'04'... R1200GS anything to lookout for?

[jpdemelo]

Hi,
Having heard a lot about R1200GSsbought in 2004... mostly problems. I came across one last week and thinking of going for it, as the price seems good.
Can anyone please advice me about any potential hitches that might come my way (and its done 24k)

JP

[ClassicCruiser]

Look in www.ukgser.co.uk - there is loads of info in the 1200 section. Ignore the sledging by other (non 1200) Gsers, it's mosly banter.
Steve

[Tim Cullis]

Mine was an October 2004, did 48k miles before trading for a 12GSA. Some problems, mainly down to my rough treatment off road, all fixed under warranty.

Great bike. 24k is only just run in.

Funny how most of the naysayers are 1150GS owners...

Tim

[george t]

I got an October 04 GS12 too,

no problems (other than standard recalls) just endless fun!!

bought it 2nd hand at 3k miles and now at around 9.5k ml.

if the bike has been serviced properly (and most of them usually are) it would be fun..

[princec]

I've just "upgraded" from my 2001 1150GS Adventure to a brand new 2006 1200GS Adventure.

So far:
+ It feels a lot lighter
- ...although the shape of it and slightly increased height make it slightly less manageable
+ The engine is a lot more responsive
- ...but feels rather less torquey
+ The headlight is better
- ...but still shit basically, good thing I got extra spots fitter
+ It looks really good
- ...but not quite as good as the manly 1150GS Adv, which was more iron than plastic
+ It does about 5mpg more than the 1150 and holds another 3L of petrol - yay!
- ...but the tank is plastic so I've had to ditch my magnetic tank bag. Bah.
+ The aluminium panniers are massive
- ...but some fool forgot to put handles on the top and they're a bitch to get on and off
+ One finger braking thanks to CBS and a few missing kilos
- ...but has much less feel than the 1150 (see handling rant below)
+ Screen turbulence is roughly the same or slightly better.
- Terrible behaviour in side winds sends me all over the road
+ Switchgear is lighter and better
- Handling is crap

Handling is my only gripe: I simply cannot trust it. I go round corners like I'm riding round a 50p piece. The 1150 was planted, stable, and so leanable. My tyres were shredded to the edges every day even in the dead of winter.

This bike wobbles and hinges around the headstock, as if the front tyre was a bent 1" wide pram wheel. I can't hold it in a straight line. I wish I could figure out how to fix this. I can't get any feel at all from the front wheel, and it's ruining the ride totally. No confidence around corners whatsoever. I don't want to try increasing the rear preload because it's already at the limits of my inside leg and I suspect the problem is that it needs a bit more weight over the front. I need to figure out how to make it feel more planted and less wobbly and twitchy.

Cas

[rickg]

and I suspect the problem is that it needs a bit more weight over the front. I need to figure out how to make it feel more planted and less wobbly and twitchy.

Cas [/quote]

Man you must have some crap tyres or something, the handling is as easily as good as the 1150. It is quicker steering if that's what you mean by twitchy but all the road tests point to it being a great handling bike and I tend to agree with them. It's like my old VF750 but with big bars. You got Trailwings on or something?

[Tim Cullis]

My 12GSA is fine (TKC80s). Sounds like you should be talking to your dealer about your handling problems. Si Pavey reckons the rear preload on GSs isn't much more than a ride height adjustment, and has no effect on handling.

Tim

[jpdemelo]

Thanks guys,
I was not sure as this would be my first 'big' bike and from the amount of the BMs receive they must be fun.
I was thinking about the DL650, but for a little more money (and mileage) I am getting the 1200gs... which seems like a good bet.
Although I'm sure to be back if the fun suddenly stops.
JP

[SQD8R]

77,000 km in 2 years on my 12GS before it was written off. I would have bought another if not for the HP2 that now occupies its space. The 12GS had proven to be my most reliable bike to date, never an issue in 77,000 km.

