If you are not cramped on time, parts accessibility should not be a big issue with a reliable bike. Parts can be shipped with a currier to just about any place on the face of the earth, or atleast to the closest metropol where you break down. Worst case, you have to ship your bike some distance to receive parts and have your bike fixed. It will be more expensive ofcourse, but then again, you might think it is worth the risk it to be able to ride your favourite bike. In case of bimmer lovers, I guess those are not appart of the most cost councious of travellers (they all ride japs). If you're a bimmer owner, with time to spare in your itinerary, then I wouldn't worry too much about the odd part that could fail. If reliability and ease of repair is a top priority, then I'm not even sure that a KTM should make the list.

On my next trip I will be bringing parts for about 1200 Euros, pluss tons of tools. This because I will be riding a highly unreliable bike, in Africa, with no time to spare WHEN I brake down. The bike I chose delivers very little bang for buck in terms of performance, handling, reliability, convenience, comfort, or any other valued attribute. Then being practical had very little to do with my choice...

If one is a KTM fetishist, then I'd say go for it. You'd be grinning just knowing that you were riding one, regardless of the bikes physical attributes.

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That sounds very inventive 1000km on a temp fix, I just replace my accelerator cable on my r1100gs and it's not an easy task very fidlely. My bike has the single cable that runs via the left throttle body.

Yeah I find the same thing with the dealerships, every time I go in to get a part they have to order it. But there is some other parts distrubitors around my area they stock just everything I need. But with the BM especially older models like the r1100gs everything is accessible and pretty simple. That's what I like about them quite easy to fix. You can do a top end rebuild without removing the engine.

I don't know how tall and weigh are you but if you are tall enough (over 170 cms) and have enough wight (more than 65 kgs) you can go for 1200 GS. Anyhow F650 is simpler, lighter and will cover your needs.
Don't forget that 1200 GS will spend much more gas than 650.
Personally I definitely go for BMW.

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

IMHO... although your heart may be saying take the KTM or the big BMW, I agree with these guys who are saying get a smaller, lighter bike. If you're bumbling down a potholed dirt road in the middle of nowhere at 50 KPH and dump the bike, a 650 is a hell of a lot easier to pick up by yourself...

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

hey mrdexplorer,

check "owner's forum new 1200 GSA " under BMW Forum,
hope you will have some more driving impression than only mine ...

Good choice

Norbert

mrdexploer

Hi, have just joined the site and am planning what sounds like a similar trip to yourself. I'm emigrating to New Zealand and am planning to travel overland from the UK via Middle East, India, SE Asia and Aus.

Am looking at getting an 1200 Adv myself and seeing as i live just up the road from yourself in Lymm, I was woundering if you'd like to meet up some time for a general chat.

cheers, John