BMW R1200GS Adventure from -09. Same for my girlfriend. But hers is red. ;)

Very nice Drwnite - what's she weigh loaded up? And is that the 89L Ortlieb bag?

Cheers

Weight ?
 

G'day Paul,

Prior to purchase I loaded the HP2 with the tank bag a HEIN GERICKE and the TATONKA BARREL BAG MEDIUM (65 LITRE) to see how everything sat on the bike, no drama. The bags are water proof to a point, the bag stays put, even in the rough stuff! After 10,000 K's I have no issues to report, apart form the hard seat and small tank, the HP2 is 100% stock standard.

The 2 bags weigh about 25 Kgs, (17 / 7) the HP2 full of fuel about 215 Kgs, me and all the riding gear 110 + Kgs. All up weight is around 350 Kgs, seems quite a bit although the HP2 is incredibly nimble with heaps of grunt, simply raw and effortless.

It's just amazing to ride, a great conversation starter, forget the autobahn it just doesn't cut the mustard. Back roads and dirt it's simply awesome which is what I (we all ?) prefer.

Cheers Dave

Well, was running one of these,,





http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...mas2010152.jpg

But now have one of these,, had to be done really, it was the only way I was heading..

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...riptour041.jpg


But just in case,, I keep one of these,, 4x4 Hiace

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...6B30H60_12.jpg

[IMG]http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-got-brand.jpg[/IMG]
This is what I run now, it no longer looks quite so shiny or stock.As you can see this was new with under 50 km on it. I am prepping a set of mounts for a set of Happy Trails Panniers, working on a high endurance type front end. IE windscreen, GPSmap 76CS, and Vapor dash display. Soon I go to a HID front light, and speak to a friend about tank bags. I am, as you may guess getting ready for a long range ride, Gonna see about southern South America, after that who knows?
:scooter:

That's my travel bike around Germany
http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/z...5/DSCI0077.jpg
This one for offroad trips
http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/z...1/PA260040.jpg
And this one for everything else
http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/z...H/_DSC6989.jpg

2006 Yamaha R1

Royal Enfield popularily know as the Bullet in India, standard 350 c c 1995 make

Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

I just picked up a 2013 Suzuki DL650 Adv model. Long time rider, looking for something a bit lighter, so this is the route I went.

"A Capitana", a 2009 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/1...9b1d2664db.jpg

Another 2013 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom :) - the 'Grand Tourer' version. Very happy so far!

in light of the recent resurrection, I voted for 3 manufacturers as that's what I own and ride :)

We have 10 or more in all brands and sizes at any given time, but showing up in places where we "shouldn't" be on these provides more encouragement to others than all the rest.

"...... all you need is five strings, two notes, two fingers and one asshole."- Keith Richards

Just sayin':

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5e28f992.jpg

Lots of people pooh-pooh these, but when properly prepared, they do well.
This one has all new internals in the forks, touring windscreen, off-road pegs, and decent luggage.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...ps50fccf7d.jpg

Buell Ulysses
 

Am I the only one to travel on a Buell? I have a KLR as well but the Buell is more capable, comfortable a whole lot more fun to ride.

I'm going to take flak for this!
 

Perineum ?

I just can't fault this little baby ( F650 twin). Had it 3 years now and no nasty suprises. Changed the concrete bloc of a seat for something much more acceptable for travel. What I really love is the placement of the fuel tank under the seat with side filler ( no pi**ing about at fuel stations with the tank bag), and it's 75mpg+ even when fully loaded- extraordinary. It's kept it's paint finish beautifully, no rust anywhere.

In the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Even More Flack ?
 

Ok her goes I have a Honda "scoopy 50" for around town & city as I can literally carry it up and down steps as I need to, push it along the pavement past the accident for 100m and not care & finally take my little one on the back and my wife is happy! :scooter:

Going any distance I have a old BMW k75 which I am going to get ready for a bit of adventuring to India next year. :blushing:

Oh and yes according to my wife and sister... I am mad. I just want to live a little, while having children on a budget!

I have owned four different bikes since this thread started!

I wonder if this poll can be frozen and another started? It would be interesting to watch for trends.
Andy

Down but not out
 

:oops2:
8000 miles on the Tiger so far and has served me well. Got the better of me ( lack of skills) two days after Christmas on a soft sand patch and broke my ankle (on yanking my leg out from under the bike) :nono:
A great bike so far but I will have to brush up on some off road skills!
3 - 4 month wait until throwing the leg over again to carry on.
Safe riding everyone.

I’m using Yamaha YZF-R15, the best bike for travelling

hello Guys and Girls!
I'm new to the forum and new to motorbiking and I've got some maybe silly questions but I hope you can bear me :D
first question what I wonder is can you tell me if I can rent a bike for my first trips on it? I was looking for some kinda car rental company as for example Rent a car in Yerevan and throughout Armenia but I couldn't found service that rents bikes can you help me? I'm sorry if the question is off-topic
thank you in advance :)

This is my tajada taxi. Honda 250XR Tornado with a screaming 23hp at the crank, but it has a great ride and plenty of zip for around the city and into the mountains. 2-up with my little lady works ok too.

