1200GS.. any opinion?

**usl** · #1 27 Jan 2005

Hi;

Although still new on the market, does any one have any idea about it?...any good or bad?

**Margus** · #2 27 Jan 2005

VERY good bike in dynamics, weight, comfort, design etc. I long test drive it once, and got in love with it... But...

But for serious travelling i'd prefer still 1100 or 1150 (Adv) models, because R12GS haven't proved it's "BMW-style" reliability yet, too new for that. For short travels and communiting - R12GS, for real travelling - R11xxGS.

As always, testdrive them all, including all rivals (Honda Varadero, Triumph Tiger etc).

Good luck what ever you go with, Margus

**MoroCycler** · #3 2 Feb 2005

Check www.advrider.com, forums.
There is a lot of surprises, bad experiences, and all kind of reasons of why not to buy a GS12 in there.
IMHO I also think it is too soon to own one if you want to long travel.
Even at dealers, the tech people nor the mechanics of most countries except for Germany, have an idea or the tools and equipment to solve the arrising problems of this little beast.

------------------
Life is the process of making known the unknown. MOROcycler

**paulwebac** · #4 4 Feb 2005

2005 R1200GS: I like the very good handling of the bike. It is very much fun to ride. In comparison to my 1150 adventure it feels lighter but also more fragile. I do not like the longer first gear.

Problems after 5200 miles: Rear wheel drive defective, 1/4 inch play of the wheel sideways.
Bike is being repaired. Read BMW letter here:

http://www.natureseeker.com/1200.jpg

My 2004 1150GS now also develops some play at the rear wheel (not as bad yet) at 15000 miles and Panama and back two up.

At this time I would not take the 1200 for an adventure trip two up.

paul

http://www.natureseeker.com

[This message has been edited by paulwebac (edited 04 February 2005).]

[This message has been edited by paulwebac (edited 04 February 2005).]

**mcdarbyfeast** · #5 4 Feb 2005

A great bike, 3K miles with no problems as yet. I'm taking mine to Europe and Morocco this year but, I wouldn't trust it on a long overland trip in the back of beyond. I've read of many people having had problems, some minor, some not. The 1200 is new and BMW have a record of problems on new models. There are alot of rumours of a new 1200 Adventure being available at the end of 05 or 06, hopefully any problems wil have ironed out by then.

**Big Red** · #6 14 Feb 2005

I've now clocked up 7500 k's on my 1200GS, not a hint of any trouble yet. I have confidence in it, and I think it's the best all-round bike I've ever owned. (I've owned more than 20? maybe 25? bikes over the years)

**LuckyStriker** · #7 17 Feb 2005

I couldn’t really afford the bike but I took the leap… I've got 6000km on mine, and no problems yet.

I'm taking a short 3000km trip through the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho in September. It will be the first real prolonged 'Rough' trip and will serve as a run-in for the longer Sub-Saharan trip planned for early next year.

I think the bike can easily do it with no hiccups.
It costs a lot of money and some nights I lie awake and cry myself to sleep because I have no cash left to buy food. Once I get on the bike the next morning I feel much better and laugh hysterically at my bare feet. (I had too boil my shoes so that I could eat the leather) Soon I will have to sell my fiancé to slave traders so that I can keep up the payments… *sob*

[This message has been edited by LuckyStriker (edited 17 February 2005).]

**mcdarbyfeast** · #8 17 Feb 2005

I filled up with fuel last week and a slight problem occured. I removed the ignition key filled up with fuel and having paid returned to the bike. To my suprise the ignition had turned itself back on but, the key was still in my hand. I pressed the starter and the bike started! It took several minutes of playing about with the key to get the ignition to turn itself off and then on again properly. The same thing has happened a couple of time since. My dealer says it's an unusual problem which he hasn't heard of before. The bike goes in tomorrow for a new ECU and some re-programming.