Which bike for world Trip? (R1200RS or Tracer 9 GT)
Yes, these bikes aren't the first bikes that come to mine when you think RTW, but let me qualify my trip. The trip I'm doing is going to be mostly paved because I like the twisties and less of the dirt and gravel roads. I know I'll probably have to cross some rough roads going from Eastern Europe to China but I'm hoping most of my trip can be 80% paved. Also, I hope to do some parts of this trip with my wife on the back so passenger comfort is also important.
Now, onto the bikes. These are my thoughts on them and hoping you guys can chime in. I have a R1200RS myself and have been watching the reviews on the Tracer 9.
R1200RS
-I love the performance (for the twisties) with the weight down low like other R bikes.
-Comfortable for the wife
-Short seat ht. (I'm 5'-6")
-Like the reliability and little maintenance of the shaft drive
-Worried about the reliability of BMW (my first one) but heard the boxer engines are bullet proof
-Worried about how it would do crossing the rougher roads of the trip.
Tracer 9 GT:
-Seems to be a bit lighter
-Japanese built so probably more reliable than BMW
-Looks to be still comfortable for passenger
-Probably better for the rough roads than the RS
-Worried about the electronics for a long trip (although I love the features)
-Don't like the chain as much as the shaft drive for the long trip.
Based on my trip criteria, which bike would you take? Any additional thoughts on these 2 bikes? Also, any other bike you would recommend?
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