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...C/IMG_1732.jpg

LML star / Vespa PX 150...
(down sized from a honda shadow 1100 ace...)

:scooter:

Katoom. what else? :eek3:

In a fit of madness and the need for luggage space the HP2 was downgraded to this (yawn)! However it performed faultlessly for a 3 month jaunt in Europe and sold within 24 Hrs ;-)

I can't believe this thread has had nearly 60,000 views !! bier

The last steed to come and go was this sensational 2005.5 KTM 950 Adventure S. With more accessories than Ted Bullpit's Kingswood, I liked it a lot! Think the next one will be a KTM 950 Super Enduro!

Ah, a man with taste. Good to see the mates in Oz ride something more than sheep! The S is a beaut!

Got a name for her yet? please don't say Sheila

Hahaha.....

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i...0/P1020280.JPG


4th bike since this thread started!


This one does have a name: Cheryl


(Registered in Newcastle, has two big lumps on display all the time, makes a noise some people find annoying, has a reputation as a good ride)


Andy

2 motos....

A Varadero XL1000V 2005 model....From 2009 with me!
http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...psfd49f230.jpg

And in december of 2013 i bought a XT600E 1999 model!
http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6fe16c52.jpg

I might well be from the bush but when it comes to sheep, those Kiwi's are giving us a bad name :eek3:

And I bet she also makes you spend all your money on her, purrs when you give her a rev, needs new shoes often, will drop you if you don't pay her enough attention, and sooner or later will give you so much trouble you will trade her in for a newer model :smartass:

That is because the only exports from NZ are sheep and new Zealanders. :smartass: They have to export them separately or their will be trouble!

I hear they keep the Kiwis out of Wales though. Too much competition for the Welsh!

had this


now got this

Is it because the heifer in your avatar diverted your funds and you had to spend money elsewhere, like shoes, dinners and holidays? :biggrin::tt2:

Better be careful. If she drops a calf even the Honda will be gone and you will be in a small cage with a baby seat and a Mum's Taxi sticker on the back and at a most a Think Bike sticker lol!

Well, hard to find outside EU, I love this little underdog. Easy to maintain, doesn't care if there is a road or just a beaten path ahead, it just keeps going...
And mpg is sensational, not a bad thing if you look at gas prices here in Europe.

Attachment 13057

Sent from Xperia Z using Tapatalk

Impressive! They go on eBay for around 2k GBP with very low milage.

Could well be I buy one when I get back to the UK! :mchappy:

Sooooo, you have met my wife then ?? :eek3::innocent:

Had a complete change and had this since June

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps1121051a.jpg

Just for information: The BMW GS has just failed the third 50.000 km test of a professional motorcycle magazine with engine failure:

BMW R 1200 GS Dauertest : TOURENFAHRER ONLINE
Dauertest-Abschluss BMW R 1200 GS - Motorrad-Dauertests - MOTORRAD
Dauertest BMW R 1200 GS Getriebeschaden - Motorrad-Dauertests - MOTORRAD

Actualy quite a sad result for "made in Germany" :(

The most expensive budget bike you can ever own...

Can you give us a short translation about what happened? (sorry, don't speak much German! :blushing:

Was it 2 magazines testing (Motorrad and Tourenfahrer) ?
Did they do 3 different tests, 50K kms each? Or?

Which year/model GS was it? The 2014 LC version? (liquid cooled)
Jeez, I hope it wasn't that Japanese made transmission BMW are now using that replaced that Getrag one. :eek3:

Good morning,

Thie magazines are testing and riding every new bike for 50.000 km and then write and give points for the good and bad things.
It was three different bikes failing. Two times the BMW 1200 GS at Tourenfahrer and Motorrad when it came out and now the brand new BMW 1200 GS LC at Motorrad Magazine.

At 44.000 km the journalist was riding on the highway when suddenly the transmission broke and parts of it went into the engine and destroyed it too. Cost: 7975,70 Euro + costs for the mechanic to change the engine.

http://www.motorradonline.de/dauerte...schaden/559102

They wrote the driver was lucky not to be killed and pointed out that this was nearly the same thing that also happened with the old model in 2005.

http://www.motorradonline.de/dauerte...1200-gs/104553

At the test of the Tourenfahrer, a valve was broken and destroyed the engine if this bike with less then 50.000 km:

http://www.tourenfahrer.de/index.php?id=639

BMW has some big quality problems. This is not me saying but the Magazins words, scince many also other BMW bikes failed the tets:

Motorschäden bei Dauertests - Motorrad-Dauertests - Dauertest-Zwischenbilanz: Motorschaden der Dauertest-BMW K 1300 GT - MOTORRAD

Dauertest BMW K 1200 RS (Motorschaden) - Motorrad-Dauertests - MOTORRAD

Bilanz nach 50 000 Kilometern - Motorrad-Dauertests - Dauertest BMW S 1000 RR: 50000 km mit dem BMW-Supersportler - MOTORRAD

The BMW F800 did not fail but had used up piston rings at 50.000 km wich is not good as well:

Geschafft - Motorrad-Dauertests - Dauertest-Abschlussbilanz BMW F 800 S - MOTORRAD

They also say it is conspicuous that things like this does not happen to the japanese motorbikes, who allways pass tests like this without any desasters. The onely japanese bike having engine problems in the tests the last years was a big 1600 Suzuki Choper dont find it right now.

