How good/bad is the R100GS in the sand and tracks?
 

Hello

I’m thinking in acquire a R100GS and I want the bike to travel ... including desert crossings.

How good/bad is the R100GS in the sand and tracks?

I’m far from being a tall guy so I will have some difficult with the height of the bike.

Thanks for you comments


Bernardo Feio

One more question: what other old/cheap/not tall bike to autonomy desert travel?

I would say the R80/R100 is an ideal bike for desert crossings. It has a low center of gravity and it carries the weight of petrol, water and luggage pretty good. It’s also a reliable bike.
The only bad thing is that Michelin Desert doesn’t fit.

Some desert-pictures here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/bmw-tech/steering-dampers-40308

Guess you mean deep tracks? I’m not a fan of deep tracks and try to stay out of them but from time to time that’s not an option (Lake Chad comes to my mind). I would say that the bike is not worse then any other bike in tracks, as long as you don’t compare it with a lightweight one-cylinder without luggage.

Hi,
Michelin Desert tyre could be fitted, I remember that either a few mm must be cut of from the knobs on the side or a 5mm washer fitted to offset the wheel.

But the GS is a havy bike and heavy on petrol too. Expect arround 8l/100km, on soft sand and in dunes over 10L/100km. So with petrol, water, gear you end up with a ~300kg bike when you need a long range. The low centre of gravity helps. I observed that only experienced and physical fit drivers can handle this safe offroad. If gear, water and fuel are to be transported by car then it is ok for an average driver.

Yves

Thanks for the comments

I’m not a usual bike driver but instead a land rover lightweight driver. I’ve travelled with it several times to Africa (Marrocos, Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau) and everyone says that it’s a slow and not very fit to desert. Aldo my experience says that, if not very loaded, it’s an excellent desert vehicle I know I’m a bit masoquist! J

Concerning bikes. What other not-very-expensive/old/not-tall bike do you recommend?

I’m 1m63cm tall so height is a very important matter…


bernardo feio

Hi,

>What other not-very-expensive/old/not-tall bike do you recommend?
Suzuki DR350
Yamaha XT600 and similar
Honda Dominator!

the XT 600 / tenere 600 are a bit tall no?....

Yes they can be fitted but if you use the spacer you will expose the brake to sand and dependent off shock and subframe you have to modify the mudguard.

Dependent on model the weight is from 195 kg.

Petrol-consumption depends on a lot of factors; the most important are maintenance and your right hand. When I used a 33L tank I knew that I could go at least 500 kms in any terrain (not 160 km/h +). Now I use 43L and the limit is moved to 650kms. If you are careful you can get a lot more.

Personally I feel that the R80/100GS carries big weights (maybe 40-50 litres of fuel and 20 litres of water + luggage) far better then any single I have tried.
I would rather go 650 kms unsupported in the desert with my R100 then with my KTM.