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Help! Need to transport a GS1200 on its side. Bad idea? Help! Need to transport a GS1200 on its side. Bad idea?
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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Help! Need to transport a GS1200 on its side. Bad idea?
Hey all

My girl and I took off on a road trip around Arizona. Unfortunately, the weather's really gone against us and we're currently snowed in up in Monument Valley.

I don't mind riding in a bit of snow and ice but this is too slick and windy to risk any real distance in, especially with big rigs sharing the road.

Fortunately we've been offered a ride to into flagstaff tomorrow the morning, but the guy has a large pickup with a truckman top, so we can't put the bike in upright (and will have to lift it in)

The question is, can a BMW (with some flimsy looking BMW cylinder guards fitted), be transported on its side? Are they that rugged or is this likely to wreck the bike?

Would really welcome opinions or experiences as we're in a real bind here
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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I would think it will be fine bud, they are pretty tough, and most of them end up on their side at some point anyway.

Stick somit down for it to lie on and it will be OK

Beware of spilt fuel though.
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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Originally Posted by brads View Post
I would think it will be fine bud, they are pretty tough, and most of them end up on their side at some point anyway.

Stick somit down for it to lie on and it will be OK

Beware of spilt fuel though.
I think the same way about this: I would also consider removing/disconnecting the battery to completely remove any chance of a short while even a small amount of fuel is spilt - the guy with the pick up truck will not be happy if he has a fire in the back.
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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Thanks for the replies guys, and some good advice there too! I'd been wondering how well the tank would seal on its side.

I'll let you know how we get on
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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A fuel leak could be the least of your worries.... (unless you get a 'kabooom!)

A word of caution if your GS 1200 has SERVO units.
If left on its side, the brake liquid will come out of the servo's breather tubes.
This results in a 'brake failure' warning on the dash and just residual braking.
The cure to that is a visit to BMW as, even if you have the time/knowledge to refill the servos, you still need to 'suck' the fluid through via the bleed valve in the wheel arch with a vacuum machine.

I learned that the hard way up a mountain trail in Greece when I fell and hurt myself so had to leave my 1200 on its side overnight. Brake failure is no fun- still that bike and huge engine braking but still... €90 just to do that... Grrrr ! not to mention having to go to across Greece to Athens to get it fixed all with just residual braking...
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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Bertrand that's good to know, since I have an old GS with servo brakes, although I think they haven't had servo brakes since the '05 models, do you know if that's correct?
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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Sorry Motoreiter, I do not the answer to your question.
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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Originally Posted by motoreiter View Post
Bertrand that's good to know, since I have an old GS with servo brakes, although I think they haven't had servo brakes since the '05 models, do you know if that's correct?
Try this website - I think it indicates that the move away from servo assisted brakes was for the 2007 model.
R1200GS Model Changes, 2004-2007
But there are a lot of websites that pop up for a search of "1200gs servo assisted years".

Meanwhile, I guess the bike could be transported on its side by using some form of plug to temporarily block the servo breather while it is tipped over.
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