"Auffällig ist auf jeden Fall, dass nach wie vor japanische Maschinen kaum von Desastern betroffen sind. Die Japaner waren immer schon vorn bezüglich Qualität und Verarbeitung, daran hat sich im Grundsatz nichts geändert. "

The BMW R1200 GS LC is only at place 18 in front of bikes who did finished the test without any problems, because it got 68 of 100 points for adjustable windscrean, electrical heated seat etc, while the expensive engine failure only was -5 points. Sam as a clutch cable would break or so.

The Honda Crosstourer and the big Triumph finished without real problems and are on Place 5 for Crosstourer and Place 4 Triumph and Yamaha Super Tenere on place 6. Best bike (of the ons you can still buy) at place one with 86 points is Honda CBR 600F, second place is Harley Davidson Road King and thirs place is Yamaha XJ6.

The magazine also tests good bikes again after a long time. They write how trustworthy the Transalps are and that this is cousing bad sleep at the mechanic workshops, because customers with a Transalp dont come:

Gebrauchte Honda Transalp richtig kaufen - Motorradtests - MOTORRAD

They also took apart a Honda Africa Twin after 260.000 km and complained that it was not rinning as new after more then 20 jears anymore but was still going:

Honda Africa Twin mit 265000 Kilometern - Motorradnachrichten - MOTORRAD

:)

Thanks for the information! bier

wow! Three different bikes! ... all with problems? doh That is BAD for BMW!
We all have heard about BMW drive lines, shaft, bearings and such, but I thought the Boxer motor was solid. Friends I ride with on GS BMW's have had drive line/trans issues but no motor problems. WOW!

Have also heard of major problems with the F800 motors. But BMW are smart and move quickly to replace bad motors and keep things quiet.

I wonder if you remember the Motorrad project: "Alpentour" test? They used 15 to 20 different bikes, rode them all over the Alps for 3 weeks. The Suzuki DL650 Won the test walking away ... two years running. All good bikes in the test.

I read an English translation of the article, way back to mid 2000's or so? (2005 to 2007) I think the Wee Strom is the "New" Transalp! :smartass:

Rumors now say Honda will do an ALL NEW Africa Twin. Intermot Milan show in November will let us know if rumor is true. :innocent:

If you have any chance get a Transalp or Africa Twin for 2000 bugs. Those bikes are known for their reliability and old bikes dont have a high loss of value per km. Sometimes you will even able to sell them for the same price after the trip.

Insted of shiping bikes around the globe I would recomend you to buy what is available at the continents you want to visit.

If you ship an exotic bike into a country were its hardly been sold you will not be able to find any spare parts or people who know how to deal with all the modern computer bus systems of expensive bikes.

At "long way round" they had to ship a BMW home because there nobody could repair it even they had a big team and were loadet with spare parts (but the small bike they bought insted worked even better then). If you are chosing to ride the same bike as everyone else in this country, everything will be easy to get and easy to repair, even if the best workshop in this area looks like this:

http://afrikamotorrad.eu/mittel/westkueste_084.jpg


http://afrikamotorrad.de/?report=en_transafrika

Not looking like money on legs also will help you to get into contact with the locals more easily but if you look like an ATM, they will treat you like one ;)

Last week I bought a 2003 Triumph Thunderbird 900. Rode it the 460 miles home. all ok except I have the rattly alternator impeller syndrome. Will cost £7 in parts to fix :)

Quite a different bike from my Enfield to ride.

Hopefully it will be prepped and equipped by next ready to start next years biking for longer trips.

After a few years on a BMW R1100GS, I bought a GoldWIng GL1200 again.

http://jkrijt.home.xs4all.nl/bikes/GL1200_ASP1.jpg

People who have BMW, think they are the best thing since sliced bread. But talk to the people who fix them, and horror story's come out one after another. You woun't get these story's from the people who sell them. From clutch changes that need the engine taken out, to drive trains Totally destroying bike's. Give me a chain drive bike any time. If it breaks the chances are it can be fixed by some local bike garage. A drive train, on the other hand, Could see you waiting until a bit is sent to the garage. And you can guess which one is going to cost less.
John933

What make of travel bike do I own? Well I've go three sitting in my garage. So where do I start? The first one I brought. ( born again biker) was a CBR 1000f. Sport's tourer. Took me all over Europe. The next one on my list, was a GSX1400. My lady friend had problems traveling on the back. So with the softer seat and the lower peg's. She was well pleased. The later addition to my collection is the ZZR 1400 Star ship. Why? well the Honda was getting on a bit over 20 year's old. With next to a 100k miles on the clock. On one of my trips coming back the gear box was not click up and down as well as it should. Some time's it would get stuck in a gear. Had to roll the accelerator on and off. To put pos and neg drive in to the box. Then she would click up and down like a good'n. Was then thinking if I get stuck in one gear some where in Europe I'm going to be stuck, in the way of it's going to be a long way home at one speed. So a talk to my lady friend about the problem, got me on to E bay. Was just looking really. When the Kawasaki came up at a price that I thought was a good deal. That how I end up with it. So now the Honda take's a rest from long haul trip's. Where the ZZR fit's the bill just right. Both bike's will take hard and soft luggage. Got both. Where the Suzuki is a local cruising bike for day's out to the sea side.


