Originally Posted by FUTURE

Was wondering if anyone is using the F800GS to go RTW?? If so how is it taking this type of trip? I am curious to see how this bike would stand up to the riggors of such a trip.

Originally Posted by mollydog

While BMW hold resale value well, a typical RTW bike takes quite a beating after a year (or so) of travel. IMO, the depreciation on a F800GS (or any bike) would be substantial. Starting with a $14,000usd bike, riding a year .... what would it sell for?

I'd guess you'd be lucky to get $8000 for it? $9000? Already you can see low mileage used F800GS's selling for $10,000 and they've not been taken anywhere, no scratches, no drops. A RTW bike will suffer a lot of damage over time and off road riding. Price will drop accordingly.
I'd buy a used one to start and save a bundle on depreciation.

And last I checked, there is no law against selling a used Vstrom after a trip. These bikes tend to drop to a certain level and then stay there and drop no lower. Of course all this depends of condition. I've never seen a Vstrom selling for less than $3500 and that bike was a "Salvage Title" (means crashed and re-built). DL650's, even beat up ones, level off at about
$4000 usd for like an '04 with over 50K miles.

But do the math and see how it comes out.

As far as which bike is cheapest to own .... I would dispute that magazine's findings based on empirical evidence to the contrary.

Things must be quite different in Europe. I could chose ten bikes that would cost less to operate than a BMW R12GS. If the owner observes all of BMW's recommended service intervals (to honor warranty) then my guess is the BMW would quickly rise to one of the most expensive, behind MV and Ducati.

If a talented owner can do CANbus diagnosis, ABS diagnosis/repairs and has the ability to rebuild a gear box, then maybe that brings down the cost?
Fact is, about 75% of BMW owners take their bikes to the dealer for everything ..... even tire changes.

Insurance: About 50% higher in the US: R12GS vs. DL650

Servicing costs: A BMW Under full warranty is going to cost less during the warranty period. After the warranty is finished ... then what happens? Roughly 30% have some sort of major problem .... usually final drive related.

But most guys I know on new-ish 12GS's spend about $500 to 600 usd on a typical full service at a BMW dealer .... this is with nothing broken ..... just a basic service, done once or twice a year. I guess in Europe this service is free?

On a Vstrom there is no service cost other than Oil & Filter. It all can be done at home by even a beginner mechanic at home in the garage with basic tools and a Service manual.

In this case re-sale differential can never close the gap based on initial cost of both bikes. Yes, it's nice to have some money when you get home ... but to me it's even better to have an extra $7500 to travel with in the first place. YMMV!

If I had the extra money I would love to take an F800GS on a long trip. I would trust it over any other BMW in remote places.
But please, don't try to tell me it will be a cheap bike to own
I was born at night .... but not last night!

Patrick

Originally Posted by Docsherlock

I gotta agree with Patrick on this one; BMW's have a pretty bad rap on reliability - even the new F800GS has had a lot of problems needing computer fault finding diagnosis. I looked at buying one pretty carefully but for the cash I could have two KLR650's or 1.5 Wee Stroms and both could be self serviced i.e. I would not be held to ransom by BMW's incessant ECU updates. Seems to me, after extensively researching the topic, that unless one is going to spend a lot of time on dirt roads/fire trails etc, the Wee Strom is pretty hard to beat, all things considered (even down to little things like tubeless tyres - easier to repair), tank size, running costs. I suspect the review in question might have been sponsored by BMW? Or am I just too cynical....

Sean