on topic anyone?

 

[Davy F]

But FFS, get your facts straight before coming here, jumping in and spouting off.....please !

You'll learn quite quickly, but this is how it's done here. Why let facts get in the way of a good story.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Back on topic anyone?

Were you expecting this level of honesty from owners Johnny or were you just dangling your hook in the water (pun intended) ?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Were you expecting this level of honesty from owners Johnny

No dangling

Just real life advice & experiences

I think it's time to turn 2 into 1 - have a fire sale of goodies

It maybe the last of the 90 GSA's or a WC on the horizon

 

[jonnyp]

You'll learn quite quickly, but this is how it's done here. Why let facts get in the way of a good story.

Oh, I think I've got that one. Some think its fine to spout off to either get a reaction or to defend some genital size defect!

 

[edwgordon]

Got about 5000 miles on mine now. Currently touring Greek Islands after riding through Europe on my new toy collected early March.
Luckily all my extras came with the bike and it all fitted. Also got the inserts for the panniers and they are terrific.
Riding through France 2 up and fully loaded , ESA set 2 helmets hard, in rain mode the missus taps me on the shoulder and asks could I please go a little faster. We have done long trips many times and this was a first. Usually it's slow down. I was doing 165 Kmh. Says it all really about the motorway aspect of this bike and remember fully loaded and heavy. Tons of power but less throttle snatchy in rain mode.
Sat nav wheel might have been used for something better and in truth it is being really picky to say that this feature is not great. I guess I am saying that the space might have been used in a better way. Personally I like the indicator set up better than my old GS but it does take getting used to.
Enduro Mode: Throttle just beautiful for the times when hooligan riding is not the priority. Getting around towns and on and off ferries and of course off road. For such a heavy bike I was we'll impressed off Tarmac at how light it felt and how light the clutch is and it's response to power on and off.
ESA is just great. One helmet set, wait for the missus to get on, then set to 2 up with luggage hard and off we go. With 2 up and setting at just one helmet and hard and trying maneouvre at slow speeds in enduro is much easier and gives more control.
Anyway, the ESA is terrific and makes life easier.
MODES: didn't buy a sports bike but in Dynamic mode it is quite a beastie. Personally it doesn't do it for me as I really dislike the throttle snatchiness in this mode. It takes a bit of getting used. I would say I use rain/ road 80% of the time and Enduro about 20%.
Radiator Fans: find them really noisy. In Greece and riding sans helmet so find it really noisy clicking sound from fans. Totally drowns exhaust sound.
Tyres Nexts... They don't like impediments on the roads but having said that off road they have been fine. A few times caught a few stones on road and gave a mini wobble bit nothing to write home about. Cats eyes in dry not been a problem. Wear on rear tyre looks excessive and prior Torurances were better for wear but the Nexts are good for grip on dry and wet.
Under 2000 revs around town I would like a bit more from 2nd gear. This bike likes being over 3000 revs up in 4 th gear and is better lashing along a motorway rather than ambling around town. Find myself half clutching a lot on 2nd to keep the bike ticking over and get it up to a speed it likes. Where I am right now it's all small roads and spending most of the time in 3rd gear on twistes. Handling is great but having to downshift to lower gears quite a lot more than TC. Better in Enduro and that's what is has been in for this past week.
Clutch very light, finding neutral easy once you get used to the lightest of touches, clunks in 1st/2nd... Don't they all !!!
Seat comfy for rider and pillon , brakes fantastic.
In summary, it's a great bike. Handles beautifully and feels rock solid. It is less happy in the lower revs around town but overall I think it's great and red is the colour !!!!

 

[2 wheel humvee]

It maybe the last of the 90 GSA's or a WC on the horizon

Stranger things have happened..........
Have the opinions here swayed your thinking?

 

[cookie]

Stranger things have happened..........

not often.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Free goodies always helps though

 

[Appman]

Got about 5000 miles on mine now. Currently touring Greek Islands after riding through Europe on my new toy collected early March.
Luckily all my extras came with the bike and it all fitted. Also got the inserts for the panniers and they are terrific.
Riding through France 2 up and fully loaded , ESA set 2 helmets hard, in rain mode the missus taps me on the shoulder and asks could I please go a little faster. We have done long trips many times and this was a first. Usually it's slow down. I was doing 165 Kmh. Says it all really about the motorway aspect of this bike and remember fully loaded and heavy. Tons of power but less throttle snatchy in rain mode.
Sat nav wheel might have been used for something better and in truth it is being really picky to say that this feature is not great. I guess I am saying that the space might have been used in a better way. Personally I like the indicator set up better than my old GS but it does take getting used to.
Enduro Mode: Throttle just beautiful for the times when hooligan riding is not the priority. Getting around towns and on and off ferries and of course off road. For such a heavy bike I was we'll impressed off Tarmac at how light it felt and how light the clutch is and it's response to power on and off.
ESA is just great. One helmet set, wait for the missus to get on, then set to 2 up with luggage hard and off we go. With 2 up and setting at just one helmet and hard and trying maneouvre at slow speeds in enduro is much easier and gives more control.
Anyway, the ESA is terrific and makes life easier.
MODES: didn't buy a sports bike but in Dynamic mode it is quite a beastie. Personally it doesn't do it for me as I really dislike the throttle snatchiness in this mode. It takes a bit of getting used. I would say I use rain/ road 80% of the time and Enduro about 20%.
Radiator Fans: find them really noisy. In Greece and riding sans helmet so find it really noisy clicking sound from fans. Totally drowns exhaust sound.
Tyres Nexts... They don't like impediments on the roads but having said that off road they have been fine. A few times caught a few stones on road and gave a mini wobble bit nothing to write home about. Cats eyes in dry not been a problem. Wear on rear tyre looks excessive and prior Torurances were better for wear but the Nexts are good for grip on dry and wet.
Under 2000 revs around town I would like a bit more from 2nd gear. This bike likes being over 3000 revs up in 4 th gear and is better lashing along a motorway rather than ambling around town. Find myself half clutching a lot on 2nd to keep the bike ticking over and get it up to a speed it likes. Where I am right now it's all small roads and spending most of the time in 3rd gear on twistes. Handling is great but having to downshift to lower gears quite a lot more than TC. Better in Enduro and that's what is has been in for this past week.
Clutch very light, finding neutral easy once you get used to the lightest of touches, clunks in 1st/2nd... Don't they all !!!
Seat comfy for rider and pillon , brakes fantastic.
In summary, it's a great bike. Handles beautifully and feels rock solid. It is less happy in the lower revs around town but overall I think it's great and red is the colour !!!!

Right on the Button!

Also found myself spending most of my time in Spain in Enduro switching between Soft/Hard and 3rd gear when up the mountains and around town.

Some have complaints around fueling, but I have found that a change in Mode setting seems to often alleviate the issue when it feels as if things are hunting a little around 4th in Road/Dyn setting, maybe not ideal but just a matter of getting used to the ride.

 

[Benhur]

Just over a thousand miles on mine. No problems, and better in pretty much every way than my old 1200.