Is there such a thing as a right or wrong bike? A Gold Wing is not going to be the best bike to go green laneing on. But for crossing great distance on tar mack. She going to be a hard bike to beat. So why the bike's I have? Once I get across the channel in to France. I'm looking for something that going to eat up the mile's, and get me to where I want to be. And still be a recognisable bike to a garage if I need some kind of break down fix.
John933

I'm a happy owner of a 2012 Nc700x. Had it for a couple of months now and like it a lot. Downsized from a BMW 1150 GSA and pleased with the switch. Very nimble and confidence-inspiring on gravel roads, fun in the twisty mountain roads, and I'm not bothered by the low red line at all.

Mine is nicely setup with Seat Concepts seat, skid plate, crash bars, auxiliary lights, risers, rear luggage rack, Givi Trekkers, center stand, madstad honda touring screen, Gripster tank guards, grip heaters and bark buster hand guards. 70 mpg, and as much adventure bike as I need or want. Love the low center of gravity. Shinko 705's front and rear work well. I also have a tank bag and small top case not shown in the pics, for longer trips.

Have owned both size vstroms, the GSA and many other bikes. The NC700X feels like the perfect bike for me for my style and riding preferences. It's just as adventurous as either vstrom, and I would be comfortable taking it anywhere that I would have taken the GSA (again based on my riding habits). It's easy to pick up, easy to handle standing or sitting and not top heavy - feels much lighter than it should based on its weight.

Can't beat it for the less than $6k I'm into it!
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...4d79172d4e.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...aafaca4677.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...67a8d8c33d.jpg

Roborider - NC700x - Southwest Virginia

EvilExpiditionaryVehicle:EEV or 'Eve'...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...145710_579.jpg

Hey, if a pair of kiwi's can ride from Alaska to Argentina on similar and a kid from South Korea can meander all ever the US on 50cc's or an '83 "hamburgler" p200 can go around the world and end up in a museum in Milan.....

Then Eve and I are in good company....

And the 2 guys in their 20s that went from Portland, Oregon to Tierra del Fuego on mopeds. Only 1 made it. I think 1 gave up around the Darien Gap.

see, don't need a monster size highway burner or 'over the top' adventure bike to 'get out there' :nono:...just GET OUT THERE! Eve's carrying capacity is amazing for a 1235mm (4') wheelbase, she's designed for (as the service manual states) 286kg (630.5 lbs)..sure, no major highways where I live (cc is too small) but where's the fun on those slabs! :scooter:

For a jaunt 'up the hill' to lake Tahoe...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Eo...U=w862-h646-no

That looks like the 55w dick

2012, 1300 Pan European for me. A little heavy to push but once moving surprisingly agile :)

Absolutely love it :D

Cool, eh... MT

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...psnmepwmop.jpg

Lähetetty minun GT-S7710 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

My new ride...Soo freaking excited.

http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/pho...Adventure1.jpg

Yippy Skippy!!!

2007 KTM 950 Super Enduro
 

The latest addition to the growing list!

Yam xt 600 tenere

I almost forgot...I just finished this: it's been in storage since my motorcycle accident in 2011, got it tuned up and making it a traveler...not expensive by any stretch of the imagination, heck I don't even know if I'd like going out this way...but may as well give it a try. :thumbup1:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2M...s=w862-h646-no

When this thread started I think I had a Raleigh chopper and a few others of you were scooting Fred Flintstone style (OldBMW was NewBMW and TouringTed was ExodusEd ), but winter 2015 will be based on this



https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u...2/P1020616.JPG

Andy

From what I've seen at various meetings there's a few on here that could pass as Old Testament prophets :rofl:

Life's too short to go back through the cobwebs of all 250+ replies but I don't think I've thrown my 2p into the fountain before - there's no blue tick next to the topic anyway - so here's what I'm trundling around on at the moment. Very much horses for courses -

Small -

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psf3aot2te.jpg

My mid 70's Suzuki 125 at a campsite in France last July



Medium -


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/IMG_0026.jpg


My CCM 600 single in the French Alps a few years ago (I've posted this one before but annoyingly I can't find any of the more recent pictures)


Large -


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psxivyosct.jpg


My 1800 Gold Wing on a dirt road near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

A DRZ it's not, but it does have its good side. For anyone who's interested I'm currently writing a review of what it's actually like tour on and I'll post it up as soon as it's finished.


