Bike manufacturers that persist with faults in subsequent models

[rocketman1]

Im Interested maybe in the purchase of a BMW 1150GS.
So what do I do, yeah like all reasonable people you check the biggest pool of info in the world, the internet and search problems with BMW1150GS.
I often do this with many bikes, you have to take out the crap and look at what the majority say and you get a gut feel how good / reliable the bike is.
Well after about 1 hour of surfing, I could not believe the amount of problems people have with these well sort after bikes.
And more to the point, quite often mentioned is the fact that inherent problems are transferred from one model onto the next years model, apparently without the manufacturer making any attempt to cure what is a continuing problem.
Im not gonna mention details, you can all check them out for yourself, but what pisses me off is that a large manufacture can keep problems that they must know about continuing without modification from model to model.
Interested to hear does anyone else have this issue with bikes they own.

[AllanB]

Being specific about the GS 'issues' that carry over would actually be good. I say this as one internet ravers 'issues' are often not a problem at all, but you've probably weeded through these knobs already!

It is an interesting question though, I've read plenty about some suspect action on the anit-lock brakes on the F800.

My Honda has a ongoing problem - I just don't appear to be able to get rid of the last 5mm of chicken strips!

[watermellon]

For some brands (I'm thinking of Harley actually) the aftermarket address common complaints and provide upgraded parts. It's sometimes small stuff and sometimes big (welded crank and timken bearing conversion for high performance upgrades for example). It's frustrating that the company doesn't seem to immediately address an issue but, from my time spent on the Harley forums, it seems most problems stem from performance related modifications (taking the bikes outside of the EPA approval parameters manufacturers are obliged to work within). Leave the basic bike alone and chances are you won't have any trouble (well, with HD that is - can't speak for BMW).

[boman]

The infamous Green connector, that seems to be a continuous fault in the SV models.

[pete376403]

It took kawasaki nearly 20 years to address the KLR650 "doohickey" issue, and although the new model is better, it's still not as good as it could be ie the best aftermarket item is much higher quality than the new factory item.
However take forums with a grain of salt - people tend to want to post to tell when things have gone bad, not good (when was the last time you saw a post about "the whatsit on my 10 year old (whatever) is still working perfectly"?

[davereid]

when was the last time you saw a post about "the whatsit on my 10 year old (whatever) is still working perfectly"?


Everything on my 45000 km old TGB scooter is going perfectly.
Everything on my 20,000 km old Kawasaki is going perfectly.
Nothing on my 165000 km old BMW is going perfectly. It has "the BMW" rattle at idle. It has a fault with the fuel pump. Or the computer. Or the crash sensor. Or the airflow sensor. Or the wiring betwen / too or around those devices.
So it just stops every now and then until you shake all the above parts.
It has needed a new rear drive unit. It blows headlight bulbs, and the self cancelling indicators don't always cancel. The fairing doesn't adjust anymore. The speedo stops, but will come right on its own. It leaks oil out the bottom of the sump, and the rear brakes are crap. So is the front brake.


I still like it very much.

[The Stranger]

My Honda has a ongoing problem - I just don't appear to be able to get rid of the last 5mm of chicken strips!

That's part of the honda homo issue that's plagued honda since it's inception.

[bgd]

I had one of those 1150 GS things. In a bit over 3 years I put 130k kms on it and never had any of those internet problems. The final drive didn't fail, the tank never leaked and so on. The net is generally not representative of an entire population, there are plenty of good stories out there if you search for them.

[Taz]

I've got an 1100GS with 130k and I aint not got none problem........ Oh except that the indicators aren't like jap ones and that isn't a problem.

[wysper]

I still like it very much.

And thats it isn't it. Most bikes have some 'issue' or other. Sure, some are systemic or indemic (sp?) and should be fixed. But since the bikes are mostly built to price points sometimes that is the reason issues keep being repeated.

But if you love it enough you put up with it or fix it, if you don't love it enough - you sell it.

[Headbanger]

Everything on my 45000 km old TGB scooter is going perfectly.
Everything on my 20,000 km old Kawasaki is going perfectly.
Nothing on my 165000 km old BMW is going perfectly.

Fuckin Aye, That BMW has character.

[McWild]

RGV250. Powervalves.

