I've read a number of posts where people get many many miles from the GS. The final drive is a known issue/joke, but I would imagine that if you look the number that have failed compared with those that have not, it's a pretty good ratio in favor of the no fail category. Most of the other parts seem to last a long time. They do seem to hold value pretty good. Better than anything on wheels I've owned.
Were it me, I'd try to find one with low enough miles that is was still under warranty. That would be under 36K and less than 3 three years old. Could be 4 years old depending on when it was purchased. This way you could buy it and really look for probs that you can then get fixed before the meter runs out.
Agreed. The 1200gs is the most popular bike bmw has ever sold. If anything, I would expect more failures. My 05 just turned 107k miles and has been the most reliable bike i've ever owned. Its on its second battery, and never failed to start until a wire got rubbed through and caused an EWS error right before it turned 100k.
I did strip the transmission input shaft splines at 52k miles, which would have been an $1100 repair had i not had extended warranty. That would have been unacceptable, but I readily confess to thrashing the bike heavily before that with frequent wheelies and full power shifting.
Listen closely to the bike after its warmed up with the clutch disenagaged, you shouldn't hear any rattling from the clutch, which can happen when cold from the throwout bearing. If it does rattle, the input shaft splines may be worn. I've heard they can be visually inspected with the right camera (boroscope?)
I've never changed or checked the FD oil in any of my beemers, I do check for play occasionally. The only thing i've had to do is replace 2 outer seals that run about $20 and take 5 minutes to change.
Only other things are the grips are worn out, i've put on o rings from excelcycle works for that, and my windshield is worn out, its got a bunch of little cracks in it. Lastly, the rear seat needs recovering due to sun damage.
It burns half a quart of synth every 2000 miles and still gets easily 45mpg around town which yields at least 200 miles per tank.