Memory lane -


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...k/IMG_0041.jpg


My old 400/4 Honda. I only really use it for dry days in the summer (otherwise the plug leads short out (typical 70's Honda)) but several hundred miles in a day is easy enough if the sun's out. Again, the more recent pictures seemed to have vanished so this old Alpine one is the best I can find.

Stubby seat, upright tank graphics, Showa forks (low axle mounting) also internal snail chain adjustment, also no plastic front disc guard.

Its 100% 34L Tenere.

Mezo.

[IMG]http://advrider.com/index.php?attachments/guat-007-jpg.408341/[/IMG

In Guatemala]

ride on
 

first bike on tracks a 500 XT' 1U6 80' ; trail : 19Mkm in Africa
rest of the time YAM' and SUZ ' roadbikes and one aprilia shiver, now a MV Brutale
rolling again in Morocco, 35 years after ,on a 400 DRZ

I know this quote is old, and i think people should choose what they like and good luck to them. Nevertheless I thought I'd just mention that my old GS PD is approaching 400000 miles and is still on its original final drive, my brother's R100RT is over 200000 miles and is still on his original shaft and final drive, my friends R80/7 is over 100000 miles and still on its original shaft and final drive, another friend has 2 Guzzis both over 100000 miles, still on their original shafts and final drives.

1100 was a great bike. The 1150 was transitional. Cheap shocks and crappy final drives. 1200s is when they fired all their good engineers and quality control advisors and put the accountants and marketing departments in charge..

From someone who earned a living in a dealer fixing them for two years. The water cooled ones are even worse. On par with Chinese scooter quality if I'm honest.

That's a lot of miles:mchappy: Big Ups to you!
At all the big BMW rallies here we'd always met guys like you. But my question is ... has your bike done much hard ... or even semi-hard dual sport travel?

I've followed GS's since 1981 (owned a '81 R80GS) and have dozens of current and former friends that have ridden BMW 30 years. (old guys! :clap:)

The early GS's (and other models) had fewer shaft, driveline and trans failures. But starting with R100GS and beyond ... we have seen A LOT of failures ... of all kinds actually.

The Oil Heads were even worse. Dunno about latest LC models but I do know BMW finally wised up and ditched the Getrag gear box and now use a Japanese gear box. The irony of that cracks me up! :rofl:

Once guys started running the GS's on rough off road tracks whilst loaded up ... well shafts, gear boxes and bearings began to fail at a HIGH RATE. It's not a myth or made up by haters ... it's well documented FACT.

In my riding group we have 3 long time, certified BMW dealer mechanics and one former dealer owner (now passed on). The stories we would hear from the mechanics would mean you'd never buy another BMW. But man, nothing better to ride than a nicely set up R1200GS! (one of my Fav's ... but one I'd never own)

Things are better now at BMW (public relations wise) and corporate are finally admitting to **** ups and dealing with most of them. In our riding group over the last 12 years about the only mechanicals have been BMW GS's and KTM 990/950. Usually 2 to 4 day mixed rides on very bumpy pavement or off road.
Technical and rough.

You've been lucky ... but I wonder how much you've spent on parts and maintenance? Do you do all your own service or use a dealer. Total costs?
My R12GS riding buddies all paid extra for extended warranties ...getting a total of 7 years cover. :D

As for hard dual sport travel, no I am no head banging wheelie merchant, in fact I am pretty easy on my machines. Distance travel so far is limited to Europe, Africa, Asia and Siberia. I am more a traveller than a seeker of off road pleasure riding, but I do not avoid unmettaled surfaces.

My GS which I bought with 14500 miles on the clock in 1995 is probably no better than any other BMW of it's era. I have a box file stuffed full to bursting with receipts for service items and replacement parts I have bought over the years. Nevertheless the crankshaft is the un-reground original and as previously reported the final drive has never been touched save the oil seals.

I do all my own work, some of which I post videos of on my YouTube channel, Moto Phoenix

I am certainly no deciple of all things BMW and I would be unlikely to consider a modern one, but out of the many bikes I have owned over 45 years of riding motorcycles most every day this is the one I like the best so far.

I am not a fan of most modern bikes because current designs are manufactured to suit the assembly line which makes them less suitable to work on in the field. I once took my brother's 100 RT gearbox out in a Pyrenean campsite. I'd be less inclined to do that on a 1200 RT.

Like I said, folks should ride the bikes they like, there is no right or wrong. People who make derogatory comments about others because of the bikes they ride are just childish attention seekers.

Lastly, my original post was a response to his chain comment as much as anything.

Right you are regards bike choice. :thumbup1: Just wanted to chime in with a "reality check" regards BMW's and their history. Also to point out your experience seems to be the exception, not the rule.

bier

What make of travel bike do you own ??
 

I think I would be more concerned about electronics if I was going RTW. I've got a Tiger 800 xc and the lowest point under the bike is the side stand switch, completely exposed. How barmy is that?

They also so say drown the clocks and it's game over. Hmmm think I better be careful where I take this one. But I bought it for mainly European travel where if it does all go pear shaped, help shouldn't be far away.

