Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Andy I will steer clear of ALL 2008/2009 boxers. :( You know some engines "packed up" in this period. YES, the issue was finally resolved. BUT how do know what damage was caused to the bike that you are looking at? Well for that matter a 2009 wont be too bad, as you will put enough miles on it to test it properly BEFORE the warranty expires. The "antenna ring", rear diffs, etc also seems to be more prevalent on the later models. The above is based on feedback from BMW owners, ie not accurate. I have asked on a number of occasions that BMW release stats on the failures of their bikes. I want to believe that BMW are still reliable and the "large number" of reported incidents still represent a small "percentage". So my vote goes for a 2007 model, possibly even 2006.

As usual, statistics should be read with due consideration for all the variables. An important variable here is that there has been an explosion in sales of new 1200s in the last couple of years. Hence, there are more of them about, and therefore, there will be more failures reported. The correct way to read the failure statistic would be on a "per no. of units sold" basis. On this basis, I suspect that you will find the 1200s to be far more reliable than the "famously indestructible" 1150, and the newer 1200s to be more reliable in turn than the older ones, particularly those with that crazy electric braking system.

Ok, So I mention 07, 08 and 09 as they do not have brake servo booster. So now WHO OWNS AN 07,8 OR 9 AND HAS KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THE SERVICES COST AND WHAT THE BIKES IS REALLY LIKE. Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.

I have a 2008 GS, bought it in October 08 at Atlantic and have done 10 000km trouble free, non of the ring antenna or other claimed general problems.I opted for full spec without tire sensors and ESA, as I thought they do not justify the extra cost. It's got a little more power that the pre-face lifted one and is very economical to run, often getting 5.2l/100km. Just had the 10K service done at a cost of R1200 for the service. So servicing is even more reasonable than competitors.

Hi Andyman, I’ve had mine for just over a year and have done 16500 km up to July. In that time I have broken my right ankle in Dec and now my left leg broke clean off between the knee and ankle. So with all that downtime I have done quite a lot of km considering that I don’t commute to work with it at all. I have had nothing but pleasure out of my bike it has all the extras except the tyre pressure monitor. and not a days problem, I have had my bike serviced in George as I stay in Plett, the service costs seemed good value, I don’t remember the exact costs probably R 600.00.I was thinking of selling to get a new model as I am still going to be out of action till about mid Nov 09, my thinking was that I was wasting my guarantee on crutches and it expires in June. But it does not seem as if their will be any enhancements for 2010.so I will keep her. Send me you address and I will e ail a picture of her. Mine is grblack@mweb.co.za

I have a 1200GS 2008 all bells and whistles. Before that a 2004 1200GS. Never had anything go wrong except the rear mud guard fell off, Donford's replaced it for free. I was going to sell mine but decided to take it to Jhb instead. Will be going up next week and then I will sell my 800GS and buy another 1200GS. If you can get a good deal on a 2009 go for it. Service 10K R900.00 about 5.2 per 100K's

Andy, I bought my 3rd 1200GS,face lift model, and love it to bits, I have now done 23K in 13 months and on my 4th rear tyre. I change with 2 - 3 mm tread left. Consumption is about 6,2 to 7,0 lt./100km, depending on throttle position. I do prefer to do the longer rides, eg all passes tour, Namibia etc. Service costs: 10K about R1,0K, 20K plus annual about R2,2. As a matter of course I change engine oils @ 5,0K km. Likes: ESA, and additional power/poke, reduced weight. Dislikes: Light steering, in Namibia I encountered Slappers on poor gravel roads on a number of occasions which were easily rectified. Fuel tank could do with an extra 3 - 4 litres. Ignore opinions, heed facts. 'tis a thin line between arrogance and stupidity.

