Today the GSA want taking me anywhere, its off to the mechanic for the GSA’s warning light. But what’s the issue? Here is the process so you know for next time.
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What’s going on guys Matt from DSR here and if you’ve seen any of my KTM GT videos you’ll know I didn’t have a great experience with that bike there it is ladies and gents MTC engine failure quick caption bought it brand new within 50 Mi engine light came on
And it took about 6 months of back and forth with KTM before I managed to get rid of the bike and hand it back now I didn’t think I’d be making this video so soon but I did buy a BMW gs1250 secondhand 2019 plate and I’m going to
Be covering off some experiences I’ve had because I did actually have the engine light come on this is not just a video of me slagging BMW off I just thought I’d give you my experiences on it ringing up BMW Assist and kind of what the process was and the Fallout of
The problem probably pushing six weeks ago probably pushing 6 to8 weeks ago Saturday morning I went to go on the bike turned it on on done a couple of Miles turned it off jumped back on turn it on again and the engine light came on obviously it popped up with a little
Sign saying uh stop riding and go to a BMW mechanic ASAP it’s not what I wanted to hear because I was actually heading out that day to go and film a camping video for the channel so obviously that to get sacked I returned home and put
The bike in the garage and must say there was no visible signs but any problems uh and the bike didn’t feel any different I didn’t there was no obvious sounds or noises or not or there was nothing visually to make me think that there was a problem I rang BMW Assist
Around lunchtime on the number below they ran me back at quarter to 3 stay in that a mechanic would be with me uh by quarter past 4 brand of mine this was a Saturday on that call BMW Assist did say that the mechanic couldn’t fix it there
And then um he wouldn’t be able to retrieve it back to Dick love it because it was the weekend and then a collection van would come down next Tuesday to pick it up up bearing in mind I was told that the mechanic would be with me by quarter
4 at 20 4 I received a text saying the mechanic would be with me in another 82 minutes so now we’re talking around half five 6:00 and this is where things get a little bit interesting come 1800 still no mechanic had turned up so I actually
Run BMW Assist just to kind of check on his progress see what time he was coming and I was told that the mechanic had seen the bike um at so P two he opens the job and quarter past two he’d close the job stay and he couldn’t fix it
There and then and it would need to be collected b m had a phone call half hour after that point to tell me the mechanic was still coming to me so there was clearly some miscommunication between BMW Assist and the mechanic let alone with myself because I had been waiting
In um all afternoon for this mysterious mechanic to turn up and he didn’t and clearly he’d blown the job out cuz it was a a weekend I did raise a complaint complaint and actually turns out a couple of days later I got a an email from BMW customer service section uh and
I made1 P cash back for my troubles so is always worth if you do have any issues raise a complaint even if it’s just a case that they look into it and it gets fixed and sorted for the next person who Rings up BMW Assist obviously where the mechanic said he couldn’t
Collect it that day it then turned it onto the bike getting collected so it was arranged that Tuesday morning uh someone would come collect the bike and then take it up to Dick clove it so that’s the first initial part of being an issue with my bike trying to get it
Fixed obviously no mechanic and then it being collected on the Tuesday the second segment was you are entitled to a replacement vehicle or a higher vehicle to cover you um up to two or 3 days I believe as per the small print this is where the next few issues arose BMW
Assists get in contact with a harder company around you and that that’s who then deals with you getting a High car for me it was Enterprise and YoVille they told me that my high car couldn’t start until once the bike was collected so obviously that’s going to be Tuesday
Onwards due to my work Tuesday Wednesday I wasn’t available to collect a vehicle I’d arranged for the vehicle to be delivered to me on Thursday because I had no way of getting to YoVille to actually collect the vehicle Thursday morning comes uh I’m expecting the vehicle to be dropped off in the morning
Morning time I then get a phone call from Enterprise asking um what time am I going to come pick it up this was about 11:00 they asked me what time I was coming to pick the car up uh and as I stated I was like you guys may be
Dropping off to me woman on the phone said no according to our our notes you’re a walk-in customer again I complained with that uh didn’t get any money off this time it’s just frustrating because I know 100% that I didn’t go and pick it up Tuesday
Wednesday cuz I couldn’t go there and it needed to be dropped off and Thursday was the first day it could be dropped off to myself it’s just frustrating with the lack of communication between companies nowadays due to what I was doing on the weekend I couldn’t go and
