Unbiased Opinions?

[Hexme]

Well after quite a few years of owning BMW's, 2 x F650GS twins (SWIMBO's), F800GS, R1200R (SWIMBO's), R1200GS and 3 different R1200GSA's including my TC Hexhead I've think I've been exceptionally lucky with my bikes apart from a few minor issues.

Been reading the LC section with a keen interest as I know at some point curiosity will get the better of me and I'll possibly end up buying one.

I think my point is that BMW sell so many bikes that problems are bound to happen, and over a period of time through upgrades they get more reliable. Lets face it, forums a good place to let off steam, how many owners are out there totally happy not feeling the need to state it?

One of my biggest regrets was not owning a 1150Gs, test rode one a few years ago but for some reason bought something else.

well ready for my slating, lets have it

 

[WaterMonkey]

Very happy with my 2013 GS LC. The previous owner put 30k miles on it in 2 years so must have been reliable.
No issues for me apart from a new engine due to a tiny bit of salt corrosion. And I do mean tiny, was kind of trying it on when I emailed bmw about it outside of the corrosion warranty!
Best bike I've ever owned.

 

[Engineer]

On my second LC and I have no qualms about buying another, looking forward to my third after I have put enough miles on this one.

 

[Becksy]

I own a 2015 GS and love it. I owned a multistrada before and was always wondering when it was next going to cut out.
I will most likely replace my GS with another GS. Great all round bikes. The SUV of bikes.
PS. You should have a look at a Ducati forum. Jeez!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[vincentrapide]

I've had 2 GSA's, 1 GS, 1 RT and an RS in LC form, and with the exception of the RS probably put twice the "book" miles per year on them.
This is probably the kiss of death, but the biggest problem so far has been the absolutely crap heated grips on the 2014 GSA.
Good luck to you!

 

[zoltan]

On my 4th and now 100% happy. Now that they solved the gearbox "issue". If you exclude the corrosion some people had, I recon there are few people with major issues.

 

[Stevie4scoops]

I will buy another GS (my third) as soon as I know I can get one with a decent gearbox. I've owned 11 BMW bikes, the majority from new and loved every one of them. Few of them were perfect but I was only left stranded once. I have bikes from other manufacturers to which are similar in quality. I to loved my Multistrada but it was too unreliable to keep and I wouldn't want the repair bills when the guarantee expired.

 

[Hexme]

You should have a look at a Ducati forum. Jeez!

Wow! I'll try that!

 

[Aidan1150]

One of my biggest regrets was not owning a 1150Gs, test rode one a few years ago but for some reason bought something else.

There's all the obvious stuff you'll be told like they're heavier and slower than the modern GS's and that is true, but they feel much more substantial than the newer bikes and seem to be better built from better materials. Maybe it's time you test rode another then free yourself from the ratrace of ever newer bikes.

 

[Khulu]

I'm on my first BMW - a 2013 TC TB GSA I bought last year and love it!

Two 5-6000 mile European tours so far and I intend keeping it forever!

 

[Hexme]

There's all the obvious stuff you'll be told like they're heavier and slower than the modern GS's and that is true, but they feel much more substantial than the newer bikes and seem to be better built from better materials. Maybe it's time you test rode another then free yourself from the ratrace of ever newer bikes.

Now theres a thought

 

[Rockred]

Iv had a 12 tc with no problems what so ever. I sold it to a fastidious mate in Gib and he loves it. I now have a 15 wc, and have been all over Spain and Portugal this Summer, the only problem was a puncture outside of Lugo, The bike runs a treat.

 

[diplomaticdanny]

2014 GSA bought second hand with 2800 miles on it, now has 8500 miles, never missed a beat.

 

[telbenj]

On my second LC and I have no qualms about buying another, looking forward to my third after I have put enough miles on this one.

+1 I'm on my 3rd WC and did 12K on the 1st 10K on the second I've decided not to buy another yet and will keep my present GSA for a few years that's now done 16K all as good as the day I brought them I ride all year and not had any major issues.

Fingers crossed for more trouble free miles.

Terry

 

[Camel Toe]

Just returned from a blast around the Scottish NC500 ( fantastic route...). Now got 53500 miles on my 2014 LC GSA and it gets better with age.... had rear suspension and start switch.....regular service and would have another without a second thought...

