How very true! Most of what I read before I bought my GSA was hearsay. There's also a very biased attitude towards BMWs on this forums based largely on the buzz that Ewan and Charlie have created doing their LWR and LWD movies. I always wonder what would've happened if they would've done the trip on KTMs...

Anyhow, as an actual 2009 GSA owner who bought his in November 2009 (because I did not want the 2010 engine) and with 11.000kms on it already it I can share what little experience I already have.

Why did I buy this bike and not one that costs half as much?
When you're travelling two up there's one thing more important than anything else. I call it rule #1: keep the pillion happy. You can have the best bike ever, one that never breaks, is light as a feather and reliable as a Russian tank but the joy you will have on any given trip is reciprocally proportional to how miserable your pillion is. Personally if it was for me we wouldn't be riding anything larger than a 600cc single like the Tenere. Infact that's what I've had before I bought the GSA. However, my wife was not too happy with it because of limited space due to a rather short(ish) seat. We did a lot of research, rode a bunch of bikes and eventuelly both concluded that we both felt most comfortable on the 1200 GS, especially my wife. She simply loved the space she has in the back, key for long distance riding, without feeling disconnected from me. We ended up buying the GSA because the GS felt too small for me (6'2") and lacked a bunch of extras that the GSA comes with by default, like decent crash bars, engine guard, rack, additional headlights, spoked wheels, etc.

Am I happy with it?
Short answer yes, long answer yes, but... after 11.000 kms including a 8.000km trip through the UK on- and offroad with my wife and full gear I absolutely LOVE that bike. Sure, it's about as big as the Arc de Triomphe but as soon as you get going it feels surprisingly light and handy. I did hairpin turns with it in the Alps in which a Yamaha XJ900 Diversion and a KTM 950 Adventure had to reverse and take it in two turns! Fuel economy is amazing for a bike that size - I manage 4.5l/100kms (52 mpg) solo and 4.9l/100kms (48 mpg) two-up fully loaded. The 'but' part of my statement above is rust: it's already taking overhand, especially around the crash bars and pillion hand rails. I am a bit worried about the fact that if the bike breaks I won't be able to fix it myself. However, the 2008/2009 model is supposed to be the most reliable one and I'm hoping for the best. The truth is that every new bike you buy has more technology and electronics built-in than the moonlander so it's not a problem specific to BMW. I did the research on that topic and was shocked. The only way to escape is is getting a used bike between five to ten years old but that'll only buy you some time. Eventually, a few years from now we'll either all end up with computers that happen to have a motorcycle attached to them or we'll all start buying Royal Indians. Let's face it, that's what's going to happen.

Would I buy it again?
Too early to tell. If BMW continues to blame me for the rust (first time I tried I was told it was totally my fault, I should be cleaning and polishing it more often...) I might even return the current one and demand my money back. Don't get me wrong the bike is great but I'm not willing to pay for a piece of rust that already started to flourish after a month! If it's true that you get what you pay for then this is just bollocks. I've already asked a lawyer (always good to have one in your family ) and was advised to not let go and get that fixed or replaced.

What else would I get?
Well, that's the problem - there isn't much left that wouldn't violate rule #1 (keep the pillion happy!) but that would also be capable of going offroad. Yamaha has already recalled all first generation Super Teneres (in Germany at least) and is replacing most of them with revised editions because there's just way too many things that went wrong. The Super Tenere is also heavier than the GS/GSA and has just as much electronical bits and gadgets built-in. The 660cc Tenere violates rule #1, so does the Transalp and the F 800 GS. We've tried half a dozen bikes that are all absolutely perfect for going solo but completely inept for taking a passenger.

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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

With NO reference to BMW's here I have to point out that many people will swear to high heaven they love their bike and it was the correct purchase even if they know it wasn't.

I used to be a motorcycle dealer and i've really heard it all !! It's staggering how many people just won't admit to themselves that they're uncomfortable and unhappy with their bike. They "usually" do eventually, but it takes a while.

