Are BMWs really that unreliable?

[Boris]

The more I read about GS1200s the more moans I see about poor reliability and corrosion. Batteries that last a year, dicky fuel pumps, immobiliser rings and dropped valves. Now I see Pete's one has just chucked another final drive (how many is that now Pete)

Now I know forums tend to attract posts from pissed off people but it seems the GS12 has more than its fair share. A quick look on ukgser and here the percentage of bad vs good posts is so much different.

Can anyone explain why this should be or are GS12's just not up to the expected BMW standard or is there a fundamental difference in the people that own them.

I still fancy a 1200 GSA but the more I read the more I'm concerned I'm just letting myself in for a whole load of trouble.

[jasonbc]

The more I read about GS1200s the more moans I see about poor reliability and corrosion. Batteries that last a year, dicky fuel pumps, immobiliser rings and dropped valves. Now I see Pete's one has just chucked another final drive (how many is that now Pete)

Now I know forums tend to attract posts from pissed off people but it seems the GS12 has more than its fair share. A quick look on ukgser and here the percentage of bad vs good posts is so much different.

Can anyone explain why this should be or are GS12's just not up to the expected BMW standard or is there a fundamental difference in the people that own them.

I still fancy a 1200 GSA but the more I read the more I'm concerned I'm just letting myself in for a whole load of trouble.

If you want one buy it my fathers got the 1150 and thats a far better bike than the 1200 the way it's put together and lasts. End of the day if you want to do long distance in comfort get the Varadero far superior and underated mile muncher

[GOG 007]

If you want one buy it my fathers got the 1150 and thats a far better bike than the 1200 the way it's put together and lasts. End of the day if you want to do long distance in comfort get the Varadero far superior and underated mile muncher

He has a Varadero

[Lord Vader]

Despite this is my 4th final drive going on the bike ,i think they are good bikes.
I think you got to have a look at ALL the R-series bikes from BMW(and there are a LOT out there).
Yes they have final drive problems,some of them.Mine is the exception,none of the dealers i spoke to heard of any BM eating that many drives.
Again with all the other probs,most of them where fixed in recall
Batteries-mine is still the first one
Paint- yes mine is peeling of but its the same as it was on the twin i bought with the same milage and other bikes i seen with the same use/milage/age
Fuel pumps-Hmm must say i have not come across anyone which had a problem with these but on my Vara it went at 24k and both my @'s had the pumps replaced
Immob and dropped valves-again i do not know of anyone personally but yes there are a few post on the gs'er forum but again look at the membership(amount of people which own this single make of bike)and how many had problems
It is still in my opinion the best bike in the world and i will get another one

[Lord Vader]

He has a Varadero

minor detail

[Warthog]

I had an R1150GS. It was a very good bike. I have no experience of the GS 1200. I blagged a test ride on an R1200S: fantastic engine....reminiscent of my old TL1000S!

But... as I said I can't comment on the reliability of the 1200.

However, I am very wary of all these anecdotes. I'm sure that there have been issues, but the problem is that if someone has a complaint they will scream it from the rooftops, because they feel betrayed.

People who have not had a problem do not scream from the roof tops. Why? Because they got what they paid for and know that is just the way it should be! What's to scream about? They will only pipe up if you ask them if they are happy, but they won't bother otherwise.

So, all that means is that for every complaint you read about there could be 10, 20, 50 very happy customers.... there may be only 2...

I have no idea if they are reliable or not, but anecdotes are only just that: anecdotes...

[jasonbc]

He has a Varadero

NO father has the 1150 gs, i have the Varadero

[Lord Vader]

NO he has the 1150 gs, i have the Varadero

So has Boris

[GOG 007]

NO he has the 1150 gs, i have the Varadero

Yes Jason my little Varadero owner friend, your Dad has a 1150GS, but Boris has a Vara, and I have a Transalp, and Lord Fu$kwit has a 1200gs, how do I know 'cause I'am interested in Boris's Vara and have seen Vader's 1200gs, but not your Dad's 1150gs, is he selling it ?

[Lord Vader]

and Lord Fu$kwit has a 1200gs, ?

How very dare you