Andy Ek was 'n week weg, lyk my jy het klaar gekoop? My 2007 GS1200 het my nog net plesier gegee. Al wat ek moes vervang na 2 jr is die gloeilampe van die voorste ligte wat geblaas het. Nou 24000 km op. Ek geniet die fiets, ry natuurlik nie so extreme soos jy en Annie nie, want ek dink dit is nie waarvoor die fiets gemaak is nie.... daarom seker ook minder skete opgedoen. Ek het ook geen ander fiets gery om mee te vergelyk nie. Ek verstaan die Adventures se ratkasverhouding is bietjie beter opgestel vir stadig ry, - wat ek soms op my staandaardmodel mis as ek baie stadig wil ry. Dienste standaard op 10 000km intervalle en pryse soos hierbo genoem. Gemiddeld 15km/liter Wat het jy toe gekoop? Groete

I've got a full house (ABS, ASC, ESA, TPC and heated grips) 2008 R1200GS. It's done just over 18,000km in 11 months commuting to work (Durbanville - Century City) and a number of day/weekend trips with pillion. All mileage to date has been on tar. 10,000km service = R1,300. Fuel consumption - average to date 17.9km/l, worst - 16.1 km/l, best 20.5km/l. There was a flaw in the crankcase casting which caused oil to "seep" thru the metal. BMW replaced the short engine. No other issues to report (except blown front headlight globe). Tony We should learn from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Andyman, sent you a PM. Life should be less about what you have and how you gained it and more about life's journey and how you travelled it.

Andyman jy maak 'n groot fout jy gaan nie met 'n 1200 reg kom nie. Die 1200 gaan omval met jou bo op as die wind waai.Jy kan nie van jou 1150 skei nie jy is getroud met haar. Die 1200 gaan nie vir jou 150000 km gee soos wat jy nou op jou 1150 gsa het nie. Sit stil en kyk hoe die son sak en dink aan al die lekker in jou en 1150 gsa se huwelik al die up en downs. Nou dat sy oud raak nou wil jy van haar ontslae raak? Hou haar en skaf dan vir jou 'n 1200 as 'n skelmpie aan sy sal dan nie so sleg voel nie. Ry dan alby. Groete 1150gsa

Hi Andy I recently went through the same exercise, after a little incident in April resulted in the verdict of "not economically repairable" on my trusty old 1150. My minimum criteria for the replacement were - 1200 Facelift, to get benefit of (slightly) more power and improved gearbox - ABS, for obvious safety reasons on-road - ESA, for comfort sake and better re-sale (hopefully not needed soon) - Late 2008 first registration, to have benefit of at least 12 months factory warranty After searching, seeing and test-riding options both here and Jhb, I found what I wanted at Tanya van Niekerk (club member?)in Fish Hoek. It was an Oct 2008 first reg, 16000 kms, full spec (incl TPC which I was not too keen on). I took delivery on 7 Aug. Next week was used to fit soft panniers (Kappa) and knobblies (Metz Karoo T), and get the feel of the machine. Between 15th and 19th Aug, we did the Hantam Karoo loop with 4 couples (1200GS, 1200 GSA, 1150GSA, 1150GS), and what a joy it was ... We only covered 1200 kms, but all sorts of terrain, all sorts of weather.All 4 GS models in Calvinia The only possible cons to my knowledge - Apparently headlight bulb blows (hearsay) - Controls bit sensitive at low throttle - Steering light with knobblies at high speed One of the options I looked at was at Honda Helderberg in Somerset West. It is an early 2008 full spec model, was overpriced then, but recently the price was dropped to a very acceptable level. The contact is Mark at tel 021 840 1776. You're also welcome to give me shout for more info on my experience. Cheers, Karl

Um - the 1200GS is actually for ME! :) :)

She's wrong. She already in the process of buying a full spec 1200GS 2009. '''I'm looking at a 1200GS for commuting.''' Did look at another RT which remains my dream. But decided on a GS as it offer more versatility and flexibility for my needs. I will now wait for the right 1200GS to come and find me. No rush, I'm going to keep my ear to the ground for that unbeatable deal. I want to keep my 1150GSA fully rigged for off-tar trips and reduce the wear n tear my weekly 500 km commute puts on the machine. My 1150 will be for trips and the 1200 will be my car for town driving and standby off-tar. Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.

thanks guys for the usefull tips and input. I guess I know now what I want and will be looking quietly at what's available until the bike comes to find me. Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.