Forums by their nature tend to be full of people looking advice around issues they’ve had, however has anyone had say 40-50000 miles of trouble free riding with just routine maintenance and no breakdowns or warranty issues?
Trouble free riding?
- Thread starter madasadad
- Start date
Better question for here will be how many have bike with so many miles, I think not so many, I have now 45000 kms on 2017 bike only 1 recall at beginning for fork legs.
I did about 40000 miles on a 2012 RT. That was the last BMW I had which was well built. The 3 GS’s since have all been poor quality and had many problems. Hence I now ride a Honda.
PhilBoy
Registered user
Last two WC traded in with 35k & 39k with no problems.
2015 GSA 44K no issues apart from the front fork recall, a puncture, one new battery and a set of fork seals about 2 years ago. Oh and a bit of frame rust due to it being used to commute all year round and being kept outside for long periods. Apart from that everything still works, even the exhaust flap.
Now I've posted this the bike will probably spread it's innards all over the A38 the next time I point it in a homeward direction......
Now I've posted this the bike will probably spread it's innards all over the A38 the next time I point it in a homeward direction......
Hope not!
54k on a 2014 LC,
Quick shifter replaced under warranty - The dealer spotted it and offered to replace - I thought it was OK.... They also replaced the final drive due to corrosion. Not sure if you would call these issues. No drama, they just did it.
The rear shock failed at about 45k - Rebuilt by denzo of this manner.
The wonder wheel failed and I replaced at 50k.
New batteries in the tyre pressure thingies in the wheel also around 50K.
Other than that just tyres, oil, filters etc etc
Valve clearances (as of last week) are still within tolerance having never needed adjusting.
Quick shifter replaced under warranty - The dealer spotted it and offered to replace - I thought it was OK.... They also replaced the final drive due to corrosion. Not sure if you would call these issues. No drama, they just did it.
The rear shock failed at about 45k - Rebuilt by denzo of this manner.
The wonder wheel failed and I replaced at 50k.
New batteries in the tyre pressure thingies in the wheel also around 50K.
Other than that just tyres, oil, filters etc etc
Valve clearances (as of last week) are still within tolerance having never needed adjusting.
Scotsrick
Registered user
Forums by their very nature bring up all the problems. No doubt thousands of GS owners have relatively trouble free ownership.
However I have to admit I’m a bit more wary since I bought my GS than before.
My thoughts were BMW / good selling bike…it’s bound to be relatively trouble free. Now I’m not quite so confident.
Anyway I’ve got 2 years warranty and only do 4-5k summer miles so I’ll see at the end of that period. If it’s had it’s troubles I’ll fire it off.
However I have to admit I’m a bit more wary since I bought my GS than before.
My thoughts were BMW / good selling bike…it’s bound to be relatively trouble free. Now I’m not quite so confident.
Anyway I’ve got 2 years warranty and only do 4-5k summer miles so I’ll see at the end of that period. If it’s had it’s troubles I’ll fire it off.
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My 2016 GS has had the fork recall which is fair enough
But it also had the cams changed for poor finish and then soon after had the left hand timing gear assembly replaced as the motor was still noisy, it’s still not perfect now
Left hand switch gear gets sticky too but so far I’ve got away with WD40
Don’t have any corrosion but I guess they don’t salt as much here and I’m generally a fair weather rider
This was my first BMW bike and is in most respects the best bike I’ve ever owned
However, it’s the only bike I’ve ever had problems with, even my 1980s Vespas were more reliable
The sad fact is that BMW bikes are prone to problems, yes some are perfect and the after sales support is good, but you can’t count on them to be 99% trouble free like the 4 big Japanese brands for example
Would I buy another BMW? Hmmm, honestly don’t know…..
But it also had the cams changed for poor finish and then soon after had the left hand timing gear assembly replaced as the motor was still noisy, it’s still not perfect now
Left hand switch gear gets sticky too but so far I’ve got away with WD40
Don’t have any corrosion but I guess they don’t salt as much here and I’m generally a fair weather rider
This was my first BMW bike and is in most respects the best bike I’ve ever owned
However, it’s the only bike I’ve ever had problems with, even my 1980s Vespas were more reliable
The sad fact is that BMW bikes are prone to problems, yes some are perfect and the after sales support is good, but you can’t count on them to be 99% trouble free like the 4 big Japanese brands for example
Would I buy another BMW? Hmmm, honestly don’t know…..
BMW.....oh my oh my. Somewhat akin to a woman, can't live with em can't live without em. Within my first 2 years and 50,000kms on a brand new K1600 GT LE it spent 8 months in a workshop getting 2 complete engines, 3 gearboxes and an entire replacement frame to correct an historic, well documented 'Left Pull'. Not to mention a myriad of sensors, Nav's, windscreens, mirror covers etc, etc.
Sadly for me and good for BMW when the time came to change, unable to find a suitable replacement for my K1600 I test rode a 21 GSA TE and that was that. Apart from the tractoresque sounds and initial vibrations from the twin cylinders as opposed to the fantastic 6 cylinder smoothness from the K, I have to say the GSA beats the GTL hands down. And moreover having now completed 10,000kms in the last 2 months on shakedown rides I'm off on a 10k european trip Covid permitting. The only thing I need on the GSA is a Russell seat which will not be ready until late September.
Fingers and everything else crossed, the GSA gives me trouble free riding. So far so good. Stay safe and well.
