Okay I've been reading bits and pieces from the forum for the past couple of months having newly discovered the site and thinking its damn good!! My question to hand is this: Other than suspension and a larger tank is there much difference between GS and GSA, and would it be just more cost effective to change the parts on the GS? I've read some good points and not so good points about the new 1200,which could all be placed down to teething problems, [not something I would want to come across in the outback of Oz.] My intention is after a test ride around Australia to then ship to Hong Kong and go on up through into China, Mongolia, and on to Russia and Europe. Since you all know so much more than me about these bikes, any suggestions?? I've plenty of experience racing 650KTM's so a bit of weight isn't too much of a concern..
Look forward to any thoughts

Okay ricochet

I will start offending everyone first. I would take a Japanese bike of the big aircooled single variety. I took a BMW , Ok an Oldy and with hindsight not so well preped...thats to diffuse comments to that effect...and I wanted to use one. You can get spares for Jap bikes more easily, people are familiar with them and unlike Ewan Mac Gregor BMW will not fly a mechanic out to mongolia to fix it., nor a crew of ten to help you pick it up.You need fewer tools and as you have been playing with big singles probably have some idea how to fix them.

Power is not really an issue, you will be trying to hard not to get smacked to want to go real fast, not to mention missing the scenery. In Siberia most later model cars are right hand drive Jap imports while the road rules are for left hand drive cars.

The 12GS has had issues with the final drive..its sealed for life so no easy fix..not to mention some bizarre electrical events! of the four or five people I know with 1150's only one has had a trouble free run with the drive shaft and seals, the others all crap out every 15-18 k kilometres.

If you want to see the really good stuff in the mountains by yourself then you need a proper trail bike not a giant humvee road bike.

I have freinds here who have a totally different view to me, but they owned the reliable 1150 and were two up with no camping gear...snapped an alternator belt, broke the subframe.

Ok bring it on BMers, the BMW pshycological support group is with me!

Oh total problems for 3 new KLR 650s across Russia ( combined kms over 60,000) one flat and one set of worn steering head bearings.

That said I wouldnt trade my time in Novo with the mechanics for anything now and I've an unreliable but relatively simple BMW to thank for it.

Are you confused yet ..I am.

cheers

alec

http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson

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Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality

would have to agree with simmo. having ridden 60k miles rtw on a bmw, i recommend something with "made in japan" stamped on the chassis. a 2-cylinder Honda AT or TA is as useful as a single.

IMHO

later
ChrisB

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TheBright StuffDotCom

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Brighty's website: TheBrightStuffDotCom

CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

I have a new 1200GS. There a great bike. The handling is superb, very light and flickable. The engine is a peach, loads of power and free reving. The gearbox in very light and precise. The brakes have, easily, the best stopping power of any bike I've ridden and comfort is superb. I reckon it's definately the best bike I've owned.

Would I take it RTW? eer, no I would not. The model is too new, too complex and an unknown quantity with regards reliability. I've only done a couple of thousand miles so far and confidence is growing but, I've heard of so many problems with them that it will take some time before I'd trust it completely. Having said that I'm not planning on anything much further than Europe this year and the BMW warranty is probably the best there is. I've had somewhere near thirty bike and the only problems I've had have been with BMW's. One was so bad the dealer gave me my money back.

If I were doing a long overland trip I'd go on an Africa twin or possibly another airhead GS.

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\"Bon Chance\"

Has anyone ridden one of the 1200GSs across Asia or Africa yet? Is anyone underway?

Any more detail on the problems of this model greatly appreciated.

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www.TokyotoLondon.com

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Go to www.ukgser.com forums. More info/opinions than you can shake a stick at.

Mick