[Gibbo89]

Im Interested maybe in the purchase of a BMW 1150GS.
So what do I do, yeah like all reasonable people you check the biggest pool of info in the world, the internet and search problems with BMW1150GS.
I often do this with many bikes, you have to take out the crap and look at what the majority say and you get a gut feel how good / reliable the bike is.
Well after about 1 hour of surfing, I could not believe the amount of problems people have with these well sort after bikes.
And more to the point, quite often mentioned is the fact that inherent problems are transferred from one model onto the next years model, apparently without the manufacturer making any attempt to cure what is a continuing problem.
Im not gonna mention details, you can all check them out for yourself, but what pisses me off is that a large manufacture can keep problems that they must know about continuing without modification from model to model.
Interested to hear does anyone else have this issue with bikes they own.

i would think that if you had a well running 1150GS, then you would have no need to join a forum to tell people how reliable etc it is. but if your 1150GS is a bit of a 'lemon' (which im sure most bike manufacturers produce from time to time) then you will be keen as to go in the nearest bike forum and vent your frustrations about the bike.

like what has already been said. don't rely JUST on the internet for research on the bike.

good luck with your decision.

[imdying]

RGV250. Powervalves.Not fixed in subsequent models he said. VJ23 ones work a treat. But to be fair, the 22 ones work fine also, they just need to be maintained correctly, much like the rest of the bike.

[onearmedbandit]

Every GSXR I've owned has had an issue with the front wheel leaving contact with the ground far too easily. I emailed Mr Suzuki about it and he sent me a box of heavy air to put in my front tyre, but I opened the box incorrectly and it spilt all over the garage floor. Postage was huge so I'm not going to go down that path again.

[madbikeboy]

+1

I complained to Yoshimura that he is responsible for the increased rear tire wear, and increased attention from Plod. He sent me a big cork. I'm not sure what the intended location was for the device, so I left it in its box.

How many GSXR's - so far nothing serious has ever gone wrong (without having first having a little lie down on a racetrack).

[rocketman1]

I had one of those 1150 GS things. In a bit over 3 years I put 130k kms on it and never had any of those internet problems. The final drive didn't fail, the tank never leaked and so on. The net is generally not representative of an entire population, there are plenty of good stories out there if you search for them.

Yes I know there are plenty of good stories my point is mainly about the lack of fixing an inherent problem
Why would a large company do this...Do they not want to admit that the machine is faulty, would that lead to others wanting free recall compliance, Im not sure, but it pisses me off to think that they give a f--k about fixing a fault.
Yes I am keen on a BMW but this has got me thinking, maybe not.
Some dude I read took his old yamaha through china not a problem his mates BMW had many problems broken spokes, broken alternator belt , cracked rear subframe? just to name a few. All this from a much more expensive bike. Beats me

[Old Steve]

My Hyosung GV250 has the Suzuki Intruder problem with finding neutral when the engine is running.

I've changed to Total semi-synthetic SAE 10W-40 engine oil and loosened off the clutch cable and I can get neutral 8 or 9 times out of 10 now. But how many years have Suzuki Intruder and Hyosungs had this quirk.

[davereid]

My Hyosung GV250 has the Suzuki Intruder problem with finding neutral when the engine is running.

Is your idle speed ok ? Set it a little lower and you may get neutral more easily.

[Taz]

So rocketman just what is the fault that's got ya knickers in a twist? A bit more angst and you'll soon be perfectly qualified to be a BMW owner. Keep in mind that whatever anyone tells you the 11xxGS is still only a road bike.

[JohnR]

... The net is generally not representative of an entire population, there are plenty of good stories out there if you search for them.

Quite right. Look on any model specific forum and you will see the same, i.e. the same problems year after year, bad experiences with dealers yada yada yada.

FWIW I just bought a R1150GS 2001 with 140+ km and when checked over it received a clean bill of health. Also 3 months after purchasing it I got a letter from BMW... rather than offering me a free check up and "discounted service", they advised me that there were outstanding recalls on this bike and I should take it to a dealer who would assess the bike and carry out the work required for the recalls for free!
I did and they did... sorted.

[Insanity_rules]

Every GSXR I've owned has had an issue with the front wheel leaving contact with the ground far too easily. I emailed Mr Suzuki about it and he sent me a box of heavy air to put in my front tyre, but I opened the box incorrectly and it spilt all over the garage floor. Postage was huge so I'm not going to go down that path again.

My Ducati has this problem that when you park it up, you get mobbed by members of the opposite sex. I always wondered why the Ducati welcome pack comes with a huge stick.................... Cummon Signore Ducati, cure this problem huh?

[Taz]

My Ducati has this problem that when you park it up, you get mobbed by members of the opposite sex.

This a Tui ad?

[Elysium]

Being specific about the GS 'issues' that carry over would actually be good. I say this as one internet ravers 'issues' are often not a problem at all, but you've probably weeded through these knobs already!

It is an interesting question though, I've read plenty about some suspect action on the anit-lock brakes on the F800.

My Honda has a ongoing problem - I just don't appear to be able to get rid of the last 5mm of chicken strips!

Couldn't get rid of my chicken strips as well, no matter how low I got the bike in those corners. The Hornet was never designed to corner like a sports bike.