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10 Jun 2010
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1200 gs is it worth it...
Bloody hell...I really would like a 1200 GSA!!!! But all i keep reading is this is leaking... Thats pinging...This is broke that is broke!!!!!!........
I really would like to buy a Bike to keep and not have to keep spending money on it which i couldnt afford every 5 mins....so are they really worth the agro????or is the 1150GSA The better one to have....
Or failing that a complete different Make.........
Im fully aware that all bikes have issues but these Bmws seen to be the worst??????Am i right or wrong???Do you just get good ones and bad ones like everything....Or can you buy one and fix any potential probs before you go anywhere on it???And all will be fine....
Do i just get one and just put up and shut up and ride it???????????
I wont be going around the world on it just europe and Scotland.......I suppose i just thought that going from a Landrover to Bmw id be into a super reliability bracket in comparison???
someone put me right.....:confused1:
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10 Jun 2010
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why would you 'really like' one ? be honest.
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10 Jun 2010
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just to add.. don't get into a discussion about reliability of a manufacturer, it's been done to death and is largely irrelevent.
but, kidding yourself about the reasons for buying is a sure way to be disappointed. I think this is more so in the case of BMW. Some people seem to buy to them because they are 'overlander cool', and they like the image. I think BMW sell more lifestyle products/accessories than anyone else (except maybe KTM).
but then because (especially here) that image reason is looked down upon, the 1200 GS buyer has to pretend to want one because of 'german engineering' and reliability. then, when something breaks, they moan loudly because they convinced themselves that they'd bought the most reliable bike.
if you want a GS because it's going to make you feel good seeing it parked outside a cafe in the Highlands, then get one. that's a perfectly valid reason to buy a bike. let's face it, all bikes are much of a muchness, there's no real reason to buy one manufacturer over another except personal preference (if you are honest about it).
an Enfield is cooler though :-)
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10 Jun 2010
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haha, this is the wrong forum to ask this question...people here seem to have an almost pathalogical hatred for BMWs. Be prepared for personal insults too, because if you want a BMW you are obviously a poseur.
Anyway, I've got a 1200 GS and GSA and they are great bikes. Perfect? No, but as you point out no bike is perfect. The reliability issues with the GS are grossly overstated, especially on this forum. I think that for your purpose, a GS would be great, although you could also probably spend less money for a different bike and be perfectly happy.
I've never been on an 1150, but they sound like great bikes, and the people that have them seem to like them a lot. Which you prefer is mostly personal taste IMHO--whether you like the "old fashioned" 1150 or the "gadgety" 1200.
Part of the equation is your physical build--all of the GSs are big and heavy, so the bigger you are, the better.
Similar questions are posed quite often in the GS subfora of ADVRider and UKGSers, you might want to search there, or post your own question.
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10 Jun 2010
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"Be prepared for personal insults too, because if you want a BMW you are obviously a poseur"
this is kinda what I meant. exactly what is wrong with owning a GS and being a poseur ? aren't most of us poseurs ?
you're implying people ride GS' because they are not for posing, but essential. the implication is, if you are not GS-hardcore, you should just buy a bike that's 'adequate'. which means we should mostly be riding around on 500cc twins. No one needs 1000cc + to propel themselves around the industrialised world (whether BM, Honda, etc).
but if you just fancy the GS why shouldn't you buy it ? somehow the inverse snobbery is just as bad, I have a GS because I am so hardcore and not able to live with anything less. the parallel is trying to justify a Range Rover in a city, rather than see image as a perfectly valid reason for ownership. Or buying an old beat up XT to portray under-dog status.
motorbikes are indulgences these days.
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10 Jun 2010
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[quote=DougieB;292377]this is kinda what I meant. exactly what is wrong with owning a GS and being a poseur ? aren't most of us poseurs ?[\quote]
Indeed, there are many types of moto-poseurs, but only BMW poseurs attract any attention on this forum.
[quote=DougieB;292377]you're implying people ride GS' because they are not for posing, but essential. the implication is, if you are not GS-hardcore, you should just buy a bike that's 'adequate'. [\quote]
Uh, I'm not implying anything of the kind. GSs are certainly not essential, you don't have to be "GS-hardcore" to enjoy them (I'm not), and many other bikes are certainly more than adequate. The fact is that there are simply not that many bikes with many of the GS's features (large engine, ergonomics, good suspension/ground clearance, shaft drive, etc.), so choices are pretty limited.
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10 Jun 2010
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they are all features irrelevant to propelling yourself around Europe. you choose large engine, big suspenders, large tank, shaft drive (!?), etc for image/ideological reasons and certainly not for any need-to-have reasons.
you want a GS because of what it represents, not because there's nothing else and the choice is limited. there's never been more choice for bikes suitable to ride around Europe, where the OP is planning.
these days, outside of specialist riding, any bike will do. for european road riding I don't think there's a technical argument in favour of any bike; not one that beats riding something you just enjoy. it seems many people want to make a technical case for something which should be emotional.
ride whatever turns you on... :-)
there's certainly nothing in it as far as one manufacturer being more reliable than any other (apart from Guzzi obviously :-) )
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10 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DougieB
why would you 'really like' one ? be honest.