That being said, I believe someone has taken an xc RTW with very little problems, so I guess we all worry a little too much.

I spoke with Ian Coates at the Manchester bike show last year, he was explaining how he bypassed the clutch and side stand switches before he went so they couldn't give problems.

I've also got an Africa Twin, and it has always got me home, even when not running right. It's also simple to work on and very basic. I fitted a 36ltr tank when the original sprung a leak so it has very good range. Yes I think that would be what I would take.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had the 1100 gs loved it, the five speed was perfect, I put over 120,000 miles on it, on and off road, then I sold it to my m8 tony two years ago he still has it, he loves the bike, I wish I still had it,

I've got the 1150gs now done loads of off road, the six speed box is ok but not as good as the five speed ratio, the suspenion keeps bottoming out with touring boxes when I go off road, I believe the suspension on the 1150 was made in South Korea where the suspension on the 1100gs was made in house,

IIRC, suspension on Both GS1100 and GS1150 are low budget WP items. (WP is owned by KTM). Most owners I know ditched the stock shocks (front and rear) for Ohlins, Wilburs or higher end WP items. Big improvement. Our local BMW dealer had a huge bin full of original new or near new WP shocks off GS's. Small WP logo.

I rode both GS's off road and thought they were a bit scary. But I'm short of leg.
But a skilled rider can make it work. Then all you have to worry about is the failing final drive (bearings, shaft, Trans or rear drive) which so commonly fail or a CANBus problem or F.I. or ABS fault code.

We had some of these issues on our test bikes. BMW fixed them all. The old Getrag gear boxes were not works of art but most times did OK if you could accept the agricultural performance. :innocent:

Here's the 1150gs, I'm sure I've got a good photo of the 1100 somewhere

We're (my wife and I) are "in the BMW camp" so to say but not because we like BMW all that much as we're not bothered by "status".
We both started out on a BMW F650 and we did like them a lot. Reliable as sunrise, good on fuel and very reasonably priced to buy and to maintain/fix (I do all the work on our bikes needed)
The only things we wished for were: Less weight and a bit more power.
As we both like the engine I've been doing some looking around to see what would be a good successor to the F's and having tried/looked at a good number of possible candidates we chose the BMW G650 XCountry. It's very light compared to the F series, has about 10% more power (53 to 48 HP) and is used (in XChallenge guise) by various people navigating the globe without much to go wrong reading their trip reports. The main downside to these bikes is the small fueltank but there are solutions to that. A suspension uprade is highly recommended though, especially for the rear shock on the XCountry.
A must do on any of the X range is a change of gear lever because the original aluminium one doesn't bend or break when you drop the bike on it but the shaft does ! Ask me how I know...
We "upgraded" our bikes with a set of 21" and 18" wheels so they roll better off-road.
Service intervals come only every 10.000 km so that's nice too. Valve clearances don't have to be reset very often either, maybe once very 30.000 kms.
Why the XCo and not the challenge ? The XCo is mostly cheaper to buy, has a better seat (which is also a bit lower than that of the XCh and the plastics offer better protection for the radiator IMHO.
The wheels or hubs are hard to come by though so fitting different size rims could be difficult and probably costly.

There are a number of new adventure bikes coming out at the moment and I'm interested if anything comes close to the X.

Cheers, Ard

I've put some orange on my bike simply because I like the colour :mchappy:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psfqwzsadh.jpg

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Both our bikes also have a high front fender for not getting caught up in mud.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps8uwahznj.jpg

Well I ride an old ´89 beemer R100 GS.
I know every bot on this bike, as I have rebuilt and modified it all by myself (except the motor and gearbox which where refurbished by engineers).
So maybe the comparision with an original BMW R100/80 GS won´t fit.
First of all I like the advantages of the kardan, it just almost dosen´t need any mantainance.
And I can repair almost everything on the roadside.
It´s quite heavy and big and the main emphasis is very high which makes it hard to handle while pushing or manoevering around. But I can ride almost everywhere (at least for some time:mchappy:)

I haven't read through all this thread, but why not a small cc moto? I have a 250cc Honda Tornado in SA, and it's absolutely perfect for there. So many good adventures would not have happened if I had a 650cc moto, because I would not have gone there. Most of SA, you don't need a big moto, unless you're only riding the PanAm highway and maybe a couple solid surface dirt roads. With that, you miss the best scenery and the best experiences.

Most riders, me included, are not hard ass riders on big motos, and they are too big for the really rough stuff; cross a stream with a muddy entry/exit for example. Very doable on a small moto.

In the States, with fast roads, the bigger moto becomes a good choice, but then that eliminates the slimy road surfaces. Choices then are: where are you going to ride? I have big moto for the blacktop type riding, and smaller for more gnarly.

When the road was all dirt, I've watched liter sized GS riders going down the switchbacks to Batopilis in Mexico, really slow and apprehensive. Small moto, you get to rip and have fun.

