Want a 1200GS but worried about drive leak

[Seed]

Hi I'm testing a 1200GS this Saturday and am really looking forward to it. After more than 15 years of Jap bikes I fancy something a bit different now. I commute into London every day, go for blasts at weekends and want to do some two-up European touring.

I have a couple of concerns though and would be grateful for any advice:
1. I have heard reports of oil leaks from the final drive - how common is this?
2. How manageable and manoeuvrable is the 1200GS in heavy town traffic? Is it too tall and top heavy?

Any views are welcome.

Thanks.

Seed

 

[Davel]

4,500 miles so far on mine and no problem with oil leaks.

Find it great for commuting partly due to ride height, great mirrors and riding position.

Whilst it may be a heavy bike generally, I don't think that you'll have any problems.

Go on - you know you want to ......

 

[Dahoum]

1. Not at all common considering its high market position. It is now outselling the R1 - so most people are realising what an ace bike it is.

2. I am a 5' 8" 10st man of muscle so no the size is not a problem. Lower seat position and high heels does the trick

Have a good long test and try different surfaces, road types and traffic densities.

Once you buy one - give your credit card back to the bank.

 

[kdude]

I have about 11,000 kms on mine now. No leaks and the bike is the Swiss army knife of bikes. Very good in traffic, fun on the twisties and a very competent 2up touring bike.

The bike is a winnner..... just my $.02

 

[Seed]

Davel/Dahoum/kdude,

Thanks for your reassurance.

Being a bit of a shorty myself (5ft 8) I was a bit worried about the height of the beast, but I've heard there's a lower seat option. (I don't think my girlfriend would take too kindly to me borrowing her high heels!)

I've got a Hornet 900 at the mo, which is great for town but the hard seat and relative lack of torque mean it's not so good for touring two-up.

I'll let you know on Monday how I get on with the test ride.

Cheers,

Seed

 

[Davel]

Good luck and enjoy - the bike certainly grows on you as you use it more and more.

Just remember that the more run in the bike gets, the better it gets.

At just under 5,000 miles, I'm noticing the difference now.

 

[Piggers]

I recently bought one after previously having Jap Bikes.
Not had much time to ride though, only done approx 650 miles.
The biggest difference that I found and it took a little while to get used to is the lack of front end dive under braking. You slam on the anchors epxecting it nose dive and nothing happens . Feles very odd at first.
If you want one quickly you may have to compramise on the spec.
Best to ask what each dealer can get hold of quickly and then choose one of these. If you don't want it in a hurry, its not a problem.


ps. the yellow ones are the best

Piggers

 

[Seed]

Cheers Piggers.

Apart from the lack of dive under braking, which I imagine would feel slightly weird after we have been conditioned for years to expect it, what are your other thoughts about the GS? Are you happy with the power, comfort, handling etc?

And most importantly, is it fun? I have always, perhaps unfairly, thought of Beemers as boring old men's bikes, but I am more than prepared to be proved wrong. (Or maybe it's because I've just turned 40.)

I used to be into sports bikes, but now I just think they're utterly pointless on the road unless you're caning it, and then your licence is living on borrowed time.

I like the idea of being on a quirky Beemer and embarrassing sports bike riders on the twisties.

Seed

 

[tricolourforever]

If only the drive seal was the only worry. Read the 1200GS technical pages for more information. They served to stop me from buying one and question the motives of BMW releasing a bike so full for problems.

 

[Alphason]

Not a single serious problem on mine so far

 

[Philip]

no probs with mine and nearly 8000 mls - mine was a july 04 if that makes any difference. The bike is great fun and this coupled with the fact that it is so safe/capable will probably make you ride faster - hence frightening more than the odd sports bike rider. Take a bit of time though because initial impressions can mask the deep qualities this bike has. The engine for instance can feel agricultural to begin with but the grunt and traction it gives and by golly, you can grunt it out of corners - and i just love the way it sticks out either side. Oh and definitely go for the yellow - they may try to charge you more for it, but its worth it!