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Being totally honest....
Personally i think they look the best,,The ktm adventure looks to futuristic or something that i cant quite put my finger on???.....I would like something big and powerfull....(like me) to cruise with load and be able to offroad(track)
I thought being BMW it,d be very reliable...
Theirs seems to be no end off dealers,knowledge and aftermarket parts available....
And a wee little bit to do with seeing them perform on their big time supported long way trips...
Seems to be lots off good clubs and followers off the GS and its something i always did with Landrovers....Got involved.....
Mainly i gota be honest to do with the way it looks....
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10 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4x4overland
Being totally honest....
Personally i think they look the best,,The ktm adventure looks to futuristic or something that i cant quite put my finger on???.....I would like something big and powerfull....(like me) to cruise with load and be able to offroad(track)
I thought being BMW it,d be very reliable...
Theirs seems to be no end off dealers,knowledge and aftermarket parts available....
And a wee little bit to do with seeing them perform on their big time supported long way trips...
Seems to be lots off good clubs and followers off the GS and its something i always did with Landrovers....Got involved.....
Mainly i gota be honest to do with the way it looks....
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And there's your answer.
Now do as your heart tells you and don't listen to the typical BMW-hatred bollocks here.
(But please avoid 2006/2007 models of R12s at all costs!  )
Margus
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10 Jun 2010
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I forgot to add....
Im 6ft 3in 18 stone so to small a bike wouldnt do......And i suppose im a bit off a show off........so yehh stuff it by the looks off it maybe i should just gel on and buy one....
And i apologise for bringing it up again...i shouldve searched first.....
Thanks for the responces.... 
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10 Jun 2010
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it's why most of us buy what we do, I think. they are reliable, all modern bikes are very reliable. and the GS has a huge following, and 'club' thing.
as long as you like riding it, it sounds perfect. it's pretty hard to buy a dud bike these days.
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10 Jun 2010
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I have to agree with most of what Dougie has written, if you really want one then have one if you like it keep it and if you dont you can always try something else. We buy what we want for our own reasons if you think it looks cool then great.
We all have opinions they are not right or wrong just opinions Dougie thinks the Enfield is cool ummmmm
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10 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Margus
And there's your answer.
Now do as your heart tells you and don't listen to the typical BMW-hatred bollocks here.
(But please avoid 2006/2007 models of R12s at all costs! )
Margus
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Worry me some more why dont ya....What problems with them specific years?????not that it bothers me cos ive made my mind up....
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10 Jun 2010
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I wont be going around the world on it just europe and Scotland.......I suppose i just thought that going from a Landrover to Bmw id be into a super reliability bracket in comparison???
someone put me right.....:confused1:[/quote]
Just as a quick one........ If you break down in Europe then European AA/RAC cover would do you just fine whether in a Landy or a Beemer for if your not going around the world then the GS would be just great on them long metalled roads.
Posing isn't a thing nowadays on a GS as they're common as Porsches (650GS-Boxster, 800GS-Cayman, 1200GS-911 and so on) you'll just look like another guy with an expensive bike and sit at the side of the road like a broken down porsche driver hoping their credit card is the magic wand and you know how much we all snigger at them when you see 'em....... LOL! (Don't lie, you know you do!  )
Money no object..? I'd still not buy one as they're not my personal style but if it floats yer boat then read up on HU (Tech Forum), pay yer money to the dealer and find out what the fuss is all about and when you've broke down or flat tyre (which we all do!) out of mobile coverage and it's pissing it down   only then you'll know whether your happy with your choice of steed!
I'll stop and help yer out......... unless your in a Porsche that is!  LOL!!
P.S. 1200 gs is it worth it...? Nah.....when you can buy 2, 3 or even 4 much cheaper, lighter, proven and reliable bikes for the same price as a new 1200GS?
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Last edited by geoffshing; 10 Jun 2010 at 16:15.
Reason: Xtra thought
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10 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4x4overland
Being totally honest....
<snip>
Mainly i gota be honest to do with the way it looks....
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Nowt wrong with that. In the end it's you who has to live with a bike, so, if it makes you happy, go for it.
Internet forums are bursting with people who buy bikes then, possibly for reason already mentioned (they don't live up to personal aspertaions) they get slated for many minor faults and one or two major ones. The truth is, for every one who slates off a bike there will be a 99 people who are very happy. You always here bad stuff, good stuff isn't that interesting is it?
"oh my bike rode from Gib to Aberdeen the other week without a hitch"
isn't anything like as interesting as
"My bl00dy GS was on a recovery truck the whole holiday"
Personaly, I don't care for the BMUU thing, and yes it's down to the image mainly, but tossed in with some horror stories means it's not a bike I'll ever own. But BMUU have sold ALOT of these bikes, can so many people be wrong ?
Really, it's about being happy, being a bloke(or woman/girl) on a bike, and riding it is pretty much all that counts 
Last edited by GasUp; 10 Jun 2010 at 16:10.
Reason: Covered off the sexist bit!
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