So true. BMW is the most unreliable brand for motorcycles: Who Makes the Most Reliable Motorcycle? - Consumer Report

Brand Percent failed Yamaha/Star 11% Suzuki 12 Honda 12 Kawasaki 15 Victory 17 Harley-Davidson 26 Triumph 29 Ducati 33 BMW 40

Good idea. I traveled all of South America and most of Asia on a 125cc Honda: Great bikes. Easy to ride offroad with: http://motorradtouren-suedamerika.de...ka&design=dark

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...afd7b7a2c0.jpg


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Traveling around Indonesia and into the wilderness, it is very comfortable riding my Kawasaki DTrackerX, fuel injected 300cc, lightweight, and great performance on curvy tarmac as well as off-pavement. Just need to replace the seat and add a windshield, the bike should be ready for any expedition.


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This thread is older than my last 3 bikes and my vote is wrong accordingly. Here however is #5

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4207/...09c9d6e348.jpg

Andy

Nice! What a Beauty!
Is that the local town Council posed up the path there? Waiting for plod to come write you up for riding on the walking path? :cool4:


I thought for sure that Honda would do you for a while. What happen? You were so chuffed with it.

I've had some change of heart moments too ... the Ducati I just bought just a month ago ... lost a belt and self destructed. Good thing for the warranty.

Now you just need the proper outfit to go along with the Enfield style!
Ride On! (My Duck is off the road for another month ... at least! :thumbdown: )

Five years on.

I just own more Hondas than I used to... :innocent:

Thank you.

The figures are at the side of an old airfield. More here

Friday the 13th - Video Dailymotion

I no longer commute (they made me have a company car again), so the features that make the NC a really good every day bike make it about as interesting as a dishwasher when you get 5 days to prep it and less than 2 to ride it.

Following the trend for relaunching far eastern brands under old British names I have decided on a re-brand as Hurley-Pugh. This also may give me an excuse to take the **** out of a few chaps who take it all too seriously. I think a clothing line is a great idea. Watch this space https://sites.google.com/site/hrpvindaloomotorcycles/ As a true classic bike fan you will of course need a direct link to the tech specs https://sites.google.com/site/hrpvin...specifications :)

Bad luck on the Ducati. I'd be going loopy without a ride for a month!

Ted, I wish I had your self control!

Andy

No worries, I've still got my trusty Suzuki DR650. Still going strong at 60K mi.
The DR650 isn't worth much so no point selling it.

I'm hopeful the shop Monkeys will do the Duc up right and it will go a bit longer.
Most all the important bits are being re-newed ... so a lease on life for this
20K mile Ducati. (new front piston, cams, bearings, valve gear, new front cylinder
and all new pulleys, bearings and belts. Now just need to upgrade clutch to 2016 one, then all good. (until something else goes bust! :helpsmilie:)

This is why I ride a Beemer.
I'm 36K miles into it and I've changed chain/sprockets (three times) and oil cooler. That's it.

Do you really believe your BMW is more reliable than the Suzuki DR650?
You're so proud of your BMW you didn't even tell us WHAT MODEL BMW it is. :rofl:

Three sets of chain & sprockets in just 36,000 miles? You must use crappy chains ... probably the crap ones BMW dealer sell? Or you don't know how to look after a chain?

I got 24K miles on my last chain (DID 525 VM-2 X ring) I do change front sprockets every 8K miles ... a 10 minute job on DR650.

How does that compare with ease of access on your BMW? I've tested F800GS and ridden F650 and XChallenge quite a bit.

Tried to work on a friend's F650 Dakar once. Pain in the Ass to get to anything to do just basic maintenance.

I can do a valve check in 1/2 hour on the DR650... valves rarely go out of spec. At least not in the last 60k miles.

Simplicity is good when far from home. On the DR650 no ABS, CANBus or F.I. gremlins to haunt you 10,000 miles from home ... not to mention the repeated failure of water pumps, head gaskets, wheel bearings and bum electrics on many F650's and some F800's.

No water pump, coolant hoses or radiators to fail on a DR650. Simple is good.

My DR650 (3rd one) is on original wheel and Hubb bearings, original top end. At 60K miles only routine maintenance items and one CCT gasket.

NO failures, NO oil use and you can't overheat the DR650 even plowing through deep sand in 118F in Death Valley. I've done it.

You can buy BMW's all day but no chain drive BMW's hold a candle to the DR650 in the Work Horse, long term reliability dept. I love that the DR is owner serviceable and that it crashes really well. No plastics and expensive clocks to get destroyed. Basic ... but NOT cheap.

YES! the BMW's are pretty bikes: Nice clocks, dash and switches. Nice plastics too! Very nice to look at and FUN to ride too! Good bikes if you look closely after them, but delicate compared to a DR650.
bier
My Suzuki has never been in a shop. Ever. bier

As a former fanboy (guess which brand :innocent: ) I can predict disapointment if that is your only plan. On the other hand, if you learn how to do what's required it also follows you can use anything.

My Enfield has never been back to the dealers (It'd never make it that far :rofl: ) . Seriously, as I know the things that's my answer to an easy life. Others may struggle and I know guys who'd pick a Ural.