 

[Seed]

Thanks for the sound advice Phil.

I like the idea of taking a bit of time to get to know a bike. I find with many Jap bikes I've had, there has been instant familiarity but this is swiftly followed by boredom. I am definitely craving a different biking experience now.

Are the standard tyres (Metzeler Tourance I believe) any good? I'm so used to sports or sport touring road tyres (eg Bridgestone 010s or 020s) that I'm a bit worried about a semi-enduro tyre having a lack of grip and feel for road riding.

By the way, everyone seems to love the yellow but I'm leaning (sic) towards the blue.

Cheers,

Seed

 

[Franky]

Red ones are faster!!

 

[Big Lee]

I`m also used to BT010`s etc but my 12GS came with Dunlop 607`s & IMO are excellent tyres. I often wear my rear tyre all the way to the edge so grip isn`t an issue & anytime on winter rides the back has squirmed its very controllable.
My 12GS has opened up fresh routes to ride that I wouldn`t have done on my sportsbike but yet can still tonk it round the twistys that I used to enjoy on my 955i just as fast
It does encourage you to stick with a sportsbike & chuckle at them looking in their mirrors as they try & shake you off round the bendy bits

 

[GrinningGSer]

Is it too tall and top heavy?

I was worried about this when I bought mine
But now I am worried about how fantastically manouverable it is in traffic and I am worried that I just can't stop myself weaving in and out of traffic

Shouldn't do it and could not do it on my last K100RS

The R1200GS handles like a gem and no mechanical probs whatsoever 2300mls

 

[Pukmeister]

18000 miles on my GS1200 so far and no drive worries yet.

Just came back from touring Ireland yesterday, decided to take the scenic route back to Hamphire from Holyhead via North Wales (I hate motorways). Me and a mate on his GS 1150 Adv both fully luggaged and fuelled and both on Tourance tyres, riding in company like a pair of fighter pilots and being followed by a guy on a Blue R1. He soon disappeared in our mirrors on the twisties as we ground our toe sliders, though to be fair, he did catch up again (eventually) when we were waiting at some roadworks. We weren't even trying that hard, its just that the GS is so amazing on real world roads compared to track-focused sports machines.

Stop worrying mate and relax, the bikes are awesome, easy to handle even when carrying luggage, are fine in traffic and the Tourances will keep on gripping long after your bottle has gone and your toe sliders are worn.

 

[Piggers]

Whats it like ?

Hi Seed,
(I have just turned 42, so not far in front !)

There is plenty of power (it will lift the front wheel under acceleration).
The handling is excellent.
It is the most comfortable bike I have ridden.
It feels quit light as most of the weight is down low and there is so much leverage, due to its hight and wide bars.
Tyers feel good.
The only down side so far is the price and price of accessories, but the residuals are good.
I would also invest in some crash bars, as this is the only thing nagging me at the momment !! The thought of dropping it on its cylinder head !!!
I have ordered a set from Touratech, but they seem to be taking a while to arrive !!
Some of my other bikes owned, to give you an idea of where my comparisons are comming from are KLX-250, RMX-250,DRZ-400E, TZR-250,CBR-600,FZR-1000, Thunderace-1000,CB-1300

Piggers

 

[GSmonkey]

I've got 13.5k on my 12GS and no drive leaks so far.

I commute into london every day on the thing and its certainly not top heavy....in fact the weight feels quite low down with the engine.

The only downside for commuting is the overall width, but its 10x better than a sportsbike for the same duty.

Don't forget, no fekkin oil cleaning/lubing with the shafty

 

[Clive]

I've got 13.5k on my 12GS and no drive leaks so far

(July 04 bike) - I got to 18,000 miles and thought I'd got away with it, but then had Final drive leak/Wheel movement. Eventually got a new Final drive under warranty.

For info - remove the rear wheel ABS sensor - small Torx bolt - there is an O-ring inside - the sensor is magnetic - presence of small bits of oil-covered metal attached to the inside end of the sensor - not a good sign

 

[Seed]

Nice one Pukmeister - that's the spirit!