Why buy a 1200GSA?

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

Bad start to the morning... was seriously thinking about chopping in my 1150GSA for the 12...
How many threads are there now about flaming final drive failures..?

All I can think to myself when thinking about changing is NOOOOOOOO.

I worried about the FD on mine (etc), but I can't help but feel I should get back into a happy place with a different brand that I just dont have this type of apparantly extraordinarily show stopping poor quality issue.

Some of the sufferings a considerable number of fellow GSERS are experiencing just doesnt seem right and that's just the people on this forum...

Am I just a victim of forum doom and gloom, bad news travels faster than good etc??

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Just Traderd My 1200SE for a 1200GSA 30 Year Anniversary and its a Wonderfull bike!!! Best Bike I've ever had I think It goes really well even though I'm running it in ,handles beautifully and makes a Great Noise( these things are important to 1200 owners) I had Questioned my Sanity about trading in an excellent year old bike but I absolutley love it ,and riding to work today was a Joy. I've had 2 1150 GSA's ,but for me the 2010GSA is the best of the lot,Go do it

 

[gwigglesworth]

Remember that on any product specific Forum you will find more people saying my widget broke etc than you will saying nothing broke (as nothing broke is no news).

Look at a dedicated forum to the alternatives, Tiger, Multistrada, Strom etc and you will find lots of issue there too..... worse or better who knows... find one you like to ride and enjoy.. yes there will be bills for bits but there is in some way for everything.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

If you wanrt a 1200 just do it.

If you're gonna stress over reliability doubts don't.

Simple

50,000 miles on mine and no issues.

Hasn't stopped me buying a cheap 2nd hand FD unit on ebay though, just in case

Andres

 

[C-J]

Am I just a victim of forum doom and gloom, bad news travels faster than good etc??

Yes you are... Now stop thinking about it and just go and get one... If there was really that many failures, why are people still buying them ?????

 

[Mav]

53,000 on my GSA and on the same FD too

There are plenty out there that have had no issues. If you have a bike under warranty, BMW are very good about swapping them out without quibble. If not under warranty, there are people who are starting to service them now - pretty sure Steppers is now offering it as a service.

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

All I can think to myself when thinking about changing is NOOOOOOOO.

Oh, for God's sake "man up" and make up your own mind !
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
If it's any help, though, I swapped by beloved 1150 for a new 1200GSA a short while ago..and after a good few thousand miles...I'm still smiling.

 

[Fanum]

Yes you are... Now stop thinking about it and just go and get one... If there was really that many failures, why are people still buying them ?????

Because they manage to kid themselves that 'it won't happen to me'

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

I reckon you're onto something there Fanum...

What amazes me is that BMW continure to put the same component back into the bikes and no effort (that I know of) has been made to correct the cause of the failures.
Classic fitter approach, replace dont repair, always had that from BMW - they use our purse as a cash point a bit too often (from personal experience, cars AND bikes)

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

no problem making my own mind up - wasnt asking that...

just input on the scary subject from people who have done the deed and bought one

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

no problem making my own mind up - wasnt asking that...

just input on the scary subject from people who have done the deed and bought one

And, I guess, that's what you are getting isn't it

You can argue the toss about WMB's (or any other manufacturer for that matter) attitude to product / customers.

I think you'd be quite reasonable to think that WMB's attitude stinks but, it ain't gonna change so..........apart from having a (justified) whinge about them on here I can't see what difference other owners comments are gonna make to whether or not you get a 1200. For every bad experiance you'll get a good one - that ain't gonna inform you on whether to get one or not

Either you want one - get one.

Or

You don't want one - don't get one.



Andres

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

and that is precisely why i am trying to make an informed decision on whether I 'want' one, not whether i 'get' one!

I'll never get the opportunity to speak to this many owners in one room about their experiences...

Not that I need to defend my post.

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

And, I guess, that's what you are getting isn't it

You can argue the toss about WMB's (or any other manufacturer for that matter) attitude to product / customers.

I think you'd be quite reasonable to think that WMB's attitude stinks but, it ain't gonna change so..........apart from having a (justified) whinge about them on here I can't see what difference other owners comments are gonna make to whether or not you get a 1200. For every bad experiance you'll get a good one - that ain't gonna inform you on whether to get one or not

Either you want one - get one.

Or

You don't want one - don't get one.



Andres

Have you got a 1200GSA ?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Have you got a 1200GSA ?

An '05 GS (vanilla) with 50,000 miles and used for all sorts; laning, commuting, Tesco's, two up Europe jollies, turkey & Marocco - works for me

Andres

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

An '05 GS (vanilla) with 50,000 miles and used for all sorts; laning, commuting, Tesco's, two up Europe jollies, turkey & Marocco - works for me

Andres

Hows it been?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Hows it been?

Well you see, that's the point - it's been brill'. Best bike I've ever owned, does everything it says on the tin and more
(Yes, I've had issues with mine, namely warping front discs - now (fingers crossed) hopefully cured at last. And, as I said in my first post, I bought a 2nd hand FD box just in case.....................)

However, the next poster could be somebody telling you about how they are on their 4th FD box.

Both comments are true so how will that help make your mind up

I guess, the bike DOES have some issues, most do though, some more, some less.................

Don't think I'm explaining myself too well here, but, I keep coming back to the blunt:

If you want one get one

If you don't want one don't (maybe also insert 'if you're not sure don't get one' here?)

At the end of the day they are fab bikes, but then so is your 1150

Andres

 

[cherokee]

1200gsa

Had a 1150 GSA 05,now have a 1200GSA 09,imho riding wise its a much better bike,lighter and much more low speed friendly,i dont throw it off cliffs or submarine it,its done 5000 miles i bought it off a nice man here and so far had no probs.It does have a year left on the warranty so if it all turns to dust when im hooning round France next week il get it fixed for free.So if you fancy one get one with some warranty left simples,newer you get the better,early models of anything mechanical can be traumatic to own,you wont regret it,and trust me if you buy something else,real soon you'll hanker for a GSA again speaking from experience and it might be harder to sell that kawahonsuzaki.................

 

[tonkatoy]

If you're buying new then take one for a long test ride. If you like it then buy it, it comes with a warranty !

I've got an 08 12GSA and I always come back from a ride with a grin. I've had loads of bikes over the years and as Andres says, they all have problems. A mate of mine bought a ZZR14, and it was the greatest thing since sliced bread until the engine blew up. He's now got a VFR12 and he's just had it recalled because of swarf in the engine. So far (touch wood) mine's had 2 new front discs under warranty and everything else has been fine. I don't use it for commuting but pretty much anything else, including 2 up touring, days out, twisties with the lads, and dirt roads / green lanes.

I bought it on the strength of weighing up whether it should do what I wanted it for (it does) and riding it to see if I got on with it.

No regrets

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

cheers for the input everyone - very much helping the 'do i want one' issue here.
Front brakes discs seem to be a popular issue too!

 

[madmax]

As the man said before "someone will come on about being on their 4th F/D".
Well here I am, but although it's a right royal pain in the rear, I still haven't found anything that I'd want to swap it in for.
I've owned around 60 bikes of all sizes, styles, and to date this is my longest owned with the most miles covered. And yes i still return from every ride with a grin.
White 06 GSA 29,000. 4th F/D but still grinning.