Offroad ability - forget the V-Strom!

1) a way too much plastic that can broke even on smaller falls
2) oil cooler is placed on the worst place imaginable (direct target for dirt, dust and flying free rocks coming from front wheel)
3) no spoked wheels
3) if really Strom implys, get 1000cc version for two uping - weight difference is hardly noticable while driving and second hand prices are on the same level as newer 650 here.

If 650cc really considered, then i'd recommend F650GS or TransAlp (more plastic, less "enduro" [sure more "enduro" than Strom], cheaper than 650GS!) Electric Fuel Injected machines (EFI) too complicated? - It's never seen broken down even on minor amounts! I rather say carburateor machines are more hassle due need often tuning fuel mixture and the need to rejet them for higher altitudes.

Seat height is no problem on any travel enduro - there's low aftermarket seats available for most of them or you can modify the stock seat your own. I've seen even about 160cm people riding enduros and even higher GS Adventures/KTM 950s with no problems.

Boxer BMWs expensive than others? Well, here second hand ('94-'97) R1100GSes are at the same price class as second hand (post-'00) V-Stroms and newer ('97-02') Africa Twins or even newer TransAlps, cheaper than Varaderos and Capo Nords! Why to spend more money if you can have:
- more low-rpm power that you really need for two uping
- maintenance free shaft drive,
- the easyest routine-maintainable engine conception (valve clearances adjustment is about 15 minute job even if you do it aside the road, throttle bodyes syncing is a breeze in few minutes, spark plugs off/on in few minutes) No need to hassle with plastics, details, frame and fuel tank in that lot of amounts to get access.
- lower centre-of-gravity, less weight to "handle".
- telelever front suspension, added comfort, stability and security in twisties and on hard braking (no "diving", or "waving" as with common 2-fork suspension making you lose control on critical situations on braking/accelerating wheather on direct road or in twisties).
- paralevel rear suspension, rear wheel removal is the easyest and quickest possible procedure, it's blessing because it's quite often requirement to remove rear wheel to work on (tyre worns out quicker, punctures, spokes etc).
- stickly out boxer cylinders with guards don't let the bike fall over the critical angle on often "slow-speed" falls on difficult offroad terrains - much easyer to get the heavy bike up again via my practice.
- stock wide and comfort dual seat for rider and pillon
- have the highest electrical power output: 700 Watts for your GPSes, heated clothing, additional lights, laptop/mobile phone charging options etc.
- ABS availability for those who want it.
- plus some other smaller BMW-standards as heated grips, extra 12V socket, all maitenance required tools and puncture repair kit are under the seat in standard etc that become handful on travelling.

This is my vision why boxer BMW travel-enduros are still hard to match in two-uping terms. Newer R1150GS/ADV and R1200GS probably lose some ground in payed-price/what-you-get compared with others - they really are more expensive. The new R1200GS is still in "beta" production status and having some reliability issues (final drive and servo-ABS failures mostly), i'd not recommend buying it for high-mileage RTW at least next year's model if most of serious issues are "ironed out".

Margus

[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 13 May 2005).]