Would you buy another R1200GS ?

[Alphason]

Great Bike IMO So far I've experienced very few problems, although I waited with a friend who's Goldwing needed recovery, for over 5 hours!! Carole Nash's agent finally arrived with the right recovery vehicle and everyone was happy!

It was a bit of a pisser mind, when I set off and found a village complete with cafe, chippy etc etc 500 yards down the rain soaked road

 

[Llama]

Yes

Nothing else; just yes

 

[streaky]

GREAT BIKE,"THE ANSWER IS YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Skip69]

Absolutely! And I already did... Can't wait for my Adventure to arrive..
De 1200GS is the best bike i ever bought. It comes in line with my expectations. The only thing that worries me is that it is the one and only bike I owned which had to visit the repairshop for warrantee reparations or displacements several times.
The other bikes I owned only needed their maintenance

 

[ianran]

SO MR Fence sitter

Would I buy another ? Most definitely and without hesitation, I can't think of any other bike I would rather enjoy riding both on and off-road. I know there are rivals such as KTM etc but for me the BM is what I want...................


I'm not a knee-down wannabe racer or a skilled off-road rider but my GS has allowed me to enjoy both tarmac and mud with equal fun on the one bike, and for that I have nothing but the greatest respect for this brilliant machine.

I really thought id found the bike that was gonna do it all a real hero somthing i could really enjoy.All my bikes bar 1 have been brand new never have i felt so let down by a bike.Honestly i could break my heart........
The reasons why i wont have another BMW are not only to do with the bike,its BMW's attitude towards there customers.My dealer is Southport Superbikes and they have been BRILLIANT but BMW HQ have not been so.
I've had issues with my bike practically from day one SSB bend over backwards and BMW try to get away with the bare minimum.I had an issue with the person who was supposed to be in charge of the warranty department,basically i had lost quite a bit of time off work with the machine breaking down,and as i was going to be spending a fair bit of money on some accessories in the intrests of good customer relations could they come to some arrangement bearing in mind the money id lost off work,this is a brand new bike,presenting the same problem time and time again.It even presented a problem that had supposedly been identified on older machines and cured by fitting a new design of seal,which mine was fitted with from the factory.The answer was "you have a warranty,what more do you want?"
When my machine was looked at by one of BMW's technical people and it was agreed that my bike had problems which seemed to elude him ,and i again had cause to talk to this manager woman she suddenly decided "I don't really deal with the bikes,i mostly deal with the cars,i can't make a decision".
Ive had parts sent to the dealer for warranty claims that can't be fitted because the soft ware hasn't been released.I've had my bike returned andthe recovery driver wants me to stand on the back of the truck holding the bike whilst he tilts and slides the bed and if i dont want to hold it i can operate the tilt and slide!Ive been called a for not signing the delivery form before inspecting the machine after its been returned.
BMW,s own insurance threatened to terminate my cover after repeatedly requestig that i "forward the requested documents" when asked what documents i'm told they dont want any only to recieve the same letter giving me 7 days to comply a few days later that happened on 4 occassions the last time being a recorded delivery letter.Then my insurance documents never turned up,three requests for them later some guy in London sends me my documents and "if I have his could i forward them to him".
BMW send out technicians who,although they are very nice and polite,know nothing about the bikes,have no diagnostic equipment or training so cannot fix the thing all they can do is stand there looking embarressed and call for a tow truck,whats the point in that?
This latest breakdown required a tow truck,BMW forgot to send the details to the recovery agent 5 hours almost for that to arrive,and this time i was left stranded without transport so a hire car was arranged,they took my credit card details (Got that bit right Din't they)Im still waitin for the fookin car now.
Then my dealer diagnosed the fault ,but it wasn,t present when the bike was taken to them,but they knew what it was but had to beg the warranty dept to autorise the parts to be sent,they were gonna let me have it back with faulty brakes(Why not BMW let it out the factory with the rear wheel bearing loose in its housing!)
The build quality is appalling the front frame is going rusty,the paint is chipping off the rear frame,the whole BMW package ,for me,has been shoddy.
They,BMW,have messed up every aspect of my ownership .This is the first BMW i have owned.Iam thoroughly dissapointed and dissolusioned i'm unable to enjoy the bike now as ive lost faith in it,i just do not trust it.Its a shame it was everything i wanted in a bike.It promised so much and delivered so little.17% of people in this poll wont have another,BMW are currently trying to appeal to a larger market,people like me unless they get there reliability sorted and there satalite services they are gonna lose bigger than they gain.I wont dare have another BMW.I dont trust the brand.That is why i wont have another long winded i know.But at least you all know why i am so pissed off.
I'd buy another bike from SOUTHPORT SUPERBIKES but not a BMW.[/QUOTE]

SO thats a maybe then????????

