Buying a BMW R 1200 GS or GSA? Here's what to look out for!

The successor to the R1150GS: the BMW R1200GS. A strong competitor in the adventure market and not without reason! It is not only practical, but also a lot of fun to ride thanks to its light weight, tight handling, impressive yet comfortable seating position, robust brakes and spunky engine.    

It has been BMW's best-selling model for years and it has taken the big adventure bike category to new heights. In fact, it has made the adventure motorbike segment hugely mainstream.

As a second-hand purchase, the bike has a number of 'problems', including nine product recalls. Some parts rust or decay and some reliability problems are just too serious to ignore. But loving owners and aftermarket companies have a plethora of solutions and upgrades.

Tyres

Metzeler's Tourance is by far the most popular rubber and almost everyone who has tried it is full of praise. The Tourance II has replaced this tyre and early indications suggest it is even better. Some people like Michelin Anakees, while others prefer Bridgestone BT 020 and 021, which are pure road rubbers.      

Continental TCK80s are the best choice for people who use their machines in the mud and offer exceptional off-road performance. However, the service life is quite short and the speed rating indicates that speeds of over 160 km per hour are not recommended.

Generally, tyre life varies, but the average mileage at the front is 14,000 km and the mileage at the rear is 11,000 km. The rubber for off-road use has a considerably shorter life, approximately 4,000 km.

Running costs of a BMW GS

It's not a cheaper motorbike to buy, but they do prove to be very good value for money. Fuel consumption is good, averaging around 1:18. Insurance and maintenance are both reasonably priced. A minor service, checking valve clearance every 10,000 km, costs around €200-400 and major services not much more.

Brakes

Original BMW brake pads are by far the most popular, but some owners say Ferodo, EBC and Carbone Lorraine brake pads work just as well.

On the GS bikes, the rear brake pads in many cases wear out faster than the 10,000 km service interval, so keep an eye on them. The discs tend to go up to 50,000-75,000 km, with enduro use extremely increasing the wear through the abrasive effect of sand.

Luggage

Hard cases and GSs go really well together and you don't see it any other way. BMW's own Vario cases and top case are the most common option. They are made of aluminium and can be folded out to increase capacity.

The majority of owners give them high marks, although some complain that they leak (especially after being dropped), that they are heavy and prone to corrosion.

BMW's less expensive plastic cases are also popular. The most popular aftermarket option is Givi. The true lovers of adventure riding prefer Touratech, Metal Mule and Caja Sahel. Tastes and wallets differ! In any case, there is plenty of choice.

Finish

The GSs have durable coatings and metals and can take a lot of punishment. However, there are parts that owners say are not up to the job. The rider's boot rubs against the frame where it touches the swingarm, causing the paint to peel quickly.

Rust can also form on BMW crash bars, especially after a scratch. The forks and case rails are occasionally mentioned, and the paint on the engine block can sometimes flake off. Especially the valve covers. Nuts and bolts also sometimes show some rust. Some owners complain about corroding petrol caps and wheels, but most have had them replaced under warranty. Some BMW owners complain that their handlebar heaters do not stay as new as they would like.

Modification of a BMW GS

Where do we start? Perhaps the after-market for the BMW GS is the largest of any motorbike. There are a lot of after-market exhausts available. Remus and Akrapovic are the most popular brands, but Laser and Bos should not be underestimated either.

If you want a noticeable power gain, the opinion is that you have to get rid of the catalytic converter and that can be done by means of a catalytic converter replacement or a complete after-market exhaust system. A few have fitted Wilburs shock absorbers front and rear and they are all happy with the improvements in ride quality and handling. Nowadays you also see that YSS has a very nice set of progression shock absorbers of which the experiences are very laudatory.

A rear mudguard is a popular accessory, because otherwise the bike covers itself and the rider's left leg with muddy water. You can also mount a small additional spoiler on your front mudguard. For extra comfort, some customers install different saddles, with Touratech and SW-motech being the most common brands. 

Many people use raised windshields because the original is too low. Because the headlights are dim, additional lighting or HID kits are often installed. Garmin, TomTom and SENA are three of the most popular brands for GPS and communication.

The list goes on and on: headlamp guards, crash bars, sump guards, oil coolers and so on. Touratech, SW-Motech, Enduristan, Wunderlich and many other brands are worth checking out.

Why not an R 1200 GS?

Pay attention to this when buying! The R1200GS is not a perfect motorbike that will last a lifetime. But... In reality, it also has a number of defects, some of which are serious and some of which are far too common. Here is a list of common faults:

- Oil leaks can occur where the engine and gearbox meet or where the drive shaft ends.
- Batteries have a short lifespan, but this can be prevented with a battery charger.
- Gearboxes can break down.
- Some owners have complained about the CAN-bus wiring harness.
- The relay of the petrol sender, the clutch, the final drive and other parts can break down.

If you buy a bike privately, without warranty, make sure you set aside €500 or more in case any of these problems occur. Early ('04/'05) motorbikes seem to be better than later ('06/'07) motorbikes. However, some bikes have many trouble-free miles behind them, while others have a long list of problems.

What does an R 1200 GS cost?

Retail prices for the 2004 ABS start at €4,000 and you'll get one with a lot of miles and few options. The 2013 engine (the next major update, with a partially water-cooled engine) currently costs a minimum of €8,500.

As always, there are certain features that influence a price. If it's a GS or GS Adventure (GSA), then €1,000 quickly falls between the two. Trunks are also expensive, but worthwhile additions. Mileage also affects the price, but be sure to check the history and whether it is correct. You can usually buy a GS with 50,000 km or 75,000 km on the clock, as long as these are documented and properly maintained.