Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

I'm only on 117000km on my 2011 GSA, after 4 and half years. 

I think you do quite a bit more commuting than I do Andy.  I only use the bike a couple of times during the week, and for short distances. But I also think I manage to get out onto the open gravel a bit more often - fewer responsibilities and commitments. I may also be a bit rougher on the bike 

Living in an apartment, I also don't have a workshop. And more importantly, don't have the inclination to get down and dirty. So all the servicing is managed by the dealers. And I really can't complain.  

A similar list of issues, although I haven't replaced the clutch yet: 

• On my 3rd battery, but the 2nd wasn't a BMW one and only lasted 9 months. 
• Rear shocks recently dripped quite badly rather than just weeping, also rebuilt by Martin Petzold - 110,000.
• Starter motor replaced about 75,000. 

Also: 

• Rear wheel bearing replaced about 90,000
• Front fork stanchions replaced with Martin Petzold alternative at about 90,000 - they were weeping. 
• Front fork mount ball joint replaced at 100,000
• Rear Diff bearings 110,000

Next on the list has to be my front disk brakes. They are loose and rattle like anything. My recent trip around the country sounded like a tinker's van. Shane says they are ok for a bit - just noisy. Apparently there was a washer or shim that could be used on the older models - but that's not possible on the 2011+ ones. 

I rode a new model for a weekend and was impressed, and disappointed. I'd been expecting to really, really want to lay my money down - but decided to stick with my beauty.  

If I'd replaced the bike with a new one, the depreciation on it would have been significantly more than on the old. And I'd have had to plunk down a bit more on replacing the farkles I have grown accustomed to (stronger crashbars, toolbox etc). So I'd be a bit more out of pocket, and paying roughly R5k a month on HP. I'd still be paying for dealer services on the new. 

So the analysis I made was: is R60k in HP over the year for a few nice features really that much better than spending the R20k on replacement parts for the older bike? I'm really not into flash over substance (my car is a 10 year old Renault Modus - yes of course it's a manual shift). And that doesn't factor in the difference in insurance costs.

For now I'm really happy with my old lady. She's just dragged me on a 7,500km trip around the country. She may be a bit noisy - but she's still awesome. 

Kev, I added my ball joint W&T item to the list, but still remarkably little heavy items to replace on a bike after 165 000km.

My bike does 50% tar and the gravel is often fully loaded in full battle order for a sortie of one to many days.

Of all the items, I think the battery works the hardest.

All my services are performed by MOTORRAD and I had my 'own' mechanic for twelve years at Atlantic Motorrad before switching to Donfod Stellenbosch where the date of service is dependent on Dominic being available as well as having access to a 1200 GS.

There is no way I want that naked and exposed feeling that an 800 is or all that wind noise.  Just 5 minutes on an 800 makes me realise how spoilt i am on the R1200GSA.

My bike never sleep in then open, It lives in a garage or parking garage in urban areas and sleeps in pajamas when out on the open road trips.

I find the engine torque and compression fantastic and often people ask if my brake lights work because they never see them. But I use the engine to reduce speed much of the time and the brakes for unplanned slowing or for that final halt.  My front discs are thankfully still good.

So looking forward to many more kilo's (only on 34k) on my GSA although I am tempted by the LC from time to time.

I am still happy with Mr.Badger on 225 000km.  The economics that Kevin enumerated are a big factor.  With my recent loss of body weight and strength I was considering a small bike (maybe a Sertao), but a chat with Johan from Donford at the water crossing training changed my mind.

Even though the other bikes are lighter, Mr.Badger is my rock.  Also never left me standing, though sometimes it was close.  Replacements:

• Speedos (3 or more times)
• Front disks (got aftermarkets from Kingtek after mine were worn down to being far too thin and rattling like crazy)
• Rear brake caliper
• Handlebars after a highside down a slope at the Quarry at Zone 7
• 'n' tappet-cover protectors after countless falls (at least a year's worth of 5 falls a day during training).
• Clutch at 80k
• Left fork at 200k (right fork body is also slightly  cracked and will need replacement one of these days)
• Hall Effect sensor (I still have the old one that I plan to rebuild one day)
• Rear diff bearings etc
• A few batteries
• A starter motor or two
• The fuel pump

This is the kind of thing Mr.Badger has seen me through - without crash bars:

My personal mechanic for many years was Shane at Atlantic, now at Donford.  Now it is his ex-appie, Andrew at Kingtek.  Between the two of them I get the best value and options, and advice on how to do it myself when possible.

Edited to add Rear Diff bearings.  Thanks for reminder Charles 

Eish, that means my GS is only run now at 91 000km!

Impressive trouble-free mileage! I'm running my own "scientific experiment" to see how my 650 thumper holds up. I can't say it's been trouble-free, given all the second-hand ancient bike issues. I've had to replace a radiator...

I bought it at 12 years old with only 30,000km. Currently on 70,000km and, looking at the track record of the past 2 years, adding about 10,000km every 5 months (a third of that is commuting). It's becoming more reliable as time passes, probably due to all the new bits! Andrew (Kingtek) knows me well. He joked that I should buy shares.

The 650 single is known to do more than 250,0k virtually untouched.

That's fantastic news. I'm around the 71000km mark so "theoretically" I'm still running the "Sexy D" in.