Tony
Klinkerhof
Registered user
I’m just in my first month or so with a year old gs, and so far very happy. Hopefully not made a mistake moving from Honda to BMW after 8 years and 60k trouble free miles on Crosstourer. I suspect the BMW will corrode a bit in rain/ winter as it’s a bit more exposed around the frame, and water and crap sits on top of the cylinders. Just have to keep clean and protected, and hope no mechanical or electronic faults appear
2 year old r1150 gs ran it for 9 years and over 40,000 miles..... No issues after the final drive had two rebuilds at 24,000 miles and ended up being replaced with a new unit £150 (bought from a company who converted r1150r's to disabled trikes)
2011 r1200gsa .....no issues in 4 years although I did replace the shocks with aftermarket
2014 r1200gsa lc. TE..... In less than 3 years and 13,000 miles ............. 2 front and 2 rear esa shocks, two sets of switchgear, 2 gsap units, numerous ecu updates , the horrendous gearbox was never fully sorted, the fork recall, the failed bevel drive pivot bearings plus numerous other issues......the bike was rightly named The Turd. Total warranty payouts in excess of £7500, informed that it went back to Germany to be dissected
2018 model r1200gsa lc basic, 13,000 miles...... Had a clutch pack issue sorted under warranty and hopefully that is all.
2017 model f800gsa bought under approved used warranty from a main dealer at less than three years old with 10,500 miles on the clock which needed a complete new motor due to the dealer missing the damaged bores/ pistons/ balancer and crank big end bearings before they sold it the total warranty claim was £6500
Would I buy another new bmw ..........possibly not, would I buy a used bmw without a warranty.... Not a F#gging chance
2011 r1200gsa .....no issues in 4 years although I did replace the shocks with aftermarket
2014 r1200gsa lc. TE..... In less than 3 years and 13,000 miles ............. 2 front and 2 rear esa shocks, two sets of switchgear, 2 gsap units, numerous ecu updates , the horrendous gearbox was never fully sorted, the fork recall, the failed bevel drive pivot bearings plus numerous other issues......the bike was rightly named The Turd. Total warranty payouts in excess of £7500, informed that it went back to Germany to be dissected
2018 model r1200gsa lc basic, 13,000 miles...... Had a clutch pack issue sorted under warranty and hopefully that is all.
2017 model f800gsa bought under approved used warranty from a main dealer at less than three years old with 10,500 miles on the clock which needed a complete new motor due to the dealer missing the damaged bores/ pistons/ balancer and crank big end bearings before they sold it the total warranty claim was £6500
Would I buy another new bmw ..........possibly not, would I buy a used bmw without a warranty.... Not a F#gging chance
I love my GS LC on my 2nd. Handles well and it suits me. 1st one 2013 plagued with probs part X at 24k
2nd on 11k However it will be my last. I want a more simple bike. I have no warranty as will be 5 years old Sept. Yes i could buy an extended, but that aside i just dont trust them. You may get a good one or you may not.
I also have a yamaha 1000 13 years old - if i need reliability this bike gets picked.
BMWs and other manufacturers are so complicated with all the electronics and software updates. Would rather buy a used 10 year jap bike and have less worry/bills/stress in my life.
My next bike is likely to be a Yamaha T700 or similar.
2nd on 11k However it will be my last. I want a more simple bike. I have no warranty as will be 5 years old Sept. Yes i could buy an extended, but that aside i just dont trust them. You may get a good one or you may not.
I also have a yamaha 1000 13 years old - if i need reliability this bike gets picked.
BMWs and other manufacturers are so complicated with all the electronics and software updates. Would rather buy a used 10 year jap bike and have less worry/bills/stress in my life.
My next bike is likely to be a Yamaha T700 or similar.
I had a 2014 GS te it was a great bike had the fork thing done which I think was overkill as I measured mine myself but hey ho
Had it four years done the Stella alpine rally on it three times come back from there in one go
Done various fire roads in Wales
Went over salter fell
Plenty of small tracks in Cumbria the cam road etc
I did have a sticky exhaust flap not all the time just starting to squeak
Changed to a full system (better on fuel
)
Done lands end to john o groats in one go and back
Rode it like it was. Hire bike never once put oil in it had top the rad up once but it had been on its side in a Ford by Hawes spinning around on the slime
Only got rid of it as the extended warranty only goes to 80,000 miles and I was very close to that a couple of hundred miles at the most away
Never done anything to it apart from dealer services
Best bike by far
Best mod front Akro
And decent tyres one set lasted me 4000 miles
Never got that many out of the others
Hope this helps
Had it four years done the Stella alpine rally on it three times come back from there in one go
Done various fire roads in Wales
Went over salter fell
Plenty of small tracks in Cumbria the cam road etc
I did have a sticky exhaust flap not all the time just starting to squeak
Changed to a full system (better on fuel
)Done lands end to john o groats in one go and back
Rode it like it was. Hire bike never once put oil in it had top the rad up once but it had been on its side in a Ford by Hawes spinning around on the slime
Only got rid of it as the extended warranty only goes to 80,000 miles and I was very close to that a couple of hundred miles at the most away
Never done anything to it apart from dealer services
Best bike by far
Best mod front Akro
And decent tyres one set lasted me 4000 miles
Never got that many out of the others
Hope this helps
13 plate ( twin cam GSA ) front crankshaft oil seal failed at 15 k cardan shaft bearings failed at 35k.
None of which left me stranded so - - manageable , and a keeper ,,,, But I will not buy any one of the newer models .
Probably a Honda A twin to use as well .
None of which left me stranded so - - manageable , and a keeper ,,,, But I will not buy any one of the newer models .
Probably a Honda A twin to use as well .
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