Finding Adventure one moment at a time on my 1150GSA

[adaptableadventurerider]

Hi everyone I hope we are all well, some may recognise my bike from last year I've been through a bit of a tough time lately so took a step back from posting online while I got through it but missed posting on the Hubb an connecting with like minded people.

I've decided to start posting again when I feel up to it talking about both my trips in an around the UK as I find my feet again thoughts about previous bikes as well as thoughts on life in general in the hopes it may help others overcoming and going through similar struggles.

For me my adventure riding is focused around travel seeing new places and getting out when I can, I'm not massively into greenlaning although I did do some last year on a 300 Rally.


Last year I had a few issues with my mental health with some stuff thats been going on so not been up to posting.

Unfortunately everything went completely wrong with the 1150GSA 300 miles or so in.

The good news is thanks to my dad helping out I've managed to make all the repairs to the bike which totalled over half the value on the bike in cost as the suspension was completely toast and unserviceable when it was inspected by a Ohlins service centre which I didn't expect. An the more we got into the bike the more issues we found.

Really grateful to my dad for lending me the money to sort the 1150. Otherwise I would have had to sell her spares or repairs as I'd spent everything buying it.

That's all I wanna comment on the failures on the bike as it was a stressful situation.

The good thing is now I've addressed all the parts failures on the bike an shes now starting to be reliable.

These things happen in life an it's good to put it behind me now an that's an update as to why there's not been any updates.

It's took a while to get back to wanting to post online for me places like here are my way for engaging with the world as I don't socialise much out, so I'll always be grateful for the site an fellow members.

Ended up going for YSS suspension this time round as with all the other repairs I needed to make I couldn't afford to replace the Ohlins with Ohlins again.

The great news is the 1150 GSA is now back on the road woop!.

Another major issue I've had was a nerve injury to my neck I've just been getting over that which brought about alot of changes. No more kickstarting Norton Twins, an looking at lighter motorcycles to sit alongside the mighty 1150GSA.

It still feels amazing to be riding the motorcycle I dreamed off when I was a kid watching LRW

A few pics from a few weeks back an I'll catch the thread up now with my rides Peak District as my nerve injury is doing the best it's been for two years since I've made the changes.

It's been interesting thinking about what adventure motorcycling means to me I'd say travel and exploring and seeing new places an hopefully meeting new people as I get my confidence back in myself hopefully opening up if anyone else is struggling helps them go speak to someone.

It was fun trying the green laning on the 300 Rally but I just love this style of adv travel riding as it gets me out sometimes just getting out of the front door can be a massive adventure an challenge.

That's the story as they say

Also had an issue with my image hosting so started again. If any of the mods want to delete or remove those other threads I'll leave that to you. As I've tried to redo as much of the information that was in them within this one.

[adaptableadventurerider]

In this post I'm going to go in depth into the single cylinder motorcycles I've had in the past two years the issues I've had with them the pros and the cons from my personal perspective having had them all back to back.

Firstly some motorcycle history although I'm in my mid 30s I've experienced and ridden a wide range of bikes, from superbikes, gsxr 750's, fireblades, worked on tz350gp an tz250gp bikes, ridden an worked on an ex Iom and Nw200 Triumph 675 Race Bike. Bigger adv bikes ive had vstrom 650xt, vstrom 1000xt, 1200gsa te 2014, 1200gs te 2018 Rallye, f800gs. I've also ridden an owned a Norton Commando, lots of Japanese Classics which I don't have now from gsx750ets to rzv500r v4 2 strokes and 350 and 250lcs an a air-cooled rd250c.

I just have the one rd350lc now an the Nortons.

For Context this is one of my single cylinder motorcycles a 1927 Norton 16H that will cruise at 55mph weighs 252lbs and had 4.9hp an with some fettling will hit 70mph.



Handles like it's on rails.

Riding this motorcycle set me off on a quest in search of finding a lighter motorcycle for dad to ride and come on adventures with me

My journey looking for light motorcycles started when I pooled my vstrom 650xt which I didn't really wanna part with an had no complaints with, with my dad's gsxr 750k9 which had high miles an was long in the tooth so he could get his first adv bike funds wise.




Thought I'd give some context to my thoughts looking at the motorcycles we bought.

Bikes I'd owned an bought over the past few years that were smaller CC

390 adv x2

On the lighter front dad an I both had 390 advs had issues both got rejected at 147 and 269 miles.


