Triumphrat

Cookingfat · 12-01-2009, 12:45 AM

Worth a read; http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185459 I'm not suggesting Tigers are 100% purrfect (no bike is) however, they are £4k cheaper.

Have BM got a major problem with quality control, or is it just the odd very expensive lemon?

triple3john · 12-01-2009, 12:37 PM

The 800 engine is built in China so whether that is relevant or not who knows ? Personally for the price BMW charges I wouldn't expect a chinese engine. A friend has a new GS1200 which has been back to the dealers with engine management issues,sorted ok and no major faults but he is intending to get rid before the warranty runs out. My view is that bikes are getting increasingly complex electronics which must increase the possibility of gremlins given exposure to elements etc. Fingers crossed I'm on my 7th Hinckley in 12 years and no significant issues at all to date.

M.Guy.Vig. · 12-01-2009, 01:55 PM

Good mate of mine traded his trusty 1150 GS for a 1200. Bad move. Lots of niggling little problems, and a " not as solid " feel to the bike, meant that he got rid before things escalated. Anyway, there's a shiny 1050 Tiger in his garage now! Good man!

Timbox2 · 12-01-2009, 06:34 PM

I know of at least 2 guys who have gone back to 1150GS from 1200's, 1 of them didnt even have any problems, but was too worried that he might.

Ive just done 55k in 2 1/2 years on an Beemer 1100S and I didnt have that many issues, well Ok, 1 biggie. the Bevel Box started to go at 83K so swapped it for a S/H unit, but really I didnt think that too bad. BM do seem to have a had a fair bit of issues with some of the later stuff, but I'll wager they are not the only ones.

I may have gone for a GS myself instead of the impending Tiger, but to be honest its more a case of Bangs for Bucks, £4000 dont buy much of a GS these days, that and sadly I didnt want to be in the Charlie and Ewan club, shame really they aint a bad bike, but the 11S was and still is the bargain BM of the century, as long as you avoid the BCR's that is.

Arrybash · 12-03-2009, 06:42 PM

I changed my 955i for a new BMW 1200GS Adventure in July.

Its now done close to 4,000 miles.

No real complaints or problems.

The paint has been shot blasted of the centre stand cross bar. This has never happened on any other bike I have had but its being changed under warranty.

The only other warranty issue has been the rubber connector for the pannier lock cover snapped.

It doesn't use any oil. Vibrates a bit over 75mph which can be annoying. Fuel consumption a bit worse than the tiger at 47mpg.

I am pleased overall, but the tiger engine is far better. Triumph don't do an adventure model with shaft drive so I had little choice.

Chris

Jazbee · 12-04-2009, 03:24 PM

I've had a 1200GS for just over two years. Never had an issue with it and it is probably the best bike I've ever owned. Just added a Sargent seat, Fastway Footpegs and some Remus headers to go with my Akro can, all in prep for a French trip in the spring. I prefer the standard GS over the ADV, much more nimble, I bought it as a road tourer that can take a run up tracks when required and the standard GS is perfect for this. Its also fantastic on the twisties which is great as I am within 30 mins of some of the best biking roads in the country. I did try a Tiger 1050 earlier this year and it is a suberb bike with a fantastic engine, but to me it did not feel as planted as my GS does. The Tiger is probably BMW's main competitor to the standard GS whilst KTM compete with the ADV.
I wouldn't discount owning a Tiger in the future though. A suiable stablemate for my TBS

blacktiger · 12-05-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookingfat

Have BM got a major problem with quality control, or is it just the odd very expensive lemon?

I read recently that someone big in BMW admitting that they have got build quality problems because, he said, that BMW has expanded their model range too quickly and that has put a strain on the production lines.
Also recently an article in MCN (UK) they said that the S1000RR was tested by making 300 bikes and giving them to BMW employees. They covered at total of 625000 miles. However, that works out at an average of just over 2000 miles each. Some long distance testing!!
After all the recurring problems I had with an R100GS ( 3xgearbox rebuild, 3x drive shaft, generator, starter motor and wiring loom in 63000 miles) I'll never buy another one as long as I live. My Tiger in comparison has only needed a radiator cap in 58000 miles.
I also didn't get on with some of the twats I met in GS clubs that looked down their noses at you if you weren't on the latest model or didn't wear the BMW clothing etc. I find Triumph owners are much more down to earth.

winger · 12-06-2009, 06:02 AM

Here's the otherside.

I bought my first Tiger(new) in 99,within a month i had a phone call,stop riding it(i'm 2 days away from going to the Le-Mans 24 hour in april)the plating is flaking off the internal engine bolts and blocking the oil ways on the first bikes built,2 weeks after that it blew a head gasket,and so did i !!!!,we'll rebuild it i was being told,no you F won't i told e'm,and after a lot of hassle i was supplied a new bike.

I ordered an aftermarket Triumph offroad pipe,came with a silencer and connecting pipe that replaced the square collector box on the 885,it didn't fit!!,and neither did the next one they sent!!!,take it to the dealer they'll fit it,they couldn't!!!,i knew who made them for Triumph and paid them a visit,have you ever fitted one i ask,e'rrr no only tried them on the tenplate supplied,they phone Triumph,and put me on the phone,who the hell are you a voice ask's,the bloke who's trying to save you a lot of hassle and money i reply!!!.

6 weeks later another kit turns up and it fits!!,a few months after that i have the shock replaced,couple more later i have new front discs,despite travelling all over Europe on it never trusted it,sometimes it would start and run like a bag of spanners,spoke to others with the same problem,pickup on the crank moves and is out of sync with the ignition,,switch it off and try again was the solution,it did work!!

Now based on that,would you buy a Triumph??,the moment the warranty ran out,so did i and bought a 955 because i wasn't prepared to draw any conclusions based on one bike or two!!,apart from fuel connectors it's been fine,covering the period of all 3 Tigers i've had a BM thats never missed a beat,in my book doesn't mean one is good and the other is bad,the trick is being able to see the wood for the trees.