Terri, my girlfriend, is at her most miserable when she is cold and her role in the test ride will be to look forward to my return. I realise that the first time that she gets cold then our touring days are over unless we are in a lovely sunny climate. As for me, I am looking on eBay for some warm stuff, i've got a leatherjacket but i'm hoping that the weather is not too bad or I'll have to layer up.
The bike is on road tyres which is fine for me as it is probably easier to manage on the road and I am looking forward to doing the BMW off road course which I will be doing this prior to going on a real trek, a firm believer in getting the ride equipment for the job and being shown how to use it properly.

I can see the cost of this obsession escalating as timegoes on and I the time away can't be good either. I have a telecoms company and I am setting my business to run when I'm away, I am planning that by 2010 I will be in a postition to leave for 4-6months with a small income to finance the trip along the way. Hopefully the Worlds finances' will hold out till then.....

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Home is a place to be when there's no where better to go.......

Hey folks......well, I've just logged on in the anticipation that there may be a reply or maybe even two and i'm blown away with passion, criticism (constructive of course) with a little sarcasm and wit thrown in for good measure......love it, thanks

To cover a few points given to me....(i'd quote you but i dunno how)


Thanks for the welcome and the advice Welolvebikes. My girlfriend has confirmed that I am obsessed with books, articles, websites and anything to do with taking off around the world on two wheels and I know from past experience that this will only get worse. With foresite, and to get her involved, I have committed to taking her to Athens this summer, she'll either love it or hate and this will shape many future trips i'm sure.
Being 5'11, 13 stone and physically fit I like the look of the 1200GS but as you say, once I get on it might feel over the top and I will have fun i'm sure testing the other models in the BM range not to mention any other maufacturer I am guided towards. The F800GS may be a good option if it is able to carry my GF (she is only about 8stone, but she does like to carry lots of shoes )
Will the 800 cope well with a pillion?
The BM dealer didn't really offer anything else and I'd not planned to look at anything either. I thought that the 1200GS was the tool for the job but I now realise that I have plenty of time to look around and that there are many options......
I will gve you a shout if I am heading across your way so that we can meet up for a cuppa and a chat, the chances are I will be going to Wales as recommended by Threewheelbonnie. It is like Scotland and I am feeling a little homesick anyway.....no, i'm not missing the sheep!!
I will try to get "Uneasy Rider by Mike Carter" as soon as I can but at the moment I am eating my way through Chris Scott's Motorcycle Adventure Handbook and The Wrong Way Round, yes, even after watching the DVD's religously all Christmas....

Yes Craig76 "another Ewan/Charley Boring Man wannabe!!!" and loving it! I'll not be signing any dotted line until nearer the summer and I'm not sure if I would be buying a new bike anyway. It would be good to have the money to buy really expensive toys but the insurance may kill the idea as well as the heart ache (and wallet ache) when it is dropped. The other thing about new expensive stuff, I have read, is the cost of getting Carnets and the risk of theft, especially when there is no insurance in some countries. My next trip after Greece will be RTW or to Capetown in 2010 and I have to make sure that I can afford to get through Egypt and other countrires with out having to mortgage someone elses house to do it! It has really opened my eyes to the ways of other countries and their dodgy border crossing rituals and I have felt a bit like a total novice on a planet I thought I was so familiar with, so naive having only travelled on package tours or back packing in relatively civilised safe zones.
Funny you should mention the Thundercat as this is the other bike I have been looking at and more in the price range if I want to buy something sooner and without finance. I've always liked this bike and it has been the driving force to get my licence up until wanting to be just like Ewan and Charlie, aren't they wonderful.....I know you love em deep down, you just have to admit it to yourself, you're so sweet! LOL

I like the bike testing idea pecha72 especially as I have not been out on many different makes and models yet. I was at the Bike show in Birmingham last year but I was not sure of what I wanted so I probably didnt get as much out of it as I could have. I will be going to the London show at the end of the month and with a more focused attitude I will be arranging more play-time on different machines. I had not thought about river boat crossings or transport either and it has made me realise that it is not all about jumping on and just going, there is much more to consider everytime I read something. This is only adding to the excitment of the whole thing!!