Clip the vehicle so I had to cancel it completely so I was left without no replacement vehicle from The High car company again very frustrating moving on to the bike then was that dick love it they emailed me to let me know that the bike had arrived at the dealership so it
Was in their possession happy days they then told me they wouldn’t be able to get to looking at the bike for another 2 to 3 weeks and as you know I do YouTube full time and I use my bike sometimes every day to go to dealerships to go and make my videos so
For me personally waiting 2 3 weeks without a vehicle or without a bike wasn’t possible looking at the small print again in the BMW Assist and the warranty side um you are actually intital to a courtesy bike whilst you’re bike is in the service center I was
Arranging that out um whilst this was happening the mechanic managed to chop the bike on and uh connected to the OBD and see what’s wrong with it turns out it was just a faulty exhaust flap note to self by an OBD reader so I could have check that out myself and realized it
Probably wasn’t the biggest offender I didn’t need to worry so much but we live and learn the mechanic tested the bike on the Friday so bear in mind it turned up Tuesday tested it on the Friday realized it was just a small problem um and they managed to put the order in
Straight away for the part that part then turned up Monday um and I told it was going to be fixed Monday turns out it wasn’t wasn’t fixed and it wasn’t put in until Wednesday um bear in mind at all this point I didn’t have a high car
Company or a replacement bike at this point once I was told it was fixed I actually managed to rope in zo one of our days off she drove me up to Dick love it in Bristol where I could pick it up on that Thursday overall then in just
Over a week from the bike turn up to it even though I was told two to 3 weeks it was actually sorted fixed good to go and collected my experience with this then BMW Assist they’re okay but the problem is there’s the very lack of communication like I said between the different
Elements within their Department I.E the people you’re speaking to the mechanic there was no communication um back and forth to me apart from telling me that the mechanic was coming which obviously it wasn’t so that was fr unlike KTM see BMW were were a lot more
Receptive like I said they come of pick the bik cut they would have dropped it off but I chose to go up there to collect it whereas with KTM I was having to drive up and back to Bristol to drop off the bike every single time that I
Need to get fixed my personal experience so far has been positive there has been some frustrations and negative with it but overall the bike’s back it’s worth working is fixed and I’ve had absolutely zero issues with any other problems so far like I said at the start this isn’t
Just AIT a and moan this is just kind of an experience from my side so other people if they do need to ring up bmwc they they know the kind of process that they might be looking at just to help anyone else that might be uh in the
Same predicament as myself the main thing being we do have a positive outcome so I’m a happy man guys thank you very much for watching just a quick one so if you found it helpful give us a thumbs up subscribe to the channnel and until the next one ride safe
46 Comments
My experience with bmw assist was really good. Broke down with flat battery ( there is a recall on my model gsa, 69 plate), bmw assist told me the mechanic would be with me in 45 mins, turned up bang on time, it was a sub contractor, got me going, again like you on a saturday, but middle of nowhere in lake district, got me home to suffolk where my local BMW Motorrad sorted the issue as soon as they opened on the Tuesday, turned out it was the Trakker draining the battery but all sorted under warranty. Very happy. But having spoken to many people about breakdown issues, it seems to me most seem to be the sib contractors that cause the issues, mine was great, but the overall impression i get is most are not. Bmw assist give you great euro cover though too !
By the way, a little mainetenance on the flap saves a lot of headaches, never had mine seize in 24,000 miles from new, love it so much that i've ordered another 1250 😁
Buy a Honda….succes
Similar experience with BMW assist in Ireland, left hand and right hand are unaware of each other and comms breakdown. They need to address their business processes and agents need to take ownership of cases as they are raised.
I would recommend the following https://youtu.be/oKzuHv6dXeI?si=i25xpNSZiP_1ZHAy , this details the issue experienced with the Exhaust Flapper Valve, I have had this issue, I had the Exhaust Manifold replaced under warranty, BMW Motorrad advised the bike was rideable, and I did so throughout the wait for the Replacement (did 3k miles with the light on (and occasionally off).
Interesting. I'm a Honda guy. Yup, Honda, not BMW. I'm also my own mechanic, got ALL the tools! This story is the epitome of British style of service, being, catering, hauling, constrution, motors (motorcycles as well)… the whole of the British system of service lacks one essential item, wat's that you ask? QUALITY…… British service and product lacks quality! And, as is stands today, this lack of quality is the new standard. Some may agree, and others, nod their hed and others might disagree… however, unless you micro-manage, then you get doofers working and giving you sh!te product.. UK sucks, and this is a typical example.
