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old BMW GS1200 or new bike with same price? old BMW GS1200 or new bike with same price?
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 24 Dec 2014
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Smile old BMW GS1200 or new bike with same price?
Hello,

We are living in Australia and we want to ride back to to south Asia and silk road up to Turkey. As far as I know many people suggest that BMW GS1200 is one the good one for two up. But it is quite expensive for us at this stage and if I want to save money to get one it takes a long time.

I saw some GS1200 with 40,000 to 60,000 k on odometer. My question is, is this a good idea to get old one? or go for something cheaper but a bit newer?

If yes, How old and is this easy to fix that on road if anythings happened?

I'll appreciate all suggestions.

Cheers,
Pejman
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  #2  
Old 24 Dec 2014
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Hi Pejman and welcome,
You will find opinion on the 1200GS very divided on this forum, some people think they are a fantastic and versatile all round bike and others that they are overrated, overweight and unreliable. Although I have never owned one have formed the opinion from other peoples experiences that they are not as mechanically or electronically as reliable as they should be.
The deposit for the carnet is another factor to consider, it will be expensive so an older, low mileage model might be better.
I would think about something slightly smaller such as a BMW F800, Triumph Tiger 800 or even a Suzuki V-strom 650 will be perfectly capable, lighter but with more than enough power, remember there will be days when you won't even reach 100 kph. Basic servicing on any of these bikes should be possible if you are a reasonably competent mechanic, it is diagnosing an electronic fault which can be a problem and the Japanese bikes seem to have a better reputation for electronic reliability.
Have fun with your planning, it is a great trip which will be an unforgettable experience.
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  #3  
Old 24 Dec 2014
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Thanh you very much for replying.

It was helpful.

Cheers,
Pejman
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  #4  
Old 24 Dec 2014
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Weestrom (new or used) would be my idea (I've broken too many Bavarian chocolate fire guard designs). Tips/thoughts:
  • The manual calls for 4500 service intervals but only an oil filter every other time. 6000 miles and a filter every time will be fine.
  • Heidenau K60 tyres give a real improvement on rough stuff.
  • Buy some spare centre pop rivet type connectors as used to fasten the bits of fairing together. To get at the air filter and back top plug you need the inner fairing and tank off. Takes under ten minutes but there are a good dozen of these little plastic dots and you are bound to lose a couple to the chuck-key/washer/13mm spanner eating gremlins that inhabit every workshop.
Enjoy your trip

Andy
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  #5  
Old 25 Dec 2014
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Thanks Andy. So you reckon it is also good for two up?
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  #6  
Old 25 Dec 2014
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the vstrom can be connected to your phone for electronic scanning.see the stromtroopers site.besides giving you the 60 mpg and ability to run 80 octane gas,efficiently.
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  #7  
Old 26 Dec 2014
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buddy of mine does plenty of touring 2up on a wee strom. he is not the smallest man i know, doesn't have any problems.
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  #8  
Old 26 Dec 2014
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If you can, go and have a test ride with different options.
All bikes are mechanical, so something might go wrong and break.
All bikes have their own positive and negative things.
Can you do your own service or do you need to rely local mechanics?

I have been on the road now 2,5 years with my 2005 R1200GS. At the moment she has 310,000km.
It has had some issues (some due to too much speed...).
Reason why I took this bike was because I already had it and I know bike really well (new bike I would have needed to dismantle few times and learn it´s weak points).
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  #9  
Old 26 Dec 2014
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Another vote for DL-650 !

I want to see the new africa Twin also. But not sure if the spare parts are any available on the road yet ? !
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  #10  
Old 26 Dec 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pejman View Post
Thanks Andy. So you reckon it is also good for two up?
So long as you are tall enough (same issue with any bike of this style) they are great two up. I'm a short **** who rarely meets more than a few hundred yards of gravel hence my switch back to a road bike. The wife loved the DL's back seat once safely on it though.

Don't let the engine capacity trick you into thinking "small bike" the Wee is 70 HP, full size and at times anything but wee with full tank and luggage. Does motorways like a touring bike, survives places only a 125 trail bike would be fun on.

Andy
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  #11  
Old 26 Dec 2014
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++1 for vstrom. Done many tours 2up and has been great on hard top and dirt gravel with 80/20 road tyres. Anything more requires tyre swap. Mud is not a good place to be. comfort is great.

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  #12  
Old 26 Dec 2014
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The best tip i ever got was not to buy a BMW when i was young. Now many years later i can only pass this on. Seen tooo many BMW breaking down and becoming more costly to repair then two new bikes.

v strom, transalp or AfricaTwins are great, reliable and way cheaper.
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  #13  
Old 26 Dec 2014
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Hi,
I have a R 1200 GS IN Europe. That bike is superbe for the good roads like in Europe.

For South America I have a V Strom 650. This bike is light and fast enough for the roads in SA. Enough power.
I have made a tour with this bike and am very glad.

I suggest that you should buy a new V Strom 650 and put some Touratech on it and enjoy.

Djin
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  #14  
Old 26 Dec 2014
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"others that they are overrated, overweight and unreliable."

This. I've own 3--all bought new. I now ride Japanese bikes. Just one man's opinion.
If you go for the BM, have the final drive bearings replaced.
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  #15  
Old 26 Dec 2014
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Any bike can be unreliable. I have owned a range of bikes including BMW's and here are my observations as someone who goes travelling

The cost of the carnet for your trip could seriously influence your bike, I would investigate that first and decide what your carnet budget is and work back from there

As for the bike I have travelled long distance on both a 1200GS and a 650GS but only 1 up. I like both bikes and so far reliability for me has not been an issue.

I rode my 650GS across North America twice covering 18.500 miles. In that time we only changed the tyres and had an oil change. We left them for 6 months in a storage locker and they started first time!

I now prefer the 650GS as its lighter, and has much longer fuel range but then I am only 1 up.

Look at your route and see what type of riding you will be doing.

I have just come back from Nepal, riding an old Royal Enfield with road tyres across some serious off-road stuff due to an unexpected diversion. It coped much better than many acclaimed off-road bikes. The moral of the story is that most bikes will go almost anywhere its normally the riders experience that will be a problem first.

Hope you have a great trip
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