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

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

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

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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..

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

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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?