R1150R on Australian dirt roads
 

I am planning a tour around Australia starting in May 2007 for about 4 months , using sealed and dirt roads. I was thinking of shipping my 1150r with some more appropriate tyres on it , or would i be better off buying a more off road orientated bike ?. Any ideas most welcome.

Nick

4 months - all of Australia?

The R will handle most of our dirt roads - don't travel as fast as the GS guys - they have more suspension travel for those unexpected ditches.

If you were planing on the simpson desert or canning stock routes then you'd need to consider anotehr bike, but for normal torurist stuff - you'll be fine with the R.

My VFR with Michelin Pilot Powers copes OK with anything that is marked on a map as a unsealed road.

Annekeys would probably be a better choice if you plan on long distances on dirt.

Tracks or stock routes need carefull research,as conditions can change from easy to" off road only "in a day.

So just because somone get a Gold Wing through tree years ago dont think it will be that easy in two months time

Just try to avoid sand or mud - you want off road tires for both, and prerably a lighter bike , especially if you are travelling alone.

I am riding an R1150R as well and have often wondered about this. The R is (and please don't flame me for this) an 1150GS in a 'tux' (and of course, with less travel-by about 2" among other things).

There are 2 manufacturers who offer 'dual-sport(y)' tire for this bike.
Avon Distanzias and Pirelli MT60R

http://r1150r.net is a good source of info as well

Thanks for the info everyone, on the tracks and the tyres , maybe i can stretch another month out of the trip now i will be shipping my own bike , what is 2" between friends anyway.

Nick

LOL!
I knew I left myself open for something on that one.

Have a great trip!

The only reason I suggested the Annekeys over road tyres is that the Annekey is a off road tyre[T66 ] with a dual sport tread pattern , and the heavier carcase will be able to stand up to the pounding better than the light , flexible carcase on a road tyre like the Pilot Power.
There isnt much difference in the amount of grip between the Annekeys, Trailwings or Tourances that I've run on my F650 GS , and the Powers on the VFR, but the Annekeys have a slight edge off road.

And if you wonder why I take the Veefeer off road it is because the Beemer has been the most unreliable bike I have ever owned , and BMW Australia hasnt had the parts needed to fix it , and SHIPS THE PARTS SURFACE, so it takes 12/16 w2eeks to get them.

Thanks beemerboff for the tyre details , are all B.M.W parts difficult to get hold of in OZ ? . It`s been a few years since i was there , i don`t remember seeing many bmw,s on the road back then .

Nick

BMW have abandoned the Airheads completly, but this market is well served buy independants-and what they dont have Moto Bins can get out over the weekend- order Friday and you have it Tuesday.

My mate has a K 1100 and he has the same experience as me - he uses a home based Mechanic who doesnt even bother asking BMW if the have the parts- he just orders everything he doest have direct from a specialist in Germany and has them within a week.

At my last attempt I couldnt get a oil filter or a throttle cable for the GS in Adelaide , and the cables were on back order from Germany , due in in about 10 weeks.
While I was in the parts dept a crash repairer was getting the same message on parts for a routine front end ding on a new Mini - 16 weeks ex Germany, so I dont think things are much better for any of BMWs other prodects.