Just to confuse you as a R1100GS owner that "had" similar things - early years are supposed to have more teething issues while I've seen the early R1100Gs with close to 500 000 miles (!) on the clock engine still all stock! Controversial stuff. :oops2:

Maybe R1200 owners/gurus can add more input on the model variation throughout the production years.

Why do you think you know why I bought my bike? What a joke! :rofl:

Regardless of what you think, I did not buy a GS because of "what it represents"...to me it doesn't represent anything...while you might consider a large engine, good suspension, ergonomics, shaft drive, etc. to be "irrelevant", they are not irrelevant to me.

Sure, I could "ride around" on any bike, but the fact is the vast majority of other bikes don't suit my needs, if that's OK with you...

so true

Dunno, I've never noticed the 2006-2007 models coming in for particular criticism; if anything, I would say that all other things being equal, not to get a 2005. That said, I've got a 2005 and like it alot, although the final drive had to be replaced at about 42k miles, which is not great. Again, this topic is covered by many threads in the GS subforum on ADVRider, I'd search there.

I'm 6' 1" and 16 1/2st and tried the Tenere 660! Good fit, reliable, A DARN SITE EASIER TO PICK UP, looks cool and wheelies nicely, tall for the 6 footers, not too common and a chunk cheaper!!!

Why not buy 2 bikes, one for road touring and one for on/off road? That's what I did and still spent less than a GS!. It depends on what type of trip I'm doing. My road bike is a Guzzi 1200 sport and I love it. If you want a big tourer/adventure bike get a test ride on a Stelvio. The engine is a peach. They're as reliable as anything else these days and you won't be following the crowd.

:thumbup1:

Best bike I ever owned ('07 GSA), I put 43K flawless miles on it in 3 years. Getting ready to put the next 6k miles on it starting in two weeks.

Heck, I bought a second, brand new '09 GSA earlier this year, just to stock up on them...:whistling:

There are a lot of small minds on this site, but if it will make you happy and you've got the cash then just buy it and be happy - don't worry what other people say...

Myself, if I had that kind of cash to spend on a bike, I'd get the new XTZ1200 Tenere due to the horror stories I've heard about the BMWs, though these are most likely overdone internet hype. They've sold thousands of the bloody things so a small percentage of final drive failures - so what?

Have fun.

I ride a Goldwing and thats 8k more than a GSA 1200 I have had one and never again........ servicing, special oil, Gold card hammered for £300 on most services... Forget sevice intervals and problems start and thats when a Bmer gets expesive. As for a goldwing service £196 inclueding synthetic oil and filter and only an anual service. Only problem is parts are expensive, but not as pricy as bmer parts. Sorry:oops2::offtopic:.... But I do think that every one here will agree on is Its your choice and you should never believe a sales rep. (well not until you see what they ride.... xt600) says it all.. .

Oneworld Biker.
To old to die young. To young to care...

Around the world on a Goldwing and a prayer.

I really don't care why you bought your bike, or even what bike you bought.

the point is... we could all ride the same bike, if riding was about getting something technically capable. but technical capability is largely irrelevant. I have a DL1000, spent a good few thousand miles on an 1150 GS, been there on an Africa Twin, but actually prefer my ZX6. But, when it comes down to it (and the OP question), all bikes are capable of western european riding.

the reason you choose a gs ? why do I think I know.. :rolleyes2: well you said it yourself, 'large engine, big suspension, shaftie'.

none of which are essential to riding in western europe. you prefer a large engine, you don't need one. you prefer big suspension, but you certainly wouldn't need it for a ride up the Highlands. You prefer a shaftie, presumably because you like the technology. you don't need a huge tank, there are fuel stations everywhere. ergonomics are part and parcel of any modern bike.

all personal preference, for whatever reason. I was merely suggesting that any modern bike is capable, so the OP should choose what he prefers and ignore any doom merchants.

no need to be so defensive. unless you have one of the GS' from the 'bad years' :biggrin3:

Oh Christ.. Not again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buy a 1200GS.... You really want one. Sometimes you have to be lead by your heart.

Wait for it to cost you some big money and/or leave you stranded needing the LWR support crew to just change a fuse and then you can start you own threads like:

"I HATE BMW'S - Why didn't i listen to all the warning alarms flashing all over the internet by people who have already learnt the hard way"

"I can't believe I can't fix this stupid bike with a normal tool kit"

"Did I just spend £15,000 on a bike instead of £3000"

"Why are their more electronics in my bike than R2D2's underpants drawer"

"Why can't I lift my 250kg caravan on two wheels"

"Why does every spare spart cost ££££ and is difficult to bodge"

Sometimes, you have to learn the hardway... That's why I love buying old bikes off ebay and high performance supermotos ! I'm an expert of "Learning the hard way"

Just buy one, buy the luggage to match, go to the Touratech meetings and drink frothy coffees. :cool4:


Or if you want to go Overlanding, buy something Japenese !!

Ahhhh, mambo-jumbo, it's a great bike GO FOR IT! They'll always be the naysayers-doomsday-finaldrivewillbreak-toomuchelectronic kinda folks out here. Some just haven't caught up with the times and still type their rants on DOS operating systems...:thumbup:

P.S.: And, their is nothing wrong with a good cup of joe, or Long Way Round. Come to think of it, I always enjoy a cup of coffee while watching Long Way Round :thumbup1:

But I'm not in Western Europe...:rolleyes2: And as to ergonomics, of course they're part of any modern bike, but the ergonomics of most bikes out there are not comfortable for me, or even safe IMO. I ride in heavy traffic almost every day, and I want something really tall for visibility.

Finally, to set the record straight, I'm not being defensive, I just don't like people that don't even know me telling me why I did something...

I've had my R100GS for 20 years - the reasons I bought are completely different from the reasons I keep it.

I've owned an 1150GS for 3 years in the meantime (amongst others) and really didn't like it and for the same reason wouldn't buy a 1200 - I've developed an irrational hatred for Telelever front forks. Also comparing the 1150/1200 to the good old airhead find that so much technology just makes it too complex for travelling to many places without a support crew.