Thanks MountainMan. I did seem to open a hornets nest. In my life I have only owned Japanese bikes. 1 Suzuki, 3 Yamaha's and 2 Kawa's and 1 Honda. Never owned a brand new bike in my life. These bikes have all had their problems including the last bike I owned (Honda) seized the engine so badly that the connrod went staight through the sump.

Needless to say, every bike will give you troubles eventually if you do'nt take care of it properly, Jap or German.

The input has been overwhelming and what I have learnt is to go out and speak to people who has done the journey and ask about common problems to prepare myself in the best possible way no matter what I'm riding.

I'll also go out and test a few bikes and make up my own mind before investing in a friend for life (i hope)

Thanks again and speak soon.

Ps: I will need some advice on the carnet as I do want to sell the bike in SA eventually.

Have fun testing and let us know what you decide, PimpYoda. There is a lot of carnet stuff to read up on, there is a fairly recent post that talks about selling a UK bike in South Africa by bikerfromsark. Be aware that the standard line is that you can't, and the kindly gent who issues the carnet also reads this site so be careful of all the jokes you make about him



"I don't think any rider of any bike is an enemy BTW."

Lol, you are certainly correct, threewheelbonnie. In my experience, on the road, all riders are friends and the great "my bike is better than your bike" debates are mostly reserved for bored people on the internet who are killing time until they can get out riding.

Around the campfire, there are plenty of good humored jabs, (hence my joke) but it's all in good fun, most people are on the road are very, very humble because we all know we are one small problem away from getting towed into town and in remote locations, even small problems can take a lot of time and money to fix. You just hope that your friends aren't quick enough to film the towing and post it on the internet

Hi guys, I've just finished a pretty long trip with my Dakar and have been very happy with it- no breakdowns! I've ridden the standard GS too, though not nearly as far. I didn't like the smaller front wheel on the standard GS when riding off-road. Maybe I needed more time off-road with it. I really do like that 21" front wheel on the Dakar though, just my preference. In Siberia I met a South Korean man who had completed a RTW ride on a standard GS. He went through 3 stock shocks on his trip! I broke my Ohlins in Africa and it wasn't a cheap fix. The Korean guy is on a DR650 now and is happy with the bike. His buddy is a new rider and chose a KTM950. He fell down on the stretch from Khabarovsk to Chita and broke his arm. They put the bikes on the train and spent 6 weeks healing in Mongolia. Have fun- whatever you ride!

__________________
"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..." L.B. Armstrong. www.davesgreatescape.net
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readme...e&id=661274218

For an overland trip you'd better of with a Dakar, and thorough preparation of the bike, in my experience.
Look I just spent 1 year motorcycling aorund south america, doing lots of tough dirt roads. I had the F650GS (fitted with a White Power rear shock), the husband had the Dakar.
I had a never ending list of problems with. I won't retype all here. IF you take a F650, check my feedback here: bikes


I am not slacking there, I am just listing thing sthat you should keep an eye on. Also make sure to repalce the rear shock, or you won't go far.

Good luck with your preparations!

I forgot to say, since I came back from travelling last May, my bike has been in and out of workshops constantly! I got it back after yet more work last Saturday. I took it on test ride on sunday, phoned workshop again today (Monday) for yet ANOTHER problem... GAHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Damn Maria- I think ye bought a lemon!!! See you in Spain- where the pain is mainly on the train! Malaga should be fun- tapas and vino are on me! H.

__________________
"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..." L.B. Armstrong. www.davesgreatescape.net
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readme...e&id=661274218

Yep, I call it a "dog" but same thing! I came to the same conclusion some time ago!

So the ittle bugger is back for repairs, this time no choice, took it to BMW ,as I suspect yet more problems with the software, even if they deny it!

Unfortunately I won't make it to Malaga this year. Just started a new job in London and can't take time off just now.

Enjoy Malaga!

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Well said MadmountainMan. You've been providing one of the best view in terms of sincerity and open mindness in this thread by far.

But I don't see "BMW marketing twisting the common conception" really a problem around HUBB or other forums that experienced travellers visit. The realistic picture made of dozens of travel stories in HUBB sections already tells us how many alternatives there are. People go RTW with Harley-Davidsons, Enfields, Ducatis and other. Wise people will always make up their own mind IMHO. They don't listen the praises from a BMW-fans like myself or BMW-bashes from guys like Mollydog. Well they maybe do it to some level but certainly don't base their final decisions and sums on it. The only "risk group" in this field probably are the newbies.

So what I find unfair is when people get falsely informed by people like Mollydog.

We do have freedom of speech. But I find it disturbing when someone spreads dominantly negatives about something, and especially when it's built up with false facts and ill-minded orientation only by continuously bashing and ignoring what others say.


KTM or KTM riders, enemies? Noupe! KTM, IMHO, is of the best focused-bike makers currently around. Wouldn't mind owning a 250-450cc enduro unit in the future for practicing in the weekends.

PS: Canada sounds like a perfect playground to me - if all goes well I'll be there next summer. Should I bring my heated vest with me?

Cheers, Margus