Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Consider this before buying a BMW Consider this before buying a BMW
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree25Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Jun 2013
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 4,020
None of this leaves me feeling inspired to buy a new bike, ever.

But.....I own a new-ish car (2010 model year). It's probably got all the same stuff on board, and I expect it'll run fine for a couple of hundred thousand miles. Why doesn't it work that way with bikes?

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Jun 2013
BCK_973's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Buenos Aires,City of good sex,mate and asado!
Posts: 539
Hi KevOk
I must admit i have to agree with Mark here,I could understand if that bike was just a few weeks old and you had some issues on the way down.But just trying to put on BMW an "maybe" miss fix from a previous owner or mechanik is just unfair i think.
I am not a BMW rider today(used to own and ride the best BMW, R-80G/S PD).
And more i went from boxers into thumpers.KSAP(keep simple as posible)
I ride an 85 Tenere!(completely overhault)
One has to make choices,to much technology on an continent you maybe personaly don´t know much could be challengeing.
Those "hightech" bikes are like smartphones.....
I have met riders with 1200 GSA that did the same trip on brand new bikes with 0 issues.Others with drive shaft problems or blown shocks......
I would just add no person was harmed or injured on the trip? Just enjoy the tales and pictures.......relax and plan with easy mind the next adventure! Remember adventure means challenge!
Ride safe
__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Jun 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
But.....I own a new-ish car (2010 model year). It's probably got all the same stuff on board, and I expect it'll run fine for a couple of hundred thousand miles. Why doesn't it work that way with bikes?
The family car does not get taken on rough roads for long distances at speed when loaded. The wiring system on the car does not get flexed through the steering head of the motorcycle. Ok it may have wheel sensors that do get flexed with suspension movement - bet they are replaced as a service item at some mileage.. it is not on the motorcycle service scheduled.

Most of the adventure bikes don't see adventure - thus bm and others get away with things. If you look at the paris dackar vehicles - you won't see much in the way of standard things. Some of this is performance related, but some is reparability and reliability!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Jun 2013
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 4,020
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warin View Post
The family car does not get taken on rough roads for long distances at speed when loaded. The wiring system on the car does not get flexed through the steering head of the motorcycle.
My family cars definitely get taken on rough roads for long distances at speed--loaded and not, and at higher speeds than I ride my bike on those roads because the consequences of failure or misjudgment are less severe in the car. I get a few more flats than I would otherwise, and sometimes trash steering or suspension components more rapidly, but in the main my rather low-end cars and pickup trucks have been remarkably durable over the last couple of decades (it wasn't always so, I'll admit).

I wonder about the flexing-of-wires issue, too. I've got a lot of little wires in my car steering column, many of them attached to the wheel itself, which rotates a couple of revolutions in either direction. The mechanism is designed to keep them from flexing, fraying, breaking, abrading, and it works. I'd be shocked if it didn't.

I think a lot of these issues are choices made by manufacturers, and accepted by we, the paying customers. No car-buyer--much less an airplane pilot--would accept known issues like the KLR's balancer mechanism failures (or others you could name for any brand of bike out there). There's nothing inherent in motorcycle design which requires that reliability and build quality be atrocious, at least by automotive, marine or aeronautical standards.

Mark
Last edited by markharf; 11 Jun 2013 at 18:36. Reason: eliminate stray sentence
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
canbus bmw

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying Used Bike in Santiago Chile lachy South America 187 5 Dec 2023 13:53
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 18:55
Buying a new BMW F700GS in Cape Town, Carnet advice? Ed the traveler Trip Paperwork 0 9 Oct 2012 08:55
Information wanted from experienced bikers in South America joentje100 South America 35 1 Jan 2010 03:00

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:46.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top