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19 Jun 2017
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R.I.P.
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I must be missing something. Your missus already rides a scooter ... and she can't move up to a 250? Come on! Dozens if not hundreds of riders ... including women ... have gone RTW on 125cc scooters and even smaller! Check out the Postie bike travel tales ride report!
But what ever makes her (and you) happy. On gravel roads I would have to agree
that the Vstrom 650 is the go. The 19" front will give WAY better feel and control than the front 17" on the Versys. Both great bikes but off road ... Vstrom.
As you say, it's also a lot roomier. True. I did 90K miles on mine. Plenty or luggage room, BIG wide seat, super comfy riding ALL DAY.
But do not buy new. You're simply pouring money down the drain. (unless you must finance it or some credit trap you're in?? :help smilie 
FACT: A reasonably looked after Vstrom will go over 100,000 miles if cared for.
(160K km) So find a clean, low km. 2nd hand one and tell your wife it's NEW. 
You guys be careful out there ... you got some wild "drivers" there!
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19 Jun 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
I must be missing something. Your missus already rides a scooter ... and she can't move up to a 250? Come on! Dozens if not hundreds of riders ... including women ... have gone RTW on 125cc scooters and even smaller! Check out the Postie bike travel tales ride report!
But what ever makes her (and you) happy. On gravel roads I would have to agree
that the Vstrom 650 is the go. The 19" front will give WAY better feel and control than the front 17" on the Versys. Both great bikes but off road ... Vstrom.
As you say, it's also a lot roomier. True. I did 90K miles on mine. Plenty or luggage room, BIG wide seat, super comfy riding ALL DAY.
But do not buy new. You're simply pouring money down the drain. (unless you must finance it or some credit trap you're in?? :help smilie
FACT: A reasonably looked after Vstrom will go over 100,000 miles if cared for.
(160K km) So find a clean, low km. 2nd hand one and tell your wife it's NEW.
You guys be careful out there ... you got some wild "drivers" there! |
Simple answer to the New v Used is simply down to availability....used ADV/tourers just hardly ever exist in Philippines.
Re :- the slight more ability in the gravel ....YES entirely due to front wheel size of 19" v 17".
..... and just to go and view these at the dealers is a 1 hour flight and overnight hotel stopover . Hence my wanting to gain as many opinions before I travel so I know what to expect.
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19 Jun 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
I must be missing something. Your missus already rides a scooter ... and she can't move up to a 250?
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it's not that easy, on scooter she can ride in skirt.... 
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19 Jun 2017
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2011 G650GS or NEW Versys 650 dilemma
Quote:
Originally Posted by tremens
it's not that easy, on scooter she can ride in skirt....
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...... and heels ..... because she's only 5'2" :-)
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23 Jun 2017
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There's a new kid on the block which I've only just heard about......Honda X-ADV......
From what I've seen looks like an adventure style maxi-scooter.
For those reading the previous posts re:- what my wife will ride, it may be a compromise.
Has anybody even seen one of these machines yet?
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23 Jun 2017
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That is a pretty cool Scooter! I like it! Looks large enough to travel with pillion in comfort! Easy to ride, decent cargo space. I'd like to test ride one!
Downside is cost ($15,000 USD approx 9K UKP) and Weight: 238 kg. (525 lbs.)
That is 200 lbs. heavier than a nice 250 dual sport ... and about the same as
Vstrom or Versys. But IMO, all good choices for where you are. The Scooter
might be the best choice ... if they sell them there?
It's a cool looking scooter !
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23 Jun 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
That is a pretty cool Scooter! I like it! Looks large enough to travel with pillion in comfort! Easy to ride, decent cargo space. I'd like to test ride one!
Downside is cost ($15,000 USD approx 9K UKP) and Weight: 238 kg. (525 lbs.)
That is 200 lbs. heavier than a nice 250 dual sport ... and about the same as
Vstrom or Versys. But IMO, all good choices for where you are. The Scooter
might be the best choice ... if they sell them there?