Honda. 😎💟💟
I have the BMW 1250GS ADVENTURE, on a 2022 plate from new , ive also had it in with the flapper valve ,
It helps if you lubricate it ,
Get copper slip spray and remove the small exhaust metal heat sheild 3 bolts,
Its just below your right foot peg , then remove the plastic cover , this exposes the mechanical device that operates the valve , you will see a large sping , place a screwdriver tip about 1/4 the way down the spring and twist your screwdriver to open the spring , spray copper slip in the gap and do this all around the spring , if you spray at the bottom of the spring the copper slip goes nowhere, it must be above halfway up the spring , this will soak through and lubricate the valve 😉
As regards to Jap. Bikes the comments are right , for some reason they dont get the credit they should ,
I had an Africa Twin 🌍 before my GS , it was a better bike in honesty and DCT is a game changer , i had the 1100 ES ADVENTURE sport on a 2020 ,
Take no notice of people saying they are slow , i destroyed a 1200 GS in a drag race on mine and there is nothing in it with the 1250 ADVENTURE, only when you are two up with luggage will you notice anything and how often are you two up with luggage lol
Trade it for a Tiger 1200👍
Get yourself a Jawa 350.
At least they recover it 😂
Recommendation for you. I've been using an Independent BMW specialist based in Dorchester called Studley motorcycles. Darren, the owner has serviced my bikes for last 11yrs,I live Teignmouth, Devon, and won't go anywhere else. Brilliant service, loan bikes available. Working with Darren, is John, also highly experienced.They are both authorised by BMW to carry servicing on brand new bikes and complete warranty work. Well worth a look, plus it's not that far from where you live. John
Yet again, very poor service from the big brands 😢 The RAC left me in the services overnight for 18 hours, and the same as you just kept getting fobed off each time I phoned. However I did get very well compansated but really didn't need that as I was on the way home from a 2500k mile EU trip which kind of spoilt it 🙄
As for KTM I would stay we away 😂
bmw assist suxx balls. i had no end of trouble woman, hit our car , while we wernt in it parked outside our home, they came did half a job, should have done all other areas, bumper but left it bare in mind wasnt our fault, son worked for bmw assist, scam,, this company is not as good as it should be bunch of idiots, i really should have gone through our insurance, dammage they cased,
At this point, just buy a car haha.
Great story to tell all the GS lads at Starbucks which is about as far as most of them go. This is what happens when people buy all this high tech shit. Sensors fail all the time, ask any Range Rover driver.
thanks for sharing and annoying after the KTM saga, coincidentally I had a nightmare KTM ownership and got the bike rejected and went to… 1250GSA in the same awesome colour 🙂 – I too have had a couple of issues with the bike (one was related to the SOS reception, another a recall) but both have been sorted and had them collecting the bike and fixing it, certainly have found the experience with BMW is streets ahead of KTM – only negative is wait times for appointments with my BMW dealer, seems to be 6-8 weeks anytime I arrange anything
Big Money Waster – well named. I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. Here in Oz they have a long and extensive history of faults, and denial and frustrating of complaints/issues.
Time for a Yamaha Super Tenere. It might not be as fancy, but you're less likely to have a breakdown because it's less fancy
I have a Japanese bike and a couple of BMWs.
The Japanese bike is a Yamaha.
The Japanese bike has required servicing and routine parts such as tyres, C&S, brake pads. It has never broken down.
The two BMW s need servicing more frequently, parts are expensive and workshop time is much longer due to all the plastic needing removal. Gremlins constantly appear due in part to marketing driven options that are poorly engineered, servo brakes, heated seats, Para lever bearing wear, etc.
I will be happier when I get rid of these. When they work they're okay. I'm glad I didn't buy them new.
I have friend who is a serial new BMW buyer, his purchasing is based about his anxiety to display his wealth and Brand based lifestyle. Even new there are considerable numbers of issues. Gearbox faults, excessive oil consumption…
I suggested after the last debacle he replace the GS with a Versys 1000. Well, the look on his face was akin to someone making an indecent suggestion!
I would say that BMW/KTM have got their marketing spot on. They sell well to spec sheet readers and Brand fan boys.
They are outrageous expensive. They often have problems as they are rushed to market.
Still, it keeps the buyer busy but I'd rather be riding.
