Worried about buying 1200GS

[craig614]

Going for a test ride on Saturday but there seems to have been a few problems encountered by quite a few of you.
What have been the problems have the sources been found (eg. final drive failures). Just getting a bit paranoid.
Thanks

 

[Emoto]

The percentage of bikes with problems is very small. One dealer was quoted as saying that the R1200GS was the most trouble-free new model introduction that he can recall. If you like the bike, go for it.

 

[Tobers]

On all internet sites like this, whether for bikes or any other thing (PDAs, cars, etc etc) problems will always be unrepresentative of the actual number of bikes out there.

This is because, as soon as someone has a problem, they check out a site like this and see if anyone else has had the same problem so they can find out how serious or otherwise it is. You'll then get a "me too" type post. If they cant find a similar instance of the problem, they'll tend to post their problem up so someone like them in the future can gain solace from the fact that they are not alone.

Much more rarely you get someone writing that they got on their bike, rode to work and got off again without incident.

So, yes people (me included) have reported problems. However, the BMW warranty is very good and by and large anything wrong will be fixed pronto, loan bike/car etc. By all means, learn as much from this excellent site as possible so you can quiz your dealer on all matters mechanical, but bear in mind that the general experience is much more positive than would be suggested by simply weighing up positive posts against negative ones.

Cheers

Andy

 

[Big Lee]

Hi Craig,

Don`t worry I`ve found over the years of looking at various bike forums that NO bike is without its problems, it`s just they`re more acessable on the net. They`ll be loads of people out there who`ll have no problems with their 12GS & so will be quiet & a few who will shout about how theirs broke down (mainly the early build ones!) If you do get a new 12GS you`ll have 2 years warranty anyway

Remember no bike is perfect. If you like it buy it

I like mine

Lee

 

[motozen]

Like Andy said, all bikes have some problems. I was reading a thread on the advrider site of someone who bought a V-Strom because he was afraid of GS problems. I surfed over to the V-Strom discussion forum, guess what... problems, problems and more problems.. and I'm sure that's a very small percentage of those bikes sold...

If you like, get it and enjoy it!

 

[Tim Cullis]

No problems. Great bike. 3000 miles so far since Oct.

Tim

 

[Taff]

Craig. Couldn't help but notice that you are new to this site, so you could well have missed this earlier poll.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26646&highlight=HAPPY

Just checked it now and a massive 86% are happy with their 1200 which I bet surprised a lot- myself included - judging by the number of "problems" mentioned on this site. I suppose that if people are happy with their bike, they don't tend to shout about it, although they will complain if they are unhappy with it. Just click the "View Results" link under the Poll. There are a 125 posts to read - so grab a coffee, take a pew and enjoy.

 

[Gecko]

EJ
You must be easy to please with almost 14% saying they are majorly disappointed in their new bike I would think that this is pretty poor. The bike is less than a year on the market and this seems an unacceptable rate of disappointment for what is supposed to be bike of the year2004.
Having said that the accuracy of any such poll is potentially very misleading because you have no idea of knowing how many non R12GS owners clicked and voted michieviously....or there could be lots of spotty little herberts out their having wet dreams about the R12GS and vote it up because they just love the way it looks NLS and won't hear a word bad said about it.
As with anything - the man needs to go and try it for himself and you pays yer money you takes yer choice

 

[GSmonkey]

If you read these forums alone, you wouldn't buy the 1200..............or the 1150, 1100 etc. They're all a bunch of unreliable rust buckets. Funny how we all buy them though.

 

[SQD8R]

Craig, welcome. Fair point of concern especially since it is your money but I agree totally with the guys/gals here. The number of problems is minor, the number of bikes with problems is even less, and throw in the best warranty going and you'll have everything covered. Read my 26,000 km report for more ammo regarding your decision. Short version: I've got 26K on mine, love it, haven't modified it @ all, and cannot wait unitl the spring for the next riding season. Hopefully the 12GS or a GS suits you but if not there are plenty of great bikes out the to choose from.

 

[TerryM]

I agree completely with the general sentiment that the 12GS is a great bike and though I had one serious problem with gear selection my local dealer replaced the 'box without question. And the new one is fine.

With the benefit of hindsight I would still buy this bike, the dynamics just suit me.

 

[Taff]

EJ. You must be easy to please with almost 14% saying they are majorly disappointed in their new bike I would think that this is pretty poor.... this seems an unacceptable rate of disappointment for what is supposed to be bike of the year2004.

What I was trying to get across was that if you read this site alone, you could be forgiven for expecting an 86% dis-satisfied with the 1200 and not vice versa. I honestly hope it turns out to be as popular as the 1150 / Adventure, but as mentioned previously only time and mileage will tell. Some of the replies had only had their bike a few days - so you would expect them to be happy with it. I've put a reminder in my diary to try the same poll in a year, and 2 years time - it will be interesting to compare the results.

 

[birdseye]

Posters are a self selected unrepresentative sample. Real reliability could be better than indicated here or worse. You will only know if you could get access to BMW's internal stats.

personally, mine has been totally reliable for its short life. Do I expect it to be more reliable than my previous Pan? No way. But i am convinced that it will be as good as (say) Suzuki.