Some people would INSIST on buying a certain bike because they had convinced themselves it was the right bike for them. They'd scoured the forums, got all the magazines, looked at the brochures, matched up their riding suit etc etc .. You simply couldn't talk them out of it. After spending £10,000 then another £3000 on goodies you wouldnt even bother to ask them if they had any regrets.

eg. A 5'3 guy in his 70's wanted a a MASSIVE Honda Cruiser. I told him time and time again that he should reconsider. He woundn't listen, paid his money and when coming to pick the bike up, he couldnt even lift it off the stand. He got to the end of the carpark and walked back with the keys. The GM gave him £1000 less back for it than he paid 3 hours earlier. (what a c**t I know)

eg2: New rider wants a ZZR1400 to commute through the city on. 5 mile round trip. Spend £12000 in total for a bike that he couldnt get out of first gear and cost him a fortune to run. He simply wouldnt consider a bandit, hornet etc etc. He didnt even like bikes or know what a ZZR1400 was. His mates at teh pub just told him he should buy it. He was back 6 months later for a PX and £3000 lighter in depreciation.

Anyway, the stories go on and on and on !!

These people would ride into the dealership on their "perfect bikes" on the weekend for their bacon butties and still INSIST they loved their bike and it was the right bike for them etc etc just because they were too proud, stuborn etc to say otherwise.

You could see the pain and dissapointment in their faces everytime they walked past the bike they should of bought. Always asking the PX value of theirs etc then laugh it off.

12 months later, they'd come back to you , throw the keys at you and say "I HATE IT, I'VE ALWAYS HATED IT, PLEASE TAKE IT BACK"

I'm not suggested you fine fellows here are one of these guys, but I know for a fact that there are plenty of people sitting astride their bikes arguing until they're blue in the face that their bike is better than X, Y or Z because they can't admit to themselves that they blew their life savings on compleltely the wrong machine !!

Anyway, just food for thought...... chug

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

All people that manage to hate a piece of metal and plastic over long time should sell it and visit a shrink.

In my experience, the vast majority of people who buy bikes don't test ride them and have done very little research on them etc !

They do eventually sell them, and that's where I buy my bargains from

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Nice summery. Yup, rule #1 has major impact...

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Thomas

"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"

Ted, what you said there is very true. That sort of behavior is not only limited to motorcycles tho. As an IT guy I experience the EXACT same behavior at work every day. People absolutely convinced they need product A because of reasons b), c), and d) and think it's absolutely superior to product F. In most cases it's friends and the internet that has told them what they absolutely have to get because it's the greatest invention since sliced bread. Once they have it they will adamantly defend it even if they are uncomfortable or unsatisfied with it.

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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

So all the things you read were lies? Or inaccurate? Made up? I find that hard to believe. Most owner reports are positive with only about 25% having problems. Significant but not a death sentence. A friend who works for BMW NA owns the '09 GS too. He agrees its the best yet. You got a good one!

Ewan and Charlie were a huge boon for BMW. Sales went off the charts as a result of the series. If they had taken KTM's they would have had a much easier time in Muddy Mongolia ... but would probably have had more breakdowns. Really, their GS's did quite good, but were just too overloaded for some of the terrain and they were inexperienced riding off road.

They only got screwed by a dumb guy trying to Arc weld on the bike and burning out the computers. NOT the fault of BMW.

Too true. If your ride is all about pleasing your wife ... well, so be it. The GS is a great two up bike, not much competition. The Vstrom DL1000 isn't bad, half the price in the USA (not in Germany as Jap imports are taxed heavily to protect BMW) and more reliable. Not bad for pillion but the GS just pips it. Aprilia Capo Nord: No longer made but good two up, great , motor but not perfect. KTM Adventure: Good bike, bit smaller than GS for two. More fun and capable off road by a long way.
A few more like the Multistrada and Tenere'. I just tested the new Multi S.
Not a two up friendly bike, IMHO. Weird seat, too small.

This is simply a case of inexperienced riders.
No fault of those bikes ... trust me on this. The KTM is superb on tight switchbacks. Better than the GS, IMO. Don't judge your bike against bikes ridden by amateurs.

The bikes I listed above (Vstrom, KTM ADV, Capo Nord) have very little electronic gadgets. No ABS, No traction control, No power mode choices, no electronic Ohlins suspension. BMW has all these things (available as options) Lots to go wrong. I would buy an extended warranty.
Don't know if this is available in Germany. Most friends here buy an additional 4 years. So they get 7 years total cover. Only way to buy a BMW.
This is typical BMW. If you really knew their history ... going back to the 60's you would be rather shocked at the long standing patterns of denial/blame here. This is nothing new. David Robb has tried to turn this around but its still going on.