 

[Neil W]

Had an adventurised 1999 r1150gs (big tank and hyperpro springed gsa suspension ) for over 9 years and 42,000 miles , yes it had the inevitable bevel drive failure (cured eventually after 3 bmw dealer rebuilds with a nos replacement bought from a trike builder ) but zero corrosion and never failed to get me home, serviced at home and I loved the bike.

In 2011 had a bit of cash available and was seduced by a new basic r1200 gsa tc (with luggage, heated grips ,computer and led indicators ), much superior bike on paper BUT I hated it at first as the standard non ESA suspension was not up to scratch. After a replacement shock from BMW , I bit the bullet and fitted Maxton shocks which transformed the bike . In 4 years and 5 continental trips it had no problems , handled brilliantly and was a paragon of reliablility ........again no corrosion problems .

When I retired in 2014 I bought a brand new top spec R1200GSA WC (with cash not PCP etc ), when it is going well it is great BUT has had numerous and recurring ESA faults , now you could put it down to poor quality oem shocks and say fit Touratech,Wilders or Ohlins replacements BUT all of the faults so far have been down to software and ECU related problems and as aftermarket shocks all use original ESA actuators i doubt it would be a cure.

The bike has also had new switchgear and driveshaft gaiters and the gearbox is shocking but due to fastidious cleaning it has none of the usual corrosion problems (so far) , WC problems will more likely all end up being electrical (expensive ) as they get older .

I feel the need in a couple of years time to buy a project 1150gs as an everyday bike , as for the WC if it is replaced with another BMW R1200 GSA it will be a basic non esa model with decent aftermarket shocks fitted

 

[pistolpete]

I've had a 1150gs and 2 x hexhead GS's and now on a 2014 Lc gs, fair to say mine hasn't been without its problems for such a new low mileage bike but everything has been covered by the warranty I got free with the bike and I can safely say it's the best bike I've ever owned/ridden, I had a new africa twin before this gs which was lighter and I'm not going to slate it as it's great for what it was designed for. You will have no regrets buying a Gs just make sure you get the BAU warranty if your buying used and enjoy it

 

[stick]

Ive had a 2006 , 2011 TC and 2 LCs now waiting for my 3rd.

All have been great bikes , I have had problems with both my Lcs and hope the 3rd will be better.
Don't let this put you off as I cannot find a better bike that tick all boxes , got rid of my 2010 Multistrada as it just wasn't , how can I say , a character bike .

The LC is the best of all the GS range as far as I'm concerened but may be due to my ridding style and expectations of a bike .
I get 3000 to 3500 miles from a set of tyres , I ride hard this is why the LC is best.
Purist will say older Gs bikes were better , they may well be , but not for me.
What floats one boat will sink the next.
I thing the whole GS concept is brilliant and make all happy at the end of the day , potter, thrash , explore whatever ..Enjoy your choice of bike.

 

[MartinB]

Another thumbs up from me.

You asked for unbiased opinions, well people either love em or knock em ! so a truly unbiased opinion is difficult to find.

Me. I love em, I'm on my 5th GSA the last 2 have been WC and yes there's the occasional niggle but for me it does the job I want my bike to do, and THAT is what it comes down to, after all you wouldn't buy a 2 seat sports car to carry around the missus, kids, the dog and your camping gear !
Each model has been an improvement on the last and I'd say my current bike is the best I've ever owned.

I ride mine quickly sometimes, I commute on it sometimes and I've toured Europe on it too.
Over the last few years I've been knocked off by numpty car driver and the engine/tank bars protected me from injury. I dropped it on a round about on diesel and it came away almost unscathed (engine bars again) on both occasions I rode the bike home with the only lasting damage being to my pride.

The KTM and Ducati have more power and they both look great but they would take back towards sports bike performance and the likelihood of loosing my licence rather quickly. My lack of will power would be my undoing.

So basically, it won't turn like an R1, it won't go like a Ninja and it probably won't stop as well either, but I can load it up with all I need, I can go where I want, I can do it as fast as I am comfortable with and pretty much go further than anything else I can sling a leg over.

What else can I say, it ticks ALL the boxes for me.

Martin

 

[cherokee]

There's all the obvious stuff you'll be told like they're heavier and slower than the modern GS's and that is true, but they feel much more substantial than the newer bikes and seem to be better built from better materials. Maybe it's time you test rode another then free yourself from the ratrace of ever newer bikes.

Amen to that....