The bike is about more than reliability - otherwise no one would ever buy Ducati. Buy your 1200 for its comfort, flexibility, dynamic properties etc. And be reassured by BMW's universal reputation* for good customer service.

* someone is now bound to post and say he had service problems. Doesnt mean he had. Could mean he was unrealistic.

PS What follows is educated guess work rather than fact. The "final drive" problems seem to be fretting of the splines where drive is transmitted to the wheel. Honda potentially had a similar problem as did Volvo with boat engines. AFAIK The cure is better heat treatment / material of the splines and very high moly disulphide content lubricant. Not a permanent or long term problem. Just a minor production change.

 

[RobC]

I've had many bikes (and cars) over the years and they have all had some kind of problem. I think without exception that the warranty has fixed all problems. I like warranties. I buy new bikes so I can get the warranties.

All manufacturers have problems with new models when they are introduced. Some are genuine failures caused by bad design and some are caused by sub standard materials. I read on this forum yesterday that the final drive failures have been attributed to a bad batch of metal. If this truely is the case then BMW have obviously investigated the problem and found the weak link. Bad metal is hardly the fault of BMW.

It seems to me that BMW (and, based on personal experience, Kawasaki) play the game the right way. If you have a problem they do what they can to fix it. No arguments. BMW need to keep their customers happy. Without customers there will be no BMW.

If you feel reassured go ahead and buy the 12GS and rely on the aftersales package if a problem rears its head. I've been reading this forum since March 2004 so I'm aware of all the problems but I'm still going to buy the bike. If it breaks I am certain BMW will fix it.

 

[Russ]

Well mine is just under 4,000 miles old, and it is quite frankly the best bike i have ridden in my life (my 5 year biking career has included 600s, a few VFRs, an 03 blade (for a day) a Pan (for a day) a Trumpet (for a day), CB500 and a few other oddiments)

Whenever my VFR was in for a service i used to have a CB500, it was a highly entertaining bike, the upright seating, the brilliant handling, pegs down everywhere, and when the engine was on full boil it was respectably quick, its a brilliant commuter hack...almost my ideal bike

then i rode the 12GS, its just a bigger version of my ideal bike, it has shedloads of torque and just as the torque begins to fade the power kicks in, giving almost seamless power delivery and grunt, fantastic handling, will keep up with 600s on the straights at full pelt, brakes better than a 999, yet has the most fantatstic levels of comfort, it is truly fantastic; If you want to cruise settle back and let the torque carry you along, if you want to give it some welly it will truly entertain and is good for 130mph. It is very confidence inspiring in wet or dry and you will find yourself riding quicker and more smoothly, the view is superb, you can really pick out the hazards, and sometimes you'll find yourself just enjoying the view.

I have a very boring 25 mile (each way) commute into the smog every day, i smile when i get on the GS in the morning, and i can't wait to get back on it to go home again...rain or shine it makes no difference.

Problems....none, it is superb...my 2 previous VFRs (VTECs) suffered fuelling issues, the second one had all sorts of things go wrong...my GS...just incredible, great dealer, fantastic bike, ideal for potholed, camera lined roads...don't get me wrong blades and R1s are great (for the track) but GS is just better, cruise, commute, blat...best bloody bike on the planet IMHO

 

[Kiddo]

Russ
You took the words right out of my head!

Even though I had an immobilser problem it has been sorted under warranty - I couldn't wait to get the bike back and now that I have, I am as happy again as a pig in s**t.

 

[oddball]

Not done that many miles on my 12GS (had it since Sept) but I am delighted with it.

Traded a Honda Varadero for it and thought I may regret it as I loved the engine in the Honda. Not a bit, the BMW has exceeded all expectations.

I have had problems with corrosion on mine but dealer sorted at first service. No other problems to date (touch wood).

I had quite a few problems with the Varadero, it was expensive to service, it was very thristy and it was expesnsive to insure. Add to that the depreciation and on cost grounds alone I have a right result with the GS. I have saved £367 on insurance and service cost PA alone.

Would say though that I consider we (bikers) are turned right over by all manufacturers. They would never get away with turning out cars with latent defects.

 

[Russ]

Would say though that I consider we (bikers) are turned right over by all manufacturers. They would never get away with turning out cars with latent defects.

You think huh?

BMW Mini - risk of explosion when filling with fuel due to static build up in filler neck
BMW Mini - possible tyre sidewall defects
BMW X5, series 5, 6 & 7 - possible inadvertant loss of engine power
BMW 1 series - rear axle may become loose

these are just a few samples

A thoroughly informative read http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp

 

[The Nutter]

As already stated, the warranty will be your peace of mind and although I have had two faults with mine, I cannot be more pleased with how my dealer sorted it out. And think, it could be worse. My brother bought a Ducati Multistrada in spite of my warnings. Two days after collection it wouldn't start outside of work. His dealer loaned him another Multistrada. That broke down so they lent him a ST3. He got 500 yards from work and that stop running too. Soooooo glad I bought the GS. I don't regret it for one minute. I'm sure you wouldn't either.