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25 Jul 2009
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Germany/Eifel
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R 80G/S PD or R1200GS/Adv
Hello,
I'm currently planing a tour from North to Southamerica beginning in May 2011 for about 6-8 months. I know that is still very far away,
but I'm still at the beginning of my planningphase.
At the moment here in Germany I drive since almost 4 years and nearly 50000km a R1200GS/Adv without any problems, but I'm not sure whether the ADV is the right bike for that long Travel - especially in Middle- and Southamerica.
I think, that any technical problems with the 1200 GS I can not resolve myself, particularly because the complicated electronics.
Do you think that the Adv is now technically so perfect, that I can dare this trip with the R1000GS/ADV?
How is the BMW Service in South America? Do I have there any chance to get help in the Case of problems?
Alternative I could buy a R80 G/S PD in good condition with less than 90000km.
My question is, what is the better machine for such a trip? What do you think?
Thank you for your answers and please excuse my bad English
Kajo
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25 Jul 2009
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
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Hi Kajo,
That's a great question.
There are positives and negatives of old vs. new.
In the end, it usually doesn't matter too much, many people have successfully done the same trip you are contemplating on ancient and new and everything in between.
In my opinion, people should always look at the bike they are currently riding as the first choice. If there is an incredibly strong reason to switch, then consider it.
You already own a bike that you know very well and are used to riding. The cost and safety benefits of that are pretty compelling.
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26 Jul 2009
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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They both have BMW on the tank but are totally different bikes, hardly comparable at all, "chalk & cheese".
Only you can decide which one to take, it doesn't matter what someone else prefers.
If you're not happy about being able to fix a 1200, can you fix an R80?
To answer your last question, there isn't an overall "better", both bikes are better at some things, worse at others. Take a ride on the R80 & see what you think.
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26 Jul 2009
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
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Like the others have said, it is hard to say. But, while the R1200s aren't perfect, I consider them pretty reliable. Last summer I rode from China to Germany with a four 1200s and an R80PD. Guess which one broke down and could not be fixed? Yup, the R80 had to be sent to Germany on a train, while none of the R1200s had any problems. Of course I'm sure plenty of other people have had completely different experiences....
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26 Jul 2009
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 304
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This is an interesting question. For me, it would have to be the R80/100. The thought of lugging all that unnecessary metal and technology (R1200) around South America is quite frightening. I'm sure the 1200 would be reliable but there is so much more to go wrong. With the airhead there are, of course, many weakpoints which are well known and would need to be resolved before departure but once that is done the bike will give reliable service as long as it is regularly serviced.
PS. We did a 30,000 mile trip from UK to Cape Town two up on a 1989 R100GS which we still have and use regularly - so I'm a bit biased
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26 Jul 2009
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
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These bikes are so very different, so why limit the choice to BMW flat twins? If someone told you BMW's are the only reliable bike they were wrong. In the early 90's a five year old R80 had the 1970's technology you could fix with superior materials to a similar Yamaha, but R80's are now at least 20 years old and previous owners will have bodged away at every single system. Diaphragm carbs, the charging system, the final drive and gearbox are all items you'd need to check out and totally familiarise yourself with, replacing worn 20 year old items as you went. It's only simple and reliable if you start with something that's like new and fully understand it.
The R1200 should be a lot more reliable and there is plenty of info about, but if you need parts or software you will need to talk to a BMW agent.
Personally I'd look for something under 5 years old with technology most people could help me with. The only BMW badged bike that fits that is the F650. If you need more than 50 HP you have to drop the badge, or simply take the R1200 and live with the video game generation technology.
Andy
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