It's a cool looking scooter ! |
Yeh I've been looking at the reviews on YouTube today. It seems to be quite a capable and very cool looking machine....BUT the PRICE!!!!! Crazy expensive. It would have been perfect for me either alone or 2-up, or for my wife alone for her normal town riding, but it's just priced way out of my budget.
Shame :-(
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23 Jun 2017
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2011 G650GS or NEW Versys 650 dilemma
Did I make the right decision.........?
Before I selected my final 3 (Versys, V-strom or G650GS) I had the chance to buy a 1-owner 2011 R1200GS . It was about 25% more expensive but is undoubtably the KING of adventure bikes.
I passed up on the chance because of 2 factors. 1)- dealer backup ( there isn't any in my province), and also the fact that my island is only 400km end-to-end, and 25km wide......rather a waste of resources (but like booking a 40ft container the move your sofa) .
As much as I absolutely ADORE the big GS, I think it was a wise decision which I hope you all agree with.
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Last edited by LoloPD; 23 Jun 2017 at 21:24.
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24 Jun 2017
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IMO you made the right decision passing on the R1200GS. As good as they are ...
(and they are VERY GOOD to ride), it is often the case that older ones are very high miles. Yes, BMW owners tend to take care of their bikes ... but still.
The BMW Kool-Aid crowd will tell you they never wear out. Total PoppyCock!
(just ask Touring Ted!) We get used GS's here all the time time, many with 50K to 100K miles on them ... and still asking a fairly high price. Most never sell ... and in a year the guy finally has to lower the price but A LOT.
No matter how well they have been looked after, eventually things can fail. With BMW it's often expensive drive line or trans issues or computer/software failure and more.
I would take your time and test ride bikes you can get hold of. See what you think. You don't need to cross continents ... but someday, if you move, the BMW could be a good bike ... if you can afford good one.
A riding buddy recently bought a 2016 LQ GS for $25,000 USD. He's got some money, has 6 other bikes besides that new GS. 
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25 Jun 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
IMO you made the right decision passing on the R1200GS. As good as they are ...
(and they are VERY GOOD to ride), it is often the case that older ones are very high miles. Yes, BMW owners tend to take care of their bikes ... but still.
The BMW Kool-Aid crowd will tell you they never wear out. Total PoppyCock!
(just ask Touring Ted!) We get used GS's here all the time time, many with 50K to 100K miles on them ... and still asking a fairly high price. Most never sell ... and in a year the guy finally has to lower the price but A LOT.
No matter how well they have been looked after, eventually things can fail. With BMW it's often expensive drive line or trans issues or computer/software failure and more.
I would take your time and test ride bikes you can get hold of. See what you think. You don't need to cross continents ... but someday, if you move, the BMW could be a good bike ... if you can afford good one.
A riding buddy recently bought a 2016 LQ GS for $25,000 USD. He's got some money, has 6 other bikes besides that new GS. |
It was a 2011 model, 1 owner, BMW serviced from new, 32,000km, so I think it had a lot of life remaining which made the decision to pass on it rather more difficult. But I'm glad you agree with my reasoning. Thanks for your input.
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2 Aug 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoloPD
It was a 2011 model, 1 owner, BMW serviced from new, 32,000km, so I think it had a lot of life remaining
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Yep plenty of life. My GSA has 10 times that mileage.
But you made the correct decision on the GS. Not really suited to your needs I think. 
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1 Aug 2017
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2011 G650GS or NEW Versys 650 dilemma
I thought I'd update you on my final choice. Despite being tempted by a G650GS and a SERTAO, my final choice was a NEW DL650XT V-Strom.
My main reason for passing on the BMWs were simply down to availability of servicing in my province in Philippines. Basically the nearest BMW dealer is a 24 hour ferry ride away!!!!
So I pick up the new YELLOW Wee-Strom in about 2 weeks!
Happy guy.
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