I was wondering when someone was going to mention Long Way Round in this thread. Surprisingly, it took a while.

I think Long Way Around turned out to be one of those marketing events that returned a million percent on what BMW invested. The R1200gs turned into the most sold big bike in its segment in North American, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Since the 1950's I think motorcyclist's have been addicted to getting the next year's edition bike with 50 cc more displacement. I think that trend continued up until 1200 cc's. In my opinion BMW sold R1200's to everyone who wanted one. That customer might have bought up to 2 R1200's but like other's have mentioned, the R1200 is a great bike on the highway, or a great 2 up bike, but isn't really suitable for off road other than riding off the highway and onto the dirt to get to your tent spot. I think a lot of R1200 guy's decided to downsize in cc's because they are getting older and the R1200 is a heavy and tall bike.

Another factor is declining economic opportunities in Western societies. I think the West kind of shot itself in the foot with allowing capitalism to run away with itself. The erosion of the middle class is changing discretionary income purchases like 1200cc motorcycles. Most people who own 1200cc motorcycles hardly ever put any miles on them anyway.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

If we are talking about the UK most people don't put many miles on their bikes full stop regardless of the cc . Manufacturers repeatably put more and more tech on their bike........most riders either don't use it or have no idea what it does . If I got a tenner for every tft dash I've set up for customers i could retire . This pushes up the bikes price........obviously . It got to the point that traders wouldn't take in the V4 Mutleys.......no one could insure them . Bikes are in truth an expensive hobby......as much as I love them , mine would b the first to go if things got tight .

Couple of things.

Pick the correct tool for the job. Here in Australia 60% of our roads are dirt, which is over 550’000 kms ….. (like 300k miles?)

And most of your big cc bikes, GS, AT, Vstrom, super tenere etc are usually sold with reasonably high mileage. Simply because for touring here they make sense.

Like my low mileage GSA

Which I sold, for the very reason you suggest - too heavy with a knee replacement. But gosh darn i miss it.

@Homers GSA,

I miss my Tiger 800. Tiger 800 are top heavy and with my back bad I had to get a lighter bike.
And lighter means smaller cc too.

And I do all my long distances touring overseas where I fly and ride. All all the bike rentals are smaller bikes anyway.

I think the R1200 is a neat bike to experience owning. I had 3 R1200 gsa's back when they came out, but I only bought them to flip. If I had the money to have more than 1 bike than I would probably buy one. I got to ride one of them through the Rocky Mountains on the highway and it was a memorable experience. But, it only gets 40 mpg, is a tall bike, weighs over 230 kilos, has the final drive reliability issue, probably is hard to ride 2 up with how tall it is, I have knee problems too and don't think I would buy another one because of that.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)