Issues with build quality, Corrosion on one a damaged panel, flat tyres on one, both bikes had the issues with the displays filling badly with condensation, riding at altitude in winter, an dads repeatedly cut out or would go completely dead an not restart the electrics. (Displays aren't covered under the UK warrantys) we managed to reject ours under the consumer goods act.


Both weren't fans of the fly by wire of level of tech/ build. What I did absolutely love an dad agreed was the suspension was really good, the performance when they worked super fun and the handling was nice.


Its a shame they put the spoke wheels on the new optional version rather than the updated tft the bigger bikes have.

There's alot I miss from that bike if it hadn't had the build issues on both at the same time.



Bit of a shock coming from Japanese bikes I'd heard the ktm stories but thought it was just the Internet echo chamber.

1200gs

Next up was a 1200gs Rallye for a while good but I needed to help dad with some bills so let it go an got a Himalayan e5.


411 Himalayan

Was absolutely loving the engine but had constant handling issues with it, so when I checked it out I noticed the forks were out of plonk an a few other bits. When it went into service that had a seized rear swing arm (i ride rigid nortons mainly) + then headlight issues, then two brake light switches failed one after the other the 2nd within 30 mins which lead to me nearly getting rear ended on an emergency stop. At the time that was the last available switch (Noticed on the new 350 Bullet it's a new switch n same for the 450 Himalayan)

Had a word with the shop I'd bought it from an they completely agreed it shouldn't have happened as I was finding more stuff from a poor PDI so that went back for a full refund at 500 miles.

At the time my 1967 Norton 650ss was more reliable an I continued to use that as a daily for 4 years n 4 winters till this winter as I can't kickstart a bike now every day with the nerve damage. OK riding just not kickstarting.

After the service I still wasn't convinced on the handling on the Himalayan.

I Could have sorted most of it myself but after the Ktms I was a bit weary of loosing the warranty + a friends 411 engine had let go spectacularly an I didn't have the time to have it off the road as I needed it to visit a family member I was caring for. Which was why I kept a modern bike. I was also going through some personal stuff so didn't have the mindset to spanner.

[B]Honda CRF 300 rally









When that went back I stumbled on a 300 Rally bought that went green laning sussed out I didn't like green laning in the UK in the end there's a few videos of me doing a few on the channel.

It was the perfect bike for learning that aspect of riding lthough I thought the Himalayan had the more take it easy low down torque engine for riding under the TRF code of conduct over here speed wise, the Honda being mild on the road having plenty of punch on UK green lanes really wanted to go all the time.

What I loved about that, reliability, easy starting, good parts availability, suprisingly decent performance would overtake on the motorways n stuff within the legal limits an be smooth. The lack of weight was sublime.

Run in period was so easy compared to the painful one on the Himalayan. Went past in a handful of days because you were able to go on faster roads, ran it in to Wales.




What I didn't like once I decided I didn't like green laning, lack of tyre choice with the wheel sizes.

The shock was a weak point I'd fitted the Rally Raid shock n that had sorted that out. Oh an the seat a 10 hour or so trip to Wales needed a fair few stops with the seat.

The panels were OK but always a cause for concern luckily I never dropped mine a friend did recently drop his at abr an the cost of the replacement panels and decals are really prohibiting. The overall cost of it as well after watching Nathan's videos again I agree that Honda over egged the custard with the price.

When I sold the Honda I lost hardly anything for the level of fun I'd had with it not bad at all really.

The biggest weigh up with that was the cost of changing all the stuff to get it how I wanted in the end vs just changing to something more road orientated hence the 1150gsa

Overview between the 3 bikes.

The best performance went to the ktm, the favourite engine and simplicity the 411 Himalayan,

The biggest surprise of all was the Honda alot better than I expected tbh especially considering its a trail bike first an foremost.

What I learnt though that the weight of the 300 Rally and the KTM was a huge advantage, yet the 411 was the easier bike to plod on, on the lanes an had a beautiful cog.

Context of looking at a different bike

Put them all in a blender an there's a good bike.

That's the context of me looking for another bike to compliment the 1150, light, simple, reliable, good parts a decent turn of speed although I didn't find the Himalayan lacking in the power

One of my favourite bikes of all time was my Yamaha RD250LC (still have a 350lc that I've had since I was 18 in my 30s now) I've done 2k Miles in a week on the 250lc I used to have. Weirdly the Honda reminded me of that mainly due to the riding style it brought out of me.