 

[Davel]

I have every sympathy with you.

Mine broke down twice in May and again in June and had to be recovered twice.

Each time a red warning light appeared and then after turning it off and leaving it a while, it would go off again - only to come on again after a few minutes once re-started.

Blue Bell Crewe said don't ride with a red warning light and BMW couldn't decide either way. BMW then said ride it, but when I asked for a name, in case the engine seized, it was decided to send a technician.

Each technician knew about cars but f*** all about bikes, apart from how to secure them on a recovery vehicle. Eventually the bike was recovered twice, the second time after a 4 hour roadside wait.

If it is any consolation, the bike was fixed by Blue Bell and has done several thousand miles since. Despite my concerns and lack of confidence in riding the bike again, it has been faultless and performs perfectly.

BMW have never responded to any of my letters, whether sent directly or through the dealer and so, like you, I remain disgusted with BMW but have to say that there still isn't another bike on the market that I'd rather ride.

If I do sell the bike, I'd like another GS or GSA but, with BMW's attitude to customer care, I'm not sure that I'll buy off BMW again.

So much so that I have removed BMW's name as a possible supplier of company cars to my staff. I don't think they're even bothered about that.

 

[minkyhead]

I voted no. Brought mine in March, sold it in September. In that time I travelled over 7000 miles including a two up three week trip touring the Baltic States. It never missed a beat and it was non abs so it stopped too. I like to open my garage and feel proud/pleased/smug call it what you like every time I see my bike. The modified 1150gs I had before did this. The 12 felt more of a Jap bike and certainally did not feel a quality bit of kit. There seemed to be too much plastic and not quality plastic at that. The bike was appaulling, even dangerous, to ride in cross winds and I found the seat uncomfortable. Anyway, each to their own, but I will not buy another. Now if a low mileage abs non servo'd 1150gs or Adv comes in two years time then I will find space to put it.

what planet were you riding on did it have zero gravity what a load of boll***s 1200 is a huge step forward on the older models cos ive had them as well if you cant make a 1200 go round corners ..give up riding

 

[Dahoum]

ianran - i also have sympathy with your probs.

I have to say that the opposite has (fortunately) been the case with mine.

A fantastic runner. Takes everything I throw at it (and believe me that's a lot) and keeps coming back for more.

Never missed a beat in a year and a half and that includes a 3K trip round the baltic in shite weather and upto 350 miles a day. Comfortable, reliable and looks the dogs bollocks (IMHO)

Only reason i will not be getting a 12 adv is I spend a lot of time picking it up and i value my back

Edit: and Vines of Guildford have been excellent in service and support too

 

[JDH]

Dahoum, presume the reason you drop the bike a lot is because you go off-road with it?

JDH

 

[Dahoum]

Yep

 

[JDH]

Glutton for punishment eh mate

 

[Deleted Member G]

Mines 18 months old & has done 17,000 miles, can't decide whether to sell it & order another for March 2006 or keep it for another year. Will definitely buy another one some time in the future

Mine no longer, took it down to Rainbow today. Hope it's not snowing in March when I collect the new one

 

[JimVonBaden]

So far so good! But only 3 weeks riding, and 4200 miles.

Jim

 

[stevew]

Voting No - But we'll try to fall in love again !

I have every sympathy with you.

Mine broke down twice in May and again in June and had to be recovered twice.

Each time a red warning light appeared and then after turning it off and leaving it a while, it would go off again - only to come on again after a few minutes once re-started.

Blue Bell Crewe said don't ride with a red warning light and BMW couldn't decide either way. BMW then said ride it, but when I asked for a name, in case the engine seized, it was decided to send a technician.

Each technician knew about cars but f*** all about bikes, apart from how to secure them on a recovery vehicle. Eventually the bike was recovered twice, the second time after a 4 hour roadside wait.

If it is any consolation, the bike was fixed by Blue Bell and has done several thousand miles since. Despite my concerns and lack of confidence in riding the bike again, it has been faultless and performs perfectly.

BMW have never responded to any of my letters, whether sent directly or through the dealer and so, like you, I remain disgusted with BMW but have to say that there still isn't another bike on the market that I'd rather ride.

If I do sell the bike, I'd like another GS or GSA but, with BMW's attitude to customer care, I'm not sure that I'll buy off BMW again.

