1100GS gearbox issues

I've got just over 30k miles on my 95 GS. On my last service the dealer stated that the gearbox/transmission needed replacing! This seemed excessive on a supposedly indestructible bike, but I hear that this has been an issue with this model. Friends in Europe have had BMW meet some or all of the cost of this replacement - has anyone here had any similar experiences? Have BMW supported the dealer in pushing for factory meeting costs?

Interested in any like experiences.

Eric Blume said:

Isn't this an oilhead? This is an airheads forum.

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Hey look! We're in oilheads!

Eric Blume said:

Isn't this an oilhead? This is an airheads forum.

Click to expand...

Look up my friend -

BMW MOA Forums > Tech Forums > Oilheads > 1100GS gearbox issues

MarkF

Another one bites the dust...

It seems that eventually all of us owners of older oilheads face gearbox replacement. I replaced my RS's with the factory rebuilt unit last year after it's third bearing failure. I have heard of so many people with gearbox problems and so few of them ever get a break from BMW on the cost. I tried unsuccessfully to get some warrany from them for mine. They just seem to believe that there is no issue with the failure rate on these gearboxes. Kind of reminds me of my Honda V45 and the camshaft wear issue. I thought that BMW might be a little better at dealing with this sort of thing given the reputation for reliability that they so proudly boast, but apparently not.

Eric Blume said:

Somebody moved it over from "airhead" to "oilhead" while I was not looking...

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That was me.

My Gs is screwed up. First gear was missing and 5th was rattling...grind. Well 32K miles and my independent Beemercycles man tells me Transmission is KAPUTT! WEll a new BMW unit sells for $1700 and so I go the junkyard route $850 plus installation.

deatails and test ride on Sat. I am told that the pre 97 gearboxes suck, bMWNA cares not, and we are plain screwed.