I am 36 geordie_e and I will have to get an insurance quote before commiting to any bike. I am not (stinking rich) not even close but I do have a clean licence and one insurance claim for a company car bump I have in 2005, not sure if this counts in Bike insurance land?? I had a scooter for about 9months about 5 years ago and I paid the insurance for a yearhoping to get a real bike and use the no claims bonus sometime, i'll have to check to see if it is still valid.

Unless someone comes up with something better I will be heading to Wales as suggested by Threewheelbonnie. It was high on the list anyway andI like the idea of the contrast between city and rural as this is what I need to feel like i am on a real adventure.

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Home is a place to be when there's no where better to go.......

Nothing wrong with that as long as you make sure you get it dirty. Why buy one only to have it sparkly clean with low mileage, summer use only, never seen rain, etc, etc, a bit like this 5 year old example. What's the point in owning one?

Autotrader - BMW R1150 GS 1150cc

Look for the "all the gear, no idea" crowd at any bike meet across the UK. You'll pick them out easily from the real bike travellers, probably parked up next to the Rossi k**b jockey's with FIAT liveried R1's and matching leathers which is even more amusing. What's that all about??? :confused1:

OK, so we're talking about a £2k to 2.5k budget which I think is sensible for a first bike. T'Cats are a cracking bike even if they're getting on a bit. Slow steering but more stable than an R6. Also look at the Suzuki GSXR600 up to K3. They're dead comfy, not quite as racey as the reputation suggests, will take a pillion, magnetic tankbag, soft luggage, etc. My pick in that category and budget would still be the ZX6-R (J1, J2, A1P) as it's got the power of the GSXR or R6 but the practicality of the CBR-F and YZF. You'll have to check with your insurer though.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bi...02/?&R=EPI-292

Auto Trader UK - KAWASAKI ZX ZX600-A1P ZX636R NINJA 636cc

Or if you're still keen on a GS...
Auto Trader UK - BMW R1100 GS ( THE LONG WAY DOWN BIKE AT <zprice>£2489</zprice> WOW ) 1100cc

The Suzuki SV650 (same engine as the V-Strom) is also worth a look if insurance is a problem. I really wouldn't buy a first bike on finance anyway.

Again, no-one has got anything against E&C or the GS. My uncle's mate has a GS with 150,000 miles on it. That's what they're made for, not pub car park posing. If E&C bring more people to spend more money on the UK bike scene, then thats great for the motorcycle trade and customers alike.

Careful!

Cheers for the links, it's knowing the options that creates the difficulty in choosing but also the excitement in getting a bike for the first time. One thing for sure, my bike will be out in all weathers and will be my faithful companion on and off road. Like you, i don't see the point in getting an off roader and keeping it for polished pub meetings on country tarmac lanes. My last obsession was wind surfing and i was out in hail, sleet and snow.....there's no time to waste!

As for E&C- I can't thank them enough for showing me what is out there. Not only have they shown me a goal but they have made me realise that inside I am an adventurer, not only in the travel sense. In business and in life i am always looking forward to the unknown and challenges in life to make the most of a situation and find a solution when faced with a problem. I know this sounds a bit deep but its where I'm at right now....

Cheers again craig76

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Home is a place to be when there's no where better to go.......

Hi Andy

Anytime mate and now I'm half way to Yorkshire, having moved from West London 10 years ago, I've converted from lager and now have half a bitter in it!

Cheers


Chris

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[/SIZE] "Live dangerously for as long as you can!"

Hi Scottie

Glad to throw my tupenneth in and perhaps the F800 would be better suited to a solo trip, as 20 stone plus shoes may be a little to much for that bike.

I suppose I was thinking within the BMW range, when really it was along the lines of the other contributers who have suggested that you look at all the other bikes available.

I use a fully loaded 04 Triumph Tiger 955i at the moment, but I love Pan Europeans and Varaderos and if I had the money, I'd have a hybrid built for me combining the two, a Honda 1300 V4 Varadreo. Now that is what Honda should have made!

