2005 R1200GS

[Paddler]

What potential problems should one worry about buying one of these used?  35K miles.

[MikeB60]

ABS pump failures, has the bike had regular brake fluid service. Cracked throttle body pulleys.  Shock condition, mine were shot at 30000 on a 2006 RT.  

[dirtrider]

On 9/11/2023 at 10:21 PM, Paddler said:

What potential problems should one worry about buying one of these used?  35K miles.

Morning Paddler

 

In addition to what Mike mentioned__

 

The 2005 was sort of the first (beta) 1200 so the 1200GS  had some important changes after the 2005.

 

 2005GS had some drive shaft failures so the drive shaft was improved on later 1200 bikes, the 2005GS also had some final drive pinion failures (due to a small pinion bearing) so that area was improved on later 1200 bikes, ther were a lot of FPC failures on the 2005  1200 bikes so BMW went to an improved (black powder coated high fin) FPC on later motorcycles, the 2005 1200 bikes also had a number of failures of ignition key antenna rings (caused a no start condition) that was improved on later 1200 bikes, the 2005 1200 bikes also had a number of final drive crown bearing failures (but some of that was due to the fill-for-life final drive with no service interval provided).

 

The 2005 1200 bikes also had some oil leakage issues at the rear of engine, the later 1200 engines had a new balance shaft/sealing design so oil leakage was a lot less likely. 

 

A BIG issue on the 2005  1200 motorcycles was a foam insert behind the front engines belt cover, that caused a  LOT of nasty corrosion on the front of the engine behind & around the front cover. BMW removed that foam insert on later motorcycles & a number of heads-up 2005 riders also removed it from their motorcycles. 

 

On used 1200 hexhead motorcycles, the later the better as the hexhead was constantly improved until about 2008, so in the 1200 hexhead series the mid 2008 & 2009 are probably the best of the litter with a number of early issues improved or eliminated. 

 

 

[Paddler]

Thanks, DR.  Very helpful.