Bit of a long winded post but thought I'd type my current thoughts out after the experience of the motorcycles I've owned for those new to my thread.

The biggest surprise of the NEC for me was that I didn't really fall for the new 450 Himalayan on the flip side dad really liked the new seating position on it, we both noted how very soft the suspension was.

I just wish they had kept the old looks on it an no fly by wire or gave us a 465 (411) bit longer subframe for more room for us leggy riders, an addressed the niggles on it) an left the fly by wire for the beemers.

One reason I refuse to sell my 2011 Fireblade I've owned since new is its analogue nature. Personally I don't see the point of fly by wire and ride modes on a 40hp motorcycle I prefer the feel of a cable operated throttle. That's after two 1200gs/gsa and riding both the 390s.

Having said that I guess from a manufacturing cost point of view that's the way the world is going.

What really surprised me an I can't believe I'm saying this the Him-E electric bike looked Really rugged looks wise, being someone who prefers old British Iron I can't believe I'm saying that.

I think they are all good Motorcycles though whether we had bad luck with the ktms then with the Himalayan being from a dealer that had just become an Enfield one who knows.

Everything in motorcycling is about compromise though that's for sure.

What are the top choices to join the 1150gs adventure after the house move? For dad and I, for me to use to commute on an for dad as his main motorcycle.

Bearing in mind where I'm moving has no green laning as I'm moving Scotland so that's a consideration yet the 153kg weight of a 300 Rally appeals.

I'd say at the moment the top choices are the:

Honda NX500
Why relative sensible cc and decent wet weight, cast wheels for winter riding up in Scotland to go to work on make sense established and reliable platform.
It's only £550 More than the top spec 450 Himalayan.

BMW 310GS is an interesting one looking at Nathans Videos and Chris Scott's website

It's a shame Yam an Suzuki seem to be missing the sub 500cc bikes from the lineups being familiar with what existed in the 80s that's a real shame.

That's the thinking so far anyway that mainly applies to me helping dad choose his next motorcycle as the 1150 is to tall for him even with the gs height shocks I have on he decided not to buy another bike till after the move an tried the ones I bought.

[adaptableadventurerider]

Now back onto the 1150GSA.

Still have to pinch myself that I have my dream adventure motorcycle the BMW 1150 GS Adventure it might have been a Rocky start but she's come good after alot of money and fettling. I'm starting to really enjoy riding her now.

I think that's the thing we life it's the memories and the moments that count as ultimately that's what we take with us through life.

I've been on cloud nine over the past few days as I've been really good pain wise with the nerve injury after the short ride the other day so hopefully I can start to focus on building fitness and bike fitness again

Riding the 1150 really suprised me the way it was I was thinking it was a quantum leap from the 1200 i had, the way it is now that gaps not so big, handling is typical GS, the fueling is superb (ah cable throttle) the ease of working on the bike, I had to do a lot is great.

The power is perfect for UK roads an I like the optional enduro gearbox on it and the factory none abs brake are sublime! Factory none abs ftw, there's just something about a robust feeling built out of mainly metal bike that puts a smile on your face. An well the looks unique something that's missing in alot of motorcycles now.

That's my thoughts for now I'm excited to continue to ride the 1150GSA an although I'm gonna get a 2nd lighter bike next year I think its earnt a permanent place in my biking life. Its a shame BMW dont develop the 310 as quite a few of us experienced riders still like a sub 160kg wet bike.

The analogue an low tech nature on the 1150 is what's missing from alot of motorcycles especially adventure travel bikes and I think its something we should return to.

I know I've mentioned it in the past but being a kid watching Long Way Round opened up alot of dreams for me in my mind which were totally different to one's my family had which was all track focused an hopefully those dreams are gonna start coming to fruition next year

[adaptableadventurerider]

Hi everyone hope we are all well

I've been quite ill unfortunately due to a food Intolerance I have so not been able to get out of bed for a week or so.

just been going back through some pics and I'd missed these three from the last rideout.

hopefully back out tomorrow weather permitting as our road has been like a skating rink (they never grit it)

looks like it should be passable tomorrow ^_^ so planning on a nice ride out into the countryside in the Peak District in search of some peace an tranquility looking forward to it!

In other news also really falling in love with the 1150GSA : just needed a lil time to think about her an I've noticed I've constantly been looking at pics n thinking about it while I've not been able to ride which I think is always the best sign!

