WHY do GS's break all the time

[portablejohn]

Can't always be accelerating, can we?

[stevie88]

I love my 08 GSA, I've put 45,000 miles on it thus far and it's never left me stranded but it has made an extended home for itself at the dealership shop several times due to stalling issues that were ultimately caused by one of their own wrenches not knowing WTF he was doing.

Right now though I'm lusting after the Moto Guzzi Stelvio as a replacement. I'm at least 300 miles from a BMW or Guzzi dealer anyway so convince isn't a factor and I'm just feeling the need for a change and something a bit more unusual always appeals to me. Having just purchased a new Grisso SE might have something to do with this too. That V2 motor is Italian sexy.

[diabolik37]

Originally Posted by stevie88

I love my 08 GSA, I've put 45,000 miles on it thus far and it's never left me stranded but it has made an extended home for itself at the dealership shop several times due to stalling issues that were ultimately caused by one of their own wrenches not knowing WTF he was doing.

Right now though I'm lusting after the Moto Guzzi Stelvio as a replacement. I'm at least 300 miles from a BMW or Guzzi dealer anyway so convince isn't a factor and I'm just feeling the need for a change and something a bit more unusual always appeals to me. Having just purchased a new Griso SE might have something to do with this too. That V2 motor is Italian sexy.

Fix

Horizontal jugs gives you better landing protection.

[WeazyBuddha]

Originally Posted by nitsuj

I think I have a unique point of view on this question. It's opinion backed up by experience. I've worked in the motorcycle industry for most of my adult life. I was a tech at a Harley Davidson and Honda dealership, and I was a service manager as a BMW (plus several othe brands) dealership. BMW's are absolutely less reliable than several Japanese makes. Not trying to make anyone mad, it's just how it is. When it comes to break downs, recalls, and various issues, BMW just has more of them than say Honda. Now, they also have a different ride and feel that some people feel is better than the Japanese makes. I happen to agree. I love the GS, I plan to buy one just as soon as possible. I'm aware that I'm not buying a Honda. I know about the higher cost of ownership, but I'm willing to live with that to get the bike I want. Same reason I bought a Duc 1098 instead of a CBR 1000. I was willing to pay the higher cost of admission to get the bike I wanted. And it's all quite similar to Harley. The Harley, much like the Duc and the Beemer, costs more to own. Higher service costs and a greater chance of a breakdown. But, there is nothing like it. The Japanese companies have build some really great twin cylinder cruisers, but none of the, rider of *feel* like a Harley. I'm not talking about the status of being on one, but the feel of riding it. A Honda Shadow will never be a Fatboy. And a KLR, while being a great bike, will never be a GS.

I hope I'm getting my point across correctly. I don't mean to imply that a BMW is a lesser bike. Only that it can't be claimed to be superior to any other brand as far as reliability is concerned. That doesn't mean there isn't a lot of damn good reasons to own one. But if the most miles for the smallest service investment possible is the goal, GS is the wrong bike. So is Duc, Harley, Triumph, Vespa, or KTM. I guess my point is, the reason there are so many bikes is there are so many riders. No one bike is perfect for everyone. The RT is a gold standard of Sport Toruing, but it fits me terribly and I find it uncomfortable. But looks how many guys are putting huge miles on them happily. The LT is a terrific touring bike, but I prefer the Goldwing. And like the Harley Street Glider better than either of them, even though I can give you a long list of reasons the Wing is technically better than the Harley.

To sum up, ride a GS. If its right for you, it is. If its not, you don't need a bunch of people on a forum telling you to buy one or not. Pick the bike that works for you without getting hung up on a love for machines from a certain country.

This response resonates with me. I've had several things go wrong with my GS but not yet the FD. Next up for me is the fuel strip(s); started acting up the other day.

Love my GS, it's our lot in life -- those of us that can't part with 'em since there really is no other bike like it.

[mudmonster]

With technology comes problems eventually,just think of the amount of inmates worldwide that own gs/a,s and are on the ADV forums then the percentages of faults are pretty low I reckon !