Yes, I know they're a bit gravity prone but...

Hey all,

I have it in my head that I want to do some l-o-n-g distance on/off-road
touring, including a 3 month around Oz trip (maybe 2-up... who knows???).

The natural thinking leads me to the GS range and so then the mind starts to
consider the Adventure vs. the 1200. From where I stand:

1150GS:
+ longer range (30l tank)
+ equipped with bash plates/h'light protectors etc.
+ older style donk => tried and tested
+ likely to have more parts available
+ more rugged pannier system
- appears bigger than the 1200 (I'm only 75Kg, 5'10")
- would be a bastard to right after a wrong, esp. on full fuel
- maybe more of a handful off-road size-wise

1200GS:
+ lighter/smaller
+ newer design (and just as 'sexy' as the 1150... )
+ easier to pick up
+/- still that odd German duck-on-drugs look (eye of the beholder)
- smaller tank (not up on the long range options)
- needs more options => $$

So which way to go?? There have been suggestions of the 650 but surely for
LONG distances, the bigger variants would have to be a better option -
comfort, luggage capacity, ability to sustain punishment etc.

As a youngster I had a lot of years on dirtbikes and have done a little in
later years. However, I'd love to get out and do some decent off-road
touring before embarking on a big trip. Stay Upright used to have weekends
away on 1150GS beasts but chatting with them yesterday, they only do Cairns
to the Cape on dirtbikes. Anyone else do Beemer tours where you can hire
one of them and have some instruction at the same time?

Sounds exciting and I'm hoping a GS will complement the XX.

Cheers,
Dave E ZZR600 => ST2 (stolen) => '03 XX (+ GS????)

 

Checked the weight figures on both of these bikes ?

If you are doing much dirt road touring then you are prbobably not
going to be doing much more that 80 kph.
If it does get tricky then weight is something that you definitely do
not need
Have another look at the F650GS Dakar

Adventure Rider fourm (http://www.advrider.com/) is a good place to
ask questions

Cheers,
Burnie M

PS You know that whatever you pick that you need a GPS
(http://www.gpsoz.com.au/ - you can catch me at St Peters )

 

Yes, both heavy bastards, though the 1200 is lighter. Perhaps the addition
of bash plates etc. would bridge the gap somewhat.

True. The last thing I want is to be lying under 300 kg of bike with a
broken leg 300 km from Tom Price (or in my own garage for that matter!).

Will do - luggage and 2-up? Will be interesting.

Top notch. I'll whip over there and pass on your regards...

You mean my etrex won't do???? Sheeesh. All I have to do is mount my
laptop to the dash and voila - moving map!

Cheese,
Dave E

 

I thought you was 1 up now?

 

Mate, hardly anything is going up these days.

I'm just speculating in the event that things change at some point...

Shit I'm a bad cook...

Cheers,
Dave E

 

How about a R100GS. Alot more lighter and just as capable. Or a XR650 with
the Acerbis long range tanks?



justAL

 

Your list of pros/cons is about right. If you're wanting to do anything
seriously offroad, go for something with a 21" front.
The 1100/1150 has better aftermarket support, the 1200 is smaller,
lighter and you can heat up your lunch in the rear axle. On the
other hand, it's not really been tested in Australian conditions yet,
and we all remember what happened to the 1100 don't we girls and boys
(not Clem's one, the ones where the rear wheel fell off)

1-up and travelling light, the 650 PD would be pretty good.

Don't write off the other brands of semichook either ... look at
the Vstrom and the Varadero, 'cos the money you'll have left over
can pay for decent suspension, luggage, etc.

Of course, if you want to look like a proper nutter, you need an
R100GS or an R80G/S or a CX650 or something instead.

In "Long Way Round: **** it sucks to be a movie star", Ewan "Did
I mention Star Wars enough?" McGregor and Charley "I'm with Ewan!"
Boorman write:
|
| The first thing we did was buy /The Adventure Motorcycling Handbook/.
| The first word of chapter one leapt from the page. 'Prepare', it
| warned.

Like them, buy the book. Unlike them, read more than the first word
of the first chapter (and pay some attention to that first word, eh?)

There's a few email lists to join and a few rallies to come to and
trade war stories ... you could do worse than turning up to the
upcoming Byrock meet for Oz Adventure Riders. Email me if you want
details.

-----sharks

 

Question: Do you really want to go off road, or just ride crappy roads -
it makes a difference (in my not particularly humble opinion anyway).

If it's just crappy roads, consider the DL1000 and the Tiger (yeah yeah
ALX will give you heaps). If I'm not mistaken, they're lighter, just as
powerful and a bit more flexible in the "any-road tourer" stakes

While the F650 is certainly a better bet offroad, it'd suck two up with
luggage. The DL650 modified would be a better bet (35more ponies for the
same weight, modifications to make it more suitable offroad wouldn't be
hard.

JL

 

Dave E wrote:

The bim contrary to what a certain kiwi thinks (well the vacuum noise in
his head could be construed as thinking) is easy to pick up as it doesnt
actually lie flat on its side due to those huge crashbar/cylinder heads.
They are lying there waiting to be picked um.
all u need is a decent hip joint.

 

Good point - crappy roads. I don't think I'd be trying to attempt any
mega-supercross stunts two-up with gear in a location 4 hours flight from
the nearest human/hospital. However, I've seen the state of certain 'crappy
roads' in the sort of places I'm considering and you're right - manoeuvering
(go the spell checker) a big GS could be somewhat challenging for moi.

They still make the Tiger? Those bastards look even bigger than the GS
series. ...and I'd never hear the end of it from Alx. He'd want to be my
pillion/life partner...

Yes, my guess is you're right there. I'll have a fair bit of camera gear
(i.e. heavy) too knowing me.

I rode a 'Strom some time ago - damned ugly bastards, worse than the GS.

Lots to think about I think. There's a fair bit of test riding ahead
methinks.

Cheers and thanks for the points,
Dave E

 

Check out http://www.horizonsunlimited.com for some very good advice.

I'm preparing a similar kind of trip. 2-up around oz for 2-3 months.
1150 GS is what I'm leaning towards. About to hire one for the
weekend to give it a proper test ride with the wife.

This is the precursor to the RTW trip in 2 years time, so want to iron
out the kinks with this one (plus make sure the wife is happy enough
with this trip (so her comfort is high on the list) to go with the RTW)


And as has previously been mentioned Adventurer Motorcyclists Handbook
is a damn good read.

 

You need to visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oz_adventure_riders/?yguid=217232706 you do.

Al

 

Do you often carry a viola on your bike?
(Is it just for tuning in the GPS?)
Clem

 

I can vouch for this.
I thought I was gonna' have real trouble hoisting the heavily-laden GS but
the big sticky-out pot makes it a piece-of-piss!
Clem

 

Mate, hardly anything is going up these days.
Ditto.

Dont be foolish...

Im fat.

 

What's wrong with a Sportster?

 

Do you really want to stretch this thread as well Smee?
KD does not deserve that.

 

You need the 1200 GS dude not the 1150. Try them both you'll see.

 

you are one and the same James/kiwipete/alan/megawanker/kerosene cobbler.

 

Luggage/ 2 up etc etc
Get nearly 2 V-Stroms 1000 for the price of a GS...
Way lighter than the 1150, good chassis, no known issues technically, and
just as capable (2-up/ luggage will put an earlier end to things anyway).
The DL650 is lighter by a fair whack, $10k onroad new, more nimble than the
1000...the 2-up/ long distance thing kills it a bit, even though it's got
the same room/ luggage capacity as the 1000.
Ugly bastard, I know...but once they've been through the dirt, they all look
the same.
cheers
pete