Sad day when motorcycles get to much technology on them
It's ok till the next warning light come ON
…are you sure it's not the bikes but …
Never owned anything that wasn't Japanese. Wonder why. 🤔
having had both ktm and bmw I would say (dealership dependent of course) that bmw trump ktm in every way. Ktm was the worst bike i’ve ever owned from new and the service was terrible. I bought a gs in 2019 and have just bought my second last winter. Not had any issues from either and the dealership always looks after me with a courtesy bike when i’m getting a service done .
BMW don’t have the best reputation these days. Cars too.
They are all the same royal enfield included from my personal experience
All the tech that manufacturers are putting on their bikes is just more to go wrong. Kiss, keep it simple stupid.
I think my next bike will be something more reliable, like a 1956 BSA.
I haven't seen any of your videos for a long time now but I remember watching your old ones with all the issues you had. This is probably the reason why I'm riding Japanese bikes only. Bought a brand new Africa Twin some years ago, done +50k miles on it, not a single issue. I travel a lot (regularly UK to Norway, Balkans etc.) so I just can't have a bike that I wouldn't trust.
Anyway, all the best to you!
I guess you should be more involved into the maintenance and repairs of you bike. Not expensive, you can purchase scanner and look up the code, problem, that causing you BMW to show a engine light. On my much less expensive Honda XL750, I can look out the codes on the screen. The service manuals are unavailable, so I call up the dealer I bought it from and told me what code meant. I corrected the problem, and reset it using a paper clip with end flattened to reset the engine light. There are riders,.and there are bikers.
This is why Japanese bikes are the way to go if you don't want to make constant dealership visits. What they lack in "personality" or "character", they make up for with reliability. I've owned them since 1992 and I've only most recently taken my 22 GSXS1000GT in last fall due to the lock cylinder falling out of the bag due to lack of proper loctite. Aprilia, KTM, BMW, MV Agusta, and Ducati aren't too much different from one another from what I keep watching and reading. As much as I love Aprilia's V4, constant stories of valve cover leaks and lack of parts keep me away.
Service is shocking now , whatever the company or brand ….nobody cares about the customer anymore wether its a meal in a restaurant or purchasing an expensive vehicle its gone down the pan since covid
Watching this video just reinforces why I will only ever buy Jap bikes.
Own 4 jap bikes, never missed a beat. Wouldn't touch a beemer.
I think you are being very diplomatic in your classification of the service you received. In my mind "mis-Communication" sounds more like "deliberate deception" in an attempt to make the customer wear all the inconvenience. Not good at all.
2 bikes in a row !mmmm maybe the problem is the rider . ? Just saying
30 years with Honda, they don't need Honda assist, they just work.
It seems the louder you shout and complain you get noticed. I had a bad experience with my k1600 feb this year, booked for full service and valves. The bill came to nearly a grand. They returned the bike to me greasy finger marks hadn't checked coolant, only 2 litre of oil in the engine, pissed off is an understatement. I went back with bike to the dealer drained oil to see how.much was in the engine. They also did the mot, according to my mileage they never road tested. I complained to BMW Motorad, they never got back to me. The dealer who serviced my bike apologised and are going to give the bike a free service next year as a gesture of good will. Basically they admitted not checking oil. From the same dealer ship my mate brought a second hand RS, had a similar issue that you had, they just made excuses in the end he went to a BMW dealer in Subury, sorted out the problem straight away under warranty. I love my beamer but the back up was crap. They need to make some changes otherwise customers will look at other dealerships. I'm not going to mention the dealer regarding these issues, so long is this never happens again. Apologies were in order, happy to give them another go. Safe riding dude.😊
Unfortunately this is one of the reasons im holding onto my 2003 Fazer 1000 and 2001 Blade. If something goes wrong i just fix it and usually it's very easy. I've spoken to a lot of fellow bikers recently who are just giving in on newer bikes (not just BMW or KTM btw) because of the hassles associated with modern tech. One lad had this years summer tour wrecked when his 2022 MT09 just gave in the ghost due to an issue with the bikes tech it spent 2 weeks in a Yamaha dealers in Hueza in northern Spain getting fixed whilst he had to get a flight home after only 2 days of touring.
Buy a Honda 🙂
I have 2 older BMW bikes for a lot less than the price of a new one, if one of them as much as "coughs" it goes back in the shed and the other one comes out to play and I WILL ride no matter what , my time is precious and I don't have time for morons to sort things out for me when they only care about money, I make sure myself that shit is in order !😉
BMW….. The 'Apple' of the motorcycle world 😂
My process is buy a KOVE and stop putting up with shit with legacy automakers
KTM – BMW .. Frying pan – Fire .
You need a tenere now fancy farckes to go wrong