Sorry if I'm ramblin on a bit, but that may make sense to some of the others.

You are only a couple of hours from my place via the M25 and M40, (which will give you the motorway test and enable you to get used to the bike) and then I'll send you on a route along the A40 into Wales, which is the route we often take and have been in the West End Cafe, Llandovery,


via Ross on Wye and the Brecons within two and a half hours (mind you, that was a quick one, as we were all on R1's and Blades!)

The other thought, as we love Betws y Coed is via Worcester, Kidderminster, Bridgnorth, with a stop for a cuppa at the bikers cafe at Quatford and then through Shrewsbury, where you pick up the A5 to Betws y Coed.

Have a night there, up early and then stop for second breakfast at the Ponderosa Cafe at Llangolen on the Horseshoe Pass, on the way back. Or you can stay there for the night for £35.

Welcome to the Horshoe Pass & The Ponderosa cafe Complex.

Now you know why bikers are fat! Okay, I'll speak for myself!

Hope this helps and the second trip may be a bit tight on time, but if you get back late and upset BMW, it may be a blessing as they'll take you off there bladdy mailing list! I test rode an 1100 GS over 12 years ago and I still get mailings from Heatrow BMW, even though I moved 10 years ago!

Good luck and if you do take this route, you can take the Tiger out for a spin, as I'll ride with you for part of the way. Also have a 1300 Pan, which is different yet again!

Cheers


Chris

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[/SIZE] "Live dangerously for as long as you can!"

Oh it's so tempting to join in the "you don't need a big bike debate" but I see it's been comprehensively covered here already... (the only thing I would say is after the BMW test ride, go to a Yamaha dealer and try the new Tenere - then you'll enjoy having £7000 left in your pocket!).

As for a test route - welovebikes has some great suggestions - lovely riding that far west, but I notice you only have about 28 hours with the bike, and some of that you'll need to sleep! (if only, perchance, to dream x)

From Kent it is a lovely ride through east and west Sussex, then thorough Hampshire and into Wiltshire - plenty to see and do, and the best? of what the south east of England has to offer? Lots of B&Bs too.

Personally I'd forget trying to camp before you actually buy a bike (the dealer isn't going to take kindly to you lashing all your gear to a brand new demo bike), and just get a feel for the machine and for tour/adventure riding in general.

if you are brave (or foolish!) enough to take a dealer demo bike off road, there are a number of easy-going unpaved roads in Wiltshire (around Salisbury Plain for example) - although you really do need to do your research as to which are open to vehicles... I can just see the headlines in the Wiltshire Gazette now - "biker found flailing under huge bike after being trapped for 12 hours and spending night out on the plain"...

Enjoy the BMW (then buy something more sensible x)

xxx

I must admit I liked Ewan and Charlies programmes and I have the books...I even have the t-shirt...honestly. But anyone can do what they did if they can ride a bike. Hotels, handlers what a doss.

I have friends riding up from OZ on a BMW 1200GS, 2 up all the way to Oslo and doing it all off their own back. They are in Thailand now.

You do not need a Bmw 1200 to tour. I have a Yamaha FZ6, 600cc, 98HP. Hard panniers and top box, passenger peg extentions GPS. I have been all over Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Germany and France all 2 up with camping gear without any problems.

I have no interest in getting a bigger bike because the FZ6 is fast if I want it to be, light to manoevre. I can ride on roads or tracks and it it cheap to run and maintain.

Make sure you get the bike you need, rather than the one you want.

Steve

I'll admit that I've got the LWD book and LWR DVD, special edition with previously unseen footage . I don't dislike them, I just fail to see why everyone thinks they have to be like them.

They're a cracking bike too. Passed up a '98 600 Fazer for £700 a few months ago. Kicking myself now as my Aprilia's not really suited for long distance.

This is almost the perfect quote - all I would add is that if you do the research, then the bike you need will also (naturally) be the one you want?

