Time To Change

[Rollin Bone]

Hi Guys

I need some advice my 1200GS is 2.5 years old with only 8000 miles on the clock, and although I love it to bits and it always brings a smile to my face every time i ride it, its had its fair share of faults.
EWP Failure.
Speedo failure.
Front cover corrosion.
Fuel filler corrosion.
Suspension ball joint split.
Front Crank seal leaking.
Rear Crank seal leaking.
The Right hand indicator has just failed apparently it needs a new switch at £130 which according to Mottorad Dalkeith they handnt heard of it!! needs to look at this forum before his nose gets any bigger
So it leaves me thinking whats next? I know my battery is on its last legs and will the left hand switch go the same way, I'm constantly checking the rear diff, and will the now discontinued servo assisted brakes hurt my wallet in the future.

So my question is do I buy a new model 1200, and have they fixed all the prev faults, hold on to this one and put money away for that inevitable failure, or do i buy a KTM and see if i have any better luck.

Please Help RB

 

[birdseye]

I had a 1200GS and now have a KTM Adventure 990. I thoroughly enjoyed the BMW, had almost no problems with it (gearbox seal only) and would probably still have it but for a young woman in a 3 door hatch. But I didnt fancy coughing up 10K just to replace it with the same (bit boring that) so instead I bought the KTM.

The KTM is undoubtedly better built - its actually quite impressive the way its put together if you take the (good) plastics off. Cant comment on reliability yet - done barely 1000 miles on it, but you read very few moans on the web sites. Its more comfortable than the BMW (seat doesnt throw you forward and is gel as standard), with a more powerful engine and a better gear change. I'm told the suspension is better as standard, and so is the balance of the bike at low speed. Lovely V twin sound from the exhaust.

There are some cons. The electronics arent anything like as sophisticated - no fuel guage or computer or brake servo or traction control and no canbus. Service costs are higher (try £270 for 1st service!). Fewer available farkles and for my taste its less good looking. And despite the engine being more powerful, I dont think its as suitable off road as the BM - too high geared, engine too sports bike like power delivery. Other KTM riders disagree and since I dont go off road who am I to argue.

Personally I wouldnt rate either bike as being better than the other. But I dont believe in getting the same bike or car twice running and you can save a couple of grand with the KTM over the BMW. So I would suggest going for a test ride on one - I did and bought one there and then. But then I did that with the BM too!

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

The way I'm feeling about my bike (just over 2.5 yrs and 26k miles on the clock), I'd certainly go with birdseye's recommendation...

Hoping the BWM dealer (Dalkeith for me too - they've been good to me in the past though) will wave the magic wand and fox it all without too much of a wallet invasion!

Good luck

Kai

 

[GSmonkey]

Pointless buying a 2008GS - they're old hat. You need to wait for the 2009 with the new engine

 

[rickyxsara]

Buy a Honda Transalp. Much cheaper and wont let you down

 

[birdseye]

Buy a Honda Transalp. Much cheaper and wont let you down

Thats probably the sensible choice, but did you ever fancy the sensible girls your mother would have chosen for you? Sensible = boring.

 

[herrdirektor]

Buy a Honda Transalp. Much cheaper and wont let you down

Niftly little bugger this new Transalp. Just like a Yamaha Tenere. Unfortunately they can only function as a second bike next to the serious one. Just like having a little second car around for shopping etc.

 

[Miker80]

Time to change

I was under the impression this was a forum for BMW riders Why all the recommending of other makes
If the GS is as bad as you say then I have not experienced it

 

[marcus]

My mate's KTM was a lot more reliable than either of the 1200GS bikes I owned, which were both great to ride but about as reliable as (insert your worst ever vehicle here, for me it was the 1200GS)
However that's not really a completely fair point - BMW always fixed my bike pronto and usually gave me a loan bike; my mate spends a lot more time off the road waiting for parts which take ages to arrive!


Honda is your friend!

 

[birdseye]

My mate's KTM was a lot more reliable than either of the 1200GS bikes I owned, which were both great to ride but about as reliable as (insert your worst ever vehicle here, for me it was the 1200GS)
However that's not really a completely fair point - BMW always fixed my bike pronto and usually gave me a loan bike; my mate spends a lot more time off the road waiting for parts which take ages to arrive!

Cant comment about parts delay on the KTM - the only bits I've ever wanted tere add ons and they came the next day. But I do get the impression that you will get a more sympathetic hearing of any problems from the BMW dealer than you would from the KTM ones I've dealt with. Mind you, you may need it

"I was under the impression this was a forum for BMW riders Why all the recommending of other makes". Whats this then - some religious site only for true BMW believers? Dont like it, dont read it.

 

[seba1]

New engine in 2009?

Hi GS monkey !

Is that true that in 2009 there will be GS with a new engine ?

Only engine or completely new model ?

I'm aslo planing to buy 08

Seba

 

[Brian ROSEN]

The dealer

".....sympathetic hearing of any problems from the BMW dealer..." I think this is the most important point; if you do have a problem the right approach rom the dealer is the most important factor. I have been 'with' BMW's for 30 years now and actually look forward to a rare visit to the dealer - usually to only look at the latest offers though.

 

[GSmonkey]

Hi GS monkey !

Is that true that in 2009 there will be GS with a new engine ?

Only engine or completely new model ?

I'm aslo planing to buy 08

Seba

The '08 will be the "facelift" to shift a few more units prior to a major revamp. See the debate.

Buy the 08, it may be the last of the boxers.................

 

[cookie]

anyone else noticed that bmw have deleted the !200 logo from the GSA pannier liners.

could there be a reason for it?


mindless speculation? usual shit stirring?

 

[wilbjr21]

Time for a change

Certainly was - changed my 07 GSA for an 08GSA reasons:

1. All those completely troublefree miles (15,000) and a good deal from my dealer.

2. ESA - marvellous.

3. My bonus was burning the proverbial hole.

Anyway picked up the bike today and I luuuuve it.

Did 100 miles until I had to stop because of the weather - just too cold and frost.