I personally endeavor to make docsherlock tow me and my shitty bikes out of the bush at least a few times this summer

As mentioneded by others, long answer, but many modern bikes (and vehicles) can go a long way these days.

At low miles, the list of parts that need to be replaced as part of regular maintenance is fairly short. As it ages, this list gets longer and then when you hit very high miles you end up looking at large capital items that may need to be replaced. They can keep going, but at some point the question is whether the additonal yearly investment is worth it. Most vehicles don't get to their theoretical maximum useful life, and instead are scrapped when the running costs exceed that of a newer vehicle, they degrade due to lack of use, or they are deemed unsuitable to current tastes.

On the vehicle side, I've got over 350,000 km on my 1999 Toyota 4Runner. It's getting close to end of life.

On the bike side, I've got about 40,000 km on my F800GS which is not much at all. I bought a 1200GSA that has 192,000 km, runs fine. Conversely, I have a KLR650 with about 60,000 km, which feels like it is starting to get up there but who knows, might go another 40,000 which is pretty good for a single cylinder at that price point.

Basic point is that if you are looking to get a lot of miles out of your bike, IMHO there are quite a few options. A modern bike that is commonly used for overland travel that is well maintained and ridden well will get you around the world and back again. When you get home, the miles will be high, and it'll take a fair bit of TLC whatever the make, but the memories associated with it will make it the best bike in the world, for you.

You can do what you want, I ain't Scottish.

My point is, these are complicated bikes which need to be serviced correctly but generally are reliable and last a long time, and a new camchain as per your example at 50,000 miles (around twice the circumference of the earth) isn't that big a deal.

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My '06 my 1200GS now has 120,000km on it.

The first trip was from Singapore to the UK, the second from TDF to Pruhoe Bay then across the US.

One puncture and two drive housing seals are the only problems. Serviced pretty much on time, sometimes by the dealers sometimes by me.

There's no way I'm ready to get rid of or trade this BMW yet. I'd have no hesitation in starting another RTW trip on the same bike.

My mate who came with me on the first trip has 110,000 on his now and is keeping it as well.

Go for it and enjoy!!

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Hi Tom,

Thought that (TIC) post might bring you out of your torpor.

I'll happily tow the KLR and F800 but the 1200 might give the wee strom a hernia..... esp over the Crow's Nest.

I've got a 1981 R65 in the shed with about 300,000kms on the dial, changed the battery a few times, wheel, swingarm and head stem bearings changed, cam chain changed, fed it Pennsoil from new, about 75% of the 300k would have been two up, probably 100k of dirt roads. Not unusual for the R Series bikes.

A few other bits and pieces have been changed - carb diaphrams, hand grips, HT leads, rear wheel after a bingle, I think the coils as well.

A good rule of thumb is to replace your BMW motorbike AFTER the warranty expires and a few miles BEFORE catastrophic and costly final drive repairs are needed.

That's what I try to do.

I have not been successful in this strategy...

1993 R100GSPD 97,000 miles, just about run in! Don't waste your time with new fangled oilheads. The old bikes are easy and cheap to keep running.

This "when to replace" talk sounds like consumerist (i.e. the common Japanese-) biker talk - buy a brand new, ride some 30 000 - 50 000 km sell it and buy brand new again. But claim around the forums how reliable the bikes have been. I think you cannot decide much about your bike unless you ride it well beyond 150 000 km.

My old worn used and abused R1100GS is around 260 000 km now and obviously it would be pointless to sell it. It's probably worth less than 1000EUR since nobody else cares what hardships or milestones its been through or if it's been to 6 continents and visited 80 countries other than me. It's simply the bike I have and I cannot afford anything else without taking away my trip budget. I'll probably just ride it till it's beyond repair, but not sure if it'll happen in my lifetime and I'd gladly take this bike into my own grave as well to continue my adventure travels in the heavens.

Cheers,
Margus

My 2004 R1200GS has now reached 169,200mls which for foreign people is about 270720km and it's going in for an oil change and a service tomorrow if I can get my fingers untwisted in time. Ride safe.

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Mike
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Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky

My 2005 R1200GS has over 230 000km

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One thing about older BMWs was that you could take off all the cosmetic items - side covers, mud guards, tank (not so cosmetic), tappet covers, store them, put some old ratty replacements on, and when you came to sell the bike you could put back all the nice shiny bits and pieces and with a bit of forethought a new speedo about 10,000kms before you were to sell. Hey presto a 300,000kms bike that has 10,000kms on the clock and looks lkie it just got out of the showroom. Not that I'd ever do anything like that!!!

replacement parts don't have to be expensive, you could bike a near whole bike from the brakers yard...

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Sticking with one of the bikes in the OP question (only because it is getting the biggest response), it is good to hear some real feedback, by which I mean from owners, about the 1200GS.
(All as reported in the posts below).

It still leaves the question open concerning when these bikes will finally keel over and die, but this under-stressed big cc engine seems to be very capable of racking up big mileages. There again, BMW fans have always known that!

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Dave