I've been doing alot of research about what bike to get dad after our move to Scotland in a couple of months an the top two choices currently are the Honda NX500 an the 310GS im also considering one of those two as a second bike to sit alongside the 1150 for commuting and when I need to hop on something a bit lighter

Those two seem to be standing out the most both under 7k.

The Honda NX500 seems to stand out as the first choice, as its a twin cylinder 500.

I personally liked my 650xt but it was a bit to heavy for my dad, so the 500's a bit more managable, good on fuel from what I've read up on Chris Scotts website an the engines been around for an age so nice an reliable from what I've read.

The 310GS caught my attention as well,
As its in between the weight of the 300 Rally and the CB500x an NX500 an similar weight to the 390 which dad loved weight wise. It's also got the 19" wheels I prefer for my mix of riding.

Has anyone had the 310 an the cb500x? How did you find them between 60-70 mph.

Been enjoying Nathanthepostmans exellent latest two videos on the 310 covering the pros n cons on it always like videos that cover good an bad as its a more realistic review.

Initially I thought about the Transalp or Africa Twin / 800DE suzuki but the insurance is quite heavy on those an there would be to much overlap to my 1150gsa.

The mpg is something I've considered to was reading a motorcycle news review on the transalp an noticed they were saying 55mpg UK for that so that ruled that out.

So its looking like the nx500 an 310gs could be the way to go. Really liked the seating position on the nx500 at motorcycle live but didn't pay to much attention to it so looking forward to seeing It when they are in dealers.

That's some thoughts for the day ^_^

[adaptableadventurerider]

What a utterly brilliant day and a very cold adventure ride on my BMW 1150 GS Adventure

Today I spent some time riding up to the Iconic spot on Winnats Pass in the Peak District at points -2° in temperature during the day with a met office estimate of feels like -7° the location I was in + the wind speed factor at 50mph at -2 of -13° = Brrr.

Was very glad of my klimmotorcycle gear today I've owned my badlands Pro since I bought it in 2015 an it's still doing the job one good thing I bought was the oxfordproducts storm guard neck warmer which really helped keep the nerve injury at bay an even though the temperature was crazy cold I was nice an snug :3

The 1150GSA is continuing to impress, every little bit of fettling is producing an even smoother bike.

It was also interesting riding with the side panniers off today bit more fettling to the front rebound to get her how I want her.

At first today I was struggling getting my leg over the seat the way I'd usually wanna do it bike off the side stand an onto the rh footrest in gear how the bmw ors do it but I just couldn't flick my leg over with the way I am as the seat is just sat to far up with the tank full an no side panniers!

So I've settled on sidestand weight the seat as I flick my leg over then flick the stand up once upright.

I'm running the GS Height shocks. So can comfortably flat foot one foot once I'm seated on her.

All the sags are right third of the travel that's available with the 1150gs shocks.

The 1150s one downside is her weight an having the panniers off really helped add some manageability back into the experience.

I was actually suprised at how good the headlight was on my 1150GSA on the unlit rainy freezing dark roads over the peaks on the way home. Miles better than the 411 I struggled with headlight wise.

An the conditions turned really nasty on the night ride so gets my approval arrived back at base pretty warm apart from a failed pin lock which caused a few issues.

All in all a brilliant day oh an the boxer cylinders really keep your feet warm!!

Few pics from today while I was pulled up for a break.






All in all a brilliant end to a brilliant day

Can't wait for the next ride!

[adaptableadventurerider]

Hi team I hope we are all well this is now the previous lil mini adventures since I fixed my 1150GSA Up to Date.

A few more pictures from the other day an I wanna try and answer in a video as to why I love my 1150GSA So much now I wanted to make this fun so a bit of a laugh in the video about the 1150s best feature built in feet warmers!

Being Dyslexic I find doing the videos a real help for getting my thoughts out as its very conversational

[adaptableadventurerider]

Had a lil fun ride out today it wasn't to far off a ride just down some local lanes testing suspension settings out on the front shock.

Naturally ended up at Starbucks a bit of a hard week to be honest ended up having a really bad food Intolerance reaction which meant I spent all week in bed so was really nice to get some fresh air an even better being out on the 1150 now I'm feeling better, gotta treasure those individual moments when you can

Hopefully gonna have a ride further afield over the next few weeks just looking forward to a few more local rides as an when I can. Really getting close to the move up to Scotland now.