R1300GS

[Caddyshack]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Pic for attention from 20th December 2023.

Looks pretty good to me, what tyres is that running?

[-Cappo-]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Ken_Code said:

Does anyone have an R1300GS? What do you think of it so far?

I’ve just ordered one, hopefully to arrive late next month.

It’s turned into a quite expensive week as I also bought a new family car, but I’d been considering the bike for while and a brief sunny period of weather made my mind up.

I have a friend that got his late last year, he has had problems with the starter relay which has been back to the dealers twice. Both instances for the relay.

Apart from that he's very happy with it, I think this is his 4th consecutive GS.

I have a friend who runs a business providing pre-arranged GS tours in Spain. After he started using the 1300, he had to keep a 1250 available on standby for if when the 1300 shat its starter relay.

True story; I recently borrowed the “standby” 1250 from him and he said “make sure you keep your phone on”.

[Caddyshack]

-Cappo- said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

Ken_Code said:

Does anyone have an R1300GS? What do you think of it so far?

I’ve just ordered one, hopefully to arrive late next month.

It’s turned into a quite expensive week as I also bought a new family car, but I’d been considering the bike for while and a brief sunny period of weather made my mind up.

I have a friend that got his late last year, he has had problems with the starter relay which has been back to the dealers twice. Both instances for the relay.

Apart from that he's very happy with it, I think this is his 4th consecutive GS.

I have a friend who runs a business providing pre-arranged GS tours in Spain. After he started using the 1300, he had to keep a 1250 available on standby for if when the 1300 shat its starter relay.

True story; I recently borrowed the “standby” 1250 from him and he said “make sure you keep your phone on”.

Why wouldn’t they just carry a spare relay? Or does it take something like wiring with it?

[Ken_Code]

It’s coming a bit sooner than I thought, probably in a fortnight so I need to free up some garage space.

My Husqvarna 710 with its massive 800 miles on it needs to go first. Despite not getting on with it at all it’ll still be a wrench.

Harder to decide about is my 1200GS. Lovely bike, nothing wrong with it, so I may keep it for a bit.

[-Cappo-]

Caddyshack said:

Why wouldn’t they just carry a spare relay? Or does it take something like wiring with it?

I'm not 100% on the fine details but I gather it's a recovery job, not a roadside fix.

[Ken_Code]

Have BMW admitted a problem / suggested a fix?

I’m tempted to head down over the alps to Monaco for my first trip, but prefer to wait if there’s a significant chance of finding myself stranded up in the mountains.

[-Cappo-]

Ken_Code said:

Have BMW admitted a problem / suggested a fix?

I’m tempted to head down over the alps to Monaco for my first trip, but prefer to wait if there’s a significant chance of finding myself stranded up in the mountains.

Again, sorry, I haven't researched it but I don't think it's an isolated problem. Conversely, I don't know how bad/how many affected. I'm sure there will be a GS forum or group which will have more info.

As I understand it, you can go out for a ride, stop for a break and it simply won't start after and has to be recovered, but that's the extent of my knowledge.

I did take one out for a while and stopped a few times, and the starter was getting noticeably slower at turning the engine over after a while, but I didn't have it long enough to find out whether that was early warning of failure.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Ken_Code said:

Have BMW admitted a problem / suggested a fix?

I’m tempted to head down over the alps to Monaco for my first trip, but prefer to wait if there’s a significant chance of finding myself stranded up in the mountains.

Try Rothbury/ Keilder a couple of times.

I'm sure you know your way around that area.