I've ridden with BMW buddies for years. None keep their BMW past the warranty period. Most buy extended warranty, so they get 3 or 4 years additional on top of the factory 3 year warranty. Plus, for international travel ... they carry travel insurance.

Some BMW devotees around here are able to do work themselves and carry various parts half way round the world in their panniers to prove a point ... you never know when something will let go! But they have the skills, parts and tools to do the work themselves. Most of us don't have those skills.

In defence of BMW ... I think most Japanese bikes (including KLR's) would also have to wait on parts in the case of major engine or trans component failure. Unless the model you ride is sold/serviced at local dealers, then you won't find parts for it even at a Kawasaki dealer.

But I'm thinking parts may be located closer than Germany?
Example: The Suzuki DR650 is now assembled in Colombia and sold in several S. American countries including Colombia, Ecuador and perhaps Peru'. I'm assuming parts are available at stocking dealers but cannot confirm this. :confused1: Also, they build the Vstrom 650 there too.

Hi all,

this has become a very interesting thread and I had to laugh out loud a couple of times reading it.

here are some of my comments

@charapashanperu

yes, the DR650 can do this, I have done it.

@Mr Steam Turbine

OMG!!! If you come to Bolivia, I will buy you more than one . I am in Samaipata, and the next BMW dealer is only 120kms away ...


@ridetheworld

You call yourself ridetheworld and you dont know how to check the valves? Wau, you still have a lot to learn (as we all have to do) ... start tomorrow morning and buy a manual for your bike, then read it five times and then ask a friend to show you ... good luck on your journey.


So, I think the question Honda or BMW is answered by everyone contributing to this thread.

Saludos
mika

Long waits for BMW parts is not something just afflicted on those out of western Europe.

I currently have four 1200GS's in pieces. Waiting WEEKS for parts which one would think would be instantly available.


If I need an obscure part for my 20 year old Honda ... I can have it within a week.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Well Mika, you'll no doubt be astonished to find out that I choose the name 'Ridetheworld' as an alias for a forum that is especially for overland 'round the world' trips, namely on two-wheeled motorcycles. On a well-known Indian travel forum I called myself 'Goldenchapati' but you might be surprised to learn that, in fact, in real life I am not actually "golden" nor am I "a chapati". I am deeply sorry if I missed the part where we're all supposed to create alias that have some bearing on 'real' life, and can only promise that next time I invent an alias on an internet forum I will endeavour that it will have some reasonable connection to my otherwise mundane, day to day, existence.

Oops, I missed that bit too, I'd better grow another head, and fast.... :-D

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

All right, I'm actually smiling and laughing again.

I don't think Mika intended any offense by his comments ... but as a NOOB, I'd grow a bit thicker skin ... it's all in good fun ... BUT ... Mika does make an excellent point.

IMHO, it is not wise for any Motoquero to attempt a cross continent or RTW motorcycle ride without substantial background knowledge of the basic mechanics and day to day maintenance of their bike.

Wouldn't you agree?

Without this knowledge you may fall victim to incompetent or unscrupulous
"mechanics" (or BOTH!!) out on the road. So take a course, get the service manual or hang out with skilled friends ... but do make an effort to learn the basics ... it will pay dividends X 1000 out on the road.

Once you buy a bike ... jump in and learn as much as you can about the ins and outs of that model. It's just not that hard ... and so much expert knowledge and experience here and on other model specific forums.
All the best!

I don't think you need to know a dam thing about anything before you go travelling on a bike..

I agree, you SHOULD, but if you don't if doesn't mean you don't belong...

I'm not going to learn how to make a birch bark canoe with a swiss army knife in case mine springs a leak.. You just improvise, adapt and keep going.

The learning curve will be steep, adventures will be had, stories will be told and the circle of life continues.


This forum is great for advice and real experience. And yes, you need a thick skin at times.

And that's definitely the most important thing to have if you plan on a big, long trip...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Mollydog,

My response was merely an attempt of humour albeit sarcastic, hence the tactile smiley face at the end. This was also done "all in good fun", I can assure you of that

As for not knowing a thing about motorcycles and being a 'n00b' well I think your logic is fundamentally flawed. We all have to start somewhere and while some people learn better in the library I learn better by experience, and sometimes by asking questions on internet forums.

In India I just bought a motorcycle without any previous experience, and absolutely no knowledge of anything about them whatsoever. The next day I took on Kardung-la, one of the highest motorable roads in the world.

Yes it was stupid and a little dangerous, but reaching the top was one of the best moments of my life (short-lived as on the way into Nubra my outlet rod punched a hole the size of a penny coin the head gasket!!!).

In the short time I've been on the HUBB I've learnt many interesting things, for example what a GPS does and why I should buy a free-standing tent - to the technicalities of motorcycle ownership in Chile, and why you should always buy a Honda over a BMW in South America

This has all been invaluable and I will do my best to respond to the other queries of 'n00bs', preferably without making trite and condescending remarks. But anyway let's not high-jack an otherwise perfectly interesting thread!

Hello again,

read my post again and the answers. I did not want to offend anybody. sorry if I did.

@ ridetheworld. It is your journey, you have to enjoy and live with it. Of course there is no need to know anything about bikes before setting off.

But as you know, it makes travelling easier if you use a map, if you carry a puncture repair kit and know how to use it, if you have the right visas to cross the next border ................ but you will get where you want without a map, you can wait for somebody to fix your puncture and one day somebody will come and fix it, maybe you will even cross the next border without the right visas ......... it is your journey.


@ Mr Steam Turbine. I did not want to offend you with my comment about the next BMW dealer being only 120kms away from where I live. If you come thru Samaipata, please contact me and I will look after you and your bike (if needed) .... thank you very much for posting your experience here on the HUBB, not everybody is that honest.



saludos
mika

Thanks for the advice and you're definitely correcto about the tyres -- I'm definitely going to learn how to fix a tyre before I set off.

No offense taken on my part Mika, I still have a sense of humor even after seven weeks dealing with this frick'in bike in Lima...

Just for an update, we found a bearing for the rear panalever in Lima but then found the master cylinder for the clutch has failed again. I'm thinking the system was not bleed properly since the master cylinder has all new parts and the manual says it should be done using a vacuum pump. Even after showing the mechanic photos of the procedure the dealership is nearly refusing to bleed the hydraulic system using a vacuum pump because they don't have one.

In regards to knowing the mechanics of your bike, you simply don't have the tools and facilites to do anything other than minor maintenance to a R1150GS alongside the road not to mention the parts you need. Your forced to depend on a dealship for something's and not all dealerships are equal....

If those that know your bikes mechanics so well can tell me if it's important to bleed the hydraulic clutch system with a vacuum pump it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi. You don't NEED a vacuum pump. It just makes it a lot easier and more reliable. You can bleed it by hand. You just have to be sure when you do. You can use a large syringe too.

And they should using Clutch fluid too. Not Dot 4. The clutch fluid is Vitam LS or Vitamol 10.

I am a BMW Technician at a major dealer. PM me if you need any specific info and I'll try and help you if I can.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.