For cold winter nights in the mean time, you could also get hold of the Mondo Enduro and/or Terra Circa DVDs - it shows there are many different ways (and budgets) of doing what you plan to do... none better or worse than any other, just different...

xxx

Cheers mate, i'll be sure to give you a shout and we can meet up for a belly bustin scoff at the cafe.....i'll get the map out tomorrow and see where i'm going to be going, your route sounds like a good plan....

I don't want to upset BMW as I have a load more testin to do so I'll put up with the junk mail for a year or 10

I just had a laugh at the pictures on the site Welcome to the Horshoe Pass & The Ponderosa cafe Complex. Shows you all these bikes parked outside then another few pics the a cafe full of old ladies!!! Is this what bikers look like under all that leather???

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Home is a place to be when there's no where better to go.......

Hi Scottie

It will be great to meet up and as I'm self employed too, perhaps you can give me a deep, well needed, motivational kick up the backside to get going again!

I liked Steve's quote too, as it will be a good one to impress other bikers with down the pub, with a cigar in one hand and a glass of brandy in the other.

Just remembered another reason to test ride your girlfriend on the back. Oh, I better rephrase that, please allow your girlfriend to pass an opinion as to the comfort and seat height of the R1200GS motorcycle, as I took my wife out to a local classic car and bike meet in the summer, on a very imposing and beautiful 07 R1200GS Adventure, fully loaded including the metal luggage.

Thought she'd love it, as it had the top box and backpad, but all the way there she kept saying she hated it and felt very unsafe and vowed never to on it again, so hitched a lift back in a friend's car.

Very strange I thought, but the reason for this was that she found it so high up and that scared her, which is a good point, as her head was a good four inches above mine and I was at the tallest point I've ever been on a bike, which is probably why I felt unsteady at low speed, which is another first for me.

She's biked as long as I have, over 30 years and has never had a problem, apart from the usual "slow down" nag and has enjoyed all other bikes, apart from R1's, etc and loves the ST1300 Pan, GL1800 Wings, Blackbirds, R1100R's etc or any other bikes she's been on the back of.

As you say good gear is all important for a loved pillion. After trying a vast array of bike gear in my time, my personal choices boil down to Rukka jacket and trousers and Daytona boots. For gloves on days like today, I use Frank Thomas Sub Zero Aqua and when it warms up I use my trusty Belstaff pair.

Why can't I post a short answer???

Good night all and by the way, "wat you natterin about when you rant of the Old Ladies at the Ponderosa? easy now, don't cha no, dez ar fit b**ches! Aye!" (say in an Ali G accent)

Chris

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[/SIZE] "Live dangerously for as long as you can!"

Sorry Scottie in my rush to answer your thread I forgot to

you in.

Insurance IMO car no claims dont count
anything over 2 years old doesnt count
I think age is a big thing (lucky your fast approaching your forties lol)
But theres nothing stopping you ringing around to get some ideas of prices.

Im very much like you, I used to gaze at a map of the world during some very boring meetings I had to attend and think.... I wonder if I could go round the world on a bike (didnt even have a license then!).

Ewan and Charley are very entertaining ! I have the books and dvds and even paid to see Charley at a local theatre (he was very funny).
I even test rode the older 650 model but hated the single pot, Then I found my true love in my DL650 (they also do a 1000 version).

What ever you do, try and do it in small bites ie a weekend away camping with your partner, you or her might hate it ! (my missus was on the back of my bike and said never again ! that was 2 years ago and I still try all the time to get her on the back but she wont).

As for the gear, Im always looking at new stuff, ive tried leathers (too hot in Europe) so now i have a fabric jacket for the winter and a mesh jacket for the summer (when it comes lol).
For boots I went with Altberg (after trying out 3 pairs) they are brillaint !

Anyway ive waffled on, hope you have a great test ride

Cheers
Geordie

Ok, I'll admit it, I took my now wife to the Dragon rally the first Valentines weekend we were together and she's still sort of moaning about the cold

The solution IMHO is an electric vest. If you don't want to include one in your budget, send me a PM with a mail address and I'll e-mail you a Thumper Club article I wrote on how to make one.

Andy