Sooo many problems with WC 1200's

Katy M

Katy M

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I currently ride an 800GS. With 21k miles and two winters under its wheels, it's been faultless. I'm really tempted by some of the advantages of the 1200 but there seems to be be far too many complaints about them. This is holding back my decision to buy.
Why are there so many relatively new ones for sale? Owners sick of things going wrong perhaps!

The biggest thing to put me off though was a BMW tech telling me to steer clear of them! BMW know more than they're letting on! Think I'll get another 800GS.

Love Katy.
 
The only problems I've had with mine have been either with 3rd party components like the battery and the mudsling, or caused by my error, like dropping the bike. Otherwise it's been faultless. I believe Engineer has a faultless one too. So there have been at least 2 perfect bikes. And in 30 years of continuous bike ownership it's by far and away the most enjoyable and capable bike I've ever ridden and beautifully quick unlike the stodgy GS's that predate it.
 
Hi Katy.
Don't believe all the doom and gloom about water cooled.
I bought my standard GS new in March and it's now done 9000 miles and runs superb.
The water pump was changed last service under warranty due to seal leaking.
Fuel economy is superb,and the ride is great now I have fitted new Pilot road 4 tyres.
Have you ridden one?
 
There may also be a lot for sale as there have been a lot made. The GS is BMWs most successful bike, made in huge numbers and is also regularly the biggest selling large bike on the market.
 
Katy M said:
Why are there so many relatively new ones for sale? Owners sick of things going wrong perhaps!
Click to expand...

From a sales point of view it is the most popular bike in that sector. The bike's been out nearly 18 months now and some people can be fickle
 
Look at the number sold (over a hundred thousand) compared with the number of bikes with issues. You'll mainly read about problems on forums, not praise.:rob:thumb

There are a few around second hand, as there are ex demo bikes. Some people won't have bonded with the GS, as it's an acquired taste, and they didn't gel with it. And other people are shallow, like me, and have to change bike every 5 minutes!:P

Stop worrying, take one out for a couple of hours, and if you like it, buy one, but don't base your decision on what you read on a forum.:rolleyes:
 
It's like any bike 70s 80s 90s on the early triple triumphs had problems recalls on stuff,I had one that coolant could get though the head gasket it was slightly porous on the left side where it leans common fault many people got new gaskets but it only done it if laid up.
After reading on the net there was a fix you could use a sealant that soaked though & sealed it,I never bothered only happend once just after I got it I saw couple of drops was worried :rolleyes: used it lots no problems.

You could buy a late hexhead or wait till 2015 or 2016 probs should be ironed out by then ?

As for sales plenty of people get mesmerised into a new toy find they hardly use it so decide to sell up before it looses value.
 
I've ordered a GSA hopefully should have it by the end of September. Like you Katy I have read the good and the bad about the bike. As far as I'm concerned the bike will have a warranty and if it does go wrong BMW can get it sorted.
 
I use to have GSA I really liked it , i sold it after a trip to Russia where it broke down then again in Estonia again in Romania and the last time in Hungary, and all it was the dreaded fuel controller, promptly fixed by the guys at full gas :clap, I came home sold it and brought the 800, now I love my 800 but must admit I regret selling the 1200, I still think they are a great bike :thumb2
 
Tbh i recon its probably the only manufacture that if you do have a problem be it a small/large BMW will look after you or even offer to replace the bike, ok I've had 2 lemons (my 3rd gs is on order) and i could not make my problems up, I'm not day dreaming either. However put aside the issues and its a cracking tool, i looked at other manufactures one being a new multistrada granturismo and a 1190 ktm but they both lack the little things the bm has and i no personally ducati would not do what BMW have done for me.

Having a good dealer is key to any issues you encounter.
 
Well, if nothing else, their warranty is pretty good, just do not own one out of warranty. They really are a sensational bike and incredibly addictive. I had about 8 or so recalls and warranty issues on my 13 GSW as well as an engine and gearbox failure at 9000 klm (over 15 mths). My wrecked bike has been traded in on a new 15 GS with a generous BMW subsidy. So, let`s see how the 15 goes, just gotta wait a few months.
 
No issues for me, 1800 miles only though :rolleyes:

but this is my 4th GS and I've covered over 50,000 miles on them and the only fault was a rear leaking shock on my previous 1200GSA which was swiftly changed under warranty.

I've got a 3000 mile trip next week and I've got a puncture repair kit, leatherman and some cable ties just in case :D

Oh and the BMW warranty :bow
 
I've had my 14 plate GS for 4.5K miles and so far the only issues I have encountered are a screen circlip falling off (5 min trip to dealer to sort) and small stress cracks where the torn bolts join the screen (going back to dealer this weekend) - both indicative of a piece of crap design which I hope BMW fix! The clocks can be stolen relatively easily (but fingers crossed that a Cymarc brace will deter most people) and there have been some glitches with clutch and gearbox but I agree with the people above - by far the best bike I've owned. I had an F700GS and it kept losing pressure in the tyres, the engine paint starting peeling all over the place (< 6 months old, never had road salt on it), it was very buzzy and an uncomfortable bike to ride (with or without comfort seat). I feel that the boxer twins are a step up in build quality compared to the rotax parallel twins. If you're not off-roading the smaller front wheel and fatter tubeless tyres are far better imho.
 
Katy M said:
I currently ride an 800GS. With 21k miles and two winters under its wheels, it's been faultless. I'm really tempted by some of the advantages of the 1200 but there seems to be be far too many complaints about them. This is holding back my decision to buy.
Why are there so many relatively new ones for sale? Owners sick of things going wrong perhaps!

The biggest thing to put me off though was a BMW tech telling me to steer clear of them! BMW know more than they're letting on! Think I'll get another 800GS.

Love Katy.
Click to expand...

I had a 2013 GS 1200 and had 12000 trouble free miles on it in 10 months, I sold it to buy the 2014 GSA 1200 and have done 6000 miles on it so far in 4 months all I've had go wrong was the L/H fog light stopped working of course this was changed
I love this bike and would not hesitate in buying another.

Have a test ride and make your own choice it's a cracking bike.

Terry
 
Have owned 6 BM's in the last 12 years or so, an 08 adv returned to the dealership by its original owner 3 months from new as they 'didn't gel' which now has a tad under 70,000 miles on it. All year use including commuting to work. Faults ? Fuel strip fixed under warranty ( less than 3 years old ). Battery lasted 4 years, loose front right disc replaced by me and a steering head bearing bearing which had worn a bit. Oh, and its 'done' around 8 headlamp bulbs.

I've biked for 37 years and its far and away the most reliable I have had. ( bulbs excepted ).

In fact I haven't had a problem with any of the BMW's I have owned.

Maybe I'm just lucky ?
:thumb
 
Katy M said:
The biggest thing to put me off though was a BMW tech telling me to steer clear of them! BMW know more than they're letting on! Think I'll get another 800GS.
Click to expand...

Don't bang your arse on the door on the way out. :blast
 
What does appear to be consistent in many of the owners posts is the need for a warranty whether that's used for real or just a safety net is not clear. If you're happy owning the bike for two years from new and then changing it then there's little risk - the cost of ownership becomes more of a factor out of warranty. Personally I'm sticking with my '08 Hexhead which is fully sorted, had the FD bearing replaced (under goodwill) and other than that has been uber reliable. I would only change now if the WC issues took on a lower profile on the forum in much the same way as has happened with the Hexhead from '08 onwards. I still think the WC has too many issues yet to be resolved by BMW for me to have confidence in owning one out of warranty.
 
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