[jpdemelo]

I have to ask.. Did you thrash the bike over hills and lakes?
Since I'm buying a used bike and it looks like its been places, if its used to the limit then I might go in for a new bike
JP

[Dean de St Croix]

2006 1200GSAdv

I know it takes time to make a decision but I have to ask myself it you aren't working a little hard to make it. If you keep coming up with reasons to question the bike then my advise is don't do it. Something must be telling you that the bike is a little too worn and a little too long in the tooth. Your last post indicates the bike seems to have been ridden (over hills and lakes... ???) Don't know about that but any bike no matter how good will wear and the things you are talking about would make me hesitant. Unless you are ready to sink some money into it and make it fresh - which again is no problem but be ready for that. You have to be able to walk out to the bike and love it (and not worry about it) You already are so you might want to look at another one.

Go new if you can afford it - always - as you will always know were it has been and how it was taken care of. If you can't afford it - when you see the bike that is right you will know.

[SQD8R]

Originally Posted by jpdemelo

I have to ask.. Did you thrash the bike over hills and lakes?
Since I'm buying a used bike and it looks like its been places, if its used to the limit then I might go in for a new bike
JP

No. My mileage was gained in two years in Canada. So a lot of road miles were completed. The hard-packed dirt and occasional trail rides were the norm. I do a lot of camping so some water, not river crossings were involved. Even then I have never thrashed my machines. Love them too much and too much $ to replace. So my trail, hills, and water crossings were taken at a sensible pace to allow me to react to unknowns.

Dale

[modre]

I can only tell you about the 02 RT I bought new and babied.
I have a long resume of mechanical skill.

at 14K miles, I got nervous about all the transmission input spline failures on the web, and $17K is a lot to me, so I opened it up for a look-see. Mine were OK, tho I did see the clutch disc spline showing signs of wear...apparently the disc is the weak link, and when the dry clutch debris gets involved as abrasive, the increasing tolerances involve the input shaft resulting in the multitude of reported failures. This is a common and well reported all over the internet sites.

what I did find at that relatively low milage was a weeping clutch slave seal...which holds the thrust bearing that acts like a throw-out bearing in more common designs. the problem there is the clutch disengege rod is preset at about 10mm on the slave piston return spring, and when the bearing lube is compromised, that bearing under constant load, and more so when clutch is disengaged heats, furthering the seal failure...at worst, the hydraulic lube migates up the rod and comtaminates the clutch disc engagement surface. I was very disappointed that my dealer refused to stand behind the warranty protection when the machine was a mere 2 weeks out of warrenty (due to a misunderstanding on my part, the warranty went into effect when the machine was first test ridden at the dealership in Dec, and I purchased it the following June. I was under the impression the 3 year warranty applied to the original owner...it starts at the date the first mile is put on the machine.

I understand the dual spark solved this next problem, but the 02s were run lean, causing a well known incomplete combustion problem (surge), and at 28K when I had enough and sold it before it bit me, the heads were carboned up starting to involve the valve seats.

also frequently reported, but not experienced by me is the crown bearing failures in the final drives, and Hall Effect Sensor failures.

all these things to the common man are expensive fixes, and I was disappointed that the BMW I had hoped for by reputation was not the machine that was sold to me at premium prices.

I wanted a no nonsense, long winded, with few problems machine as my last motorcycle in old age, and I was willing to pay for it...I was disappointed...it's highly, highly unlikely, I would make that same mistake again.

I believe BMW was once a superior machine, and I suspect that image is what many (including me) promote until we find first hand another reality.

I would also warn, tho they enjoy the reputation, unless you are skilled, the modern bikes are too sophisticated to be taken seriously and trustworthy without a cell phone to call for help.

I was disappointed in the machine itself, as well as the arrogance of the dealers who operated at a lower level of mechanical expertise than I, yet imagine themselves the legacy of the Master Race.

This coming from a man who's actually read Mein Kampf first hand and found it under-rated...so you should sense an open mind (for a run of the mill American), with a firm opinion based on first hand experience with a strong mechanical background.