I know this quote is old, and i think people should choose what they like and good luck to them. Nevertheless I thought I'd just mention that my old GS PD is approaching 400000 miles and is still on its original final drive, my brother's R100RT is over 200000 miles and is still on his original shaft and final drive, my friends R80/7 is over 100000 miles and still on its original shaft and final drive, another friend has 2 Guzzis both over 100000 miles, still on their original shafts and final drives.

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That's a lot of miles Big Ups to you!
At all the big BMW rallies here we'd always met guys like you. But my question is ... has your bike done much hard ... or even semi-hard dual sport travel?

I've followed GS's since 1981 (owned a '81 R80GS) and have dozens of current and former friends that have ridden BMW 30 years. (old guys! )

The early GS's (and other models) had fewer shaft, driveline and trans failures. But starting with R100GS and beyond ... we have seen A LOT of failures ... of all kinds actually.

The Oil Heads were even worse. Dunno about latest LC models but I do know BMW finally wised up and ditched the Getrag gear box and now use a Japanese gear box. The irony of that cracks me up!

Once guys started running the GS's on rough off road tracks whilst loaded up ... well shafts, gear boxes and bearings began to fail at a HIGH RATE. It's not a myth or made up by haters ... it's well documented FACT.

In my riding group we have 3 long time, certified BMW dealer mechanics and one former dealer owner (now passed on). The stories we would hear from the mechanics would mean you'd never buy another BMW. But man, nothing better to ride than a nicely set up R1200GS! (one of my Fav's ... but one I'd never own)

Things are better now at BMW (public relations wise) and corporate are finally admitting to **** ups and dealing with most of them. In our riding group over the last 12 years about the only mechanicals have been BMW GS's and KTM 990/950. Usually 2 to 4 day mixed rides on very bumpy pavement or off road.
Technical and rough.

You've been lucky ... but I wonder how much you've spent on parts and maintenance? Do you do all your own service or use a dealer. Total costs?
My R12GS riding buddies all paid extra for extended warranties ...getting a total of 7 years cover.

As for hard dual sport travel, no I am no head banging wheelie merchant, in fact I am pretty easy on my machines. Distance travel so far is limited to Europe, Africa, Asia and Siberia. I am more a traveller than a seeker of off road pleasure riding, but I do not avoid unmettaled surfaces.

My GS which I bought with 14500 miles on the clock in 1995 is probably no better than any other BMW of it's era. I have a box file stuffed full to bursting with receipts for service items and replacement parts I have bought over the years. Nevertheless the crankshaft is the un-reground original and as previously reported the final drive has never been touched save the oil seals.

I do all my own work, some of which I post videos of on my YouTube channel, Moto Phoenix

I am certainly no deciple of all things BMW and I would be unlikely to consider a modern one, but out of the many bikes I have owned over 45 years of riding motorcycles most every day this is the one I like the best so far.

I am not a fan of most modern bikes because current designs are manufactured to suit the assembly line which makes them less suitable to work on in the field. I once took my brother's 100 RT gearbox out in a Pyrenean campsite. I'd be less inclined to do that on a 1200 RT.

Like I said, folks should ride the bikes they like, there is no right or wrong. People who make derogatory comments about others because of the bikes they ride are just childish attention seekers.

Lastly, my original post was a response to his chain comment as much as anything.

Right you are regards bike choice. Just wanted to chime in with a "reality check" regards BMW's and their history. Also to point out your experience seems to be the exception, not the rule.

I haven't read through all this thread, but why not a small cc moto? I have a 250cc Honda Tornado in SA, and it's absolutely perfect for there. So many good adventures would not have happened if I had a 650cc moto, because I would not have gone there. Most of SA, you don't need a big moto, unless you're only riding the PanAm highway and maybe a couple solid surface dirt roads. With that, you miss the best scenery and the best experiences.

Most riders, me included, are not hard ass riders on big motos, and they are too big for the really rough stuff; cross a stream with a muddy entry/exit for example. Very doable on a small moto.

In the States, with fast roads, the bigger moto becomes a good choice, but then that eliminates the slimy road surfaces. Choices then are: where are you going to ride? I have big moto for the blacktop type riding, and smaller for more gnarly.

When the road was all dirt, I've watched liter sized GS riders going down the switchbacks to Batopilis in Mexico, really slow and apprehensive. Small moto, you get to rip and have fun.