So much so that I have removed BMW's name as a possible supplier of company cars to my staff. I don't think they're even bothered about that.

Davel
Sorry to hear about your plight..I've had similar !!!!!

Potted history -K12Rs then 3 Gs's this being the third. 1100Gs 13,000miles -spot-on, then 02GSA 32K miles-spot on, the waited log time for a 1200GS which I picked up 3 weeks ago then.................

After 19miles arrive home to find hot oil spewing out of the bike, all over lower right leg, boots, footpeg, out off the bellypan and over the back tyre, not impressed but tried to be philosophical about it (tried).

For reasons i wont go into, BMW Emerg Services (rather than the dealer) needed to recover the bike -what a xxxxxxx joke that was and after explaining clearly the problem and that I wanted it taking directly back to the dealer- "the guy coming out will attempt to mend your bike" so an arguament ensued where I clearly told them no guy was going to be sprottling around on my garage floor to do anything with a 1 hour old, 19mile bike I'd just paid > £10k for ! So the contractor rings me up (Because BMW dont get involved! BMW > Mondial>Local Contractor) and we have the same "discussion" as 5 mins previously with BMw (or Mondial -whoever was on the phone). Anyway the bike gets picked up 3 days later...............but to be fair, thats because I wouldnt release it until the dealer was open (the recovery wanted to take it and store it for the 2 day duration............errr dont think so.....brand new £10K bike........ gets damaged.......all parties deny responsibility ...blah blah.

Moving on....turns out to be oil seal omitted at factory build ( hadnt shown up on PDI as tested on below freezing day -not routed through cooler - shows up when I take it home -and it lost about a mug full of oil altogether !!!)

Currently
In correspondance with BMW GB -and had a reply from customer services.........which has so incensed me I've had to leave it for a couple of weeks before replying....but hey, I'm only the customer.....

So the bike and I are trying to fall in love again (we're currently out of love) and I'm trying to run her in around the peak but the roads have been so cold, very wet and slippery..........and when i come to clean her down i find the battery covered in salty water ( I cant believe theres Fxxx Axx protection from the back wheel) and when I come across the toolkit for the first time (what toolkit....its a joke and even more bemused now to read on this forum that the earlier machines had a more extensive kit)..... I just cant believe that theyre skimping so much.

Really this whole experience has been pretty crap, not helped by Emerg Services or BMW customer services.

My experiences with my dealer and past bikes has been good and its this which keeps me with the brand. The bike and I will try and put these experiences behind us despite the other things I've mentioned jading the situation. I had rather fancied the green 1200Adv but now.....................

Anyway...... the yes' will be those with good experiences and the no's......I just think you have to hope for a good experience

Steve

 

[MATKAT]

sad experiences

I dont usually read all the neg' stuff over the 1200GS or anything else really. I've been riding bikes for 38 years plus, had many many bikes, including jap, English and German. As a rough count I have owned about 10 BMW's, all have been great. Of the Jap bikes Honda are way ahead on build quality. Yamaha and Suzuki not so good. English bikes since my last Triumph in 1972, mmmmmm
The 1200GS is easily the best all round bike on the planet, I have had superb service from the two BMW dealers i've used. Clarks and Bath Road.
The percentage of riders who say they would buy another speaks volumes for the product, and I for one will be buying another as soon as mine hits 30000 miles which will be the back end of next year.
Matkat

 

[Marty Hill]

Odd how different our bikes can be. Just sold my '05 (your '04) 12GS to a friend with 33k miles. Zero problems. Expect the same from my new 12GS. Having bought 9 new BM's, I have had 1 problem. A leaking head gasket on my 650GS which was promptly sorted by the dealer at 23k miles.

 

[Karn-Evil]

Odd how different our bikes can be. Just sold my '05 (your '04) 12GS to a friend with 33k miles. Zero problems. Expect the same from my new 12GS. Having bought 9 new BM's, I have had 1 problem. A leaking head gasket on my 650GS which was promptly sorted by the dealer at 23k miles.

This is the most annoying part of owning the GS how can some be so good and others so bad.And MATKAT I think that almost a fifth of people not wanting another one speaks greater volumes,there are not many people who wont have one because they can not get on with it they are fed up with the reliability issues.

 

[Starman]

Come on everyone, let's keep the poll going !

 

[TheJoker]

I guess I should retract my statement above, as I've just got a K1200R

 

[piebaps]

Yes

Without question. Mine is a 2005 and has done 4500 miles with no probs. I would like to have a lash on an earlier model though just to see what those old guys are all talking about when they say that their 800/1000/1100/1150 (delete as applicable) is better.