But in your case ... they may have a point. I'd keep those rusted areas coated with WD40 or other anti-rust product. Try some light steel/Alu wool to take rust off?? Or, take them off, sand them down and repaint them with good rust proof paint?

But you're getting off easy. So far you've avoided the more common failures these bikes can have. ABS fault codes, electrical gremlins, Shaft/bearing/U-joint failure, transmission failure.

Wow! That's quite a shock. Do you have an English language link about that story?? That's first I've heard of these problems.
Maybe Yamaha can go back and take off 20 kgs. and lower the price by $3000 USD too!

If you want to see rust !! Get a Suzuki ! Worst finished bikes to come out of Japan !!

Everyone I've had looked like the Titanic. Just as well their engineering makes up for it !

Back to the point, "ARE THEY WORTH IT"... Of course they're not ! They're definately over priced and over complicated ! Its a BMW, they don't make family run abouts do they. They have a name to keep "reassuringly expensive". Its a "prestige" brand isnt it... Do you think their cars are "worth it"?? You pay over the odds for those too but you get that flashy badge and keyfob to flash about at Starbucks.

As for LWR... Their subframes broke on the LWR and didnt the rear shaft bearing go on one of them ?? Didnt the shocks go too ??

LWD.. All their shocks collapsed and failed and they had issues with electrics as simple as side stand switches etc

Why should you spend £12000 on a GSA then have to spend £3000 on suspension just to make it cope with Africa ??? Just not Cricket is it !

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

So you like Suzukis.......

I'm just bipolar !!! Then again, so am I !!!

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Hi TouraTed
Bipolar doesn't mean schizophrenic BTW.

Could mean "very inconsistent"?

Now wot abaat those Suzukis - do ya love 'em or hate 'em? And those BMWs? and those Hondas; and those KTMs? and, and...
Please don't ejaculate over anyone's bike though; he might get nasty...

Anyway, bye for now!

Yeah, stay the hell away from my bike. There's rust all over it already and absolutely no need to make things even worse

__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"

You should know I guess

Mental disorders aren't really my strong suit !


If you wan't to know my opinions on all brands of bikes, buy my book which is out at the end of the month !!

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

All lies? Inaccurate? Made up? Can't tell. Every bike has it's flaws and I think we can all agree that the perfect bike has not been invented yet. I am very aware that it's still too early to judge and I might still run into heaps of trouble in the years to come. I promise to keep you up to date

I never said it's all about pleasing my wife but have you ever tried to travel long distances with a pillion that is uncomfortable and miserable on the back of your bike? It's living hell and far from enjoyable, and it makes absolutely no difference if that pillion is your wife, your girlfriend, your boyfriend or just a friend. As the driver you're always comfortable - why wouldn't you be? You're in the open road, you're on a motorcycle and you're possibly in the middle of nowhere. Passengers are a very different topic - I know I could never do what my wife does and sit through thousands of miles on the back of a bike.

Noone forces you to get all the electronic bells and whistles on a BMW. Infact, the base model (in Europe) comes with pretty much nothing on it - no ABS, no traction control, no power mode choices, no ESA, no onboard computer, no tire pressure meter, no heated grips, no nothing. Most owners choose to order one or the other for various reasons - I had to get pretty much everything on my GSA because when I purchased it in November 2009 they weren't building the 2009 model anymore. Thus, it was either a prefabricated 2009 model with all the bells and whistles one can possibly imagine or a 2010 model which I didn't want (again: I don't trust the engine yet). I'm glad I didn't get the 2010 model because it's supposed to be a lot louder and apparantly suffers from a pretty serious case of vibrationitis.

As for warranty: you only get three years in Canada and the USA. In Europe we only get two years warranty (with every brand, not just BMW). I might purchase an additional two to five years depending on how happy I'll be with the bike once the original warranty runs out.

I'll look around. This bit came from my dealer who happens to sell both Yamaha and BMW (which is how I ended up with a BMW - I went there to get a brand new XT660Z Tenere and ended up with a GSA ). He's had nothing but trouble with the Super Tenere and told me that every single one he's sold has been back with minor or major problems.

__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"