Andy

Since almost 4 years I have been riding a BMW F800GS. The bike used to be a faithful companion on my trips in the last years.

Before, I used to travel with my KTM 640 LC4 - I still own my lovely Kati and she still gives my pleasure. :clap:

5 years on and after selling the first R1200gs Adv and owning a Harley Fatbob (great for kicking about with the club) I`m back on a R1200gs Adv
A triple black this time.
Last of the twin cams

BMW, love em. So glad to be back on a proper bike. The Harley was a joke to travel on.

There she is.

https://img3.auto24.ee/auto24/560/227/104889227.jpg

All the camping stuff fits into the panniers with room for clothes, food, and a laptop to spare. 8) On longer trips the camping stuff goes into a speedbag on the pillion.

But thinking of getting something a bit more dirt-comfortable next. Although if it's dry, the VFR will easily do forest roads, sandy beach roads, etc. Just gotta be a bit slow and careful.

I'm currently on the fence between two. Larger and slightly heavier, but with more power or about 45lbs lighter, less power but more of a 50/50 bike for that (someday) trip. But, for now, my Benelli naked streetbike that punishes me daily on the gnarly roads of Tegucigalpa.

Mistress Kitty
 

This my "travel" bike at the moment. I couldn't ask for better off road and I cackle like an idiot while riding it out of joy in the dirt. I've made some improvements this past winter in an attempt to keep this as my primary travel bike but ultimately the tire shredding is its downfall (1500 miles on average per tire - rear). It is perfect for long weekends in the mountains and desert regions of the US west though. Since this photo was taken I've added a wind screen, Wolfman Expedition Dry Saddles bags and racks, a RotoPax on my larger rear mounting plate (for a fuel or water can), plus a PDM-60 for electronic gadgets (in process). We'll see how longer road rides go this year.
https://scontent.fapa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...cd&oe=5BC5035F

Since you never told us what bike that is ... doh and you've got so much Shit piled up on it, it's hard to tell. :rofl:
no worries!

Yes, I know it's a KTM ... and if it says "950" on the side panel (???) ... then I'd guess perhaps it's the long discontinued KTM 950SE? A great bike and still the best big twin bike KTM have made when off road is on the menu. :D

Are you brave enough to take it out of the USA? :helpsmilie:
How many miles done so far?

Tires
If doing mixed surface long distance tours you have to go "Mullett" on your tires. That is, a mostly street biased, tough rear tire and something knobby up front that works well enough on wet paved roads. (be careful with choice here).

Rear tire
You could go with the German 50/50 Heidenau, Mefo or Mitas. Expensive, terrible handling, but last a LONG time. Or go with a more street biased rear like a Tourance, 705 Shinko, Distanzia or Kenda. Tire pressure is the trick many riders forget about. Even a street biased tire works MUCH better at 18 PSI vs. 37 PSI. Huge difference.

I go cheap & cheerful on my DR650. Either TKC80 or IRC TR-8 up front (the Conti being the better handling tire) and a Kenda K270 on the rear. The K270 does everything well ... on DR650 went over 6K miles of mixed fast highway (70 mph plus) and lots of Baja dirt and Mexico dirt back roads. Ran it at 16 PSI on rough Baja rock sections. GREAT!
All this on a $60 tire. bier

I don't Roost it up coming out of every corner like in Race Days ... I take it easy. Going from pass to pass in CO, no problem ... you can get a new rear tire in just about every town you come to.

Mongolia? Bolivia? Not so much. bier

I am going to give my KLR 650 a well deserved retirement, with 101,000 miles on it. It;s a 2000 that I bought new in 2001, it's been my travel bike, so most of those miles are on trips, I've had other bikes for commuting. In prep for a trip in 2012 at 70k, I gave it new clutch plates, water pump seals, and steering head bearings, but it is still on its original top end, although it uses oil pretty badly now, and is down on compression. Only 2 valve adjustments in all that time. Rear shock has been a weak point, I had two OEM's puke at almost exactly 30k each, it now has a Progressive brand, which still seems to be OK.

Not sure what I will get next, for now I have a Harley XR1200 and a Suzuki DR350S, so there is a mid sized hole in my stable, but no hurry.

The Mighty KLR!
 

Congrats on making it to the magic 100K miles ... really impressive!

For Latin America at least, most know the KLR650 is the most popular bike used as travel ADV bike over last 20 years or so. Different story in rest of world.

Andy and I met at an HU Copper Canyon rally sometime mid 2000's. ('05? '06?) I was on my Vstrom. Only about 105 bikes at the event, which no longer is held. But guess what? 35 of the bikes there were KLR's! doh

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-Q6qSKQg-L.jpg
My former Vstrom and Andy's KLR in it's youth!

I have pics of the bikes and people at that rally somewhere, can't locate them now.
I've posted this story numerous times here on HUBB, sorry for repetition.

I remember that photo well, that was in 2004. That is right where you start descending the switchbacks into Batopilas Canyon. All paved now, I'm told. I haven't been there since 2008.