Hi there.

I'm early in planning to do the big off. One choice of machine is a Triumph, but the other would be BMW and not any of the new stuff, it would be an HPN. I know the bike is damned expensive, but if I am using the bike for 10 years, the monthly cost of having the "right" bike I think will be worth it. I just want to know if anybody has used this bike and can recommend it's stronger points and anything against. I like the way it looks, the fact it is fairly light for a twin and the engine is fairly simple, and according to a friend of mine " you can run the engine on bacon rinds" so it is not a hyper sensiteve motor.

Comments??????

Thanks

Muzz

Airhead twins are thirsty if you ride them fast, they are not very strong IMHO, gearboxes in particular. I have recently stripped the teeth on my second gear dog...doing roosts in the snow, or normal Jap trail bike sort of stuff. You cant change gearing with a simple sprocket change, they are too heavy for the really interesting stuff..and to highly geared. BMWs are full of "special items" requiring "special tools " to fix which quite frankly ...gets up my goat.

But if thats what you want to ride and you can accept those little challenges, go for it.

__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality

Hi, an old airhead is very simple to maintain.
Since its so simpel its not that many thing that can go wrong. The gearbox needs to be serviced on about 100 000, they say..
But even that is simpel, and not that expencive. You can do alot of work whitout many special tools, but buy the exhaust nut wrench if you want to take the pipes of...
Iv just finished a tripp around OZ on my R80GS, and is happy whit the bike. Its not a HPN (yet) will probebly never be. But whit small modifcations its a good bike for long tripps.
Have a look at www.gravelseekers.com for pic`s of it.
Good luck

My ¢¥89GS/PD just broke 100k! Love it to death! Stay on top of the maintinence (Simmo) and it will love you back!

Muzz,

it depends what you define as HPN-Beemer. The rally version is REALLY expensive and has such lovely assets as hardened gear cogs, lighter crankshaft, pistons etc. Basically lots of handmade or selected parts.

Even basic modifications like pepped up suspension, reinforced frame, power boost, better brakes - they cost a fortune. But yes, it's a totally new bike after that conversion ;-)

I thought about it too, but decided to stick to my R80GS and rather spend the money on travelling. With 50 horses it's slow enough to see things next to the road and fast enough to outpace any bicycle.

Hans

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

This question comes up from time to time. If you haven't already, look back in the posts:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000319.html

touches on this subject, but there are several others.

There are many HPN conversions; they can do as much or as little as you like, but basically the principal is to take an old bike and make it new again, while improving on the various deficiencies. I tend to agree with your first statement that you should spend time with a bike that you truly like. Now, a bike that leaves you stranded at every occasion is probably not going to keep your affection for long! However, I would differ from the opinion that the old airhead twins are inherently unreliable. Yes, if you buy an 11+ year old bike you are going to have to go over it thoroughly. My R80G/S does require a few special tools, but these are simple and I carry them. On the plus side I can have the engine apart in a matter of minutes, and am capable of muddling through most problems. The faults and issues with the bike are know and, for the most part, fixable or avoidable with good maintenance. However you are still dealing with a 35 year old design. I have had it apart quite a few times, usually because of something I didn’t do or did wrong. I haven’t had to push it or ride in a truck (yet).

In my opinion, an HPN conversion is a viable alternative to a new GS1200/ 650 or other travel bike. I think the most practical (and probably cheapest – just on fuel economy alone) choice is a GS/ KLR/ KTM 650, bought new or near new, and gone over to address the know issues (yes every bike has them!). But if it was me and my $15000, I’d likely be making the call to ship my old GS to HPN for a refit…

hello,
on the hubb, 2 people were selling one, if i remember well :
you could try to contact :
- gsworkshop in south africa : he s got one built and running and many spare parts to build an other one
- tyner r... in england i think ?
* a friend, marc, here in paris is also selling one (simmo has seen it, almost bought it !)
* a friend,stephane, has got one sleeping in his garage in switzerland (he s working in africa now) : maybe ready to sell it (?)
nb : email me private if you want their contacts

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--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.