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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